Details of financial support for Scottish businesses 'urgently needed'

Details of the financial support available across Scotland's new five-tier system are urgently needed, UKHospitality has said, after first minister Nicola Sturgeon set out which areas would be placed in each level.

The first minister has today set out which restrictions will apply across the country's regions from 6am on Monday, with none currently being placed under the highest level of Tier 4.

Regions in Tier 3, where alcohol cannot be served indoors or outdoors and hospitality businesses must operate under a 6pm curfew, cover much of the country including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Dundee.

UKHospitality executive director for Scotland Willie Macleod said: "The reality is that, for some businesses, these restrictions will be too much. Businesses will be closing their doors and, for some, they will remain closed permanently with the associated job losses.

"It is imperative that the Scottish government provides details of easily accessible financial support available for the duration of the restriction and, in all likelihood, beyond that. We need confirmation of the level of support that will be offered to businesses in each level and details of how the Job Support Scheme, both open and closed, will apply across the levels.

"Once again, it is disappointing that businesses have only three days' notice to prepare for the changes. As we have said repeatedly, it is vital that businesses have as much time as possible to prepare for measures that will have a huge impact. We need to give venues the best possible chance of staying open. Each closure has a real risk of being a permanent one, with the job losses that this will inevitably bring."

The new five-tier system was approved by MSPs yesterday, despite confusion surrounding the 'unnecessary complex' restrictions.

Photo: Scottish Government Flickr