Murdo Fraser MSP has raised the “deeply concerning” financial plight of guest houses and B & Bs in Perth and Kinross with the SNP Government.
Several constituents have recently contacted the Scottish Conservative politician to highlight the fact that many businesses in the sector are struggling due to not being eligible for the SNP Government’s Top Up loan provided to help due to the economic impact of the pandemic.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “I decided to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance as I had received several phone calls and emails from irate owners of guest houses and B & Bs in Perth and Kinross.
“They told me that Scotland has the highest proportion of guest houses and B & Bs out of all the devolved countries, yet they are receiving the least amount of financial help, working out at around £2,000 per business.
“These businesses are currently not eligible for the Scottish Government’s top-up grants and they have raised the valid point that with much tighter quarantine rules concerning visitors coming to Scotland coming into force on Monday, this will result in an estimated 75% decrease in the number of tourists who normally travel to the country and then stay in either guest houses or B & Bs.”
Mr Fraser continued: “There are many guest houses and B & Bs in my constituency and I know many of them are struggling financially just now due to the lockdown, with great uncertainty over their future due to quarantine rules and the possibility of these continuing into the summer months. They desperately need some much-needed funding with their financial plight deeply concerning.
“I have asked the SNP Government to look at this as a matter of urgency.”