Government must continue to help firms

With lockdown measures continuing to ease across many areas, we are all having to get used to the ‘new normal’which in some ways, for many, is proving just as challenging as lockdown itself.

While restrictions are being lifted, due to all of our continued efforts and sacrifices, we have seen just how quickly circumstances can change with situations like those in Aberdeen where local lockdown measures had to be imposed and in Dundee where a specific school had to close due to new cases of the virus. It is more important than ever that we follow public health and Scottish Government advice to continue with the hard won progress we have made.

It is clear from feedback I am receiving, that businesses across the local area and across Scotland, continue to be impacted by the ongoing pandemic.

In the past few weeks, we’ve seen a number of companies announcing widescale job losses and this is one of the reasons why I am backing calls for the UK Government to extend the Job Retention Scheme into next year.

While, in my view the UK Tory Chancellor plans to prematurely end the furlough scheme entirely on October 31, we are seeing European countries like Germany extend their version of the scheme for 24 months which will come as a welcome relief to millions of workers and businesses who are worried about their future.

The jobs and livelihoods of many local people are on the line and the UK government must rethink its catastrophic plans to scrap the furlough scheme early and extend the measures into 2021.

If they won’t then the Tories should let Holyrood have the powers so Scotland can take the action we need to save jobs.

Over the lockdown period, more and more people have turned to advice services for support and guidance and I welcome the announcement last week from the Scottish Government of an additional £2.4 million to support this vital work, providing more people with access to free debt advice.

The investment will assist projects offering face to face advice using video calls and projects aimed at moving debt solution processes online. The funding will also help organisations manage the expected increase in demand as a result of the economic impacts of coronavirus, giving help and assistance to those who have been most affected.

Last month local communities were concerned about the decision of Stagecoach to end the lifeline 23 bus service which many people rely on to go to work, access important health services and see family and friends.

I raised the issue in Parliament with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and asked whether the recently announced £63 million Scottish Government fund to support bus services could be used to help.

It is great news therefore that, following consultation and dialogue with local partners, Firstbus have created a new service which will start on September 12 and run between Stirling and Kinross, providing access to Stirling University.

I am sure that local people will join me in welcoming this news and thanking everyone involved in securing the future of this vital service.

Many local jobs are currently on the line