Nicola Sturgeon has announced £100m of extra funding to boost Scotland's economy and support businesses in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU, bringing forward support for job-creating projects and arrangements to help businesses deal with uncertainty.
She said:
"The UK government has not yet taken any meaningful action to alleviate uncertainty or to boost confidence, and there are very real concerns that the damage to the economy and to jobs will be severe and long lasting."
Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, deemed the investment "a timely boost" and a great example of the use of devolved powers.
Andy Willox, from the Federation of Small Businesses, welcomed the plans to engage with businesses in particular, and said it was important to "squeeze every drop of value" from the new spending.
Added Kenneth Gibson:
"Boosting the economy with much needed expenditure is vital at this time of increasing uncertainty both to sustain employment and grow business confidence. It is time that the UK Tory Government did likewise."
ENDS
