Applications open for lifeline support schemes
Fiona Hyslop, Scottish Government Economy Secretary, confirmed yesterday 30 April a £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses and the newly self-employed. Applications are now open with first payments expected later in May.
The sporting and deer management sector has received assurances that it is not excluded from these support measures which comprise three separate funds administered by local authorities and Scotland’s enterprise agencies.
They include a £34 million hardship fund for the newly self-employed, a £45 million fund for viable SMEs crucial to the Scottish economy which are vulnerable, and a £20 million fund for small and micro enterprises in the creative, tourism and hospitality sectors of which let shooting and stalking are a part. These measures are also designed to relieve the hardship of smaller firms in particular that are ineligible for other forms of support.
ADMG would be interested to hear from member businesses that apply for grant support but then have their applications rejected. We would hope however that these new measures do now open up some degree of support for the majority of applicants.
More detail is available via this portal https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/
The issue of 100% business rates relief for sporting enterprises and deer forests however still remains unresolved. ADMG with other organisations in the sector has been lobbying Ministers to bring it into line and so have equal concessions with broader business rather than be excluded as at present.
Glengarry Support Group
ADMG has been forwarded this short film by the Glengarry Support Group showing the Thursday evening salute to key workers and a fine example of social distancing by the locals – watch to the end!
Margaret Payne’s fundraising total continues its ascent
You can still support the magnificent fundraising efforts of Margaret Payne, 90, widow of long time ADMG supporter and committee member Jim Payne of Ardvar, who is climbing the equivalent of the height of Suilven by going up (and down) her stairs at home. She has estimated that is around 282 trips up the stairs. She is raising money for the NHS and for the Highland Hospice and had, as at 1 May, raised just under £390,000 including Gift Aid. An incredible total so far (given that her target was just £10,000). Please visit her fundraiser website and pledge your support.
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E-SCOPE is produced for the Association of Deer Management Groups by Playfair Walker.
