For almost a year now, the United Kingdom has battled to defeat COVID-19. This fight, despite valiant efforts from our key workers and scientists, has done serious damage to the fabric of our local communities.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has shown the UK Treasury’s significant capabilities by investing billions in Scotland, ranging from business grants to the furlough scheme which in Midlothian has benefitted 1,537 business with over £56million of UK government loans. At the time of writing, total UK Government financial support for Scotland stands at over £8.6bn.
The approval of three different vaccines (one of which the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, is manufactured in the UK) came as welcome news to many, and with Midlothian having an increasingly old population, it is essential that the rollout of these vaccines be as efficient as possible. The Scottish Conservatives, led by Douglas Ross and Ruth Davidson, are determined to assure the SNP Government remain fully focused on the rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines and supporting the Scottish economy as we emerge from this pandemic.
The Scottish Government is responsible for all health matters in Scotland but has relied on the UK Government to provide logistical support. Firstly, the UK Government has opened mobile testing sites up and down the country and, assisted by the personnel of the British Armed Forces, now provide all testing outwith the NHS and over two-thirds of all daily tests. Secondly, the UK became the first nation to approve a COVID-19 vaccine and begin mass immunisation, with over 9 million people having already receiving their first dose, and hundreds of thousands more their second.
Here in Midlothian, we have suffered significant hardship in the past twelve months because of COVID-19, but without support from the British Government and the spectacular armed forces personnel, life would have simply ground to a halt.
We all salute the efforts of all our key workers, in our hospitals and in our communities and urge all residents to stay at home and adhere to the public health guidance. Remember: this virus will only be defeated if we all play our part.
