The Cabinet Secretary for Finance Kate Forbes MSP has presented the Scottish Budget 2021-22 to the Scottish Parliament.

New measures include a new Green Workforce Academy to help people secure work in the low carbon economy, a £100 million Green Jobs Fund over the next parliament, £7 million towards making Scotland a world class hub for digital business and an additional £115 million for the Young Person’s Guarantee.

Retail, hospitality, leisure and aviation businesses will get 100% non-domestic rates relief extended for at least an additional three months and the poundage has been reduced to 49 pence.

The Local Authority Discretionary Fund will be doubled to £60 million and businesses eligible for the Strategic Framework Business Fund will receive full Level 4 payments on 22 February, regardless of any future changes to local restrictions.

The budget also proposes:

• £98.2 million to improve Scotland’s digital infrastructure and deliver access to high quality broadband and mobile coverage
• A new £55 million programme to support town centres and community-led regeneration projects
• £1.6 billion for rail and bus services and £100.5 million for active travel to consolidate changes to healthy, green travel options seen during the pandemic
• Doubling the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, helping tourist attractions and local communities make improvements to cope with increased visitors
• An additional £27 million to expand woodland creation and the associated infrastructure, supporting green jobs

Other measures include:

• Health funding of over £16 billion
• £1.3 billion for the Scottish Police Authority
• More than £3.1 billion in resource and capital investment for education and skills
• £711.6 million for affordable housing

£68 million for the first full year of the Scottish Child Payment

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