The money for construction is part of a 拢230m package designed to help stimulate Scotland鈥檚 economy following the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative covers construction, low-carbon projects, digitisation and business support and is intended to provide a flow of work for businesses and support jobs. It is funded by the reallocation of underspends from schemes interrupted by Covid-19.聽
Construction鈥檚 拢78m includes 拢40m for regeneration projects and 拢20m for road maintenance.
Finance secretary Kate Forbes said: 鈥淭he impact of Covid-19 has been enormous on both businesses and individuals and the Scottish government has so far spent more than 拢4 billion tackling its effects.
鈥淲e are also taking steps to accelerate our economic recovery and this package ensures that we can make immediate use of money which, because of the pandemic, might otherwise not have been spent this year.
鈥淚 do not underestimate the challenges we face but I also see opportunities. It is important we take this chance to reshape our economy in a way that works for everyone and promotes long-term growth, not just quick fixes.聽
鈥淭his 拢230 million delivers investment across Scotland and will boost the green recovery, speed up digitisation and bolster construction, supporting hundreds of jobs.鈥�
She added that larger programmes will follow and that she will continue pressing the UK government both for new financial powers and greater certainty over funding.
鈥淭hese additional powers are now absolutely essential 鈥� without them Scotland will be planning for recovery with one hand tied behind our back.鈥�
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