Meeting of the Parliament 24 March 2020
I will be brief, too. As the minister acknowledges, the order is a technical requirement that, obviously, we will support.
I want to use the opportunity to say a very big thank you to all those who are working in local government. This has been a big surprise for them—quite a shock to the system. Local government operates a complex network of services on the front line for the public in Scotland. Logistically, Covid-19 is posing huge challenges, so I pay tribute to everyone who is working extremely hard in these difficult circumstances.
I also note the emotional toll that those circumstances are taking on public service workers across the public sector, because of course they are, at the same time, increasingly dealing with family issues, whether that is children out of school, loved ones who are ill or relatives who need care.
Of course, we will all face substantial financial challenges over the next months. I really have nothing more to say, as this is not really a debate. We will support the motion at decision time.
17:00