This afternoon First Minister Nicola Sturgeon outlined that current covid restrictions will not be lifted in June, but are expected to be eased substantially in mid-July with a final unlocking in August.
Andrew McRae, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland policy chair, said: “Today’s statement confirms that Scotland’s business community will be locked in a holding pattern until at least mid-July. But the new late summer dates for the further winding down of restrictions offer firms a landing zone for which to prepare.
“The impact of the current public health measures isn’t distributed evenly across the economy, but rather it is concentrated on the firms and sectors which either can’t trade due to tough restrictions or have seen their markets collapse. As policymakers consider winding down large-scale business support mechanisms, we’d urge them to look at what additional help can be made available for the hardest hit operators, many of which are running on close to empty.
“Ministers are right to try to plot Scotland’s course toward greater normality. But the lifting of restrictions does not guarantee recovery for firms, especially those saddled with new debt. That’s why we want to work with the Scottish Government to develop a small business recovery plan to help local firms across the country get back on their feet.”