Question reference: S5W-33744
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 3 December 2020
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Current status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 17 December 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding allowing charities and third sector shops that are currently classified as non-essential to open in areas subject to restrictions to allow them to provide support to the communities that they serve.
Answer
We continue to do everything we can to support businesses in these unprecedented and challenging circumstances. This includes through the provision of grant funding through the Strategic Framework Business Support scheme, access to non-domestic rates relief and through UK Government supportive measures such as the Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Support. Non-essential retail business in Level 4 areas can continue to sell goods using on-line, click and collect and telephone ordering services.
While there has not been direct discussions on allowing non-essential charity shops to re-open the Scottish Government regularly engages with third sector partners in order to ensure the support we have in place is right and effective.
Much of that engagement and work is delivered through the Third Sector Unit, who have for instance clarified the applicability of business support measures to third sector organisations, and ensured that charities are explicitly included in the Strategic Framework grants which can be accessed if charity shops were forced to close through level four restrictions.