Funding call made by MSP

Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson says the SNP Government must bring in a cancellation compensation fund to prevent job losses caused by changes to Covid guidance.

Mr Simpson’s call comes as businesses in Monklands were hit by a wave of cancellations following Nicola Sturgeon’s plea for people to avoid Christmas parties.

The MSP says the Scottish Government “have the funding at their disposal right now to set up a short-term compensation fund”.

Mr Simpson added: “Jobs in Lanarkshire will be at risk if small businesses lose out on vital revenue that they were expecting over the festive period. The emergence of the new variant is a bitter blow to businesses across Central Scotland at one of their busiest periods of the year.

“The SNP need to step up and give them more support, but right now they appear to be passing the buck. They have money in their accounts to establish an emergency compensation fund to protect jobs.”