At the SNP’s spring conference in Aberdeen on Saturday, The First Minister said that the fund will enhance Scotland’s digital skills and improve economic productivity.

She said: “It is estimated that if we make better use of cloud technology and big data, the benefits to our economy could be over £5 billion a year. Recent studies estimate that we need more than 12,000 new workers with digital skills every year.

“And yet only a quarter of businesses report that they are doing anything at all to develop the technology skills of their current workforces. We need to change that.”

The Digital Growth Fund will offer loans to companies looking to train their staff in digital skills, supported by funding over three years.

It is reported to enable up to 6000 people per year to access training in key areas such as software development, web design, and digital marketing.

The First Minister said that it would help businesses “invest in their staff and build our country’s future.”

“A strong economy is the basis for strong public services.”

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