Press statement: STA responds to Chancellor’s announcement of support package for employees

Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance:

The measures outlined by the Chancellor this afternoon will go a long way to offering comfort and reassurance to all businesses and employees within the sector who are at risk and indeed those who have lost their jobs.

The UK has been the only major country in Europe not to have announced a subsidy of employees’ wages this week and this is the news we have waited for every day. The gravity of the crisis for tourism businesses and the subsequent impact on individuals and communities is now being understood.  Businesses in our industry have been closing with the losses of thousands of jobs every day.

This is a catastrophic situation which requires drastic measures and we are pleased to see the government responding to this.  For many businesses, it may sadly be too late.  There will be some businesses that will not survive beyond the next few days and therefore it is critical that clear and concise information follows quickly after today’s announcement and that businesses and employees are able to access the measures of fiscal support outlined today in a seamless way as soon as possible.  The end of April will be too late for many.

The fact that there will be a level of support for self-employed should offer a degree of comfort; we have a significant proportion of self-employed workers within our industry.  It has also been good to see that charitable organisations have been acknowledged in the same way.

The STA will continue to work around the clock to represent every single individual in our industry without a voice.  Be assured, we will not stop until you have the level of protection and the future you need and deserve but most importantly we would urge all businesses to observe the specific health guidance to protect employees and customers and the instructions of closure as announced today.