Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, March 1, 2018

Official Report 746KB pdf

Weather Update

Before we turn to questions to the First Minister, I invite the First Minister to update the chamber on the Government’s response to the weather situation.

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide Parliament with a brief update on the weather impacts that are being experienced across the country.

First, I want to take the opportunity to thank all the people who are working in our emergency and essential services and on our transport network, and volunteers and the general public for their commitment and forbearance over the past couple of days in the face of extreme weather conditions. Many people, including many members of the public, continue to go the extra mile to help those who are in need. I am very grateful to them for that.

Of course, very difficult situations have been encountered by many people—not least those who were stranded in their vehicles yesterday evening, and in some cases overnight and into this morning, on the M80. I advise members that the situation on the M80 is improving, but work continues, in particular on the southbound carriageway, to clear the backlog of traffic and get the road open again—but only, of course, when it is safe to do so. Overnight, there have been extensive efforts involving local authorities, the police, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, mountain rescue and volunteers to ensure the welfare of people who have been stuck in their vehicles.

The Scottish Government’s resilience committee has met regularly: we will continue to do so. A particular focus of our attention today is support for health boards as many members of their staff are, understandably, facing real challenges in getting to work.

Although the red weather warning came to an end at 10 am today, a high-impact amber weather warning remains in place for most of the country. That means that the advice today for the general public remains that they should not travel unless it is unavoidable. In the past couple of hours, the Met Office has extended that amber warning until 10 am tomorrow morning. I want to be very clear about what that means. Although everything possible will be done to keep roads clear and open, anyone who travels during the period faces a significant risk of encountering blocked roads and, possibly, becoming stranded.

Given that the amber warning, with the associated “Do not travel” advice, has now been extended through tomorrow morning’s rush hour, I advise Parliament that the Scottish Government will continue its engagement with business organisations. I again take the opportunity to urge employers to be flexible and to put the safety of their staff first at all times.

While temperatures remain low and conditions remain difficult, I encourage everyone who can do so to check on elderly neighbours and to keep an eye out for anyone who might be vulnerable or need help. Details of organisations that stand ready to provide help and shelter to anyone who is homeless have been widely circulated.

I will end where I started, by thanking sincerely all those who are working hard to keep people safe. Conditions such as those that we are experiencing now make disruption and inconvenience inevitable. I think that everybody understands that—although many people across the country are working hard to minimise the disruption and inconvenience. The priority is, and will continue to be at all times, public safety, so my message to the public is please to heed the weather and travel warnings that are issued for their safety, and to follow advice from the police, Transport Scotland and their local councils.

I will, of course, be happy to answer any questions during First Minister’s question time.