I HAVE to say I was taken aback by the comments made by the First Minister regarding her response to Boris Johnson’s furlough decision.
Not only that, but I was quite incredulous that she seemed to suggest that because of the furlough money which has magically appeared from the Treasury, that we simply set aside our four-level implementation strategy which has just been introduced and go for a total lockdown instead.
The levels allocated to the various regions in Scotland reflected the “science” advice and the present economic and financial circumstances of our nation. I do hope that all the hard work and support for the new levels system over the last few weeks, with all the science supporting it, is not undermined.
The public are supporting it, albeit reluctantly, and there is support from parliament. At no time while the levels were being worked up or allocated was there even a suggestion that furlough money was available. In fact, the Scottish Government was pleading with Westminster to provide financial support for weeks with no response whatsoever. Right now, Scotland is not in total lockdown and Scottish businesses and the public are operating on a daily basis, with the virus being suppressed and hopefully with infections plateauing. Clearly we all have to accept that a future lockdown may be a possible outcome, but surely right now we are happy to run with the present levels of control.
The sudden availability of furlough money was the usual response of a UK Government which has failed once again to deal with the Covid crises at every level in England. Knee-jerk responses, U-turns and chaotic rhetoric are the basis of their strategy.
The devolved nations were not consulted or told about this decision and read about in the press. Why would our FM and Government change its Covid-19 strategy to follow the English shutdown and in desperation access this “English money” for four weeks?
What I find harder to stomach is that the scientists and clinicians advising the government have indicated that we should stick with our levels system and at present ignore total lockdown. Not to do so would lead to public confusion and less confidence in adhering to the rules.
Us Scots during this epidemic have supported our FM and Government at every level. Any such sudden change in policy direction will simply undermine all the good work already achieved, and what is more – and it has to be said – illogically follow an England that has lost its way and has treated Scotland with cynicism and contempt throughout this pandemic.
Please, First Minister, stick to the strategy, continue to base your decisions on the realities of Scotland’s finances, accept we make our own decisions and do not waiver in your resolve. Remember a joint four-nation approach to this epidemic just will not happen. England holds the purse strings and as you can see, they do what they like.
Dan Wood
Kirriemuir
IT came as no surprise to many in the north of the UK that the 80% furlough scheme was reinstated when it was needed in London. But the English lockdown seems to me to be a potential win/win situation for Scotland.
Even Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross supports the view that Scotland can also go back to 80% furlough as and when we go into lockdown again. If Westminster agrees to this reasonable request, then it is a valuable fall back position for us. Should the UK Government erect barriers to this proposal, it will highlight, again, their disregard for Scotland and further advance the case for independence. In the meantime, we can have a real good go with the new five-tier system. If this succeeds then it underlines further the fact that we have managed the Covid pandemic more astutely than has been the case at Westminster.
John Eagles
Aberdeen
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