Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-28268 on 4 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 .

Live COVID-19 testing started on 10 February 2020.

The number of people tested and results that were positive or negative are reported daily as part of the COVID-19 data and trend charts for Scotland from 2 March 2020. The figures for the number of people tested are reported as a cumulative number rather than as a daily number of tests.

The link to the daily data update is:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/trends-in-number-of-people-in-hospital-with-confirmed-or-suspected-covid-19/.

The information comes from different administrative systems and so there may be variations in the quality of the data; it is subject to revision if new information becomes available.

The Scottish Government recognises that fraudulent activities such as scams can have significant, and long term effects on consumers, especially those whose circumstances mean they are more vulnerable. Tackling this criminal behaviour cannot be achieved through enforcement practices alone. That is why we remain committed to introducing a more coordinated, longer term strategic approach to scams prevention, which emphasises the importance of education and awareness raising alongside direct intervention.

At the heart of this is collaboration. That is why we have created a Scams Partnership Working Group, which brings together a diverse range of key stakeholders with relevant knowledge and expertise. The group has met four times since October 2019 – these discussions have informed our evidence base, and enabled us to gather good practice examples from across different organisations that will help shape next steps in the strategy’s development. Due to the current pandemic we have had to postpone further meetings, but continue to keep all partners informed and up to date on key response activities.

Our immediate priority at this time is to ensure that consumers – especially the most vulnerable – have access to the right information and support to identify, avoid and mitigate impacts of Covid-19 related scams activities. We know there are individuals who are looking to take advantage of the current situation to profit through illicit activities – Police Scotland has recently reported a 10% increase in fraud levels.

We are working across enforcement, resilience, cyber and consumer advice organisations to monitor the situation and proactively respond. This includes providing emergency funding to some third sector organisations – such as Citizens Advice Scotland and Advice Direct Scotland – in order to enable them to continue to provide quality, tailored advice. We are also continuing to fund partners – including Crimestoppers Scotland, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, Trading Standards Scotland and Police Scotland – to deliver key initiatives ranging from national doorstep campaigns to nuisance calls prevention and improved cyber protection capabilities.

Covid-19 has created new challenges in terms of protecting people living in Scotland against fraudulent activities such as scams. We will share learnings from this experience in order to strengthen Scotland’s collective approach to scams prevention; and will fulfil our commitment to deliver a Scams Prevention Strategy at the earliest opportunity when it is safe and practical to do so.

I refer the member to the answer to S5W-27963 on 15 April 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 .

The Scottish Government is committed to its National Infrastructure Mission which will increase investment by £1.5 billion per annum by end 2025/26. The economic case for this increase is only strengthened by current circumstances. Infrastructure Investment will be instrumental in supporting the economy and offering stimulus for resilience and recovery of the Scottish Economy in response to the Covid 19 pandemic.

Of course the full impact of Covid 19 will take time to emerge. We will consider how best to restart those elements of infrastructure investment which have been affected when restrictions are able to ease, including possible options to accelerate spending.

Within the constraints of available capital grant and borrowing powers, the forthcoming Infrastructure Investment Plan and Capital Spending Review will support Scottish industry to remain resilient through the initial stages of the crisis and provide the most positive impact in the medium and long term.

Decisions on allocations of COVID-19 consequential funding are ongoing. Scottish Ministers plan to publish a Summer Budget Revision at the end of May for consideration by the Scottish Parliament before summer recess. The Budget Revision will detail all funding allocations made to date in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our priority is to protect the health of individuals and to minimise the loss of life caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, the Scottish Government has recommended that non-essential construction work on major trunk road projects should temporarily cease. This includes construction work on A9 Dualling Luncarty to Pass of Birnam, A77 Maybole Bypass, A9 Berriedale Braes and A92/A96 Haudagain Improvements.

This remains under continuous review and we are currently undertaking an exercise exploring ways in which our major trunk road projects could potentially restart in the event construction sector guidance is relaxed.

Where it is possible to do so, our consultants continue to advance design work on our major trunk road projects in design, including the A9 and A96 Dualling programmes, whilst complying with the Government’s physical distancing guidance.

In addition to this, work is also underway to identify potential capital road projects that could be progressed in 2020-21 as part of any wider economic recovery plan.

In terms of rail infrastructure the safety of transport users, staff and construction workers comes first and, quite rightly, this has meant projects and non-safety critical renewals have been suspended across the UK rail industry, and beyond.

We are focused on supporting the economy at this challenging time, that is why we have provided significant funding to partners across the transport sector.

Development work continues to ensure we can quickly mobilise the right projects and renewals once we reach post Covid-19 recovery phase. However, timescales are under continuous review to reflect the requirements of Covid-19.

The Scottish Government understands the importance of high-quality, accurate completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and that is why Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, jointly with Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and National Records Scotland (NRS) issued guidance to doctors for death certification during the COVID-19 pandemic which can be found here . The Death Certification Review Service (DCRS) also runs a dedicated helpline for certifying doctors.

The Scottish Government is working hard to support those that are vulnerable and self-isolating. We have set up a national phone line to ensure those who are at risk, and who have no other support available, can access help for their essential needs. The national phone line number is 0800 111 4000.

We have also launched a service on mygov.scot to help people find available support. It provides information on staying safe, getting food, mental health and wellbeing, paying bills and other services. This digital service will be continually updated as new support services and information becomes available.

Moreover, the Scottish Government has published information for the people with an underlying condition who get the flu jab every year which sets out the steps they should be taking to keep themselves safe and what it means for managing their underlying condition. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-tailored-advice-for-those-who-live-with-specific-medical-conditions/

Primary care providers and Chief Social Work Officers are already reviewing who is more vulnerable and how they can be supported. Scottish Government has also confirmed that that all additional reasonable costs for providing social care will be met, subject to expenditure being aligned to local plans.

The overarching priority of the Scottish Government is to protect the health of individuals and to minimise the loss of life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has meant no sector of the Scottish economy has gone untouched. Consequently, measures have been taken to cease all non-essential construction activity, including all housebuilding and we have published clear guidance on work on construction sites and what to do about home moves during the pandemic.

There are a large number of approved and planned projects within our Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2020-21, backed by a budget of £843 million. Once activity resumes, we will be clearer about the full effect this will have on the timing of the delivery of these homes.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the housing market and home-building industry and to achieving the earliest possible restart of housing construction, when it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, we are determined to help businesses, including those in housing construction, address the impact of the crisis and we are now providing nearly £2.3 billion in financial support to meet the unique needs and circumstances of Scotland’s economy. This includes passing on every penny received by the UK Government and additional funding to fill the gaps in the UK measures. More help and information is available from our dedicated business support line.