A RECENT tweet from a BBC journalist suggests that the broadcaster has been given more information about how the UK's budget will affect Scotland than the Scottish Government has, according to Kate Forbes.
The Scottish Finance Secretary highlighted a tweet from BBC presenter Gary Robertson in which he said that extra funds for tackling Covid-19, announced in the budget yesterday, would lead to £360 million extra for Holyrood through Barnett consequentials.
Forbes pointed out that, if accurate, it revealed the BBC had "been given more info than the Scottish Government" on what additional money would come to Scotland as a result of increased spending in England.
This suggests the BBC has been given more info than the Scottish Government on the consequential funding arising from the (welcome) Covid-19 business support announced yesterday by the Chancellor. https://t.co/7MUpsxvDNA
— Kate Forbes MSP (@KateForbesMSP) March 12, 2020
She went on to say that the funding was welcome, and acknowleged the situation was developing rapidly before concluding: "We are ready to act and just need confirmation from Treasury about the consequential funding for Scotland."
Measures announced in yesterday's budget include:
- A £1bn business rates holiday in the coming year for retail, leisure and hospitality firms with a rateable value of under £51,000;
- The Government fully meeting the cost of providing statutory sick pay for up to 14 days for workers in firms with up to 250 employees, providing over £2bn for up to two million businesses;
- Statutory sick pay available to all those advised to self-isolate, even if they have no symptoms, and sick notes available from NHS 111 rather than a GP
- Reforms to the benefits system to make it easier to access funds, providing a £500 million boost to the welfare system along with a £500 million hardship fund;
- A new coronavirus business interruption loan scheme offering government guarantees to support banks lending £1 billion to small businesses;
- A £3000 cash grant to businesses eligible for small business rates relief
- A freeze on alcohol duty and a £5000 business rates discount for pubs.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, argued the Tories"have cut per person spending on public services by a whopping 21%", adding that "this Budget comes nowhere near either to close or reverse that devastating legacy."
He concluded: "Let's be clear – the poor becoming poorer was a Tory political choice."
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