Nicola Sturgeon’s Government is embroiled in a row over the safety of the drivers who are ferrying Ministers to events.
The chauffeur-driven cars have been fitted with protective shields in a bid to keep drivers and passengers safe from coronavirus.
However, the close proximity of the drivers and Cabinet Secretaries has concerned Labour MSP Neil Findlay.
“I would urge the trade union representatives of the Government drivers to immediately undertake a risk assessment of all the vehicles to ensure the drivers are able to work safely,” he said.
The Scottish Government has hammered home the need for physical distancing to help beat Coronavirus.
Before the pandemic, Ministers would be taken to events by a driver in a Government car.
Although trips have been scaled back as a result of the coronavirus, some journeys that are judged to be essential are continuing in lockdown.
Shields were fitted to ministerial vehicles by 20 April, and from 4 March they were supplied with anti-bacterial hand gel and wipes.
Findlay said: “The safety of workers is of paramount importance. Only this week I wrote to the Scottish Government asking what steps they are taking to protect taxi and private hire drivers who are taking key workers to their place of employment.
“Now it appears that Government drivers can be added to the list of transport workers who may be at risk through an inability to socially distance.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of our staff, and of our contractors, is a priority and we’ve worked closely with trade unions throughout the current emergency. We have ensured that vehicles still required for essential ministerial journeys have been fitted with protective shields, and are subject to enhanced cleaning procedures.”
According to a freedom of information release from last year, there were 27 cars in the Government fleet in November.
This included eleven Kias, 8 Skodas, 2 Mitsubishis, 5 Volvos and a Volkswagen.
Around £337,000 was spent on vehicles between 2016 and 2019, and maintenance costs came to around £164,000 over the same period.
