Give Them Time campaigners welcome start of Holyrood process

The Give Them Time Campaign has welcomed yesterday’s start of a parliamentary process which will automatically provide an additional year of nursery funding for all children legally deferring their Primary One start. 

At present only January and February born children are entitled to this whereas mid-August* (*those who turn five after the school commencement date in any year) to 31st Dec born children – who share the same legal right to defer – do not have this automatic entitlement and it’s at the discretion of their local authority to grant it or not.

Since 2018 the Campaign has been lobbying the Scottish Government to provide an automatic entitlement to a further year of nursery funding for ALL children legally deferring their school start. 

Our supporters are mainly parents, early years’ and primary teachers and its research has demonstrated wide variations across council areas as to whether parents were likely to secure this funding for their child or not and the process for being considered for it. While more councils than ever have funded 100% of requests this year, the infographics below highlight the ongoing postcode lottery.

However, this is now set to change as today the Minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd, started the parliamentary process at Holyrood to change the law to enable all children whose parents choose to take up their legal right to defer them to have automatic access to a further year of funded nursery from 2023.

Campaigners have warmly welcomed this move but they are disappointed a full national rollout will not be effective immediately. Details of a pilot scheme have not been finalised yet but campaigners are keen to see this run in as many council areas as possible and particularly in areas which have had poorer approval rates in recent years as can be seen on the Evidence page of the campaign website.

Campaign spokesperson Diane Delaney said: “Our research has evidenced that the postcode lottery of allocation of discretionary deferral funding is causing confusion, stress, distress and ultimately forcing some parents to send their child to school despite feeling concerned about their wellbeing and ability to cope.

“We are elated that the legislation will be brought in to fund all deferrals, however, we need immediate and full implementation in every local authority at the same time.

“There will be dire consequences for children and families having to wait until 2023 to guarantee full access to funding. Parents’ worries are exacerbated as a result of the multiple impacts of Covid-19 and the huge loss of nursery time for these children earlier this year.

“We welcome the offer of the Scottish Government to continue to work with parents as they move forward in progressing the implementation of this legislation. The Scottish Government has committed to embed children’s rights into Scottish Law, therefore in advance of this we require the new legislation to be implemented fairly and as soon as possible to help all parents, but especially those parents who cannot afford to defer their child if their council refuses funding.

“We want to live in a country where we can be proud that the needs of our children come first and to do this, any legislation impacting on children must not be determined by where they live or their parents income.”

Parents described some of their experiences in a survey conducted by the campaign in Oct 2020. Here are some of their comments:

QUESTION 4: What is your experience of the nursery staff’s understanding of the legal right to defer any child who has not reached the age of five by the school commencement date in Scotland?

  • “Nursery staff knew about it but said as he had no multi agency specialist support input I would not get funding.”
  • “They knew but seem to try to put you off the idea, make comments like “they’ll be fine” etc” 
  • “I was told it was unusual for a November born to differ and had to contact the council myself.”
  • “The nursery staff were as much in the dark as parents.”

QUESTION 5: What is your experience of the information provided by your local authority on deferral rights? Please give as much detail as possible.

  • “Awful. Varying degrees of knowledge. People telling us we “weren’t allowed” etc.”
  • “My experience all the way through the deferral process was that I was having to ‘fight’ the system to enable my son to be deferred. It seems to be quite a hostile system where the parent’s view is secondary to that of the nursery even though my son was only at nursery for two days per week.”
  • “I think it is incredibly upsetting as a parent that you have to justify why you feel your child would benefit from an extra year in nursery. For many parent it is an agonising decision that they second guess all the time. You also feel a bit like you are betraying your child as in order to do what you feel will be best for them you have to list all the ‘negative’ aspects of their development and personality. It’s a very upsetting experience.”
  • “I felt that I was much more ‘in the know’ than nursery staff, and was ‘keeping them In the loop’ with regards to The Give Them Time Campaign and other movements aiming to uphold these rights. The 1 member of teaching staff in the nursery probably knew the child’s fundamental right to defer their school start, but they were not at all forthcoming with information, and I would never have been told this right, had I not already known it myself. There are many parents/ guardians who simply don’t know this right, and I feel that nurseries should make it their job to inform.”

