Chamber and committees

Safety of staff in schools is paramount. Teachers are entitled to feel safe at work and we expect schools and local authorities to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place for them.

Our latest guidance on reducing coronavirus (COVID-19) risks in schools, published on 30 October, says schools and local authorities should follow the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists advice to try to keep the risk of exposure as low as is practically possible to pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester. Normal pregnancy risk assessments should also be undertaken, and appropriate attention paid to mental health and wellbeing.

The Scottish Government has committed to identifying a preferred corridor by Spring 2021. A full timetable can only be established once a preferred corridor is known and the nature of the infrastructure works can be more clearly defined.

As I previously indicated to the Finance and Constitution Committee, on an exceptional basis, I will provide the Committee with a high level analysis of the allocation of Barnett consequentials since the Autumn Budget Revision in early December. This will be an interim update, subject to final allocations being formally confirmed in the Spring Budget Revision.

As part of our precautionary approach, our COVID-19 guidance on reducing the risks in schools advises that parents/carers should wear face coverings during school drop off/pick up. This was a recommendation from the COVID-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children's Issues.

The guidance makes clear that it is a legal requirement that local authorities ensure that risk assessments are conducted, regularly reviewed and updated, and that all aspects of school life should be taken into consideration.

Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential benefits and harms to health, the economy, and broader society to minimise overall harm and ensure transmission of the virus continues to be suppressed. This assessment process includes oversight of the assessed health risks in different settings by the Chief Medical Officer and input from the other Chief Clinicians as appropriate.

We recognise the positive physical and mental impacts that exercise brings and that is why gyms are permitted to open in Tiers 0-3. However, Level 4 areas require tougher restrictions to lower virus prevalence and therefore, we currently have no plans to allow gyms to open in Tier 4.

The Strategic Framework Business Fund is a different fund from the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund for businesses impacted by the temporary restrictions between 9 October and 2 November and the eligibility criteria are not directly comparable. The Strategic Framework Business Fund is available not only to limited companies, partnerships and sole traders, but to charities and social enterprises and community interest companies, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Scottish Government worked closely with COSLA and all local authorities to deliver the Restrictions Fund which closed on 3 November, including monitoring arrangements. Information about the breakdown of spend by local authority for the restrictions and business hardship aspects of the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund which applied for the period 9 October– 2 November will be published on the Scottish Government website shortly.

The COVID-19 Restrictions Fund which supported businesses impacted by the temporary restrictions between 9 October and 2 November is now closed. Businesses, including charities and social enterprises, that meet the eligibility criteria can apply to the Strategic Framework Business Fund which offers grants to businesses required to close or significantly modify their operations by law.

The Scottish Government worked closely with COSLA and all local authorities to deliver the Restrictions Fund which closed on 3 November, including monitoring arrangements to record the numbers of successful and unsuccessful applications. Information about the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund which applied for the period 9 October– 2 November will be published on the Scottish Government website shortly.

We recognise the positive physical and mental impacts that exercise brings and that is why gyms are permitted to open in Tiers 0-3.

We continue to work with partners to gather the latest scientific research. Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential benefits and harms to health, the economy, and broader society to minimise overall harm and ensure transmission of the virus continues to be suppressed. This assessment process includes oversight of the assessed health risks in different settings by the Chief Medical Officer and input from the other Chief Clinicians as appropriate.