Scottish Greens comment on business support
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s newly announced £320 million package of support for businesses in response to COVID-19, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“A package of support for businesses is certainly needed, and the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are certainly going to face serious challenges ahead. There is a very strong public interest in minimising the economic damage.
“However support is also needed to individuals, and there is already a widespread problem of extremely poor employment standards in these sectors. People on very low pay, with precarious contracts and no adequate sick leave need protection every bit as much as their employers.
“We would urge the Government to ensure that fair work standards are expected of businesses in these difficult times, rather than merely hoped for. There is also a need to extend payment deferrals to Council Tax as well as non-domestic rates.”