Scrapping town centre parking charges and simplifying the business support grant system are just two elements needed in a lockdown exit strategy, Moray’s MP has said.   

Douglas Ross was speaking after the launch of a road map to recovery from the Scottish Conservatives.   

The document, ‘Unlocking the Lockdown’, contains a series of proposals to rebuild the economy and save jobs. 

With the vaccination programme progressing at pace, it is now time to start looking forward to the easing of restrictions, Mr Ross said.  

And after a year of sacrifices, he said people are looking for clarity and hope in the months ahead.    

Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:   

“We are making great progress with the vaccination programme and people and businesses rightly want to start looking forward.   

“Re-starting and re-building our economy will be a huge task after the damage caused by the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions.   

“We have set out a clear roadmap to recovery that puts a firm focus on protecting jobs and livelihoods.   

“Locally, small changes like scrapping car parking charges will help to stimulate footfall in our town centres and help struggling retailers when the restrictions are eased.    

“We also need to look at the system of business support which I think is far too complicated.  This was reiterated to me when I spoke to several Moray businesses this week.

"We would slash the red tape and replace 44 existing Covid support schemes with a single fund that makes decisions within 10 days.   

“We also believe there should be a minimum one-week adaptation period between announcements and changing restrictions.   

“People are looking for a clear plan from the Scottish Government – they want to know what the ‘new normal’ will look like.   

“This blueprint delivers that, and I hope that these ideas will be taken on board.  It would make a real difference to individuals and businesses in Moray looking for hope, clarity and a plan out of this pandemic.”