1st March 2021
Responding to the announcement by the UK Treasury of plans for £5billion Restart Grants for businesses that have been hit hardest by pandemic restrictions, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:
“The additional funds to support the cash flow of those businesses that have been hit hardest by closures or restrictions will be welcome as they face significant challenges in the coming weeks and months. Grants will be a lifeline for companies as they look to restart, rebuild and create jobs as the economy starts to reopen. Businesses need to be at the heart of the decisions made to distribute this support. The challenge for the Scottish Government will be to ensure that the consequential funding is distributed as efficiently and easily as possible – and that it is aligned with a roadmap to the easing of restrictions.”
On proposed changes to the UK’s visa system, Dr Liz Cameron said:
“An efficient, low-cost and non-bureaucratic immigration system is critical to ensuring Scottish businesses and universities can retain and attract the talent they need. This will be key to maintaining and increasing our world-class research and innovation which will be essential to the quality and speed of the economic recovery.”
