OPPOSITION LEADERS CALL FOR COORDINATED APPROACH TO TACKLE CORONAVIRUS

Opposition leaders have called, in a joint letter to the Prime Minister, for a coordinated approach to the coronavirus crisis to ensure as many lives are saved as possible.

Six Westminster Leaders have set out key priorities ahead of the Prime Minister’s televised address this evening(Sunday), making clear there must be serious, meaningful and substantive cooperation and consultation with all devolved nations and administrations.

In the letter signed by Ian Blackford MP, Ed Davey MP, Liz Saville Roberts MP, Colum Eastwod MP, Stephen Farry MP and Caroline Lucas MP, the opposition leaders also collectively ask the Prime Minister to urgently outline the UK Government’s plans for the Job Retention Scheme, following UK Government briefings in recent days which indicate a desire within the government to ‘wind down’ the scheme as soon as possible.

SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP said:

“The UK government must consult and cooperate with the devolved nations if we are to have a truly effective approach to tackling coronavirus.

“I am grateful to the other opposition leaders for working with us and collectively putting our concerns to the Prime Minister. I only hope he listens.”

Patricia Gibson MP added:

“There are real concerns regarding the UK government’s Job Retention Scheme following newspaper reports that it is to wind down. This is incredibly worrying and many people will understandably fear for their financial security. We must ensure that no one is left behind as we deal with this health crisis.”

ENDS