A £200bn economic recovery plan is needed from the Chancellor tomorrow to reflect the unprecedented scale and nature of the crisis Britain faces, and the lack of monetary policy firepower available to support the economy, according to a major new report published today by the Resolution Foundation.
In May, the NHS Lothian Local Mobilisation Plan (LMP) forecast additional costs of £149.8m associated with the COVID-19 response across the Board and four HSCPs (health and social care partnerships). Of this, £71m is anticipated in the four months to the end of July.
Scottish Conservative Health Spokesperson, Miles Briggs, said: “NHS Lothian was facing significant financial challenges before Covid-19 struck and now these financial challenges are even greater.
“SNP Ministers must ensure that health boards are properly funded to deliver essential health services during this public health crisis and have appropriate measures in place.
“The poor management of NHS Boards by consecutive SNP Health Secretaries has meant that NHS Scotland was not in as strong a position as we should have been to deal with this crisis.
“Waiting times for operations are going to be longer in all health boards and I do not have confidence that SNP Ministers will be able get on top of these long treatment waiting times.”
Disability Equality Scotland has praised national bus operator First Bus for fast-tracking technology which will enable wheelchair users in Edinburgh to track accessible spaces on their local bus services in ‘real-time’.
The mobile app update, available now, enables customers across the city to view available wheelchair spaces across its fleet. This important innovation makes bus travel easier by tracking wheelchair capacity through an icon that moves across a virtual map.
The update forms part of a fast-tracked investment in the app which has seen First become the first UK bus operator to not only allow bus passengers to live track the location of their next bus, but also show its capacity in ‘real time’.
Emma Scott, Operations Manager at Disability Equality Scotland explained why this is such a welcome improvement for wheelchair users in the area: “We welcome the fast-tracking of the app which will give wheelchair users more confidence to use public transport during these uncertain times.
“By giving wheelchair users this information in an inclusive and accessible way, it allows them to make decisions about whether to wait or find an alternative route.”
Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of First Bus in Scotland said “We are really proud to have been able to fast-track our recent app updates to ensure safe, informed travel during these difficult times.
“Our buses provide an essential service for our customers and we are doing all we can to support them. The app update is aligned with our longstanding pledge to improve the bus experience for our disabled passengers.”
To find out more about what First Bus is doing to support customers during Covid-19, visit https://www.firstgroup.com/help-and-support/coronavirus-information
If customers are exempt from Government face covering guidelines, First Bus have journey assistance cards available to download from https://www.firstgroup.com/help-and-support/extra-help-travel.
Guidance maps out full reopening of Scottish campuses.
New guidance has been published to help Scotland’s colleges and universities prepare for a safe and phased return to campus.
The guidance has been developed in partnership with colleges, universities, the Scottish Funding Council, trades unions and student bodies.
Institutions are planning for a phased return with a blended model of remote and limited on-campus learning in Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map.
Essential preparations can already take place, while on-campus university research and home moves for student accommodation can resume from 29 June, 2020.
Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s colleges and universities are working hard to ensure the safest possible environment for staff and students returning to campus.
“This guidance will support institutions to do that by setting out clear expectations and practical approaches to public health and health and safety, including physical distancing.
“Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, Scotland’s colleges and universities have been at the forefront of supporting the country, most visibly in supporting the NHS and social care sectors.
“That has included thousands of students joining the health and social care workforce, the contribution of staff, equipment and resources to COVID-19 testing capacity, and the refocusing of existing research capacity to address the pandemic across medical, engineering and other disciplines – as well as community efforts to support the most vulnerable members of society.
“The flexibility colleges and universities have shown so far has demonstrated that they are well-equipped to provide a safe environment for staff and students while supporting their students in their studies and ensuring the highest quality of learning and teaching.”
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-colleges/
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-universities/
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the media briefing in St Andrew’s House on Friday 26 June:
Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s briefing.
I’ll start with the usual daily update on Covid-19.
An additional 17 positive cases were confirmed yesterday – that takes the total now in Scotland of confirmed cases to 18,213.
It’s possibly worth noting that the percentage of people tested who turn out to be positive is now well below 1% on a daily basis. Yesterday it was 0.3%, which is one of many signs of the progress we are making.
A total of 823 patients are currently in hospital with the virus either confirmed or suspected. That is three fewer than yesterday, and it includes a reduction of five in the number of confirmed cases.
A total of 17 people last night were in intensive care and that is one fewer than yesterday.
Since 5 March, a total of 4,042 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 and needed hospital treatment have been able to leave hospital. I wish all of them well.
And in the last 24 hours, I’m very pleased to say that no deaths were registered of a patient confirmed through a test as having COVID-19. It’s worth noting that when I’ve announced a zero figure for deaths in last couple of weeks, it’s been reflecting deaths registered at the weekend and we know those can be artificially low.
Today is the first time that figure has been at zero on a weekday since 20 March, which is before lockdown began.
That is really significant and it is down to the sacrifices of each and every one of you so thank you to all of you.
And it means that the total number of deaths in Scotland – under that measurement of people confirmed by a test as having the virus – remains at 2,482.
The loss of life is still devastating of course, and I want to send my deepest condolences to everyone behind these statistics who has lost a loved one as a result of this illness. As I hope we continue to report lower numbers of deaths, we should never become inured to the human suffering behind these figures, so again my thoughts are with everybody who has suffered bereavement.
I also want to express my thanks – as I always do – to our health and care workers, and indeed to all our key workers across the country. I’m going to make a special mention today, given an issue which I’ll mention later on, to our refuse collectors who – right throughout this crisis – have been working to help keep our country clean and tidy. Key workers the length and breadth of the country are doing extraordinary work and you have my, and the Scottish Government’s, very grateful thanks.
There’s one main issue I want to focus on today. And it concerns a very significant change which comes into effect next week.
From Monday, all retail premises with outdoor entrances and exits will be able to reopen. That change doesn’t apply to indoor shopping centres yet – they will have to wait a bit longer. But it does cover the vast majority of shops.
Many stores have – of course – been planning for this moment, for some time.
At the start of phase 1 – in late May – we published guidance to help retailers prepare for a safe reopening.
This morning, I visited the New Look store at Fort Kinnaird, in Edinburgh. And I saw for myself, the kinds of measures which shops are putting in place.
Among other things, those measures include new limits to the number of customers that are allowed in store at any one time; new processes for cleaning and quarantining items which have been handled; and new signs to help with physical distancing.
Alongside these in-store preparations, retailers and local authorities have also been making changes to the public spaces outside shops. For example, distance markers are being laid down, and street furniture is being removed – to allow for safe outdoor queuing.
All of that has required an enormous amount of work. So I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is helping our retail sector to get back up and running. At the same time, I also want to thank the key workers – in shops and pharmacies – who have kept our country going over the past three months, because they’ve been working in what we have called essential shops. All of your efforts are hugely appreciated as well.
Scotland’s retailers are making the necessary preparations, but I want to stress that all of us – each and every one of us – have a role to play in making sure that this reopening can work and work safely.
That’s why today the Scottish Government is publishing new guidance for customers. It sets out the basic rules that all of us need to follow, in order to keep safe ourselves and to help keep others safe too.
As the guidance says, there are some people who should not be going into shops at all for now – for example, those who have COVID-19 symptoms and are self-isolating, and those who are in the shielding group.
If you are in either of these groups – or if you need extra support – then you can have food and medicine delivered to you – that might be by family and friends, local volunteers, or supermarket delivery services. If you need help over and above that you can call our National Helpline – the number is 0800 111 4000, and help, including the delivery of essential food and medicines can be arranged.
For those of us who are able to go to the shops from Monday, the guidance is clear.
You should shop locally if you can. For now, use the five mile limit as a guide – and don’t travel further, unless it’s absolutely necessary. I appreciate that for people living in rural or island communities, it might not be possible to stick to that kind of limit – but for most of us, it should be, and it is perhaps an opportunity to support our local shops in the process as well.
You should try to shop on you own – or in as small a group as possible. And avoid going to crowded shops at peak times – choose a time when the shops are likely to be less busy.
When you do go into a shop, please wear a face covering. That’s something that we are advising you strongly to do.
I wore a face covering this morning, when I visited New Look. So I know that it takes a bit of getting used to. But you do get used to it.
And the hard fact is that a bit of discomfort – which none of us enjoy – is preferable to getting COVID or passing it on to someone else.
Face coverings serve a really important purpose, in enclosed spaces like shops.
By wearing one, you reduce the risk that you will unknowingly pass on the virus to other people. And other people, by wearing a face covering, are helping to protect you. So please – unless medical reasons prevent it – wear a face covering if you’re going into a shop.
In addition, you should only visit stores which have infection control measures in place. You should use the hand sanitiser they provide – and at New Look this morning there were plenty of hand sanitiser stations around – but take your own as well in case you can’t find any that is available.
And finally, when we are out shopping, all of us need to remain patient and polite.
There are going to be times when retail staff ask us to follow rules which we’re not used to because they haven’t previously been in place. So it’s important for all of us to listen to them, and to treat staff – and our fellow customers – with respect. These rules are there for the protection of all of us. Abusing retail staff because they’re telling you to do something you don’t want to do is not acceptable. These people are at work and have to be kept safe too so please, treat them with respect and courtesy.
The guidance we’re publishing today is very straightforward – it’s also extremely important. So please take a look at it. As with all our guidance you’ll find it on the Scottish Government’s website.
By following the guidance, we can help to support our retail sector. This crisis has been and continues to be tough for our economy overall, but within that the retail sector has been hard hit, so I want to see people support our shops in communities the length and breadth of the country, but make sure we do it safely and responsibly so that this important step out of lockdown can be taken while we continue to suppress the virus.
And that really is my concluding point. Suppressing the virus, driving it as far as we can towards total elimination has to be our overriding priority.
We have made exceptional progress over the past three months, and the figures today highlight that. But it has only been possible, because the vast majority of us have stuck to the rules.
You’ll keep hearing me say this time and time again, because it’s true and it is important that we never forget it. The virus hasn’t gone away, and it will not go away of its own accord. There are plenty of parts of the world right now where it is still on the rise, and there are some parts of the world where, unfortunately, it appears to be on the rise again as societies and economies open up. The warning signs are all around us and we must not ignore them. We ignore them at our peril.
A big concern for me is that – as we ease more restrictions – people drop their guard. It is perhaps human nature. And of course, the potential for that increases – as people are out and about, and seeing each other much more.
We saw an example of that last night in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow. And while I understand people’s desire to enjoy the sunshine – on the very days of the year when we actually have any – please avoid crowded places.
If you find that the place you want to visit is busy, don’t go there. Try to find somewhere quieter or go back at a time when it is going to be quiet. Crowded places are a big risk, and that is true of outdoor crowded places – although the risk might be slightly lower than it is of indoor places. Crowded places generally, please seek to avoid them.
When large crowds gather, it provides opportunities for the virus to spread. And this highly infectious virus – which we know can be deadly and increasingly we know it can do long term health damage – this virus will take those opportunities if we give them to it.
So we mustn’t provide them.
And, of course, if you are out and about, enjoying public spaces responsibly, please take litter home with you. Refuse collectors across the country are doing an incredible job – and I thank them – but they should not have to clean up after outdoor gatherings.
So please, now more than ever our individual decisions affect all of us – they affect society as a whole. That means all of us need to be considerate of one another. That should be the case at all times but it is particularly true right now. It’s really important that we care for each other, that we look out for each other, that we remember that the things we do could harm other people. And if we all act in that collective spirit of love and solidarity, as we have throughout this, then we will continue to see that progress continue.
So before I hand over to the Economy Secretary, I want to remind everyone what key public health guidance says.
At the moment, you should still only meet up with other households outdoors. So if you think it may rain, plan for that, don’t go indoors just because it’s raining.
And only meet with up to two other households at any one time. The restrictions on larger gatherings – and it’s worth stressing that includes mass gatherings such as demonstrations – remain enforceable by law.
If you are visiting people, you should only be going indoors to use the toilet, or to get through to a garden. And remember to clean any surfaces you touch, as you do so.
I will end with facts, as I have done repeatedly in the last few days, which is the public health campaign summarising the key points you need to remember.
If we all remember and abide by these five basic measures, all of us can stay safe, protect others and save lives.
We have made so much progress – but it will reverse in a heartbeat if we drop our guard.
It would be heartbreaking – for so many reasons – to go backwards now.
So please let’s all unite to keep this virus under control.
I want to thank all of you for what you have been doing, and what I know you will continue to do, to help us achieve that.
Bake Off star Kim-Joy is judging a summer baking competition to help unwanted cats
The cat-loving celebrity baker will pick the overall winner of Cats Protection’s Pawsome Afternoon Tea at Your Place happening on the charity’s social media sites throughout July and raising funds for cats in the charity’s care.
The competition will consist of weekly cat-themed baking challenges with entrants asked to post a photo of their creation along with a hashtag. Cats Protection will select the weekly winners, with Kim-Joy naming her overall champion at the end of July.
A small donation is requested with each entry which will aid thousands of unwanted felines in the charity’s care including five young kittens rescued from a waste bin in Birmingham.
Named Faith, Giles, Spike, Xander, and Willow, after characters from TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the charity hopes the five will make a full recovery after which they can be found new homes.
“I hope Pawsome Afternoon Tea at Your Place generates a lot of entries because it will help guarantee brighter futures for many unwanted and abandoned cats, says Kim-Joy.
“My own two rescue cats, Inki and Mochi, are my pride and joy and they cheer me up every day. They sit with me whenever I compose recipes or bake and they like to rip up the kitchen roll when my back is turned! I wouldn’t be without them!”
“The competition is a great way for bakers to indulge their hobby while keeping safe in the lockdown and helping a very worthy cause, says Zoe Thompson, Events Organiser for Cats Protection.
“We’ll be judging all entries on appearance, creativity and effort and good luck if you choose to take part.”
If you’d like to take part, please register at www.pawsometea.org
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, helping around 200,000 cats each year through a national network of around 230 volunteer-run branches and 37 centres.
Adults in the UK are now spending more than a quarter of their waking day online with services such as TikTok and Zoom seeing unprecedented growth, according to Ofcom’s latest study into the nation’s online lives.
Ofcom’s annual Online Nation report shows that in April 2020, during the height of the coronavirus lockdown, UK adults spent a daily average of four hours and two minutes online. This is up from just under three and a half hours in September last year.
With people looking for new ways to keep connected, informed, entertained and fit during the pandemic, video-sharing and video-calling services are surging in popularity.
TikTok, which allows users to create and share short dance, lip-sync, comedy and talent videos, reached 12.9 million UK adult visitors in April, up from just 5.4 million in January. Twitch, the popular live streaming platform for video gamers, saw visitors increase from 2.3 million to 4.2 million adults.
The proportion of people making video calls has also doubled during lockdown, with more than seven in 10 doing so at least weekly. Houseparty, the app which combines group video-calls with games and quizzes, grew from 175,000 adult visitors in January to 4 million in April. But the biggest growth was seen by Zoom, the virtual meeting platform, which grew from 659,000 users to reach 13 million users over the same period – a rise of almost 2,000%.
Sites and apps such as YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, which allow people to create, upload and share videos online, have never been so popular.
Our report reveals that nine in 10 adults, and almost all older children aged 8-15, with access to the internet used at least one of these in the last year, with many doing so several times a day. One third (32%) of online adults now spend more time viewing video-sharing services than broadcast television.
And we’re not only watching but creating and broadcasting our own content too. Two in five adults (40%) and 59% of older children who use video-sharing sites and apps now create and upload their own videos, driving an explosion in short-form, user-generated content.
Vlogging is also a money-making enterprise, with 17% of adults who create and upload videos receiving revenue or gifts in return. With some vloggers going on to achieve global celebrity status, the proportion of children under 13 who aspire to become a ‘YouTuber’ had increased by 19% by the end of 2019 compared to 2018. Boys in particular are more likely to consider it as a career.
Our study shows that, before the pandemic, many people were moving away from more established forms of communication – particularly landline calls and SMS text messages – and adopting newer methods.
In the 12 months to February 2020, more people were sending daily text messages using online messaging platforms (52%), such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, than using SMS (41%) or email (26%). Daily use of online voice calls (31%) was only slightly lower than mobile calls (38%).
The pandemic appears to have sped up the adoption of online services to keep in touch. More than seven in 10 people in the UK are now making video calls at least weekly, up from 35% pre-lockdown. This trend is particularly noticeable among older internet users; the proportion of online adults aged 65+ who make a least one video-call each week increased from 22% in February 2020 to 61% by May 2020.
For many adults and children, watching or creating content on video-sharing sites or apps is a positive experience. But 87% of adults – and 79% of 8 to 15 year olds – have concerns around children using these platforms. Bullying or trolling, harmful or age-inappropriate content and receiving private messages from strangers are among the top concerns.
Adults’ trust in sites to remove illegal, offensive and harmful material has grown by seven percentage points since last year, to 54%. Nevertheless, most adults (57%) continue to support greater regulation of video-sharing platforms (64% in 2019).
Ofcom is preparing to take on new duties for the regulation of UK-based video-sharing platforms. This summer, we will be publishing a call for evidence to inform our guidance on how platforms should protect users from harmful content.
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s Director of Strategy and Research, said: “Lockdown may leave a lasting digital legacy. The coronavirus has radically changed the way we live, work and communicate online, with millions of people using online video services for the first time.
“As the way we communicate evolves and people broaden their online horizons, our role is to help ensure that people have a positive experience, and that they’re safe and protected.”
Forth 1 DJs, Callum Gallacher and Boogie, are celebrating the end of what has been an unusual school term with the ultimate Schools Out for Summer parties.
There’s no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we learn, work and socialise, but the Forth 1 DJs are refusing to let it change the way we see in the school summer holidays while raising funds for Cash for Kids.
Pupils and listeners across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk will be treated to playlists curated especially by DJ Callum Gallacher and Boogie In the Morning DJ, Boogie, to get the summer vibes started as schools across Scotland break up for the end of term.
Last night, with so many young people across the country unable to mark the occasion with friends and teachers, pupils had the chance to join Callum Gallacher’s Summer Prom – and the partying continues today with Boogie’s Summer Party via Facebook Live from 3pm.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the special shows to hear their favourite summer tunes and the biggest hits, while at the same time having the chance to give shout outs to their friends, school mates and teachers. There will also be an opportunity to donate to Cash For Kids.
Callum Gallacher hosted a School Prom with guest mixes from Friday night GBXperience DJ, George Bowie and Saturday Night Anthems presenter, Garry Spence, from 7pm, for pupils across the country who are finishing up for the summer with no school prom.
Callum said: “It’s particularly hard for pupils who are finishing up their school careers, knowing that it’s unlikely they’ll have the chance to say a proper goodbye at the end of this very unusual school term.
“There’ll be no shirt signing, no ties on heads, no school prom – we feel for them – so we want to make sure we give them a great night.”
Following the School Prom, listeners can join Boogie on Facebook Live from 3pm today. Boogie In The Morning presenter, Boogie, said: “The last day of school was always the most fun, so we want to make sure pupils across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk aren’t missing out.
“There’s no denying that lockdown has been tough for many young people and at Forth 1 we are trying to bring some sense of normality to our listeners with music, a laugh and a fair bit of daftness! I’m really looking forward to this continuing with our end of term Summer Party!”
Join Boogie from 3pm on Facebook Live today. Get in touch with via the Forth 1 Facebook page with your song requests and shout outs to your friends, school and teachers. Find out more about the Schools Out For Summer party here.
Listen to Forth 1 on FM, DAB radio, online, via our app & on your Smart Speaker.
All donations to the Cash for Kids Appeal welcome. Text FORTH TO 70905 or donate online at https://planetradio.co.uk/forth/cashforkids/.
100% of donations will go to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, launches new online summer education programme.
Ten brand new interactive online learning courses will be available for young people across Scotland during the month of July. These exciting new online learning programmes have been developed to provide a fun and enjoyable way for young people to continue their environmental learning during the summer holidays.
The courses cover a range of topics and environmental activities which encourage young people and families to explore the world around them and to think how to protect and improve the places they love. Included are courses on Eco-Schools, heritage, food and the environment and climate change, as well as other environmental topics.
Each course consists of a combination of online learning and practical, fun activities, and all those who complete a course will be rewarded with a certificate of involvement.
Registration is now open for each course and the full list, more information and details about how to take part, can be found at: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/learning
Daniel Barrie, Education and Learning Manager, said: “Following the huge demand for our online environmental education programme during lockdown from both educators and young people, we have developed a series of exciting and interactive courses for children to take part in during the summer holidays.
“These courses will provide a fun and engaging way for young people and their families to explore some important environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable food, and the work completed can contribute towards their school’s next Eco-Schools Green Flag award. We have something exciting available for all ages – from nursery through to S6.”
As well as the online summer courses, Keep Scotland Beautiful will also be providing environmental education support to educators once blended learning begins in August. This will build on the existing partnership with E-Sgoil and will include a range of online learning activities for pupils coupled with professional learning for staff.
