Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has welcomed the publication of the allocation figures for the Coronavirus hardship and resilience funds.

The Scottish Government provided over £2.65m in emergency support to businesses in Na h-Eileanan an Iar through four targeted funds since April 2020.

The Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund, the Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund, Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund and the Bed & Breakfast Hardship Fund represented a total fund allocation of £185m during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Welcoming the figures, Alasdair Allan MSP commented:

“The publication of this data demonstrates the Scottish Government’s rapid response to support business and protect jobs during the unprecedented hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These funds injected vital finance into sectors of the island economy most severely affected by the lockdown, such as tourism, hospitality and construction.

“Support was responsive, and additional funds were designed and delivered to businesses and individuals who had fallen through the cracks of other support, getting as much money out to as many businesses and individuals as quickly as possible.”