Edinburgh MP Ian Murray says Scottish Government has 'fallen short' on PPE and testing

Attack on ‘shambolic approach’

Ian Murray says a step change is needed from both UK and Scottish Governments

LABOUR’S Ian Murray has claimed the Scottish Government has “fallen far short” on personal protection equipment and testing during the Covid crisis.

The Edinburgh South MP and Shadow Scottish Secretary spoke out after reports that six firms who offered to provide PPE were “ignored” and claims by a senior scientist that testing capacity was “not being used as much as it could be”.

Mr Murray said the UK Government had made clear mistakes, which the SNP had been keen to capitalise on, being to slow to enter lockdown, too slow to increase the uptake of testing and too slow getting PPE to staff.

“But the Scottish Government has also fallen far short in its own response to the coronavirus outbreak, responding in lockstep with the UK Government – a strategy it both criticises and follows at the same time.

“The availability of testing in Scotland is nowhere near the level it should be, despite the World Health Organisation making it clear from the start that this should be the backbone of the global response.

“And there is growing concern and anger about the lack of PPE reaching the frontline, with the Scottish Government’s shambolic approach exposed by astonishing reports that companies offering PPE were ignored.

“The consequences of poor planning and preparation by both the UK and Scottish governments is now being felt, and it is vital there is an urgent step-change in the response by the two administrations.”

The Scottish Government said it had received 1,600 offers of help with PPE from Scottish businesses and it was focused on those offers which could supply the largest volumes at the required specifications and timescales. It also said testing was targeted at key workers who were self-isolating to enable them to return to work as soon as possible.