Coronavirus: I used to run a bar so I know what pressure such small businesses are under – Ian Murray MP

I can’t say this often enough but please follow all the official advice on coronavirus. There are a million different opinions out there fuelled by social media, but both the Scottish and UK Governments are working hand in hand (I never thought I would say that) with the very best scientific and health evidence to try and keep as many people as safe and healthy as possible.

Yes, there are issues about communication and the impact on people and businesses, and we are all working hard to try to resolve them. It is such a fast-moving, uncertain and emotive environment.

The impact on Edinburgh will be considerable. This week the UK Government advised that everyone was to avoid unnecessary social interaction in pubs, restaurants, clubs, theatres, venues and cinemas – but didn’t order them to close. That will have devastating impact on those business. Edinburgh is a thriving hospitality and tourist centre, and tens of thousands of jobs are dependent on the sector. Even the viability of our famous football clubs is being called into question.

I used to run my own bar in the city before I got elected, so I understand the pressures these small businesses are under. They don’t sit on cash reserves and surviving the week may be a problem – let alone lasting a few months.

I am pleased the UK Government came up with a support package worth £330bn and the Scottish Government will use its share of the money in the same way, but business loans being underwritten is not going to solve the long-term issues. Of course, most business owners will take up the loans to survive, but these must be interest free given how cheap borrowing is at the moment and have long repayment terms.

The key question for me is how the Government helps to get business costs to as close to zero as possible, while protecting staff and contractors’ incomes. This is something I have been pressing in parliament and will continue to do so. A simple employee tax credit administered through HMRC would help. Those on zero-hour contracts could be paid at the average they have worked over the last month.

We also need major action on protecting household incomes. There are thousands of Edinburgh workers who are freelancers, contractors, or have precarious working contracts like zero and short hours. There are many who simply won’t get any pay. Allowing them to claim Statutory Sick Pay from day one will be a start, but many won’t be sick. Self-isolating or simply having no job or contract to go to means no income. Both governments need to find a way to support them.

Mortgage payers are being offered a three-month holiday but what about renters? They need similar support. Utility companies should be given support to suspend bills and council tax payments should be delayed.

As the Prime Minister has rightly recognised, this needs the largest post-war government intervention. The priority is to keep people healthy and to get the population to heed the official advice. That can’t be done if you have no choice but to go to work to put food on the table and pay bills. That makes the situation worse for everyone.

We are living in an extraordinary period but if we all pull together we can come out of this much stronger, more community-minded, and more questioning of the kind of precarious employment and economy we have.

But, please, in case you didn’t hear me the first time, heed the official advice. And look after neighbours and the most vulnerable.

Ian Murray is the Labour MP for Edinburgh South