A £2m ‘digital development’ loan fund has been launched for companies to improve their digital capabilities in cyber security, data analytics, and software engineering, as well as develop the digital skills of their staff.
“The Scottish Government has listened to the needs of the sector and are introducing this loan at 0% interest rates, helping firms to spread the cost of investment over 3 to 5 years,” it said in a statement.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “We are committed to investing £36 million to improve Scotland’s digital productivity and ensure we are ready to embrace the opportunities of a digitally driven economy in the future.
“The £2 million Digital Development Loan is the first phase of that process and will provide access to finance for small and medium sized businesses who want to improve their digital capabilities and the skillset of their staff.
“The Scottish Government will continue to work with business to ensure companies across Scotland have support they require to invest in their company, their staff and in their digital future.”
Lanarkshire Enterprise Services Ltd (LESL), has been awarded the tender to deliver and manage the Digital Development Loan. LESL provides specialist business support for small to medium enterprises to help their businesses grow and succeed.
Liz McCutcheon, operations manager at LESL, said: “This loan will be a great asset to Scottish businesses to help them increase their digital skills, invest in digital equipment and ultimately support the deployment of digitally enabled processes to boost the economy in Scotland.”
DigitalScotland 2022
25 Oct 2022
On the cyber horizon: predictions for 2022
As 2021 draws to a close, we see a world still challenged by Covid-19, necessitating new business models, new channels and a shift (perhaps for the long term) to remote…
Jude McCorry: “Focus on cyber strategy alone is not enough”
The number of cyber attacks has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic, with both international and domestic cyber criminals taking advantage of our increased reliance on…
Not a drop wasted: digital cask filling can save the whisky industry millions
Scotland’s food and drink sector is central to the country’s economy. Bringing in around £14 billion every year, it employs more than 115,000 people and accounts for one in five manufacturing…
The value of engineering in the curriculum
If you were to look back at the greatest discoveries in science and technology over the past 30 years, you would soon notice that engineering is a key catalyst for…
Glasgow Council leads the way in digital learning
In 2017, we at Glasgow City Council took the opportunity to overhaul our digital approach to education and redefine learning, keeping in mind the core aim of reducing the impact…
Why data is the new oil
In 2006, British mathematician Clive Humby coined the phrase, “Data is the new oil”. This analogy has been proven correct as data now powers entire industries and holds tremendous value…
Global Entrepreneurship Week offers chance to reset aspirations amid new innovation landscape
With the advent of Global Entrepreneurship Week, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate the innovators, the grassroots risk takers who drive the economy, and those who invest in…
Aberdeenshire leads the way in work-based learning
There has long been debate about the distinction to be drawn between vocational and academic learning. However, in Aberdeenshire Council the focus is on what is best for our learners;…
