‘Risk to thousands of tourism jobs without longer furlough’

Tens of thousands of tourism jobs will be put at risk if the furlough scheme is not extended, Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing has warned.

And the MSP suggested the money spent on retaining jobs up until October “may arguably have been wasted” if the sector sees thousands of redundancies due to a lack of financial support.

Mr Ewing told the culture, tourism, Europe and external affairs committee the Scottish and UK governments are having “amicable and constructive” talks on extending the scheme.

He said his UK counterpart Nigel Huddleston MP has “a good grasp of problems” facing the tourism industry but the Scottish Government urgently needs clarity on whether it can continue beyond October.

“I fear that, unless the furlough scheme is extended, then we will see many more redundancies issued – as I say, tens of thousands,” Mr Ewing said, stressing the industry’s seasonal nature and the impact of the virus on summer trade.

He told MSPs: “The sooner the UK Government can give clarification that the furlough scheme will be extended, the less damage there will be.”

The cabinet secretary said he does not believe ongoing support would be required by all but argued it should continue “for those for whom recovery is long and slow”.

Holyrood’s tourism committee has heard the Scottish Government is working on guidance to let public toilets reopen when the five-mile travel restriction is lifted and before beer gardens reopen.

The committee heard how the Scottish Government is working on plans to reopen public toilets across the country.

It is hoped they can reopen before the five-mile travel restrictions end on July 3.