Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has hailed the success of the UK Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme after newly released figures showed that over six million meals were claimed for in Scotland during the month of August.
Over 8,500 restaurants across Scotland registered for the scheme including 175 in Perth and North Perthshire, which saw a total of 135,000 of meals claimed by constituents on Monday-Wednesday’s last month.
The figures also don’t yet highlight the figures from the last day of the scheme on Monday 31 August, meaning the final total in Perth and North Perthshire will likely be very higher as a result of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s shot in the arm for the hospitality sector.
Murdo Fraser MSP, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, says that the scheme has once again shown how the UK Government has stepped up to support Scotland’s economy and businesses throughout the Covid-19 crisis and says that many jobs will now have been protected locally as a result of the Chancellor’s initiative.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme from Rishi Sunak was a wonderfully innovative idea and one that has proven hugely popular right across Perth and North Perthshire.
“It is excellent to see this now highlighted in the hard facts from the Treasury with a total of 175 restaurants taking part in Perth and North Perthshire and 135,000 meals claimed.
“This has been a real shot in the arm for the hospitality sector to get them back on their feet following the Covid-19 shutdown and has brought about a real buzz to our many wonderful restaurants, pubs, cafes and other hospitality businesses across the area.
“Many jobs that might otherwise have been lost now stand a real chance of being saved as a result of the Chancellor encouraging us to do our bit and I’d like to thank all locals and visitors who supported businesses here in Perth and North Perthshire.”
Murdo Fraser added: “There is still so much more we need to do to support our hospitality sector in the coming months, but the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme has helped get it back up and running again.”