Craig Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has welcomed the number of employees returning to work, as the UK Government’s furlough scheme continues to wind down.
Craig has also welcomed the number of jobs still being protected by the furlough scheme, which was extended to the end of September by the UK Government.
At its peak, the furlough scheme protected over 900,000 jobs in Scotland and overall has protected 16,300 jobs in Midlothian.
A total of 1,900 are still being protected in Midlothian, but across Scotland 26,500 employees returned to work over the course of July.
Craig is supportive of the focus being on getting people back into work in Midlothian with restrictions having been eased for the last month.
Commenting, Craig Hoy said: “The UK Government’s furlough scheme has protected vital jobs and livelihoods across Midlothian throughout the pandemic and is continuing to do so.
“With restrictions having eased over the last month, it is welcome to see more employees continuing to return to work in Midlothian, thanks to the UK Government’s ambitious Plan for Jobs.
“There must continue to be a focus on getting people back into work and accelerating our economic recovery. The UK Government have stepped up at every turn to support jobs during the pandemic and the furlough scheme has shown the strength of being part of the Union during this sort of crisis.
“The SNP have failed to engage with businesses during Covid and been too slow to get funding out the door to them. Now they want to focus on another divisive independence referendum, which will be deeply damaging for jobs in Midlothian.
“As furlough winds down in the coming weeks, it is imperative that the SNP-Green Government focus on our recovery, rather than separating Scotland from the United Kingdom.”
