Question reference: S5W-35524
- Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 25 February 2021
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Current status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 8 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is being provided to English language schools that have had to close as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
We recognise the financial challenges that English Language Schools are experiencing as a result of restrictions introduced to control the spread of COVID-19. The limited funding made available to the Scottish Government by the UK Government prevents us from establishing a specific fund for every sector experiencing disruption as a result of COVID-19. We have, however, allocated £120 million in discretionary business support funding to Local Authorities enabling them to direct funding towards those sectors unable to access other sources of financial support. I would encourage English language schools to seek support through this route.