Coronavirus in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon says ‘it would not be sensible to take Midlothian down a level’

Nicola Sturgeon suggests if Midlothian level had been reduced from level three to level two today it would risk being raised again immediately at next week’s review.

Her comments came after Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard claimed that businesses in Midlothian are ‘on their knees’ after the government suggested last week that Midlothian would move down from level two to level three.

The Labour leader added that when the government made a decision not to ease restrictions for Midlothian, this left many businesses ‘caught out’ by an ‘eleventh hour decision.’

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Mr Leonard said: "That means as a result stock ordered by businesses will go to waste, investment in health and safety measures will lie idle and staff rehired will once again be laid off and for some business owners enough is enough.

Scottish Government confirms Midlothian is to stay under level three restrictions picture: JPI MediaScottish Government confirms Midlothian is to stay under level three restrictions picture: JPI Media
Scottish Government confirms Midlothian is to stay under level three restrictions picture: JPI Media

"They simply wanted certainty and they didn’t get it.”

The First Minister said that the move for Midlothian and East Lothian was ‘contingent on there not being a deterioration in the data.’

The First Minister said the government has been monitoring figures over the week and the National Incident Management Team recommended yesterday morning that ‘it would not be sensible to take Midlothian down a level given the rise in cases.’

Ms Sturgeon added: “These decision are always finely balanced but I think the overall view was it would not make sense to have Midlothian, while cases are rising, to go down a level and for that situation if it should continue, to see the local authority immediately go back up in a week.”

Ms Sturgeon admitted that this decision to keep Midlothian in level three is ‘not ideal’ but it perhaps offers “greater stability than the alternative.”

The First Minister said Midlothian will have a share in the £30 million discretionary funding for local authorities announced by the government last week.

In her opening remarks, Ms Sturgeon encouraged businesses in Midlothian to contact the council to explore what support is available to them.

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