Retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses are to get 100 per cent non-domestic rates relief extended for at least another three months, Scottish finance secretary Katy Forbes announced today as she delivered the Scottish Budget.
Poundage has also been reduced to 49p saving ratepayers more than £120 million and delivering the lowest poundage in the UK.
Business support remains a priority so the Local Authority Discretionary Fund will be doubled to £60 million and businesses eligible for the Strategic Framework Business Fund will receive full Level 4 payments on February 22, regardless of any future changes to local restrictions.
Other measures include a new Green Workforce Academy to help people secure work in the low carbon economy, a £100 million Green Jobs Fund over the next parliament, £7 million towards making Scotland a world class hub for digital business and an additional £115 million for the Young Person’s Guarantee.
The Budget also proposed:
- £98.2 million to improve Scotland’s digital infrastructure and deliver access to high quality broadband and mobile coverage·
- A new £55 million programme to support town centres and community-led regeneration projects·
- £1.3 billion for the Scottish Police Authority·
The Scottish Budget 2021-22 document is available online.
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