'Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of Highland economy'

The leader of Highland Council's recovery board, designed to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, admits it has highlighted the vulnerability of the area's economy.

Depute council leader Alasdair Christie made the assessment after statistics showed the region had the highest number of workers on furlough per head of population across Scotland, with 32,000 people – 27 per cent of the working population – currently furloughed in the Highlands.

“The chairman of the Scottish Government's growth commission says Scotland is more exposed to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and the figure for furloughed workers here demonstrates the additional vulnerability of the Highlands," he said.

“We have an economy that is very heavily reliant on tourism and the hospitality trade as well as public sector jobs. The figures don’t take into account difference in demographic make-up such as the number of retired people or economically inactive people in each area, so the true picture in Highland is likely to be even more stark.

“We have always been clear that in Highland we face unique challenges, such as a very dispersed and ageing population, high levels of deprivation, many fragile rural communities, as well as infrastructure and public transport issues and unreliable broadband coverage in many areas.

“The pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of our economy being so reliant on tourism, hospitality and public sector jobs. I know anyone who finds themselves currently furloughed must be feeling apprehensive about the future. At the first meeting of our Recovery Board we discussed at length the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and the need for a Highland wide approach to economic recovery. To do this we are committed to work in partnership with other agencies, local businesses and our communities. We will also continue to press for additional funding that takes into account our unique challenges.”

Related articles:

• Government supports wages of more than 40,000 jobs across the Highlands and Western Isles during coronavirus pandemic
• Highland Council commits to working with businesses to recover from coronavirus setbacks

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