Shetland Economy (Redundancies)

– in the Scottish Parliament at on 3 June 2020.

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Photo of Beatrice Wishart Beatrice Wishart Liberal Democrat

There are 49 jobs at risk at the Moorfield hotel, following plans by the oil company Total to move accommodation for its workers at the Shetland gas plant from the Moorfield to the Sella Ness accommodation facility. That is another devastating blow for the Shetland economy, especially in the north Mainland, which has already been hit hard this year with the closure of Scatsta airport and other redundancies at the Sullom Voe oil terminal. What can the Scottish Government do to prevent those job losses and to help those people who are facing redundancy at this worrying time?

Photo of Nicola Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon Scottish National Party

I thank Beatrice Wishart for raising what I know is a very important issue that is particular to the Shetland Islands but also general in terms of the impact across Scotland. I will ask the economy secretary to correspond with her about the Moorfield hotel to see whether we can bring to bear any advice or help.

We know that the hotel sector and, more generally, the tourism sector have been very hard hit by the crisis. As we come out of lockdown, and particularly as we look at how we get the economy going and support our economy to recover, ensuring that we provide tailored and appropriate support to the tourism sector will be very important.

I chair an economy sub-committee of the Cabinet every Friday morning and, last Friday morning, Fergus Ewing led a discussion on the tourism sector, in particular. Obviously, different issues are involved in that, but they are very much at the forefront of our minds and they will continue to be as we go through the weeks and months to come.

I will ask the economy secretary to have further discussions with Beatrice Wishart on the particular issue on the Shetland Islands.