Inside Holyrood: Business support must get out there as MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston says 'It’s long past the time for ministers to pay proper attention to reviving our economy' with £100 million in support yet to be allocated
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Firstly, a very Happy New Year to all readers and I wish everyone the very best for what I’m sure we all hope will be a better 2022.
As we move into the new year, Covid - now in the form of the Omicron variant - still casts a shadow over our lives. And while there is still some concern over its potential impact, our understanding of this variant increases and there is some cause for optimism.
And so many folk have been asking why, with so many people vaccinated and boosted, with the UK Government supporting the ability to test every day, and with the SNP’s much vaunted/maligned vaccine passports scheme in place, there remains little apparent prospect of a significant reduction in the restrictions introduced by the Scottish Government before Christmas.
And that’s an entirely reasonable question.
I do welcome the change in isolation period for those with Covid from 10 days to seven days, something the Scottish Conservatives have long been calling for. It’s a move which, albeit belatedly, brings us into line with other parts of the UK.
But all restrictions must be proportionate, effective and consistent, and ministers must demonstrate the evidence behind their introduction.
And so it is extraordinary that, nearly two years into this pandemic, it is only now – under pressure – that the Scottish Government is about to publish data which differentiates between those in hospital WITH Covid and those in hospital BECAUSE of it.
Both Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney have admitted that this data would be important. Indeed, John Swinney accepted it would help influence their handling of the pandemic. So why, with businesses and jobs being lost because of restrictions, has it taken so long for the Scottish Government to ask their own health body, Public Health Scotland, to provide it?
We have seen the devastating impact the restrictions are having on vital local sectors such as hospitality. This is a sector which, despite making every effort to keep their customers and staff safe, have been hammered once again, and hammered at a crucial time of the year.
And it is clear from the answers – and I use that term loosely – Nicola Sturgeon provided myself and colleagues at her most recent Covid update, that the Scottish Government is failing to get financial support out to businesses as quickly as it should be.
It’s long past the time for ministers to pay proper attention to reviving our economy - to investing in local infrastructure like our roads, ferries and broadband and recognising both the importance and the vulnerability of small businesses here in the Highlands and Islands.
And yet, over £100 million of potential support still remains unallocated and unused by SNP ministers. That must change.
Because that money does nothing to help businesses – or to protect local jobs here in the Highlands and Islands – sitting in Scottish Government’s coffers in Edinburgh.
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