Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16389 on 14 April 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

We have always been clear that we want the work of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry to be delivered at speed, addressing the range of questions that people have, so that we can learn and benefit from lessons as early as possible.

It is for the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry itself to comment on its work.

Section 17 of the Inquiries Act 2005 gives an inquiry Chair alone, rather than Ministers, responsibility for deciding how an inquiry should operate.

It is for the Chair to determine how to strike the right balance between addressing the wide range of questions people have and making sure that the inquiry can be delivered at speed, so that we can learn and benefit from lessons as early as possible.

The Scottish Government remains committed, in its role as sponsor, to providing operational support as the Chair considers necessary and appropriate, in order to enable the Inquiry to carry out its independent work and help ensure the progress made so far is continued.

The Scottish Government has been cooperating fully with the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry since it was established, and will continue to do so.

The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry in its work to explore the handling of the pandemic and to identify and report on lessons learned. We will consider the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations once available.

The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 was passed in June 2022. As part of learning lessons from the Covid pandemic, the Act updates the statute book to permanently embed reforms in Scotland’s public services. Although these were originally necessitated by the pandemic, they have delivered improvements for service users and improved efficiency. The Act also ensures that Scottish Ministers are able to respond swiftly and appropriately to future public health threats, by making permanent those powers that played a particularly significant role in managing the response to the Covid pandemic.

The Act also includes a Schedule of temporary justice measures, which are due to expire on 30 November 2023 and can only be extended if the Parliament agrees. Under the terms of the Act, Ministers must review the operation of each temporary measure before it expires, to inform a decision on whether it should be extended for a further year. If seeking any extension, Ministers must lay regulations to amend the expiry date, alongside a statement setting out the findings of the review, allowing for full parliamentary scrutiny.

There are no plans to repeal The Act itself The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 is not emergency legislation, it has been through the full Bill process, and thorough pre-legislative scrutiny. There is no statutory requirement for the permanent provisions in the 2022 Act to be reviewed.

The Scottish Government is co-operating fully with the work of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, this will include participating, as required, in public hearings. It is a matter for the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry as to who they call to give evidence.

The Covid Recovery Strategy, published in October 2021, set out a joint vision between the Scottish Government and Local Government for Scotland’s recovery which focused on reducing systemic inequalities, tackling poverty and supporting people and communities most affected during the pandemic. The strategy set out three priority outcomes: to increase financial security for low income households; to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people; and to create good, green jobs and fair work. The Covid Recovery Strategy also set out an overarching ambition to reform public services, in line with the principles of the Christie Commission, so that they are person-centred and outcome-focused.

The Covid Recovery Strategy included over 70 actions which were funded through existing portfolios and the Scottish Government has made progress towards our Covid Recovery outcomes by, for example: increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £25 per week; doubling the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £20 million; providing local authorities with additional funding for Discretionary Housing Payments; investing at least £50 million in 2023/24 in a Whole Family Wellbeing Programme; and investing in the Green Jobs Fund and Green Jobs Workforce Academy.

The Covid Recovery Strategy Programme Board met for the first time in January 2022 and was co-chaired by the former Deputy First Minister and the COSLA President. The Board includes representatives from Local Government, business organisations and the third sector and has overseen the collaborative and joint delivery of the Covid Recovery Strategy. It has ensured progress towards the three Covid Recovery outcomes and overarching ambition of public service reform. The Board met most recently in January 2023 and minutes are available on the Scottish Government website .

The Covid Recovery Strategy programme is due to conclude in the summer of 2023, although the Scottish Government will build on this programme to continue to deliver for people across Scotland. The priorities of the Covid Recovery Strategy align with the 2023/24 Scottish Budget which focuses on tackling child poverty, transforming the economy to deliver a just transition to net zero, and achieving fiscally sustainable public services.

The purpose of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 was to embed reforms in Scotland’s public services and justice system that, though necessitated by the Covid pandemic, have delivered improvements for service users and improved efficiency.

Section 39 enables lawyers to provide specific legal services such as the taking or administering of oaths, affirmations or declarations, and the execution of certain documents, without being in the physical presence of those seeking such legal services.

Section 25 enables the process for registering a birth to be carried out remotely, and for registers to be kept electronically. Section 27 enable the process for registering a death to be carried out remotely, and for registers to be kept electronically. Both replace the process where a registration form required to be signed in the registrar’s physical presence.

There is no intention at this time to review the provisions in the 2020 Act in these areas.

In relation to licensing, the 2022 Act contains permanent provisions which allow notice of some licensing applications under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to be given by publication on a website. It also made provision so that some licensing hearings and alcohol licensing hearings can be held through remote facilities, as well as in person, or through a mixture of both. There are no plans to extend the scope of these provisions of the 2022 Act.

On registration services, the 2022 Act put on a permanent footing the option of remote death registration and introduced permanently the option of remote birth registration. National Records Scotland are developing proposals so that the registers of life events which they operate are held electronically. There are no plans to allow couples to marry or enter a civil partnership remotely. The 2022 Act make permanent provisions for registration in property registers to proceed on a copy of a deed submitted to the Keeper of the Registers by electronic means. There are no plans to extend this further.