Scottish industries getting less support than rest of UK – MSP
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AN MSP says some Scottish businesses are receiving less coronavirus financial support than other parts of the the UK.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has warned differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK on how grant support is delivered risks putting some Scottish businesses at a disadvantage.
He said that despite action by the Scottish Government last week to address the disparity between Scottish firms and their UK counterparts, some firms claim major problems remain and they are getting less financial support than competitors south of the border.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "As with the situation the UK Government faced as it looked to introduce support for businesses and individuals at extremely short notice, I recognise that Scottish ministers have also had to respond to an immediate and complex situation.
"However, there is real concern from business representatives that the Scottish Government is providing significantly less support for the retail, hospitality and leisure industries than other parts of the UK.
"These sectors support thousands of jobs in communities across the Highlands and Islands. They will be vital to our economic recovery."
After Scotland this week recorded its lowest total retail sales figures since records began, Mr Halcro Johnston backed calls for the Scottish Government to urgently draft an economic recovery plan.
He said: "While these figures will come as little surprise to those working in the sector, they serve as an extremely worrying indicator of the harm this pandemic is having on the Scottish economy.
"It is absolutely essential that the Scottish Government gets on and drafts an economic recovery plan which puts our business community at its very heart."
He said businesses needed the reassurance that, once current restrictions start being lifted, there is a plan to help the economy back onto its feet.
