Workers need to be supported
It was disappointing, but given the rapid increase in cases, perhaps not surprising, to see some restrictions imposed as part of the fight against coronavirus.
No one wants to see some of the restrictions we lived under at the height of the pandemic come back into force, but, with 7.6 per cent of tests coming back positive, some action was inevitable.
That figure is far too high and we face the real danger that rates of transmission, once again, rise exponentially and the virus gets out of control.
I hope that the targeted measures outlined by the Scottish Government this week are successful in slowing and eventually halting the spread of Covid- 19, just as the blunter instrument of lockdown was at the beginning of the pandemic.
For us in Renfrewshire, the restrictions on household gatherings were already in place as part of the local changes that took place a few weeks ago.
That doesn’t make them any easier or lessen the impact on our families and lives.
Collectively, we must get through the coming weeks and months as best we can, knowing that every day we follow the guidance gets us a step closer to the end of this crisis.
None of the decisions taken to protect public health are without risk.
The incredibly difficult challenge is balancing those risks and trying to minimise the public health dangers of coronavirus with the very real impact on our wider society that these restrictions will have.
That’s why it’s more important than ever the UK Chancellor steps up to the plate, extends furlough and introduces a real income support scheme for people in self-isolation.
Businesses and individuals have overwhelmingly played by the rules and done their utmost to protect the public and those around them.
Instead, the furlough scheme will end next month, despite pleas from businesses, trade unions and from MPs in all parties for an extension.
Meanwhile, countries across Europe have recognised the need to support people in employment – Germany is just one example where their scheme has been extended for a full 24 months.
It’s time for the UK Government to acknowledge the cliff edge it currently proposes to throw workers over in just over five weeks’ time, admit its mistake and fix it.
There is no shame in admitting you were wrong – but the shame of flushing thousands of jobs down the drain should be indelibly marked on this government if they go through with their plans.
As parties have joined forces to highlight the furlough scheme’s flaws, we are also working together to try and provide more security for workers across the country.
Nearly 100 MPs from across the parties joined forces to sign an open letter to the Business Secretary, asking him to support my fire and rehire Bill, or introduce his own measures which would ban these Dickensian employment tactics.
I was also delighted to see the UK Labour leader come out in support of a ban on unscrupulous bosses and their bullying.
Too many companies think blackmailing staff into taking wage cuts and poorer conditions is an acceptable way to do business.
I disagree, and my Bill would stop these companies in their tracks.
It was a great example of what can be done when we work together to hold this Tory government to account and highlight the injustices they are allowing to happen under their watch.
More than ever, people need security and dignity at work, at a time when we all face huge challenges in our lives.