Christina McKelvie MSP has backed the Scottish Government calls for consumers to shop considerately. The calls comes as increasing numbers of supermarkets and shops facing difficulty ensuring those in the frontline of dealing with COVID-19 are able to get the supplies they need.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“Ensuring that we all have access to food and other essentials is key to our safety and wellbeing in these unprecedented times. I want to thank everyone working to produce food, distribute it and sell it in shops and supermarkets for all their efforts to keep products on the shelves.

“For the past week I have been in close contact with Scotland’s national retailers, who confirmed that they have sufficient stocks to provide enough food and other essentials for everyone. The issue is that, currently, demand is so high that products cannot be replenished on shelves in time, which is creating a perception of food shortages. This is a false picture though, and pressure on the supply could be greatly eased if shoppers buy just what they need rather than stockpiling. So I am calling on consumers to please shop considerately.

“I also want to assure consumers that the Scottish Government is continually working with the food and drink industry and liaising closely with local government and other governments across the UK to ensure that fresh food and supplies remain available across all of Scotland. We have already acted to enable local authorities to relax restrictions on delivery hours, delivery driver work patterns, and shop opening times to help supermarkets and shops remain stocked and allow shoppers more opportunity to access supplies out of normal business hours. We remain committed to doing all we can to keep the shelves stocked – the public has a pivotal role to play in helping us do that.”

Christina McKelvie MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse commented: 

“It is incredibly important that during this uncertain time we think about those who are working day in and day out to staff our health service and other vital frontline roles. Many of these people have no choice but to shop at unsocial hours which means they will bear the brunt of any bulk buying. I would also urge those who are healthy to consider joining local volunteer organisations like the Hamilton COVID Warriors to help those who are more vulnerable in the community by delivering vital food and supplies to them. Where you can you should also help support local businesses and smaller retailers in the community by shopping there.

"We will all look back on this period in the future as a defining moment. Let us make sure that we can say honestly that we pulled together and did everything we could to look after our neighbours in spite of the uncertainty."