Swinney is treating his fire-hit ‘cash cow’ Edinburgh poorly - Susan Dalgety

Edinburgh has one of the most beautiful city centres in the world, which millions flock to every year. It is home to a hugely significant international arts festival. And it is Scotland’s capital city. Yet, it has taken nearly a month for the SNP government to engage properly with the city council after the devastating fire that almost destroyed an iconic building on Princes Street and led to the closure of the world-famous thoroughfare at its busiest time of the year.

Part of Princes Street still remains closed to the pubic and traffic after a fire broke out in the former Debenhams building

It’s welcome news that the deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth has agreed to meet council leader Jane Meagher this week to discuss details of government support to those affected by the fire and the subsequent disruption. But why the delay? After all, the government announced a £10 million fund to support those affected by a fire at Union Corner in Glasgow less than a week after it happened. I admired Edinburgh transport chief’s restraint last week when he said he was “disappointed” by the government’s reluctance to get involved. If asked, I might have been more robust than Councillor Jenkinson, but my inability not to say what I think is one of the reasons I decided a political career was not for me.

Thankfully it seems not even the Scottish Government could fail to be moved by the stories of those most affected by the disaster. People like top chef Dean Banks who told this newspaper that trade in Leith had been “destroyed” by the suspension of the trams. Revenue from his restaurant Dulse fell by 60 per cent in the first full week following the fire. Our hospitality industry – so crucial to our city’s continued success – needs all the support it can get, even at the best of times. And the organisers of the Edinburgh Fringe, which kicks off on Thursday have gone on record as saying they are “increasingly concerned” about the impact on their annual programme.

Perhaps if civil servants spent more time in their offices at Victoria Quay and St Andrews House instead of working from home, they would have understood straight away how badly the city centre and Leith have been affected by the aftermath of the fire. I pity the poor visitors who are streaming into Edinburgh as I write. I can barely get my head round the temporary bus routes that Lothian Buses have had to be put into place - imagine the shock of someone from the USA or the south of England discovering that Princes Street it out of bounds to public transport. Getting round the city during August is always a challenge. This year it will be a nightmare.

Edinburgh Southern MP Ian Murray hit the nail on the head last week when he said in a social media post that the government treats the Capital “as a cash cow”, while ensuring that it is “the lowest funded council in Scotland per head”. Perhaps Councillor Meagher could add an extra item on to her meeting this week with Jenny Giilruth?