Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for the Pandemic, published on 23 October, sets out plans to develop the testing element of Test and Protect over the next three months which focusses on building capacity within NHS Scotland and deploying expansions in UK Government testing capacity and capability to its maximum effect in Scotland. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-scotlands-strategic-framework/ .

As set out in our Clinical and Scientific review of the Testing Strategy, the consensus clinical view of the prioritisation of capacity, over and above that required to meet symptomatic demand, clinical care requirements and existing commitments, is that the focus in any extension of routine regular asymptomatic testing should be on protecting those most vulnerable to severe harm. Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-review-of-testing-strategy-october-2020/ .

As testing capacity builds over the next three months, and in line with clinical and public health priorities identified though the review of our testing strategy, this will include considering how best to introduce testing for visitors to those who live in care homes where this can add an additional layer of risk mitigation to enable safe visiting to continue. Further details on the Framework can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-scotlands-strategic-framework/ .

We recognise that routine testing of people who do not have symptoms has an important role to play in protecting the vulnerable and preventing outbreaks in high risk settings. It must however be seen alongside a strong emphasis on symptomatic individuals immediately self-isolating and arranging testing, use of appropriate PPE, physical distancing, environmental optimisation and decontamination and good social hygiene.

The Scottish Government fully appreciates the impact the pandemic has had on the hospitality sector and we continue to support business survival as much as we can. We have been continually seeking to find a balance between action to suppress the virus and the protection of people’s jobs and livelihoods.

We have already acted quickly to offer support to businesses and this now exceeds £2.3 billion.

We recognise that difficulties are ongoing, especially in light of the new restrictions which have recently been introduced as we move to a 5 tier system to take a regional, tailored approach to viral containment. We have therefore undertaken to create a support package for hospitality businesses who will be affected as part of these restrictions.

The COVID-19 Restrictions Fund will provide one-off grants of up to £4,310 to businesses required to close by regulations. For businesses that may remain open but are directly impacted by the restrictions, they will receive a hardship grant of up to £2,155. Additionally, grants of £1,650 will be provided to firms that are required to close to help meet the 20% employer’s contribution that they required to pay under the current UK Government furlough scheme.

Our new five-level Strategic Approach to managing Covid sets out our planned levels of support for business in the event of any future restrictions. This is emergency support to aid business survival during this time.

As we have done throughout this unprecedented crisis, we have listened closely to businesses and, as wet pubs, which are unable to offer a main meal service, would be unviable with drinks sales alone, we decided, in consultation with the industry, to close them by law, to enable them to access the most appropriate level of support.

We are also committed to the long term recovery of the sector and any strategic decisions will be made in the context of the recommendations of the Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce which was submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration on 23 October.

Decisions on levels are made by Scottish Ministers taking account of all the relevant facts and circumstances available. This includes the use of five indicators used to inform decisions on what COVID-19 level applies to each local authority, details on which are available on the Scottish Government’s website in our modelling paper (published 28 October)  https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2020/10/coronavirus-covid-19-allocation-of-levels-to-local-authorities/documents/modelling-paper/modelling-paper/govscot%3Adocument/Modelling%2B-%2BPaper%2B-%2BLocal%2Bauthority%2Blevels%2B28%2Boct.pdf and specific slide pack file://scotland.gov.uk/dc1/fs5_home/u201241/Covid+indicators+-+Slidepack+29+Oct+1051%20(3).pdf

The indicators used are the number of cases per 100,000 people, including for particular age groups, using both the latest actual data and a two week forecast; the test positivity rate; and the number of people likely to need acute hospital care or intensive care in future weeks. Each indicator has a signal – a number from 0 to 4 that matches with the corresponding levels. Details on the thresholds that act as a signalling mechanism are provided within these papers, but it should be noted that these remain a work in progress, nor are decisions on levels automatically triggered by them.

Wider considerations will also apply, through the Four Harms assessment, in recognition that action taken to suppress the virus can itself cause harm to wider health the social and economic wellbeing of Scotland. This includes the prevalence of infection elsewhere, including neighbouring areas; demographics; economic profile of an area, including levels of deprivation; trends in the data; and the effectiveness of public health measures.

Further consideration is being given, by the National Incident Management Team and others, to public health advice on the application of levels and to the development of potential additional indicators for future use.

The Family Friendly Working Scotland partnership ceased operations on 31 March 2020 and is no longer funded by the Scottish Government and we do not hold the information requested.

The EHRC is an independent UK-wide body, not operated or funded by the Scottish Government and we do not hold the information requested.

The EHRC Scotland is part of EHRC which is an independent UK-wide body, not operated or funded by the Scottish Government and we do not hold the information requested.

We know that the pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a substantial impact on the mental health of the population for a long period of time. That is why on 8 October 2020 we published Scotland’s Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan. The Plan outlines the Scottish Government’s response to the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is comprehensive, containing over 100 actions.

As well as promoting good mental health and wellbeing, the Plan prioritises rapid and easily accessible support for those in distress and ensures safe, effective treatment and care of people living with mental illness. It also covers the mental health impacts on people living with long-term physical health conditions or disabilities. As well as a tailored programme of work which will help individual NHS Boards respond effectively to the anticipated increase in demand in the months ahead.

The Plan also outlines a set of key actions which we have committed to take forward at pace. We are now working with key stakeholders to focus on the Plan’s implementation, and will put in place comprehensive governance.

We are providing support both as a result of the brake restrictions and the Strategic Framework.

For between 9 October and 2 November, the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund will now provide one-off grants of up to £4,310 to businesses required to close by regulations. For businesses that may remain open but are directly impacted by the restrictions, the maximum hardship fund grant will increase to £2,155. Additionally, grants of £1,650 will help those firms that are required to close to help meet the 20% employer’s contribution that they required to pay under the current UK Government furlough scheme.

From 2 November, grants will be available for every 4 week period of restrictions. As outlined in the Strategic Framework, announced 23 October, grants of £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on rateable value) will be available for business required to close by law. A hardship grant of £1,400 or £2,100 (depending on rateable value) for businesses that remain open but are directly impacted by restrictions.

Although the Scottish Government recognises that this has been a particularly difficult year for hospitality businesses, the Scottish Government cannot compensate businesses for all loss. This is emergency, lifeline funding for businesses and builds on our already substantial package of over £2.3 billion which has been awarded so far.

We know more support will be needed into the future however the Scottish Government’s resources are limited – we do not have the borrowing powers required to fully support industries affected by the impact of covid. Along with other Devolved Administrations we have consistently pressed the UK Government for increased powers to enable us to tailor our response and we will continue to make that case.

Further to the COVID-19 Strategic Framework, and in keeping with the move to a levels based approach, Regulation 6 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 provides a power of entry for all “relevant persons”, along with detailed conditions as to how and when that power may be exercised.

The Scottish Government has informally consulted with public bodies and other relevant stakeholders affected by the levels-based approach, which the Regulations implement, including Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and Local Authorities.

As with the other measures taken to tackle the public health emergency, Regulation 6 will be in place for no longer than is justified and, like the other Regulations currently in force, will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Police Scotland continue to apply the 4Es approach of Engagement, Explanation, Encouragement with Enforcement only as a last resort, and has reported that, to date, compliance with the Regulations has generally been good.

The terms of the lease would be a commercial matter between Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the BiFab Board of Directors. Further details of how to obtain a copy of the lease can be found on the Registers of Scotland website - https://www.ros.gov.uk/services/order-documents#registerofdeeds