Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Graham Simpson for East Kilbride has hailed the continued support being provided by the UK Government’s furlough scheme.
Mr. Simpson has highlighted the latest provisional figures from the end of February showing that 16,500 jobs in Lanark and Hamilton East are still being protected by the UK Government.
The scheme, which was first introduced as the pandemic struck in March 2020 helped to protect 780,000 jobs across Scotland at it’s peak along with 157,000 Scots through the parallel self-employed support scheme.
Mr. Simpson says that at every turn during the pandemic, it is the UK Government who have stepped up to protect jobs and livelihoods in Lanark and Hamilton East.
Mr. Simpson adds that if they are elected in May, they will be relentlessly focussed on the recovery from the effects of the pandemic and rebuilding communities in Lanark and Hamilton East, rather than pressing ahead with another divisive independence referendum, which the SNP are planning to do if they win a majority.
Commenting, Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Mr. Simpson said: “The UK Government’s furlough scheme has protected thousands of jobs in Central Scotland over the last year and is continuing to do so.
“At every turn during the Covid crisis, the UK Government have stepped up to protect jobs and livelihoods in Central Scotland.
“That support has been invaluable for individuals and businesses in this area. I am fully committed to fully focussing on our economic recovery and rebuilding our communities in Central Scotland. That’s in stark contrast to the SNP who only want to take us back to the politics of division and another referendum.
“Only a vote for me and the Scottish Conservatives in Central Scotland can stop an SNP majority and focus on local jobs and livelihoods.”
Notes: The figures broken down by constituencies and local authority are attached and here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-march-2021
