Lewis Macdonald

29 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will revise the criteria of key workers during the first phase of coming out of the COVID-19 lockdown for provision of childcare and schooling to enable people who are re-opening businesses and their staff to go back to work.

Answer · John Swinney: We are engaging with CoSLA and other key stakeholders about ongoing critical childcare requirements through the Covid-19 Education Recovery Group and its work streams. The Education Recovery Group will consider the issue of continued critical childcare provis…

22 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is responsible for determining who can access the COVID-19 test centre at Aberdeen Airport, and what responsibility it has for any decision to extend access to other groups of key workers.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Regional Testing Centre at Aberdeen Airport is part of the UK-wide programme of testing, led by the UK Government. Any symptomatic individual, aged 5 and over can access these testing facilities. The Scottish Government published a prioritisation matrix f…

22 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will support access to the COVID-19 test centre at Aberdeen Airport for asymptomatic offshore workers who (a) live in the North East Scotland region and (b) travel to and from work through the airport.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Regional Testing Centre at Aberdeen Airport is part of the UK-wide programme of testing, led by the UK Government. Any symptomatic individual, aged 5 and over can access these testing facilities. These facilities are only for people within a 90-minute dri…

22 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many COVID-19 tests can be carried out each day at the test centre at Aberdeen Airport, and whether it is currently working at, or close to, full capacity.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Regional Testing Centre at Aberdeen Airport is part of the UK-wide programme of testing, led by the UK Government. The cumulative total of tests conducted through the Regional Testing Centres is published on the Scottish Government website when the data i…

19 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the ministerial statement on finance on 5 May 2020, how much each local authority subsequently proposed they would need from the £155 million of Barnett consequentials to meet their funding needs.

Answer · Kate Forbes: I wrote to the Convention of Scotlands Local Authorities (COSLA) on 26 May to confirm that, in line with a request from COSLA Leaders, the allocation of the £155 million consequentials will be based on the normal distribution formula Grant Aided Expenditure (…

18 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to veterinary businesses that have remained open to carry out continuing surveillance and statutory testing of livestock, but which have lost most of their usual income streams as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Veterinary practices have not been instructed to close and the Scottish Government has issued advice concerning ongoing veterinary surveillance activities and statutory testing of livestock to the effect that such work should continue provided all public heal…

12 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance will be issued to healthcare workers with severe asthma and other respiratory conditions in light of the COVID-19 outbreak and when will this become available.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We have published endorsed guidance for NHSScotland staff and managers https://www.staffgovernance.scot.nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/guidance/ that includes advice on what you should do if you have a high-risk medical condition. This reflects the latest guid…

12 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure a robust supply of hydroxychloroquine to people reliant on that medication to manage (a) lupus, (b) scleroderma, (c) rheumatoid arthritis and (d) other serious autoimmune rheumatic conditions during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Access to medicines should not be affected by the current COVID-19 global pandemic. There are no known supply issues with hydroxychloroquine and it remains available from manufacturers for community pharmacies to order through wholesalers. There are a number…

12 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on public bodies or agencies in receipt of public funds requiring non-essential staff to take a placement with another public body or agency for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, without prior consultation and agreement with the staff concerned or relevant trade…

Answer · Kate Forbes: Public Bodies are expected to align with fair work principles including in relation to trade union and staff engagement. On 25 March, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work & Culture and the STUC General Secretary issued a joint statement outlining th…

11 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what agreement it reached with Macphie of Glenbervie for the production and delivery of hand sanitiser for the NHS.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government placed one contract with Macphie Ltd to fill 50,000 bottles with hand sanitiser manufactured by CalaChem Ltd. That contract was fulfilled. Separately, National Health Service National Services Scotland has purchased the filling of a fu…

10 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support will be given to angling associations in respect of District Salmon Fishery Board levies, in light of lost fishing months as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is going to great lengths to support businesses and organisations, and in designing the relief and grant systems had to make difficult decisions to balance helping as many as possible against what was affordable. The Scottish Governme…

4 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-28265 by Fiona Hyslop on 21 April 2020, whether a person can register for support with access to IT, and if so, how.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Connecting Scotland Programme will connect 9,000 more people who are considered at clinically high risk themselves so they can access services and support and connect with friends and family during the pandemic. Local authorities and the third sector will…

4 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide rates relief to general dental practitioners that are unable to see patients due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Dentists working wholly or partially in the public sector already have their non-domestic rates (and rent) reimbursed pro rata on the amount of work undertaken for NHS Scotland. Some dentistry work of course continues, we have put in place 56 Urgent Dental C…

30 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to local authorities and private providers in receipt of public funds to clarify what their approach should be to childcare facilities charging full or part fees to parents as a retainer fee for childcare places while these facilities are either closed or o…

Answer · Maree Todd: While charging policies are a matter for individual businesses, the Scottish Government is encouraging all childcare providers to be reasonable and balanced in their dealings with parents, recognising the unprecedented situation in which we all find ourselves…

29 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the downturn in the oil and gas industry and the COVID-19 crisis, what discussions it has had with trade unions regarding support for the sector.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is engaging regularly with the trade unions to understand the challenges and gaps in the support for business announced to date, including the Job Retention Scheme. The Oil & Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group, of whi…

29 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether companies in the oil and gas industry can use staff furlough schemes for employees who might face redundancy as a result of the (a) downturn in the oil and gas industry and/or (b) COVID-19 crisis.  

