North MSP urges supermarkets to prioritise rural communities for deliveries
This story comes from north of the border but has many resonances across the UK. It highlights an important challenge and tells us:
Supermarkets have been urged to prioritise deliveries to rural communities during the coronavirus pandemic due to limited supply of food and essential items.
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has written to a number of major chains to ask them to create more home delivery slots for those utilising online shopping.
Her efforts come after many constituents, some of which are elderly or fall into the “vulnerable” category, have been unable to secure a delivery spot for any period over the next three weeks.
Ms Forbes said: “Obviously, lots of vulnerable constituents are now dependent on home delivery for their shopping anywhere, but with the increased number doing so it means that delivery slots are disappearing very quickly.
“People are understandably panicking and contacting me because they don’t know where else to turn to for essential supplies.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance praised community initiatives that have been set up to provide support to all in the locality.
“I am immensely thankful for the number of big-hearted volunteer groups who have come to the rescue, by offering practical help by way of delivery the shopping themselves,” she said.