Vulnerable people facing three-week delivery slot wait from supermarkets, warns Ross MSP; Kate Forbes appeals to retailers to boost provision of 'helpful service'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
VULNERABLE people facing a three-week wait for essential supermarket deliveries during the coronavirus lockdown are turning to their Ross-shire MSP in desperation.
In a call to action, Dingwall-based MSP Kate Forbes is now appealing to supermarkets to create more home delivery slots for rural communities.
She has been contacted by a number of vulnerable constituents – some self-isolating and others with underlying health problems – panicking after being unable to find a single home delivery slot in the next three weeks for any supermarket chain in the Highlands.
While Ross-shire's growing army of volunteers has been able to step in with stopgap doorstep deliveries to tide some most in need over, efforts are being stepped up to resolve the issue.
Miss Forbes said: “Lots of vulnerable constituents are now dependent on home delivery for their shopping 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. If you have an underlying health condition, or perhaps if you are showing symptoms of the virus, you should absolutely stay away from the shops and remain at home.
“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.
“Not everyone has such assistance available on their doorstep, so against that backdrop I have written to the major supermarket chains to see if they can increase the number of home delivery slots for those doing online shopping in rural communities.
“I recognise that supermarkets are doing everything they can so we can all have access to essential items and fresh produce. But it would be great, particularly now that the government has relaxed restrictions around delivery hours, if the big firms could increase provision for this highly valued and helpful service.”
Tesco declined to respond directly to Miss Forbes' plea but told the North Star it is working hard to increase the capacity of its online delivery service.
Measures include limiting online orders to 80 items to allow them to make more deliveries to more customers amid “unprecedented” demand. It says it has recruited 35,000 new staff across the UK and acting on Government calls to prioritise an estimated 400,000 vulnerable people who lack a support network. The firm is asking customers who are able to shop in store to do so to free up slots for those in greatest need.
Morrisons has recruited 2500 new shopping pickers and drivers and says it is "introducing new ways of delivering groceries and more slots for customers, which will also help vulnerable people and those affected by the virus".
Asda said it is "working around the clock" to keep shelves stocked and deliveries moving and "been working with Government and some of our fellow supermarkets to ensure those people identified as highly vulnerable get what they need and are protected from Covid-19".
It also urged customers able to visit shops to think of how they can support others in their community, "allowing us to maximise our online capacity for those who need it most".
* How is it with you? Email us at newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
