Plant in persons hands

Team South of Scotland approach will support the local economy through Covid-19 says two Councils and SOSE

As details around the £100m extra funding to support the local economy have been released by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture today (21 April), the news is being welcomed by ‘Team South of Scotland’ made up of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

The Economy Secretary has today (21 April) released the detail of the Scottish Government’s £100m extra funding. This will include a Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund, a Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund and a Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund. Creative Scotland’s Bridging Bursaries in the not for profit sector will also receive £1m top up funding.

Team SOS have welcomed this news and are working to implement the required actions to support people to access the eligible funding in early May.

Professor Russel Griggs OBE Chair of SOSE said: “We welcome the announcement of a further boost in funds to be made available for Scottish businesses and the newly self-employed during the coronavirus crisis. The new package of extra funding will prove a vital lifeline for many of our businesses and individuals across the South of Scotland.  The additional support will also be of particular value to some of the micro and SME businesses that are the lifeblood of many of our rural communities. We will work closely with our partners to help eligible businesses access this extra money, along with support from our own resources.  Our priority is to get money out quickly to those businesses that need it.”

Depute Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Rob Davidson, said: “As we continue to administer business grants as quickly as possible, we will ensure that we help people access the extra funding being announced. As always, our priority is to make sure we do what’s necessary to release this much-needed additional money as quickly and as effectively as we can. Partnership working between both Councils, SOSE and other local bodies is continuing to help implement a robust recovery plan which also is looking beyond the immediate emergency.”

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Business and Economic Development said: “As Team South of Scotland, we have already been developing plans to ensure support is made available to those who fall through the gaps so this extra funding will allow us to reassess where we are in terms of what further support needs to be made available in our region. We can assure people that our work as one collective team and voice for the South of Scotland is continuing on this. This additional funding will help support existing plans and ensure we continue deliver our ultimate goal which is to make sure the right support is being given for businesses and communities across our area.”

Information on how to apply to access the various new grants will be released in due course.

View the Scottish Government News Release.

Editors Notes

The Team SOS approach builds upon the existing strengths of both Councils and the newly established SOSE with officials and Members from all three organisations meeting virtually on a regular basis to develop a shared understanding and plans that will provide the support where there are gaps from existing support available. Read the news story.

Support from Team South of Scotland is available from: