Scots civil emergency response readied
The Scottish Government’s emergency resilience room - normally used to handle civil emergencies - is to be “activated” next month to deal with the impact of B rex it coming into effect.
Constitution Secretary Michael Russell said contingency measures had been put in place to ensure Scots get the medical supplies they need and that support for businesses remains in place.
The Brexit transition period will expire at the end of the year, meaning EU rules and regulations no longer apply in the UK.
No deal on future trade and other arrangements have yet been reached with the EU.
This has prompted concerns of widespread disruption, particularly on the Channel crossings through which lorries bring vital commodities into the country, such as food and medicines.
“It is beyond belief that, in the midst of a global pan - demic, Scotland is just five weeks away from being removed from the EU single market and customs union against its will by the UK Government," Mr Russell said.
“Whatever the outcome of the current negotiations between the UK and the EU, we know Scotland’s economy and its communities are facing unnecessary damage at the worst possible time.
“The Scottish Government will continue to do ever y - thing we can to mitigate against the consequences of the UK Government’ s reckless actions to support, as much as we can, our economy, health services and vulnerable communities."