Urgent Review of Cold Weather Planning Required (Orkney Liberal Democrats)

Orkney Liberal Democrats <katie@njcoward.co.uk>

Urgent Review of Cold Weather Planning Required

March 18, 2010 9:46 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael is backing calls for an urgent review of cold weather contingency planning after new figures published this week suggested that the cost of the recent snow to small and medium-sized businesses in the UK could amount to £7.3 bn.

The report from Lloyds TSB Commercial found that 70% of SMEs were affected by the snow, with almost 40% either cut off by the weather or forced to close.

These latest figures follow previous research from the Federation of Small Businesses which suggested that the bad weather had a disproportionate impact on the 4.8 million small businesses in the UK.

Mr Carmichael has added his support to a Parliamentary Motion calling for business groups to be included in urgent discussions between Ministers, local authorities, transport firms and salt mining companies on the best ways to reduce disruption in future.

Commenting, Mr Carmichael said:

'The extent of the disruption that the recent period of bad weather caused for businesses across the Northern Isles was severe. Local efforts to cope with the snow were hampered by the failure of the UK and Scottish governments to put adequate contingency plans in place to provide sufficient salt supplies.

'At a time when our local economy is struggling as a result of the economic downturn, a period of enforced closure was the last thing businesses in Orkney and Shetland needed.

'An urgent review of the Government's contingency planning is now required to ensure that in future, businesses are able to operate through cold snaps with the minimum disruption'.

Notes:

The full text of Early Day Motion 777: 'Small Businesses and the Snow' is as follows:

That this House recognises the negative impact that snow can have on small businesses; welcomes the report by the Federation of Small Businesses, Business Continuity - Lets keep Britain Moving, which contains 14 recommendations to help keep businesses running through periods of adverse weather conditions; and calls on the Government to launch an inquiry to examine its response to heavy snowfall and to investigate further steps that must be taken to Keep Britain Moving in the future.