Nicola Sturgeon and her team are facing questions as to where and how the Scottish Government is spending the £2.2billion it was handed by the UK central Government during this coronavirus crisis.
The Scottish First Minister is coming under pressure following the announcement of her finance minister that said businesses and charities in Scotland that are experiencing economic hardship during the coronavirus pandemic will receive a grant of up to £25,000. This can be compared with England where businesses and chains can receive up to £150,000 and in Wales where firms have been told they can receive a £200,000 grant. This is despite all countries receiving the same amount from Chancellor Rishi Sunak under the Barnett formula.
The Scottish Conservative Brian Monteith has called this “hypocrisy” when writing in the Scotsman: “Imagine the reaction from the First Minister to Rishi Sunak making such an announcement that openly discriminated against Scottish businesses. Visualise in your mind’s eye how clenched in anger her fists would be; how she would spit fire and epithets about Tories; how we would be told only a referendum to deliver independence could ensure such injustice is never again visited upon us. Of course not. He would be outraged at the injustice, angered to the point of exploding that Scotland should be so slighted, and its businesses so unfairly mistreated. For once I would agree and say he would be right. Only in Scotland is it impossible to establish the truth of what the Scottish Government is doing – where’s the money going?”
Scottish Finance Minister Kate Forbes sparked the anger when she announced a £25,000 grant for “hospitality, leisure and retail properties with a rateable value between £18,000 and £51,000”. Michael Lumsden, who owns a chain of health spas in England and Scotland, said Ms Forbes was “out of her depth” and accused Holyrood of dragging Scottish businesses “under the water”. Jon Sharp who is the owner of a chain of six coffee shops in the Scottish City of Edinburgh said the move was “incredible, almost unbelievable”.
UNN is a truly alternative news organisation delivering live shows, articles, outside broadcasts and so much more! We desperately need your support to continue each month and you can support our work by Clicking Here Now and SUBSCRIBING to show your support for Real News!
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
[sibwp_form id=4]
