CALL FOR TORY MSPS TO ENSURE £70 MILLION FUNDING PLEDGES ARE HONOURED

aUK GOVERMENT BACKTRACKS ON CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT FOR SCOTLAND
 
Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie has called on local Tory MSP Miles Briggs to make the case for coronavirus funding pledges to be honoured by Boris Johnson - after the UK Government backtracked on £70 million worth of funding for business and charities in Scotland.
 
On 2nd May, the UK Government announced a £617 million extension to business grants, which it advised would generate £60 million of funding consequentials for Scotland under the Barnett Formula. 
 
However, the UK Government informed the Scottish Government this week that this additional funding would not now materialise, which will cause concern for businesses and industry in Midlothian and East Lothian.
 
Furthermore, last month £35 million of consequentials was earmarked to the Scottish Government in respect of charity support direct grant, but this was amended by the Treasury to £25 million at a later date.

Commenting, Colin Beattie MSP said:
 
“Funding commitments from the UK Government have to be taken in good faith as we work through this pandemic, but the fact that Boris Johnson's government has simply pulled the rug on £70 million of funding completely undermines the whole process.
 
“The Scottish Government committed to spending that money in the belief that the UK Government would honour its word – Tory MSPs in Lothian should urgently seek reassurance from their colleagues in the Treasury that future funding announcements will be robust and reliable enough to act upon without creating unnecessary financial risks.

“We’ve already seen the Scottish Government take action to fill gaps in UK-wide support schemes, so the last thing we need is an additional financial burden put on businesses in Midlothian and East Lothian because of the Treasury’s shameful decision to short-change Scotland. 
 
“The UK government must act immediately to ensure the £70 million they promised is allocated as quickly as possible and in its entirety, so that the Scottish Government can continue to protect jobs and businesses in Midlothian and East Lothian.”