Chamber and committees

COVID-19 is the biggest challenge we have faced in our lifetime and the measures we are taking to deal with it reflect its magnitude.

This is first and foremost a public health crisis and that is our primary focus. However, the health responses required and the global impact of this has meant that this is now an economic crisis also.

The economic impact of the pandemic and measures to reduce its spread should be temporary but significant. Scottish Government analysis shows that there could be a 33% fall in GDP during the current period of physical distancing.

Regional exposure to the impacts from COVID-19 will vary due to the varied composition of industrial, workforce and wider population structures and we will continue to examine regional impacts to ensure that the specific needs of Scotland’s regions are supported.

We are liaising closely with local authorities on the impact of COVID-19, and the wider action required to enable recovery in their local communities and wider regions.

Enforcement of the Health Protection (Coronavirus)(Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (“the Coronavirus Regulations”) is the responsibility of local authorities and Police Scotland. We are working closely with them and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure a joined up approach to the enforcement and monitoring of workplace public health measures.

To support this we are working with local authorities to identify ways to increase the capacity of environmental health services and exploring other options to support worker and consumer confidence. These include working with the STUC, who plan to allocate part of the ongoing Scottish Government funding for Scottish Union Learning to support projects which will facilitate relevant training for existing trade union health and safety reps, and will extend capacity in that specialism.

We will work with the regulators to ensure that there is effective advice and guidance in place to support employers meet their obligations and create safer workplaces for all, and released a joint statement on 26 May to this effect; https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-work-places-statement/

The letter issued by the Chief Medical Officer, advising people to shield, provided advice on what people could do to keep mentally active, to look after their mental well-being while they are shielding.

It also signposted people to additional advice and support from the NHS Inform advice, and the Breathing Space websites.

On 28 March the Scottish Government announced a further £3.8 million to begin to increase the capacity of NHS 24’s telephone and online services to cope with further demand from callers experiencing mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Scottish Government’s Our ‘Clear Your Head’ campaign https://clearyourhead.scot/ highlights the practical things people can do to help them feel better whilst continuing to stay at home, acknowledging these are worrying and uncertain times for many. Along with a range of tips on how to stay positive, the campaign website signposts sources of help and advice including NHS Inform, and helplines including NHS24, Breathing Space, SAMH and the Samaritans.

The Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Administration (the Permanent Secretary) and Accountable Officers designated by them for parts of the Scottish Administration are under a statutory duty to obtain written authority from the relevant Minister where they consider that any action they are required to take would be inconsistent with their responsibilities. These responsibilities include ensuring financial propriety and regularity and ensuring that relevant resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively (i.e. value for money).   There has only been one occasion when a written authority has been requested by an Accountable Officer of the Scottish Government since the beginning of 2007. Since devolution there have only been five occasions overall where Accountable Officers for parts of the Scottish Administration have sought such written authority. All were sought in relation to value for money, two were in regards to the same issue. The table below details each instance since 1 July 1999 and the reason for each instruction being made.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-28973 on 19 May 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

This is also the position for deaths in care homes.

We are engaging regularly with the STUC, and business organisations including the CBI to help manage the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on workers and in workplaces.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture wrote to the Chancellor on 26 May highlighting several issues to be addressed in the next phase of the Job Retention Scheme, including increased flexibility and, allowing employees to come back for any amount of time or shift pattern. The announcement made by the Chancellor on 29 May has confirmed this will be in place from July. The increased flexibility will help employers to ensure they are meeting the needs of their business and provide flexibility to employees.

We encourage employers to make full use of the Job Retention Scheme to help avoid mass redundancies, provide people with income, and reduce the number of business failures.

We anticipate that many employers and employees will also continue to require support beyond October and we have called on the UK Government to ensure that the support arrangements enable employers or employees to follow public health guidance in each of the four nations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29285 on 3 June 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

As set out in its budget documents, the Scottish Government has borrowing available throughout the 2015-21 regulatory period to support Scottish Water’s £3.9 billion capital investment programme. That programme contains a wide range of projects in all parts of the country which deliver benefits for all customers.

The Scottish Government has introduced COVID-19 support for bus operators to enable them to operate a core network for essential travel by maintaining the value of regular Bus Service Operators Grant and concessionary travel reimbursement payments from Transport Scotland.

As referred to in the answer to S5W-29421 on 29 May 2020, the support that has been provided creates financial liquidity in the retail market to allow the deferral of bills by customers and licensed providers. Therefore, no new funds were required.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx