THE Scottish Government will receive a minimum of £1.9 billion in additional funding this year, on top of £4.6 billion confirmed since March to help provide support following the coronavirus pandemic, the UK government has announced.
The unprecedented upfront guarantee will take the total amount of coronavirus funding guaranteed to the Scottish Government to a minimum of £6.5 billion for 2020/21 on top of their Spring Budget funding .
Any changes to the devolved administrations funding are normally confirmed at the end of the financial year, but today’s guarantee means they have the certainty to spend this funding now, on priorities such as the NHS and additional business support.
This funding is on top of the Spending Round 2019 settlement which was the biggest day-to-day funding increase in a decade.
Steve Barclay, chief secretary to the treasury, said: “At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we said we would do everything we could to support the whole of the UK – whether that’s saving jobs or ensuring our vital NHS has the equipment it needs. And that is exactly what we have done.
“Today we go one step further by giving the Scottish Government the certainty they need to plan their own support schemes over the next few months.”
Alister Jack, Scottish secretary, said: “It’s great news that the UK Treasury is providing the Scottish Government with a total of £6.5 billion in additional funding to tackle coronavirus, on top of their block grant.
“This will give them certainty of funding for the rest of the financial year, helping them to plan investment in the economy and public services effectively.”
