SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT – WRITTEN ANSWERS TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
24 January 2022
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government for what reason self-catering, bed and breakfast accommodation and guest houses have reportedly been excluded from COVID-19 business funding delivered through VisitScotland, while hotels and hostels have been eligible for support.
Ivan McKee: The funding package to deal with the Omicron crisis was focused on those businesses most severely impacted by the cancellations due to public health advice and re-introduction of regulations on some businesses. The hostel sector whose business model is reliant on accommodating large numbers of (often unrelated) households mixing at one time, was particularly impacted during this period. Similarly hotels with bars and restaurants were particularly affected and therefore made eligible for hospitality top-up payments.
We sympathise with businesses such as self-catering, B&Bs and Guesthouses and others which have also been impacted by COVID-19. However, with limited funds available we have had to focus support on those most severely affected by restrictions. We will continue to consider the impacts of COVID and make the case with the UK Government for more comprehensive support.
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to self-catering businesses that have seen their business disrupted by COVID-19.
Ivan McKee: The funding package to deal with the Omicron crisis has been targeted at those businesses most severely impacted by the cancellations due to public health advice and re-introduction of restrictions on some businesses. For this tranche of funding this has meant support for the hostel sector, and hotels with bars and restaurants.
We recognise that the self-catering sector, alongside many other businesses across Scotland has also been adversely affected by COVID-19 and we strongly sympathise with them in light of the challenges this has presented. Limited funding available has necessitated our focus on targeting those most impacted by restrictions. We will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID on businesses and to engage in dialogue with the UK Government on the case for support.