Pandemic is biggest crisis since WWII
Cllr warns South Lanarkshire faces economic challenges
The coronavirus crisis has left South Lanarkshire with “enormous economic and social challenges”, and “the biggest crisis since World War II” a Rutherglen councillor has warned.
Ru t h e r g l e n S ou t h councillor Robert Brown, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on South Lanarkshire Council, also added that the challenges needed a “total and needle sharp focus” from the Council and the Scottish Government if the local economy was to be revived.
He has also called for local firms to be supported, new jobs created and local people given the help they need.
Mr Brown ’ s words came after the Reformer revealed last week that the local authority is facing a “catastrophic impact” on public services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Council chief executive Cleland Sneddon has already written to the Scottish Government ’ s finance secretary Kate Forbes regarding his fears.
Cllr Brown said: “There must be no distractions.
“This is the biggest crisis which we have seen since the Second World War.
“The Liberal Democrats have an eight-point package which needs action from the Scottish Government and South Lanarkshire Council to deal with the immediate economic challenges, promote recovery in health and social care services and plan for future prosperity.”
The Lib Dem proposals would involve a programme of energy conservation and green energy to create jobs and bring long term environmental benefits
Part of this would involve a retro- fit programme for home insulation to create jobs, tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.
They have also called for the reversal of the yearlong delay in entitlement to 1140 hours of childcare, a matter that was also raised by the Labour party last week.
Other proposals include better support for local businesses whenever government imposes a local lockdown, action to help the millions excluded from existing support schemes, such as freelancers, and a mental health recovery plan to make up for the years of neglect of mental health before the virus.
Further parts of the Lib Dem proposals would see a plan for universities and colleges including: new bursaries to attract students to train in key disciplines and testing for international students as well as an immediate future-focused inquiry into the handling of the virus crisis.
Lastly they have called for more care workers and a reform of their pay rates.
Mr Brown added: The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government really must deal properly with these challenges.”