Public funds are not limitless

Sir, – Humza Yousaf, on behalf of the Scottish Government, stated at the weekend that he would pursue employers who do not pay staff who failed to report for work due to the adverse weather.

Needless to say, when asked exactly what steps he would take, the hapless Mr Humza replied that he would have to ‘check’ the legal position first.

In other words, more prevarication from the Scottish Government designed simply to avoid admitting that the only real advice they offered was for us all to sit at home and wait for spring.

To expect small businesses to pay for work not carried out, for whatever reason, is totally unrealistic.

But every soundbite Mr Humza and his colleagues can manufacture helps the Scottish Government avoid admitting what everybody knows – namely that it, and our local authorities, are actually incapable of keeping Scotland moving in circumstances which, although challenging, are ably coped with in other parts of the world, eg Scandinavia.

Politicians like Humza Yousaf get paid no matter what, but, of course, when applied to him, taxpayers’ funds are seemingly unlimited. Hard-pressed small businesses are a different kettle of fish altogether.

The only potential benefit of the Scottish Government’s hot air on this, and numerous other subjects, will be to hasten the thaw.

Jim Shaw. Hill Street, Dundee.