NICOLA Sturgeon will today say that Scotland’s recovery must be in Scotland’s hands as she highlights the SNP’s plans for a £25 million tourism recovery fund.
The SNP leader will be campaigning in East Lothian as Covid restrictions ease in the retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors and people are able to meet up in indoor public spaces for the first time this year.
On the visit, Sturgeon will highlight the 12 months’ rates relief available for businesses in those sectors – the most generous package in the UK – and set out plans to provide thousands of vouchers for short breaks and days out to carers, people with disabilities and families on low incomes as part of SNP plans to invest in a coronavirus economic recovery plan.
The SNP say the support for the sector contrasts with the Tories who are offering only three months’ rates relief in England, where they are in government, and who have threatened a return to austerity as we emerge from the pandemic.
Sturgeon will also warn that Scotland’s long-term recovery is in jeopardy if the key levers of the economy remain in the hands of an “austerity-obsessed” Westminster government.
Sturgeon is expected to say: “Today Scotland takes another big step forward in our recovery from the pandemic. After a long winter for all of us, I know that people across Scotland are keen to get out there and support their local businesses as they reopen. And I would encourage them to do so, safely.
“Tourism is one of Scotland’s crown jewels – with unrivalled natural beauty and cultural offerings backed by excellent infrastructure and world-renowned service. But it is also one of the sectors hardest-hit by Covid-19.
“Our £25m fund will help many people on low incomes or who have caring responsibilities access tourist destinations and enjoy short breaks who could not otherwise have done so. As we look toward Scotland’s long-term recovery, we need to decide whether to leave the key economic levers in the hands of Westminster, or if we can take better decisions about our future in Scotland.
“Over the last year, our ability as a government in Scotland to tailor the Covid restrictions and the support available to business to the needs of Scotland has been vital in getting the country to this point.
“It has been essential that the powers have been in Scotland’s hands, and that must also be the case as we move into recovery.
“Where we are backing our tourism businesses with 12 months of rates relief, in England they will be paying full rates within the next two months as support is pulled away as the Tories turn back toward austerity.
“Scotland cannot afford for our recovery to be determined by Westminster, by giving both votes to the SNP on May 6, people can elect a first minister and a government which is absolutely focused on Scotland’s recovery, and ensure that Scotland’s recovery is in Scotland’s hands.”
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