Edinburgh residents could be due share of £210,776
The capital city has the largest number of unclaimed deposits – with one worth £3,484
More than 1,000 long-standing tenancies in Scotland have an EH postcode
One city resident reunited with deposit seven months after moving, thanks to SafeDeposits Scotland
SafeDeposits Scotland has revealed that tenants in Edinburgh could be due a share of £210,776, after failing to claim back deposits at the end of their tenancies.
The Glasgow-based tenancy deposit scheme holds deposits on behalf of landlords and agents in line with government regulations designed to ensure responsible leasing. When a tenancy ends and all parties agree to repayment, the scheme will then release the funds back to the tenant.
Currently, the EH postcode has 700 unclaimed deposits with a combined value of £210,776, with one individual claim worth £3,484 – the highest in Scotland. In total across Scotland, there are 2,513 unclaimed deposits, amounting to £690,383.
One Edinburgh resident, Fraser Hamilton, was recently contacted by SafeDeposits Scotland about his unclaimed deposit after he left his property seven months ago.
Fraser said:“I moved out of my flat near Fountain Park just before lockdown and I completely forgot about the deposit. A part of me just assumed that my landlord would have my details and send it to me when it was ready. Between that and the moving process itself, it just slipped to the back of my mind.
“Obviously, this isn’t how the process works so when I received the call from SafeDeposits Scotland, it was great to hear I’d be getting this money back. It was as simple as sharing my bank details and soon enough, my deposit was back in my account. It’s a great boost, especially just before Christmas, and I’d urge anyone else moving to remember to claim their deposit back.”
In 2020 to date, SafeDeposits Scotland has tracked down 1,093 tenants across the country that had forgotten to claim their deposits back. The not-for-profit organisation has so far managed to return £416,887 from the scheme to these tenants this year.
Research carried out by SafeDeposits Scotland also looked at the quantity of deposits the scheme holds for longer-standing tenancies. The average tenure length for tenancies with deposits protected by SafeDeposits Scotland is just over 2.5 years, however the scheme found over 4,500 active deposit accounts for tenancies of 10 years or more.
There are more than 1,000 long-standing tenancies in the EH postcode area alone, with a deposit for one tenancy in Peebles starting in 1976. While many of these tenancies will still be active, there may be some cases where a tenancy has ended and none of the parties have ever instigated the repayment process.
Mike Smith, operations manager at SafeDeposits Scotland, said: “Edinburgh has the largest amount of private rented sector homes in Scotland with 62,000 currently in the market*. And it’s our job to make sure deposits are kept safe, and that both landlords and tenants have access to our dispute resolution service should there be any disagreement once the tenancy ends.
“The private rented sector in Edinburgh accounts for 25% of the capital’s entire housing market, and with the city recently awarded the top UK place for millennials to live, we predict the sector to continue growing as more people, especially young adults, chose to work and live in Edinburgh.
“Our research revealed that 700 people who lived in or around Edinburgh have left their homes without claiming back their deposit. This figure relates to where the landlord has instructed for the deposit to be repaid to the tenant, but the tenant hasn’t completed the process to receive their funds.
“We know moving home can be quite hectic but there’s no reason why a tenant shouldn’t claim what money they’re entitled to when they leave.”
Among the organisations to have received funding from the Trust this year is Edinburgh-based Deaf Action which, with a grant of £20,000, is developing a project to support Scottish landlords and tenants affected by hearing loss.
If tenants in Scotland think they have left a deposit with SafeDeposits Scotland unclaimed from a previous tenancy, they should enquire with the scheme on 03333 213 136.
A Dalkeith woman has been given a five-year ban on keeping more than one dog following a Scottish SPCA investigation.
53-year-old Debbie Ballantine-Brown failed to provide suitable veterinary treatment for her Weimaraner dogs Ember and Buckley between 1 January and 26 February 2019.
A deprivation order was issued for Buckley, allowing him to be rehomed but sadly Ember was put to sleep due to age related health complaints before the case came to trial.
Ballantine-Brown of Ruskin Place, Mayfield, Dalkeith was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 15 December 2020. The case against her daughter Megan Hollingsworth was not proven.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Fiona Thorburn said, “We received a report from a concerned member of the public regarding dogs in the property shared by Ballantine-Brown and Hollingsworth, two of which were emaciated.
“On arrival at the address I had immediate concerns for the welfare of the dogs, particularly the female Weimaraner, Ember, who was so emaciated her pelvis, vertebrae and ribs were all clearly protruding. When she was examined by a vet she was found to weigh just 20kg, when she should have weighed over 26kg.
“Buckley, the male Weimaraner was also very underweight and his ribs and pelvis were clearly visible. On examination he was found to be 15.7kg when he should have been over 20kg.
“On further investigation it was found that Ember had not seen a vet at all despite her terrible condition and Buckley had not been examined since 22 October 2018.
“The dogs would have been caused to suffer considerably in becoming this thin and a responsible owner should have taken them to a vet much sooner. They gained weight rapidly in our care, with Buckley gaining 49% and Ember gaining 37% in the four weeks following their removal from Ruskin Place”.Image
“We’re pleased that a ban on keeping multiple dogs has been issued and hope Ballantine-Brown will carefully consider her ability to look after any animal in the future.
“We are glad a deprivation order has been issued for Buckley and he can now find the loving home he deserves after spending 22 months in our care.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “I’ve consistently underlined my compassion and concern for everyone affected by the highly restrictive measures which are, unfortunately, absolutely necessary to control the spread of the virus and, ultimately, protect life.
“Following the announcement by the First Minister, there can be no doubt that, other than for the most essential journeys, people should not be travelling between Scotland and other parts of the UK.
“Additionally, travel restrictions between local authority areas within Scotland which came into effect on 20 November, continue to apply and as from 00.01 hours on Boxing Day, 26 December, these increase to a blanket ban for mainland Scotland.
“I remain clear I do not consider it appropriate or proportionate for officers to establish check points or road blocks to simply enforce travel restrictions.
“These restrictions are a preventative measure to halt the progress of Covid and Police Scotland will support this approach with a strong operational profile to deter those who would put others at risk.
“Today, I have authorised the doubling of our operational presence in the Border areas of Scotland.
“These highly visible patrols will be proactively deployed on our road networks to continue our operational activity to ensure drivers and vehicles are in a fit condition to drive. The patrols will also deter anyone who might be considering breaching the coronavirus travel restrictions.
“Our experience throughout the pandemic is that the overwhelming majority of people have demonstrated personal responsibility to do the right thing and I am hugely grateful for that support and co-operation. That must continue and I expect the roads to be quieter than usual over the coming days.
“We have been clear throughout this public health crisis that your police service is here to support our collective effort to combat coronavirus. Though the rules have changed often and, at times, quickly, officers and staff will continue with common sense, empathy and discretion to work with our fellow citizens to help keep everyone safe.
“It is the consent of the public from which policing in Scotland draws its legitimacy. As our communities expect, where officers encounter wilful, persistent or flagrant breaches we will act decisively to enforce the law.”
NHS 24 has welcomed the appointment of new Chief Executive Jim Miller, who will join Scotland’s digital health and care service in the spring of 2021.
Mr Miller, is currently Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities at NHS National Services Scotland. He will take up his appointment with NHS 24 on 5th April 2021 and over the coming months will work closely with current CEO Angiolina Foster to ensure an effective transition.
NHS 24 Chairman, Dr Martin Cheyne said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Jim Miller as our new Chief Executive to NHS 24. His appointment follows a detailed interview process which was carried out with a selection of highly experienced candidates for this senior position.
“Jim has worked in management and leadership for over 20 years and prior to joining the NHS, he led technology, data and resilience programmes in the construction and aviation sectors. He leads national organisations delivering a range of services across acute, primary and community based health and social care.
“He has also recently led strategic responses to the COVID 19 pandemic, including the building and equipping of the Louisa Jordan and establishing PPE routes across the system. I am delighted that he will be bringing this experience and talent to NHS 24.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ”I want to congratulate Jim Miller on his appointment as the new Chief Executive of NHS 24. As the current Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities at NHS National Services Scotland, Mr Miller is respected for his collaborative leadership and professionalism.
“I look forward to welcoming him into post and am confident NHS 24 will continue to deliver a high quality service under his leadership, working in partnership across the health and care system to ensure NHS 24 is fully prepared for future challenges.
“I am pleased Mr Miller will be working closely with current CEO Angiolina Foster in the coming months as he familiarises himself in his new role. I would like to thank Angiolina for the leadership she has provided and the many achievements and improvements delivered during her tenure as Chief Executive over the past four years. I wish her the very best for her retirement.”
Jim Miller said: “Joining NHS 24 is an exciting move and one which I am greatly looking forward to. NHS 24 has delivered exceptional services to the public and to the wider health and care system with its range of telephone and digital services during 2020.
“It has provided critical support to the public and the health system during the COVID pandemic and is helping to transform services through the delivery of 24/7 urgent care.
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with colleagues across NHS 24, and am looking forward to continuing to build on this success and to further develop the role of NHS 24 with colleagues and partners across Scotland.”
Celtic and Heart of Midlothian are set to go head-to-head in a second consecutive William Hill Scottish Cup final as the 2019/20 competition draws to a long-awaited close.
In a festive first, the showpiece event at Hampden Park will play out in front of an empty stadium after a long, COVID hit delay.
For both sides, it is an opportunity to bring their supporters some Christmas joy, with the fixture set to be watched through television screens this afternoon.
Celtic are aiming for an historic day in Glasgow following their treble success three years on the bounce. After overcoming Aberdeen last month by two goals to nil, the current holders have a fourth successive treble in their sights.
Heart of Midlothian make their way to Hampden Park from the Capital in search of another Scottish Cup success, which would be their first since 2012. The Edinburgh outfit defeated their city rivals Hibernian in the semi-final in dramatic fashion, edging the encounter 2-1 after extra time.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon is aiming for an eighth victory in a Scottish Cup final, having lifted the trophy four times as a player and three as a manager.
The Hoops boss insists all of his players are in contention for a spot in his starting eleven at the weekend as his side look to build on their upturn in form.
He said: “As regards team selection, there will be no sentimentality involved in my thinking behind that with my backroom team.
“It is a cup final, a game we want to win. Everyone is in contention and I have to pick the best team for the occasion and to help us win another trophy.”
For Robbie Neilson, Sunday presents an opportunity for the Hearts manager to taste success for the second time in the Scottish Cup, following a memorable day in 2006 as a player.
The Jambo’s boss could make history as the first man to lift the trophy as both a player and manager for the club, but insists the preparations have remained the same for his team.
He said: “It’s a bit surreal. The Scottish Cup final is usually the climax of the season in the sunshine. We’re just glad to be there and looking forward to it. Hopefully, it’s a decent Christmas present for the fans.
“The build-up is still the same whether it’s now or the end of the season. You still have a good week’s training leading into it.”
Neil Lennon said Celtic are on the brink of a monumental achievement if they can win the Scottish Cup final this afternoon but said his side face a difficult game against a very good Hearts side.
Celtic would secure their 12th consecutive trophy if they were to defeat Hearts in Sunday’s final. Victory also see Celtic clinch an incredible quadruple Treble.
Manager Neil Lennon said such an achievement would be remarkable and added it would have a knock-on effect for his side in the upcoming league games.
“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s a great occasion despite there not being any supporters there but we know the gravity of what lies ahead of us. It’s a remarkable situation to find ourselves in and hopefully one we can make the best of an overcome.
“It’s about the team and what they can achieve. I’m only as good as them. ‘We’re one step away from making history. I think it’s monumental and I don’t think we’ll see it again in our lifetime.
“Psychologically it would be good for us. Twelve trophies in a row would be something you’d never see again and I think it would give the players a massive shot in the arm.”
Today’s final sees Celtic face Hearts for the second consecutive time in the Scottish Cup final. The Hoops claimed a 2-1 win against Hearts in the 2018/19 final but Neil Lennon warned that experience will only make Hearts a more dangerous side this weekend.
“I have to be warry in not talking us up all the time,” said the Celtic boss. “We have a very good team to play against who’ll be highly motivated themselves. We won the last cup final against them and some of their players are still there so I’m sure they’ll want to avenge that.
“They’re packed full of Premiership quality players. We know Craig very well, he was an outstanding servant here and an outstanding goalkeeper. We’re under no illusions coming into this, it’s not a case of us turning up and winning the game.
“Psychologically, Hearts could be in a better place for this final. They had a great win in the semi-final against a very good Hibs team. They showed their metal and that they can compete with some of the best teams in the Premiership. Psychologically, they’re coming into the game with confidence and that’s off the back of winning games.”
Hearts will honour the memory of Marius Zaliukas when the team takes to the field in this Sunday’s Scottish Cup Final against Celtic at Hampden.
Every player will wear the number 26 on the front of their shorts in honour of our legendary Scottish Cup winning captain.
Everyone associated with the club was shocked and saddened to learn of Marius’ passing in October. Adored by the maroon faithful, the Lithuanian defender is a Hearts legend in every sense of the word and the men in maroon look forward to paying tribute to him this afternoon.
Scotland’s ‘COVID Cup Final’ kicks of at 2.15pm. It’s live on BBC Scotland.
Robert Smith, of alternative rock band The Cure, has become a Patron for national charity Heart Research UK.
Robert, who is the only continuous member of the legendary band that he co-founded in 1976, has announced his patronage after supporting the charity’s anonymous heART project for the last two years.
The anonymous heART project sees hundreds of anonymous artworks auctioned on eBay, and Robert’s two pieces have raised over £10,000 for the charity’s pioneering research.
Robert, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year as a member of The Cure, is working with the charity on a number of exciting projects, due to be announced in 2021.
“I am very proud to be a Patron of Heart Research UK. Their determined focus on pioneering investigation into the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and their drive to improve the ‘heart health’ of the UK is inspiring,” said Robert.
“More than a quarter of all deaths in the UK are caused by heart and circulatory disease – I have very sadly seen too many friends and family fall victim over the years.
“Continuing support for research into the understanding and treatment of coronary heart disease is absolutely vital – for everyone.”
Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “We are honoured to have Robert joining us here at Heart Research UK. We are all massive fans of his music, and now, his artwork!
“We have been blown away with his energy and generosity in supporting our campaigns, and we are so excited to continue our partnership with him.
“We know research works, but the seven million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK need it to work faster. We are dedicated to funding the latest research in to the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.”
Landmark moment for child safety online as UK Government takes major step towards delivery of an Online Harms Bill
Dear Editor
Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, online grooming crimes in Scotland were more that 30% higher when children were not at school compared with the same months last year.
The NSPCC has been calling for legislation to protect children from grooming, abuse and harmful content online, since 2017. After years of the charity campaigning, on December 15th, the UK Government announced the framework for a future Online Harms Bill that has the potential to provide much greater protection for children when they use the internet.
This is a landmark moment – a major step towards legislation that can make an enforceable legal Duty of Care on tech companies a reality. For too long children have been exposed to disgraceful abuse and harm online.
Social media companies will have a duty to protect young users from child abuse and harmful content online and face fines of up to £18million or 10% of their global turnover if they fail.
But that doesn’t mean that the work we do stops now. For instance, the proposals fall short of ensuring criminal sanctions against named directors whose companies fail to uphold their Duty of Care.
Child protection and children’s voices must remain front and centre of regulatory requirements. We have set out six tests for robust regulation – including action to tackle both online sexual abuse and harmful content and a regulator with the power to investigate and hold tech firms to account with criminal and financial sanctions. Failing to pass any of the six tests will mean that future generations of children will pay with serious avoidable harm and sexual abuse.
We will now be closely scrutinising the proposals against those tests. Above all, legislation must ensure Ofcom has the power and resources to enforce the Duty of Care and be able to identify and then take appropriate action against tech firms that fail.
For more information, search ‘NSPCC six tests’.
Joanna Barrett,
Policy and Public Affairs Manager for NSPCC Scotland
Which? reveals the grocery products that you could be paying too much for
Shoppers who regularly buy Persil laundry detergent, Andrex toilet paper and Kenco Millicano coffee could be overpaying by up to £3 per item as a new Which? investigation reveals the shocking price differences between supermarkets on popular products.
The consumer champion analysed thousands of prices across six months at major UK supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose – including both own label and branded items.
Which? experts found big variations in the price of the same branded groceries at different supermarkets. The pricing analysis also showed how prices on some items fluctuate dramatically even at the same supermarket chain – exposing one of the most common tricks of supermarket pricing.
Persil non-biological washing liquid had the biggest price difference of any branded product in the investigation, and was on average £2.98 more at Morrisons than at Lidl.
Andrex Supreme Quilts toilet tissue had the second biggest average price difference, costing £2.60 more at Waitrose than at Morrisons, which offered the cheapest average price.
Waitrose and Ocado were the most expensive on average for Kenco Millicano coffee, which was £2.06 less on average at Aldi. Waitrose also charged the most for Hellmann’s Real Squeezy Mayonnaise, which was £1.87 less at Sainsbury’s, and PG Tips Pyramid Tea Bags, which were £1.87 less at Asda.
Out of all the products Which? included in its pricing analysis, Persil non-bio also had the biggest price variation within the same supermarket chain – alternating fairly regularly between £5 and £10 at Morrisons across the six month period. Which? found the price also varied at several other supermarkets – by as much as £4 at Tesco, £3.50 at Asda and £3 at Ocado.
Other products that varied significantly at the same retailer included PG Tips Pyramid tea bags, which fluctuated by £2.77 at Ocado, and Twinings English Breakfast and Twinings Every Day Tea Bags, which both changed by £2.65 at Sainsbury’s. Andrex Supreme Quilts toilet tissue paper fluctuated by £2.65 at Waitrose.
By dropping a price on a popular item and advertising it as a discount before raising it for a short while and then dropping it again, supermarkets give the illusion that shoppers are making a saving. In reality, shoppers buying at the higher price are paying more than they should to compensate for the times the price is lower.
When it came to non-branded items, Which? found price differences that were even more stark. Own-brand prawns were on average £3.28 more at Ocado and Waitrose than at Aldi – the biggest price difference across supermarkets of any product in Which?’s investigation.
There were also yawning gaps between the supermarkets on prices for own-label salmon fillets which varied by £2.26 on average between Waitrose and Aldi.
Olive oil varied by £1.81 between Ocado and Waitrose where the price was the same, and Aldi. Beef sirloin steak was around £1.72 more at Ocado than Lidl and Aldi where the price was also the same. Similarly an equivalent ready meal of chicken korma with pilau rice was £1.51 more at Ocado than at Aldi and Lidl, where the price was also the same.
While Which? used experts to ensure that the own-brand products were as comparable as possible based on a range of factors including weight, quality and other industry data, they will inevitably differ in terms of quality, freshness, and taste across different supermarkets.
Quality, range, customer service, store layout and convenience are also important factors, and may lead some consumers to choose a more expensive supermarket for their weekly shop.
Despite often being the most expensive supermarket, Waitrose topped Which?’s annual supermarket survey. Customers gave the high-end store full marks for the appearance of its stores and range of products although perhaps unsurprisingly it did not do well for value for money.
Meanwhile, despite low scores on product range and store appearance, Aldi was also rated highly in Which?’s survey by shoppers who value low prices.
For shoppers watching their purse strings, Which? recommends keeping an eye out for fluctuating prices and dodgy special offers.
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, said:“While prices will inevitably vary between different supermarkets, shoppers might be shocked to see that they could be overpaying by such significant margins for exactly the same products.
“Most supermarkets use some sneaky pricing tactics from time to time, so pay attention to the prices of your favourite products – and don’t assume you’re getting a good deal just because the item is on offer.”
The TUC has released analysis that shows an Amazon warehouse worker would take over eight weeks, or 293 hours, to earn what Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos makes in a second.
The analysis is based on reports of Bezos’ earnings this year. Last year, using his 2019 earnings, the TUC estimated it would take an Amazon warehouse worker over five weeks to earn what Bezos makes in a second. The marked increase to eight weeks this year reflects the enormous takings of the internet giant during the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2020 Amazon has seen its market value rocket, registering US $96 billion (£72 billion) in revenue for the third quarter alone – equivalent to nearly £33 million an hour. And Jeff Bezos’ personal wealth has also skyrocketed, making him the first person ever to be worth US $200 billion (£149 billion).
The eight weeks figure is considered a conservative estimate, as Bezos’ Black Friday and Christmas earnings are yet to be released in what the Amazon CEO himself expects to be “an unprecedented holiday season”.
Despite huge profits, workers at Amazon describe gruelling conditions, unrealistic productivity targets, surveillance, bogus self-employment and a refusal to recognise or engage with unions unless forced.
According to the GMB Union, between 2015 and 2018, ambulances were called out 600 times to 14 Amazon warehouses in Britain due to workers collapsing in unsafe, high-pressure working conditions.
The TUC is calling on the government to bring forward its long-awaited employment bill to clamp down on the poor working practices rife in workplaces like Amazon, and to strengthen trade unions and collective bargaining.
The union body is calling for:
unions to be allowed into every workplace
a ban on zero hours contracts
stronger joint liability laws to protect supply chain workers’ rights
an end to bogus self-employment
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Amazon’s bumper profits mean Christmas has come early for Jeff Bezos. Yet many of his staff continue to work in gruelling, exploitative conditions.
“Amazon workers have played a key role during this pandemic. The very least they deserve is dignity at work.
“If the government is serious about levelling up Britain, it needs to start by levelling up pay and conditions.
“Ministers must get on with bringing forward the long-awaited employment bill to end exploitative working practices like zero hours contracts and boost rights and pay.“
Earlier this year, the TUC called on government to use its purchasing power to stand up to Amazon on workers’ rights, as it published new analysis which showed up to £630 million of government money spent on contracts with Amazon in recent years.
Restrictions tightened due to spread of new variant of COVID-19.
Scotland will significantly tighten protections against Coronavirus (COVID-19) to prevent the spread of the new, highly contagious strain of the virus.
Following confirmation that the new variant of COVID-19 spreads substantially more quickly, the First Minister announced that Scotland needs to act now.
To keep people safe, the First Minister announced:
the planned easing of restrictions around Christmas will be limited to Christmas Day itself, and not the previous 5 day window that was planned
legal household limits will still apply – a maximum of 8 people from 3 households – however advice is to minimise the numbers. Where possible, people should celebrate the festive period at home in their own household and meet with others outdoors
other than for specific exemptions, travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK will not be legal
travel within Scotland will be allowed on Christmas Day
from Boxing Day, all of Scotland will have Level 4 restrictions applied, including the closure of non-essential retail and hospitality. The only exceptions will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where restrictions have been reduced in recent weeks, who will be placed in Level 3
from Boxing Day, in line with existing law, travel across local authority boundaries between areas in Level 3 or 4 will not be legal other than for specific exempt purposes
The First Minister also set out new plans for the return of schools in the New Year. Teachers will return to work as planned and children of key workers and the most vulnerable children, will return to schools as planned.
For the majority of pupils the holiday period will be extended until 11 January and learning will begin online from then until at least 18 January.
All these measures will be kept under regular review.
The First Minister said: “Last week it was confirmed that a new variant of the virus had been identified in the UK, and I advised Parliament that a small number of cases of it had already been identified in Scotland.
“While further analysis is required to establish this one way or another, we already have a concern that this strain may be driving what appears to be faster transmission in some hospitals and care homes.
“That’s why we have decided to act and to act firmly.
“Firstly, we are asking everyone to redouble your personal efforts in sticking to the rules and following FACTS.
“Secondly, we intend to maintain a strict travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the UK. This will remain in place throughout the festive period. We simply cannot risk more of this strain entering the country if we can possibly avoid it.
“Thirdly, we now intend to change the law to allow mixing indoors in a bubble on Christmas Day only. The household limits will still apply – a maximum of 8 people from 3 households – is the law. But the advice will be to minimise numbers as far as possible.
“My message is stay home, stay safe and enjoy Christmas. That is in your own interest and the interest of everyone you love.”
First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has announced Scotland will significantly tighten protections against Coronavirus to prevent the spread of the new, highly contagious strain of the virus.
Speaking about beyond Christmas, the First Minister said: “To limit, as far as we can, the risk of this strain spreading further than it has within Scotland, we intend to apply Level 4 measures to all of mainland Scotland for a period of three weeks from one minute after midnight on Boxing Day morning.
“The only exceptions will be Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and the other island communities where we have reduced restrictions in recent weeks, who will go into Level 3 but with strict restrictions on who can travel to and from those islands.
“The situation the new strain presents means that until we are sure it is firmly under control – until we are sure we are not facing the same situation as the south of England today faces, we must slightly change our plans for the way our schools work.
“Schools still open next week will close as planned – we are not changing that. They were then due to reopen from 5 January with all councils areas back by the 7.
“Instead of that, here is what we are going to do – for the children of key workers – such as nurses in our hospitals – schools will open and stay open as normal. They will also open as normal for the most vulnerable children.
“All teachers will also return to work as scheduled and planned. For the majority of pupils, however, the holidays are being extended until 11 January. Starting on that date, learning will be online until at least 18 January.
“After that, assuming we are confident we have the virus under control we will aim to reopen schools more fully but at least until then, schools will go online only other than for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable.”
Following the First Minister’s statement, confirming a three week Tier 4 lockdown in Scotland from Boxing Day, Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaigns Unit said:“The Scottish Government can’t wait until mid-January to roll out workplace testing for home carers – they need to find a way to bring this forward immediately.
“We can’t have 14,000 home carers in Scotland, supported only with PPE, working through a lockdown prompted by a more transmissible strain of COVID-19.
“Failure to act now to protect these key workers and their service users would be an exacerbation of the negligence they have already endured.”
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS welcomes the decision to delay the return of pupils after the Christmas break until January 11th and that for the vast majority of pupils for this return to be to an online platform, with only the children of key workers and vulnerable children being in school.
“With a large number of schools already closed for the break, this late decision will once again create planning challenges for teachers but schools are much better prepared for remote learning than was the case in March. Given that the EIS has been calling for a ‘firebreak’ around the Christmas break, we view this announcement as being the correct one.
“It would make sense for those schools which are still open to move immediately to remote platforms.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier given a statement at the coronavirus press conference:
Good afternoon, I am sorry to report that the situation has deteriorated since I last spoke to you three days ago.
Yesterday afternoon, I was briefed on the latest data showing the virus spreading more rapidly in London, the South East and the East of England than would be expected given the tough restrictions which are already in place.
I also received an explanation for why the virus is spreading more rapidly in these areas. It appears this spread is now being driven by the new variant of the virus, which we first learned about earlier this week.
Our advisory group on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats – NERVTAG – has spent the last few days analysing the new variant.
There is no evidence the variant causes more severe illness or higher mortality, but it does appear to be passed on significantly more easily.
NERVTAG’s early analysis suggests the new variant could increase R by 0.4 or greater. Although there is considerable uncertainty, it may be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant.
This is early data. It is subject to review. It is the best we have at the moment, and we have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast.
The U.K. has by far the best genomic sequencing ability in the world, which means we are better able to identify new strains like this than any other country.
The Chief Medical Officer last night submitted our findings so far to the World Health Organisation and we will continue to be totally transparent with our global partners.
There is still much we don’t know. While we are fairly certain the variant is transmitted more quickly, there is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness. Equally there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine will be any less effective against the new variant.
Our experts will continue their work to improve our understanding of the variant.
So we are learning more about this variant as we go.
But we know enough already to be sure that we must act now.
I met ministers on the Covid Operations Committee last night and again first thing this morning, and Cabinet met at lunchtime to agree the following actions.
First, we will introduce new restrictions in the most affected areas – specifically those parts of London, the South East and the East of England which are currently in tier 3.
These areas will enter a new tier 4, which will be broadly equivalent to the national restrictions which were in place in England in November.
That means:
Residents in those areas must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law. Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must close.
People must work from home if they can, but may travel to work if this is not possible, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
People should not enter or leave tier 4 areas, and tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home. Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space.
Unlike the November national restrictions, communal worship can continue to take place in tier 4 areas.
These measures will take effect from tomorrow morning.
All tiers will continue to be regularly reviewed in line with the approach previously set out, with the next formal review point taking place on 30 December.
Second, we are issuing new advice on travel.
Although the new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, it is nonetheless present at lower levels around the country.
We are asking everyone, in all tiers, to stay local.
People should carefully consider whether they need to travel abroad and follow the rules in their tier.
Those in tier 4 areas will not be permitted to travel abroad apart from limited exceptions, such as for work purposes.
Third, we must, I am afraid, look again at Christmas.
As Prime Minister, it is my duty to take the difficult decisions, to do what is right to protect the people of this country.
Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, and the potential risk it poses, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.
In England, those living in tier 4 areas should not mix with anyone outside their own household at Christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place for those at particular risk of loneliness or isolation.
Across the rest of the country, the Christmas rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only, rather than the five days as previously set out.
As before, there will be no relaxation on 31 December, so people must not break the rules at New Year.
I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren, and for families to be together.
So I know how disappointing this will be, but we have said throughout this pandemic that we must and we will be guided by the science.
When the science changes, we must change our response.
When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence.
As your Prime Minister, I sincerely believe there is no alternative open to me. Without action, the evidence suggests infections would soar, hospitals would become overwhelmed and many thousands more would lose their lives.
I want to stress we are not alone in this fight – many of our European friends and neighbours are being forced to take similar action.
We are working closely with the devolved administrations to protect people in every part of the UK.
Of course there is now hope – real hope – that we will soon be rid of this virus.
That prospect is growing with every day that passes and every vaccine dose administered.
The UK was the first country in the western world to start using a clinically approve vaccine.
So please, if the NHS contacts you then get your vaccine – and join the 350,000 people across the UK who have already had their first dose.
Yes, Christmas this year will be very different, but we must be realistic. We are sacrificing our chance to see loved ones this Christmas, so we have a better chance of protecting their lives so we can see them at future Christmases.
As sure as night follows day, we will beat back this virus.
