The Scottish government has unveiled a £3m advertising boost for newspapers across Scotland.

Holyrood has unveiled the new public health information partnerhsip, which will help national, regional and community titles operating in Scotland.

The ads will appear in addition to those published as a result of the ‘All In, all together’ advertising campaign being run in newspapers across the UK by the Westminster government.

Announcing the move on Twitter, the Scottish government said the investment will “provide a valuable economic stimulus” for the newspaper industry in Scotland.

Kate Forbes, pictured, Holyrood’s cabinet secretary for finance, said: “Scotland’s newspaper industry plays a vital role informing the public on COVID-19 developments and its impact.

“The Scottish government will continue to share public health messages in Scottish papers and on their digital sites.”

The announcement has been welcomed by Scottish Newspaper Society director John McLellan.

He told HTFP: “The SNS is delighted that the Scottish government will be investing in our titles and it is recognition of the key role our titles play in communicating effectively with communities up and down Scotland.

“Newspapers are no different to any other business in feeling the full effects of the COVID-19 crisis, but this investment will help ensure that our publications are in a much better place to survive the crisis.

“The Scottish government also recognises that news publishers’ platforms, especially local ones, are vital conduits for companies large and small to market their goods and services as they rebuild in the recovery.”

HTFP reported earlier this week how Westminster had vowed to keep publishing public health ads in regional papers across the UK after a rival proposal was put forward for Scottish titles by the devolved government in Holyrood.

The UK government said it would continue to run the advertising scheme in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland “where it complements the positions of the devolved administrations”, after its official advice for England diverged from that issued in the other nations.

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