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We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for businesses of all kinds across Scotland, including the hospitality and tourism supply chains. We have allocated almost £3 billion to support businesses, including those in the hospitality and tourism supply chains, in response to COVID-19.

The £30 million discretionary fund introduced in November 2020 targets businesses which are affected by COVID-19 restrictions but do not meet the criteria for other funds. The fund allows local authorities to allocate grants at their discretion to support businesses including those in the supply chain.

To help businesses deal with the impact of coronavirus, the Scottish Government introduced extra rates reliefs for non-domestic properties from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. This includes 100% relief for properties in the hospitality sectors where the property is wholly or mainly used for a purpose, or purposes, set out in Schedule 1 of the Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus Reliefs) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.

To be eligible for support through the Scottish Wholesale Food and Drink Resilience Fund, food and drink wholesale must be the main part of the business and was defined for the purpose of this fund as being a route to market in the consolidation and distribution of multi-supplier stocks. While wholesaling may be the route to market for finished products, if a business’ main activity (or representing over 20% of the business) is the production, manufacture, repackaging or processing (primary or secondary) of food & drink, or any other activity which is not wholesaling food and drink as per the definition above, then they are not eligible for this specific fund.

A business whose main activity is a) baking or b) food manufacture was therefore not eligible for this fund.

We recognise the scale of the global challenge affecting the aviation sector, including the wider supply chain, which continues to be impacted by Covid-19. All non-domestic properties are benefiting from a 1.6% universal Non-Domestic Rates relief in 2020-21 and airports and ground handling service providers in Scotland are being granted 100% relief.

The Scottish Government does not intend to further amend The Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus Reliefs) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 in 2020-21. However, we are working with airports on route recovery, to help rebuild connectivity for business and tourism. The re-establishment of previously operated routes, and the return of the passengers who use these, once we are able to safely lift travel restrictions, will help support the wider aviation supply chain.

The Small Business Grants were administered by local authorities and the Scottish Government does not hold property-level data on awards. The Scottish Government does however publish statistics on the number of awards granted and the value of these awards which is available at following link:

The Scottish Government is not able to reliably identify betting offices on the Valuation Roll, and therefore cannot confirm the number of properties operating in this sector that are in receipt of rates relief.

All non-domestic properties including betting shops will automatically benefit from a 1.6% relief in 2020-21. Betting shops may further have been eligible for other reliefs such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) and Empty Property Relief (EPR).

Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Relief further provides 100% relief for properties that are used wholly or mainly for the qualifying purposes set out in Schedule 1 of the Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus Reliefs) (Scotland) Regulations 2020. ‘Betting shops’ are not specifically listed in this schedule.

Rates reliefs awards are made by local authorities who administer the non-domestic system. It is for them to determine eligibility based on the legislation.

The Scottish Government has not taken over responsibility for any Hospedia contract since May 2016.

As with all other clinical treatments, decisions about CPR should be based on the individual clinical circumstances and wishes of the patient and recorded appropriately. Such information is only shared for the purposes of direct care and is therefore not centrally collected.

If an individual wishes to raise a complaint about NHS treatment or care this should be addressed at a local level through the (CHP). The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 and supporting legislation, provides a specific right for people to make complaints, raise concerns, make comments and give feedback to NHS Boards. The Act also places a duty on NHS Boards to thoroughly investigate and respond to any concerns raised, to take improvement actions where appropriate and to share learning from the views they receive. Where an individual remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the CHP investigation, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) is the second and final stage in the complaints process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33923 on 16 December 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at

The Scottish Government recognises that this is an extremely difficult time for businesses across Scotland. From the outset we have been explicit that we are passing on to support business in Scotland every penny of the UK Government’s consequential funding that has come for business support to Scotland, and we have delivered a package of financial support to help as many businesses as possible. In designing the relief system we had to balance helping as many businesses as possible against affordability.

The non-domestic rates reliefs introduced in Scotland as a result of the COVID-19 disruption are set out in The Non-Domestic Rates (Coronavirus Reliefs) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, as amended. These may be accessed at .

In 2020-21, all non-domestic properties in Scotland will automatically benefit from a 1.6% rates relief, and a 100% relief is available for properties in the Retail, Hospitality, Leisure and Airport sectors that meet the qualifying purpose or purposes specified in the classes in schedule 1 of the regulations, as amended. Non-domestic rates are administered by local authorities, and the interpretation of the relevant legislation and the awarding of reliefs is a matter for them.

When the pandemic began, we moved rapidly to put in place a support package worth over £2.3 billion, including reliefs, to provide lifeline support to businesses enabling them to close down safely, and survive though the initial crisis, protecting jobs and livelihoods. We have since announced a further £570m of business support to help mitigate some of financial challenges facing businesses.

Betting shops may have been eligible for the £10,000 Small Business Grant Fund which was available for the ratepayers of properties in receipt of Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) relief or Rural relief, or eligible for SBBS but in receipt of certain other reliefs.

From 2 November the Strategic Framework Business Fund offers financial support for businesses required to close by law, or specifically required to modify their operations by law. Eligibility depends on where the premises are located and what level of restrictions are in place at any point in time.

Further, the Local Authority Discretionary Fund empowers local authorities to support businesses and self-employed people in their area who require additional financial support, including supply chain businesses impacted by restrictions. This fund is specifically designed to target businesses who have not received direct financial support through other Scottish Government schemes, and recognises the insight that councils have on the business community in their area and where funding would be most effectively deployed in supporting local economies. It is for Local authorities to use this fund at their discretion, and they will undertake their own assessment of need.

We continue to seek the funding and powers we require to support Scottish businesses through this pandemic and to engage with specific sectors who may face unique impacts and consider how best to provide help and support.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33904 on 22 December 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .