Day: June 1, 2020

Coronavirus widens housing gap, says report

One-in-eight (13 per cent) private renters have fallen behind with their housing costs since the coronavirus crisis started, compared to just one-in-twelve (8 per cent) mortgaged home owners, highlighting how the pandemic has exacerbated Britain’s housing divide, according to new Resolution Foundation research.

The report, based on a YouGov survey of 6,005 UK adults aged 18-65 and supported by the Health Foundation, provides a timely take on the impact of the crisis so far across different housing tenures, including how people have coped with meeting their housing costs, what support they’ve been able to access, and how housing costs have affected their wider spending patterns.

The report notes that one-in-five (20 per cent) private renters have been furloughed or lost their job since the crisis began, compared to around one-in-seven (14 per cent) mortgaged home owners. However, home owners are more likely to have had their hours reduced and less pay (15 per cent, compared to 12 per cent).

An even bigger divide opens up when it comes to meeting their housing costs, says the report. Around one-in-eight private renters (13 per cent) report falling behind on their housing costs, compared to just one-in-twelve (8 per cent) home owners with a mortgage.

The Foundation says private renters’ bigger struggle to meet their housing costs in part reflects the fact that they face higher costs in the first place – their average pre-crisis housing costs were 32 per cent of their family’s income, compared to 11 per cent among mortgaged homeowners.

The survey shows they also have less of a financial buffer to fall back on, with almost one-in-four (23 per cent) private renters having no savings in the run-up to the crisis, compared to one-in-eight home owners (11 per cent).

While renters receive more generous benefit support than mortgagors, home owners with a mortgage have been more successful in accessing support outside of the social security system to cope with the crisis.

One-in-seven (13 per cent) have applied for a mortgage holiday, the vast majority of which have been accepted. In contrast, just one-in-ten private renters have asked for a rent reduction from their landlord (10 per cent), and just half of those requests were successful (50 per cent).

The Foundation notes that this housing cost squeeze has forced many people living in private rented accommodation to cut back on basic spending or, in the case of young people, to move house.

One-in-four (25 per cent) private renters have reduced other spending to cope with meeting their housing costs. Of these renters, half (54 per cent) report currently being unable to afford basics such as fresh fruit and veg, or to save £10 or more a month.

Around one-in-ten (10 per cent) private renters have moved house. Around half (47 per cent) of those who have moved house are 18-24 year olds, while three in five (62 per cent) have moved in with their parents.

Lindsay Judge, Principal Research and Policy Analysts at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Britain already had a huge housing divide before coronavirus struck, and the current economic crisis has only widened that gap.

“People living in private rented accommodation have found it harder to meet their housing costs than homeowners in recent months, and harder to negotiate reductions in those costs. The result is that a quarter are cutting back on other spending, in many cases on essentials, to cover their rent during this crisis.

“Policy makers need to recognise that, while the 1990s recession was infamously most severe for the UK’s home owners, this recession is biting hardest for renters.”

Coping-with-housing-costs-during-the-coronavirus-crisis

Scottish Firms’ confidence rises but remains near record low

Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for May 2020 shows: 

  • Overall confidence for firms in Scotland rose 17 points in the past month to -33%
  • Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was -26%, compared with -29% in April
  • Growing number of firms experienced an increase in demand for goods and services

Business confidence in Scotland rose 17 points during May to -33%, remaining near record lows, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects than in April at -26%. When taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -33%.

The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

In an illustration of the impact COVID-19 is having on Scotland’s business, the majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected during May, but with the picture improving slightly since April.

65% experienced a fall in demand for their products and services, down seven points on the month before. Meanwhile, 12% experienced an increase in demand, up on 5% in April.

The number of Scottish firms operating at less than 50% capacity increased 18 points to 43%. A fifth of firms (20%) weren’t operating at all, down from 32% in April.

Of the 75% of businesses reporting disruption to their supply chain during May, 19% expected the situation to improve within three months, while 14% expected it would take more than 12 months to return to normal levels.

Fraser Sime, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Scottish firms have been hit hard by this crisis, but they’re showing resilience in the face of great challenge.

“It’s encouraging to see that some businesses are beginning to reopen as demand creeps back. We’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with companies from all sectors to help them overcome the challenges presented during this difficult time.”

National overview

Across the UK, business confidence held steady month-on-month, dipping just one point to   -33%. The North East and London both saw confidence rise month-on-month, scoring the joint-highest confidence reading at -20%. The South West recorded lowest confidence at         -51%, compared to -35% the month prior.

From a regional perspective, despite all being in negative sentiment, six of the 12 regions reported a higher confidence in May. The North East was the least negative region at -20%. The South West was the most negative region at -51% followed by the South East at -45%.

In May, the construction sector saw the sharpest decline, falling 24 percentage points to -44%. However, all the three other major sectors saw a modest increase. The retail sector increased eight points to -25%, while manufacturing rose to -27% and services saw a small increase of four points to -18%.

Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While May continued to show the unprecedented impact of the shutdown for businesses across the UK, it is important to see that now half of all regions are climbing back from the lowest levels seen last month.

“As Britain sees further easing of measures in the coming weeks, with more businesses re-opening, it is hoped that this will further improve businesses’ confidence. Government schemes and finance options continue to be made readily available to businesses so that they can be best placed and prepared to open once again in the months ahead.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Despite the results partly capturing the period since the Government’s announcement of an initial easing of restrictions, trading conditions remain difficult for most firms.

“Nevertheless, a further relaxation of constraints will enable more businesses to resume their activities.”

Morrisons launches vegan essentials food box

  • 15kg box includes lentils, meat free sausages, vegan cheese, jackfruit, fresh fruit and vegetables
  • 23 products for £35, including next-day delivery, will feed two people for one week

Morrisons has launched a brand-new Vegan Essentials Food Box to help its vegan customers during the lockdown.

The food boxes are particularly helpful for those who are vulnerable or self-isolating and can’t leave the house but are available for anyone to purchase.

Created in response to requests from customers following the launch of Morrisons other food boxes, the Vegan Essentials Food Box is available for £35, including next-day delivery to your doorstep, and will feed two people for a week.

Weighing just under 15kg and containing 23 different items, the box includes lentils, jackfruit, couscous, meat free sausages, meat free mince, dairy free cheese and almond milk – as well as a mix of fresh fruit and vegetables.

A typical Morrisons Vegan Essentials Box will include:

●       KTC Chickpeas, 500g

●       Morrisons Jackfruit in BBQ Sauce, 150g

●       Morrisons Cous Cous, 500g

●       Di Martino Penne Pasta, 500g

●       Pure Sunflower Spread, 500g

●       Alpro Almond Milk Unsweetened, 1L

●       Alpro Plain Yoghurt, 500g

●       Morrisons Almonds, 200g

●       Violife Dairy Free Cheese, 200g

●       Heck Meat-Free Sausages

●       The Meatless Farm Co Mince, 400g

 

 ●     Morrisons V Taste No Chicken Strips, 228g

●     Morrisons Wonky Carrots, 1kg

●     Morrisons Brown Onions, 1kg

●     Morrisons The Best Sweet Peppers, 250g

●     Morrisons Baby Spinach, 160g

●     Morrisons The Best Farmhouse Loaf, 800g

●     Morrisons Baby Potatoes, 1kg

●     Morrisons Royal Gala Apples, 6 pack

●     Morrisons Passata, 500g

●     Morrisons Vegan Stock Pots, 4 pack

●     Morrisons Apple & Cinnamon Granola, 500g

●     Lotus Original Caramelised Biscuits, 250g

Possible recipe options include a vegan pasta bolognese, rainbow salad bowls, soups, vegan sausage sandwiches or granola.

Tessa Callaghan, Head of Food Boxes at Morrisons, says: “Many of our vegan customers have got in touch to ask whether we could create a food box for them. We’ve sourced some of the best vegan food for this food box as we continue to play our full part in feeding the nation during these unprecedented times.”

Lockdown has meant that people are shopping differently so Morrisons has launched a number of different food boxes including a Gluten Free Food Box, and British Farmers Food Box.

The Vegan Essentials Food Box is the latest in the range to help feed its vegan customers during the pandemic.  

For more information, visit www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/

#ItsMoreThanOurJob

North West Carers mark Dementia Awareness Week

It is Dementia Awareness Week. The staff and Volunteers at the North West Carers Centre have all completed the Dementia Friend Programme.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

Whether you attend a face-to-face Information Session or watch the online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

The Dementia Friends Inititiative has 6 reasons why we should all become a Dementia Friend. Today we will be thinking about Reason 1:

1. Learn about dementia and how it affects a person’s life What is it actually like to live with dementia? How does it affect someone’s life day-today? When you become a Dementia Friend, you’ll learn about the real-life impact of the condition and the small actions we can all take to help.

Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design: next steps for NHS Scotland

NHS Scotland will begin resuming some services that have been suspended, delayed or deferred due to coronavirus (COVID-19), whilst continuing to protect emergency, urgent and maternity care.

‘Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design, The Framework for NHS Scotland’ sets out how Health Boards will follow national and local clinical advice to safely and gradually prioritise the resumption of some paused services. Health boards will introduce these plans while maintaining COVID-19 capacity and resilience and providing appropriate support for social care.

The Interim Chief Medical Officer and National Clinical Director have provided an initial outline on what services could be prioritised in the next phase of Health Board mobilisation planning.

These include:

  • cancer services, especially referrals and postponed treatments
  • expanding treatments for non-cancer urgent inpatients and outpatients
  • outpatient therapies where delay will increase the risk to patients, such as management of macular degeneration, paediatrics and respiratory services
  • mental health support
  • treatment room services such as blood monitoring and B12 injections

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The coronavirus pandemic has seen an unprecedented response from our NHS and care staff. Our fantastic staff have delivered a massive reorganisation of services in just a matter of weeks. This has ensured that our NHS has not been overwhelmed. 

“We are taking an evidence-based, cautious and phased approach to resuming services to ensure the virus continues to be suppressed. While NHS Scotland will remain on an emergency footing, this framework sets out our approach for the next phases as we continue to respond to this pandemic.

“Our approach is not only driven by clinical priorities but also what matters to people’s quality of life like pain clinics, dental treatment and preventative work like cancer screening.”

Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design, The Framework for NHS Scotland sets out the steps being taken to safely resume some paused NHS services across Scotland.

“It ensures that the successful steps taken to maintain services during the pandemic are learnt from and built upon. This includes the significant innovations introduced across the NHS to assess patients utilising digital technology.

“The reality is coronavirus is likely to be with us for some time to come, and so many changes made in the coming weeks and months have to be measured against the need to keep the virus under control, continuing to protect the NHS and save lives.

“Our approach will be informed by national and local clinical priorities. We will continue to work with health boards, local authorities, Royal Colleges, professional bodies, unions and other key stakeholders to ensure this is robust and up to date.”

 You can read Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design, The Framework for NHS Scotland online.

Electric Cycle Company sees 80% rise in lockdown sales

Scotland’s largest specialist e-bike retailer experiences 80% rise in e-bike sales and 200% rise in service sales during Covid-19 Lockdown. Five new members of staff have been contracted and £1500 has been donated to North Edinburgh charities, through an online poll.

Sales of electric bikes (e-bikes) at the Electric Cycle Company (ECC), Scotland’s largest specialist e-bike retailer, based on Granton Road, have increased by at least 80% during the 10 weeks of Covid-19 Lockdown, as compared with the same period in 2019. 

With a sales to square foot ratio of more than £600 per square foot [Tesco is just over £900] in this period, ECC, may also have been the busiest bike retailer in Scotland. Service sales have also increased by as much as 200%; and five new members of staff have been contracted as a direct result.

Neill Hope, MD of the Electric Cycle Company, said: “Nobody could have foreseen Covid-19 occurring and the resulting demand for bikes.

“For obvious reasons, people have not wanted to use public transport during lockdown.  They have also been avoiding non-essential travel by car. The streets have been much quieter and folk are definitely feeling more confident about cycling on the roads with family for their limited daily exercise or to get to work or to the shops.”

“Our new customers are not only getting to grips with the many health and financial benefits of cycling for both commuting and exercise, but also quickly realising that e-bikes make the whole physical process even easier and more joyful than traditional cycling, despite the larger initial investment.  Edinburgh, with its many steep hills, is the perfect city for an electric bike.”

Since 23 March 2020 80% of bike sales at ECC have been to those buying their first e-bike, with the majority of e-bikes being sold in the £2000 – £3000 price bracket.

There has been an even split of male and female customers with an age range of between mid 20’s to the over 60’s.

However, there has been a marked increase in younger women, especially health workers from the NHS, using the UK Government’s Cycle To Work Scheme or the Scottish Government backed Energy Saving Trust eBike Loan scheme to help with their bike purchases.

Despite offering free bike servicing to essential frontline workers from the start of the Covid-19 Lockdown (with any required parts being sold at cost), ECC’s service sales have increased by as much as 200% on the same period last year; with a current waiting time on bike servicing of two weeks.

This far outweighs the regular spike in servicing sales in January and February, when clients are often referred to in house as the ‘New Year’s Resolution Customers’.

Realising that many people have been suffering significantly during the lockdown, the ECC team wanted to do their bit to help out.  Following a recent online poll through Facebook and Twitter, ECC have just donated £1500 to three local charities, giving back to a local community that has nurtured the business over their last ten years of operation.

Neill Hope added: “To assuage our guilt that the business was doing so well out of the most horrible situation, we wanted to give back to the North Edinburgh community with a charitable donation.

“Sharing £1500, Edinburgh Food Project, Cyrenians and Street Soccer Scotland were the three charities our customers voted for in an online poll. This is in addition to our continued annual support to Kids Love Clothes, Granton Youth and St Columba’s Hospice.”

This exponential increase in e-bike sales and bike servicing has led to five additional members of staff being given employment contracts at the ECC – two salespeople, an administrator and two bike mechanics.

‘Widespread anxiety’ as schools return in England

Anxiety is widespread among school workers about their safety, their families’ and that of pupils ahead of a return to the classroom across England today, says UNISON.

UNISON has published a catalogue of concerns from support staff who make up more than half the schools’ workforce.

Teaching assistants, catering staff, administrative workers, caretakers and other school employees have told the union they are being banned from wearing protective masks, denied gloves when handing packed lunches to parents and being spat at by children with behavioural issues.

These issues are among hundreds reported to UNISON’s PPE alert web page by support staff, including many who have continued to work in schools during the lockdown.

They also include accounts of having to buy their own hand sanitiser, parents failing to social distance when they visit and working without hot water in schools attended by the children of key workers.

In separate findings, a survey by UNISON based on responses from 12,781 support staff has found that three in ten (30%) are losing sleep, suffering high anxiety or both as a result of plans to open schools more widely in England.

Only a small minority (4%) said that schools had adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The union is calling on ministers to make schools have enough PPE to protect staff, their families and the children they look after from the risks of infection from coronavirus.

UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “Support staff are essential to schools running properly and they shouldn’t have to feel scared about doing their jobs.

“But it’s no wonder they feel anxious and are losing sleep – and that makes for worried parents too.

“Schools need much more time to complete their risk assessments and ensure that, wherever possible, support staff aren’t being made to fill in for teachers.

“Parents need their minds putting at rest that teaching assistants, catering workers and other support staff have access to all the masks and gloves they need. Or they simply won’t send their children back.

“A delay to the reopening plans will allow unions and government the space to work together to reassure staff and families in England that the return to school can happen safely.”

Comments made by school support staff in emails to UNISON’s PPE alert include:

  • “I‘m making packed lunches in a primary school and also work as a cleaner (in a primary school). I have to hand over the lunches to the children’s parents each day and was told I cannot have gloves as they are a risk.”
  • “We’ve been told we can’t wear masks. But if a child has a first aid issue then we have to be close to that pupil to administer first aid.”
  • “I’m a teaching assistant working with key worker children. We have no PPE – no hand sanitiser, no gloves, nothing. We have soap but no hot water.”
  • “The school cannot source sanitiser anywhere so we need to supply our own and claim the money back from the school.”
  • “Parents aren’t maintaining distance at the door, and children aren’t being sent in clean clothes as requested. I was coughed on twice today and a child sneezed on me.”
  • “I’ve worked one-to-one with a pupil who on the first day spat at me. He’s aggressive and they’ve placed us in a small room together. My daughter has asthma – I’m so worried we considered sending her to grandparents until this is over. We’ve been told not to wear masks because they could scare the children.”

Jeane Freeman: Life should not feel normal

Statement given by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman at a media briefing in St Andrew’s House yesterday (Sunday 31 May):

Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us for today’s briefing. I want to start this afternoon by updating you on some of the key statistics in relation to Covid-19 in Scotland.

As at 9 o’clock this morning, there have been 15,400 positive cases confirmed – an increase of 18 from yesterday.

A total of 1,073 patients are in hospital with Covid-19 – 732 who have been confirmed as having Covid, and 341 who are suspected of having Covid. That represents a total reduction of 41 since yesterday, including a decrease of 3 in the number of confirmed cases.

A total of 27 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected Covid 19. That is a decrease of 6 since yesterday.

I am also able to confirm today that since 5 March, a total of 3,688 patients who had tested positive for the virus have been able to leave hospital. I wish all of them well.

Unfortunately I also have to report that in the last 24 hours, 9 deaths have been registered of patients who have been confirmed through a test as having Covid-19 – that takes the total number of deaths in Scotland, under that measurement, to 2,362.

It is worth remembering that fewer deaths tend to be registered at the weekend than on other days of the week, and that is probably why today’s figure is relatively low.

And, as always, I want to stress that these numbers are not simply statistics. They represent individuals whose loss is a source of grief to very many. I want to send my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one to this virus.

As Health Secretary, I also want to once again thank those working in our health and care sectors.  That thanks is due to all staff – to people working in NHS 24; in emergency dental and eye care;  in GP practices and Covid assessment centres; in care homes and in hospitals; to paramedics; procurement staff, and the porters, cooks, cleaners, and maintenance staff who help to keep our services running.

Your work is essential to the health and well being of us all, and all of us are grateful to you.

I have two issues I want to address briefly before focusing on the next steps for our NHS. The first relates to the changes to lockdown restrictions which took effect on Friday.

I know that this weekend there will have been many long-awaited meetings taking place in the sunshine. I know they will have brought real joy to many. But I cannot emphasise enough, how much we need you to stick to the rules we have set out.

The central advice continues to be to stay at home. That is the best way of stopping the spread of the virus.

I know that is hard in the sunshine, but it is essential.  The reasons you can leave your house are exceptions.  They are not the norm.

If you are meeting people outside there should be no more than two households in any group – and ideally no more than 8 people.  Each household should socially distance from the other – and also, of course, from any other groups that are in the same place as you.

And we strongly recommend that you do not meet with any other household more than once in a day.

Remember also that every person you meet, could pass the virus to you, or you could pass the virus to them, even if you feel well.

So remember the basic precautions you should take – wash your hands; cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a disposable tissue; and try to avoid touching your face. Don’t touch shared surfaces such as park benches or play parks. And if you can, wear a face covering in shops and on public transport.

Please do not travel more than 5 miles from your home. And do not crowd beauty spots, rural locations or small villages.  Car parks in many of these locations remain closed, They are closed for a reason, to stop crowding. So please don’t ignore that, don’t park on verges or at the side of the road as an alternative. That is unsafe. If it’s crowded, change your plans and go elsewhere.

And please – don’t go indoors. Being in someone else’s house must still be avoided, unless you are providing support to someone who is vulnerable.

Fundamentally, life may feel a little less restricted but it should not feel normal.

I know these restrictions remain tough, but they are necessary.

The changes we have made are intended to improve people’s quality of life, while continuing to minimise opportunities for the virus.  If we don’t respect these rules then the virus will begin to spread again.

I know that the majority of people are following the rules and the law. But we have heard and seen some reports this weekend of more than two households meeting, of house parties taking place, and of large gatherings outdoors. None of that should be happening. It puts you and others at risk. 

So enjoy meeting friends and loved ones, but please do it sensibly.  Think about your actions. And remember that for all of us, our individual decisions are crucial not first to our own safety and that of our loved ones, but to each other.

The second issue I want to talk about is shielding.

I  know that the last three months have been enormously difficult for people who are shielding, and for their families.

I  also know that it is tough for you to see restrictions being eased on those who are less at risk – and that you want clarity about when you can start to lead a less restricted life.

We will provide you with more information over the course of the next couple of weeks, but I want to stress that the changes the UK Government announced yesterday are for England only. They do not apply in Scotland.

We have asked you to shield because the virus presents a very serious risk to you. You matter. And so we need to very careful to get our advice righ

t for you as we move through how we can safely ease the restrictions you face and what you can do to keep safe.

In doing so, we will try, as far as we can, to move from the current blanket approach – which requires all of you to stay at home all the time – to one that reflects both the latest clinical evidence, and your individual circumstances.

The final issue I want to talk about today relates to NHS Scotland. The Scottish Government has today published “A Framework for NHS Mobilisation”.

It sets out the core principles that underpin how we will, safely and gradually, resume some of the services in the community and hospital setting which were paused at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis.

The mobilisation plan makes clear that we will start with the resumption of those services whose absence is clearly having a detrimental impact on people’s lives.

But as we do that we must make sure we keep sufficient capacity, to deal with any surge in Covid-19 cases. And we will build on some of the improvements that have been made as a result of responding to Covid – particularly in primary care – through increased use of digital consultations.

Mental health support – something which is arguably more important now than ever – will be made more widely available.

The care offered at emergency dental hubs will expand, as dentists prepare to open.

In hospitals, we will restart some urgent elective surgery which had been postponed.

As we emerge further from lockdown, more services will resume – including, for example, cancer screening services, and services for managing chronic diseases.

And although it may seem like a strange thing to say on one of the hottest days of the year, we are already looking ahead to the winter months – to the normal flu season, as well as to the continued risk of Covid-19. So our planning must take that into account and use the next few months to restock and replenish supplies.

The plan sets out an approach which is cautious, phased, and based on evidence. It is informed by our experience in recent weeks. The re-mobilisation will happen in stages, with constant checking on the prevalence of the virus and the R-number. The plan charts the way we will help the health service to resume important services, alongside making sure that the virus continues to be suppressed.

And as those decisions are made in that slow, evidence-based way we will make sure that patients are well aware of what to expect and that you, the wider public in Scotland, know what we are doing and the reasons for it.

I am just about to hand over to the Chief Nursing Officer and the National Clinical Director. Before I do that, however, I would like to re-state once again our key public health guidance.

Lockdown has been modified slightly – but life should not feel normal. You should still stay home as much as possible because the virus has not gone away.

Don’t meet with more than one other household at a time, don’t meet more than one a day and keep to a maximum of 8 people in a group.

Stay 2 metres apart when you do meet.

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.

Avoid hard surfaces – and clean any you are touching.

And if you have symptoms, don’t wait to see if you feel better tomorrow, get tested and follow the advice on self isolation.

We are only taking steps out of lockdown this weekend, because so many people have stuck to the rules so far.

If all of us continue to do the right thing, we will be able to relax more restrictions in the future. But right now these rules remain the best way of protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. So please, stick with them.