Tommy Sheppard appeals for continued support for Edinburgh's hospitality and tourism sector

‘Behind the braves faces there is a deep and dark despair’

Tommy Sheppard says for many businesses it is not viable to operate below capacity

EDINBURGH East SNP MP Tommy Sheppard has warned of the “deep and dark despair” felt in the hospitality and tourism industry at the looming end of furlough while Covid restrictions are affecting the viability of their businesses.

And he appealed to the UK Government to continue support for the sector beyond the end of furlough next month.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said the two industries were vital to Edinburgh’s economy with 33,000 jobs reliant on them. “So it is almost impossible to overstate the harmful effect that the public health restrictions due to the pandemic have had on that sector.”

Physical distancing was the anithesis of what these industries were about, but they understood the need for the guidelines.

“Behind the brave faces, however, there is a deep and dark despair. It is the despair that comes from knowing that, at the end of a hard shift, more money has left their bank account than went into it, no matter what they do.”

He said operating at reduced capacity was not viable in the long term for many businesses, but it did postpone the date when money would run out completely and it allowed some jobs to be retained ready for a recovery.

And he said the number one priority should be to support these businesses through to the spring.

“Support will also be required beyond that—even if the restrictions are lifted, it will take time for public confidence to return and for the market to get back to where it was.”

He urged a more sophisticated, tailored and targeted approach.

“It is right the public purse should do that, because businesses are closed and closing because of public policy and a public imperative. That must be the priority. The Government cannot abandon support on October 31, stand back and watch the sectors decline."

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