Questions have been asked of the Scottish Finance Secretary after businesses in Scotland appear to be receiving less financial support to deal with coronavirus crisis compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the UK.
The Scottish Government has received £2.2bn in Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to help Scottish businesses.
One concern highlighted by local businesses is where they operate from more than one property. In Scotland, these businesses are not receiving the same help as those across the border in England.
In England, some businesses with more than one property receive a £25,000 grant per property. However, in Scotland, a business will only receive one grant regardless of the number of properties they operate from. This could result in some businesses losing out on tens of thousands of pounds of direct assistance to support jobs.
An Edinburgh coffee shop owner has started a petition calling on the Scottish Government to fix this problem. This shop keeper owns 6 coffee shops and would receive £150,000 if based in England but will only receive £25,000 financial support in Scotland.
Businesses across the Borders have been expressing concern and confusion about differing support for those elsewhere in the UK. Local MP, John Lamont, has written to the Scottish Government asking why these decisions have been made.
John Lamont MP commented: “I pay tribute to all those working day and night during the coronavirus outbreak to keep their employees in jobs and their businesses afloat. It is an understandably distressing time for everyone involved.
“A number of businesses with multiple properties in the Borders or across Scotland have contacted me about how they are not receiving the same help as their counterparts in England.
“The Scottish Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes MSP, must make it clear why the decision was made to not help those small businesses who have more than one premises. This will almost certainly cost jobs and have a severe impact on our local economy.”
