Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnstonhas warned differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK on how financial support is delivered risks putting some Scottish businesses at a disadvantage.
Despite a u-turn by the Scottish Government last week to address the main disparity between Scottish firms and their UK counterparts, firms say major problems still remain, with claims some are getting less financial support than competitors south of the Border.
Mr Halcro Johnston, who was a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee until earlier this year, 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”.
And following news that Scotland has recorded its lowest total retail sales figures since records began, Mr Halcro Johnston has backed calls for the Scottish Government to urgently draft an economic recovery plan.
The Conservative MSP 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.
“Businesses across the Highlands and Islands need the reassurance that the government in Edinburgh both understands the real challenges they face now, but also recognises that, once current restrictions start being lifted, there needs to a plan for how our economy is helped back onto its feet”.
