Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan today welcomed the announcement by the First Minister that island businesses affected by Covid 19 restrictions would receive additional support.

The First Minister today announced that the Scottish Government is to make some one-off additional support available in level 3 areas, including the Western Isles to help those businesses that are being severely impacted by the restrictions despite not having to close as those in level 4 would.

The Scottish Government will now be allocating approximately £3 million to local authorities so that they are better able to support affected businesses.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“I previously raised this issue with the First Minister and Finance Secretary, as I had been contacted by a number of businesses across the Islands who were reporting a large impact due to the restrictions despite the Western Isles being in Level 3.

“I am grateful that the Government has listened to the call for extra support and responded in such a timely manner. I look forward to the work being done by the Government and the Comhairle to get the systems in place to deploy this money to the businesses that need it as soon as possible.”