GGF urges Scottish Government to re-open home improvement

An open letter from the GGF is urging the Scottish Government to immediately ease restrictions that prevent tradespeople from working in people’s homes unless it is essential. 

In the letter, John Agnew, Glass and Glazing Federation Managing Director (pictured), explains that GGF Members operating in Scotland can currently only enter people’s homes for essential repairs.

He adds that they are not being given the same trust and confidence as English and Welsh companies to responsibly carry out home improvements in Scottish properties.

“The GGF requests that the Scottish government reviews as a matter of priority, their guidance on tradespeople working in people’s homes to allow all works to be undertaken in accordance with GGF Safe Working COVID Guidance and that from UK Government.”

Nicola Sturgeon’s current Scottish roadmap for easing out of the lockdown states there will be a ‘gradual easing’ from 5 April.

Currently, the earliest return for non-essential retail in Scotland will be 26 April.

It did not contain a mention of when tradespeople could be returning to work in people’s home to carry out non-essential work. 

John Agnew continues: “From reports from various sources, the Scottish home improvement industry is now on the brink of complete collapse, with potentially thousands of job losses and company closures. 

He adds that tradespeople should be returning to work in people’s houses if ‘companies can ensure they are taking all reasonable precautions and operating to the physical distancing and following the Government’s health and safety guidance’.