RULES A ‘HELLISH HALFWAY HOUSE’
Complex raft of new curbs will hit jobs and business, say experts
SCOTLAND’S high streets are ‘on the road to hell’ due to the SNP’s complex multi-tier Covid-19 crackdown, experts warned last night.
As the nation tried to make sense of the blizzard of fresh restrictions, business leaders said they fear private sector morale has hit rock bottom.
The five-level system now imposes sliding scales of curbs and closures on all sectors of the economy according to localised virus spread.
Scottish Government grants will be available for businesses that have to shut their doors or find their takings badly affected by the pandemic plan.
However, it is claimed the SNP’s scheme may actually prove counter-productive, with firms and jobs being put at greater risk in areas with lighter restrictions.
The Adam Smith Institute said the rules had created a ‘hellish halfway house’ that will see many outlets – particularly pubs and restaurants – prevented from both trading freely and accessing vital extra support from the Treasury.
Matt Kilcoyne, deputy director of the Edinburgh think tank, said: ‘As it stands, it is better to be in Tier 4 than Tier 2 or 3.
‘[This scheme] actually makes those businesses who do open less eligible for any financial support that has been made available by the Treasury. I have no doubt
‘Beginning of an economic disaster’
Nicola Sturgeon’s heart is in the right place, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
‘This move is a mistake for the Scottish economy. The Scottish Government should be building a better relationship with the Chancellor Rishi Sunak i nstead of introducing what has become a mish-mash approach across the UK.’
He added: ‘We are looking at the beginning of an economic disaster if these plans don’t change.’
Yesterday’s announcement saw restrictions ease slightly for Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, as they were designated Level 1.
But Dundee found itself under tighter controls as it was moved into the same bracket as much of the Central Belt, Level 3.
In these areas, however, after a U-turn by Miss Sturgeon, pubs and restaurants forced to shut under the October ‘circuit-breaker’ will be allowed to reopen selling nonalcoholic drinks and food only, but with a curfew attached.
Adding to the patchwork are Level 2 restrictions for the rest of the country, with implications for opening hours, and businesses including hairdressers, beauticians, soft-play centres and bingo halls. The new measures come into force on Monday but last night the
Scottish Hospitality Group, which represents several pub and hotel chains, warned economic damage was now inevitable.
Spokesman Stephen Montgomery said: ‘The Scottish Government’s tiered Covid-19 alert system will only lead to chaos and failure. This approach is neither proportionate nor sustainable.
‘ Over the weekend we put together a detailed, workable plan for how hospitality could operate safely and viably in each tier.
‘The Scottish Government did not take on board one single recommendation that we put forward. Saving jobs is key to protecting people’s livelihoods and the economy. The Government must acknowledge that the new restrictions will end in hundreds, if not thousands, of job losses.
‘It must stop talking at industry and start listening to us before hospitality businesses that are at the heart of communities across Scotland – from family run restaurants to historic pubs and hotels – disappear forever.’
The Scottish Tourism Alliance called on ministers to look again at the ban on non-essential travel to and from Level 3 areas as it risks dealing a hammer blow to an industry that saw its summer season virtually wiped out.
Chief executive Marc Crothall said: ‘Our industry has been bracing itself for today’s announcement and the expected wave of cancellations throughout Scotland’s hospitality and tourism sectors which will happen as a result.
‘We have always understood the need to balance public health and the economy. However, we are now at a point where many hundreds of businesses simply do not have the income or funding support to remain solvent. It is absolutely critical that all tourism and hospitality businesses i mpacted by these restrictions – in whatever tier – have immediate access to a strengthened package of support from the Scottish Government.’
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘The majority of Scotland has been designated within Level 3. This will have an immediate impact on businesses’ confidence and survival.’
The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland also called for the travel ban to be lifted. Policy chairman Andrew McRae said: ‘It has significant implications for many businesses, like rural firms dependent on visitors from the city.’
‘Will only lead to chaos and failure’