11 May 2020

Commenting on the new PMI data showing private sector activity in Scotland has taken its largest fall on record, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said:

“These figures are a stark and timely reminder of the shockwaves hitting Scotland’s economy as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"There is now a real fear of a significant rise in unemployment: especially youth unemployment.

"That is why Scottish Labour is calling for a continuation of the Job Retention Scheme and a longer term Jobs Guarantee Scheme which ensures workers are not thrown on the dole queues after the furlough scheme ends.

"Workers, businesses and Scotland as a whole need to see light at the end of the tunnel – and this is how the Scottish Government can provide it.”