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) is a scheme operated by UK Ministers and is open to all UK employers, including companies in the oil and gas industry, whose business or operations have been severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. A number of oil …

29 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the downturn in the oil and gas industry and the COVID-19 crisis, what discussions it has had with Oil and Gas UK regarding support for the sector.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is engaging regularly with Oil and Gas UK to understand the challenges and gaps in the support for business announced to date. l recently attended virtual meetings of Oil and Gas UK’s Operator and Contractor Councils, which have been h…

22 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to counter misinformation on social media and elsewhere regarding guidelines about permitted activities during the COVID-19 lockdown, including what kind of outdoor exercise is allowed and for how long.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government recognises the vital importance of physical activity for both our physical and mental health during this pandemic. We have been clear with our messaging that exercise is permitted if people follow the guidelines, observe social distanc…

20 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Chief Scientist Office has had with counterparts elsewhere in the UK or internationally regarding development of a vaccine for COVID-19.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office has regular contact with equivalents in the other UK health departments as part of UK wide coordination of COVID-19-related research, and has been updated as part of this contact on the establishment of a Vaccine…

20 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what provision will be made during the COVID-19 outbreak for self-employed workers, such as vets, who derive the majority of their income from dividends.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: There is no specific veterinary support scheme. However, there is a range of support measures that are in place for all non-domestic properties, including veterinary practices. They will be eligible for the universal 1.6% rates relief. Where veterinary busine…

20 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance’s reply during Members’ Virtual Question Time on 17 April 2020, whether it considers that oil and gas operators are inhibited from accessing the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme and, if so, for what reason.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is engaging with Oil and Gas UK, the Oil and Gas Authority and the Trade Unions to understand the challenges and gaps in the support for business announced to date, including the Job Retention Scheme. I have held an initial extraordina…

17 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to protect the legal rights of a surviving partner where a planned marriage has been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 emergency and the other partner dies in the interim period.

Answer · Ash Denham: During the current pandemic, wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions, and those who participate in them, are restricted by the current health protection regulations set out in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regul…

10 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to increased precautions for those taking exercise in public during the COVID-19 outbreak, such as applying an increased social distance or requiring other precautions to be taken.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government considers the latest health advice and global evidence when looking at our guidance. Undertaking daily physical activity is vital to both our physical and mental health. This can be achieved safely providing the current guidance on soc…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been issued to education authorities regarding the payment of supply teachers during the school closures that are in place as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Answer · John Swinney: On 26 March the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) provided guidance for all supply staff on fixed term temporary contacts during school closures. This guidance can be found at the following link: http://www.snct.org.uk/library/2714/SNCT20-75…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been established in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, can permit staff of registered charities who have been furloughed to contribute to the work of those organisations as volunteers, where their work supports frontline workers in …

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which includes the furlough measures, is reserved to the UK government (HMRC) under employment law. The UK Government’s guidance makes clear that anyone who has been furloughed cannot contribute to the work of their emplo…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been established in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, can permit businesses such as veterinary practices to receive support for reduced staff hours, rather than removing employees from work completely.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which includes the furlough measures, is reserved to the UK government (HMRC) under employment law. Scottish Government therefore cannot provide support for reduced staff hours as it is a UK scheme. The scheme itself does…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland’s force reserve has undertaken any duties specifically arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, or is expected to do so.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Police Scotland’s Strategic Leadership Board (SLB) reviewed the remit of the Force Reserve, on the 12 February 2020, and agreed to rename the unit as the Flexible Response Unit (FRU). During the current pandemic the FRU has attended a wide variety of inciden…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the remit of Police Scotland’s force reserve for the remainder of 2020, given the cancellation of major events and the circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Police Scotland’s Strategic Leadership Board (SLB) reviewed the remit of the Force Reserve, on 12 February 2020, and agreed to rename the unit as the Flexible Response Unit (FRU). The SLB also agreed that the unit would be retained in an amended format to sup…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, whether it considers businesses that provide computer services and repairs should be classed as essential in allowing as many people as possible to work from home.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has been clear that the single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. Where a function can be carried out from home then that is where is should be…

9 Apr 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, whether it will introduce a scheme similar to that in England, which allows vulnerable people to register for additional support with essential activities while shielding at home.

Answer · John Swinney: The UK Chief Medical Officers have listed the conditions which place individuals at the highest clinical risk from COVID-19 – those being ‘shielded’. We have now written to individuals in all of the groups who are being asked to shield, setting out the steps …