East Renfrewshire MSP Jackson Carlaw backs a return to work for builders

Housebuilders in Scotland claim they are ready to go back to work with appropriate social distancing measures in place.Housebuilders in Scotland claim they are ready to go back to work with appropriate social distancing measures in place.
Housebuilders in Scotland claim they are ready to go back to work with appropriate social distancing measures in place. | JPIMedia
Scottish Conservatives leader and Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw has urged the Scottish Government to allow housebuilding to recommence – on the day construction work resumed south of the border.

The UK Government allowed work to recommence on building sites today (Monday, May 4), meaning across England firms can continue building homes and infrastructure projects so long as they can do so safely.

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However, the Scottish Government has not granted permission to companies to resume work here.

Mr Carlaw said companies including Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon had already expressed their desire to get back to work in Scotland.

Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood and leader of the Scottish Conservatives.Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood and leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood and leader of the Scottish Conservatives. | JPIMedia

And he claimed Scottish Conservatives had spoken to several other housebuilders who said they were ready to return safely.

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They said plans were in place to allow different tradesmen in on a rota system to ensure social distances, and that other adequate preparations had been made.

Mr Carlaw said: “We’ve been clear from the start that if the SNP wants to take a divergent approach from the rest of the UK, it has to show why that’s of benefit.

“And while this is first and foremost a public health crisis, we have to acknowledge and plan for the economic devastation too.

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“Now we’re seeing work resume on all kinds of building sites from today in England, while in Scotland these remain empty.

“This will cause a disparity when it comes to economic recovery, and that’s not something we want to see replicated across the board.

“If Nicola Sturgeon is to continue this ban on construction, she needs to produce compelling evidence about why she’s doing it.”

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