Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 09 December 2020
That is good news. However, I will quote what Pat Rafferty has said:
“The stories shared by taxi drivers in our survey is heartbreaking and clearly shows a trade in crisis. The reality is behind the figures there are workers and families across Scotland who are in despair.”
That is the reality, and it is why the Government must act. It is also why we need to build consensus. We must be able to respond where people are in difficulty, and do so quickly. Therefore, in response to Jamie Hepburn’s answer to Elaine Smith’s question on when the support will open, I say that we need to move that forward and to be flexible.
Further flexibility is needed on the guidance that is being issued to councils. In this morning’s coverage, the point was made that some self-employed taxi drivers who share cabs have extra financial outgoings because they have to pay for those vehicles. However, because they do not fit within the terms of the guidance that has been issued, they are being refused support. I discussed that with the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fair Work and Culture last week. I agreed that local authorities need to have discretion, but I also said that we must get across to them the message that such funds are being introduced to help people. It must be generally accepted that, when businesses approach authorities, they should not simply be told that they do not fit the criteria—end of. I have made such an appeal to Fife Council, which is the one that I have dealt with most. However, the Government must get the message out to local authorities that we want to help such people and not put barriers in their way.
I see that I am out of time, Presiding Officer, so I will conclude my remarks there.
I move amendment S5M-23622.2, to leave out from “, and calls on” to end and insert:
“; welcomes the repayment to date of business rates relief from larger retailers that have seen an increase in their sales over the course of the pandemic and calls on the Scottish Government to encourage these practices from other retailers that have not required the same level of rates relief as other businesses; recognises that, for the economy to recover effectively from this crisis, the Scottish Government must invest money back into small businesses, hospitality and town centres and prioritise the regeneration of the high street, and calls on it to establish a coronavirus business advisory council and produce an industrial strategy to ensure businesses are adequately supported.”
16:49Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S5M-23622.2 Economy Motion