Shadow Finance Secretary Donald Cameron has hailed the massive support being provided to businesses, employees and the self-employed in the Highlands and Islands by the UK Government, but says there is much more to be done.
Mr Cameron was reacting to the latest figures released by the Government which report that 68,700 employees have been furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, while £54.2m has been paid to 18,000 applicants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
Mr Cameron, a Highlands and Islands MSP, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic delivered an unprecedented shock to businesses across the length and breadth of our region and many desperately needed immediate help to keep afloat."
“The UK Government response has been extraordinary in its scale and speed, made possible by having the resources of the sixth largest economy in the world."
“It’s been an impressive start, and the priority of the UK and Scottish Governments should be to work together to assist our businesses, and the thousands of self-employed people who have needed help to get back on their feet, and get our economy moving again.”
The figures referred to by Mr Cameron are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-july-2020/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-july-2020