QUESTION 6: What is your experience of the process of applying to your local authority for a further year of nursery funding for your child’s deferral year? Please give as much detail as possible.

  • “I found it very stressful. I had to attend meetings, research and write letters, get my local MSP involved. Just trying to do the right thing.”
  • “The process itself was one horrendously stressful and awfully frustrating bureaucratic experience!!!”
  • “Stressful as told from everyone that funding would not be approved. It wasn’t initially but on appeal all deferrals were funded due to covid. Very poor support for parental input-my opinion was completely disregarded and I didn’t feel listened to at all.”
  • “Very little support and guidance. Very much appears as if it’s bingo and based on how assessor are feeling in the day rather than robust criteria. Forcing people to appeal, which adds additional stress and pressure to an already convoluted process to then overturn the majority of appeals is inexcusable. Do the job right the first time and you will save everyone a huge amount of time, energy and resources.”

Toy cars are the stars of quirky Edinburgh photo project

An Edinburgh dad is showcasing the city in an unusual manner – through photographs of his son’s toy cars.

From Wester Hailes to Calton Hill, the National Gallery of Modern Art to Murrayfield Stadium, Ross Burns has taken toy cars to them all. 

Posting an image a day on Instagram under the name Scot.Wheels, Ross is keen to showcase both the details of the miniature cars but also the city he loves.

Ross said: “I’m working from home at the moment and it can be challenging to get out in the fresh air. So back in September I started going for a walk each day with a car from my son’s vast Hot Wheels collection. I quickly became obsessed and I’ve been doing it for more than 100 consecutive days now.”

Ross, 40, has also taken cars to the likes of Tynecastle Park, the Royal Infirmary, the Royal Botanic Garden, Saughton Park, and Edinburgh Napier University, where he works.

“I’m lucky to live in such a beautiful city. A lot of the photos are from the west of the city, where I live, but I love getting into town and photographing the cars against some of Edinburgh’s most famous sites. People like those ones too – a 1968 Copo Camaro next to the Scott Monument is currently my most popular post.

“It’s obviously been a weird year but this has given me a little creative outlet every day, away from the pressures of work and parenting. No matter where I go now, I always have a car in my pocket – even when we had various medical appointments recently after my four-year-old son Daniel broke his arm. I get some strange looks but I’m too old to be embarrassed!

“I aim to keep going and posting every day – I just have to hope my son’s grandparents continue to feed his and my habit by keeping up a regular supply of new vehicles. Christmas could be make or break!”

Ross’s Instagram feed with all his photos can be found at www.instagram.com/scot.wheels

Vaccination programme is GO!

The first vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme.

Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine have been arriving at NHS Boards across Scotland since the weekend and are being stored at the required Ultra Low Temperature ahead of the start of the vaccination programme.

Scotland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman was at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital to see the roll-out begin, with vaccinators being vaccinated first.

After that, the focus will be on vaccinating residents in care homes for older adults and their carers and other frontline healthcare workers. People over the age of 80 will then receive their injections, as supply allows. As those being vaccinated need two doses at least 21 days apart, 50 per cent of the vaccines will be kept back in to make sure we can give the second injection within the advised timeframe.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “This is obviously a very welcome milestone in our collective fight against the pandemic and I am very grateful to all those who have worked so hard to ensure Scotland is ready to deliver these first COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Science has given us hope and we are starting on a journey which will eventually allow us to return to the lives we want to lead.

“Following clinical advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) we will begin with those groups which have been prioritised to address 99 per cent of preventable deaths associated with COVID-19.

“These include elderly care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and a number of other groups who are at risk of serious harm and death from this virus.

“We ask everyone to be patient as we work through these groups as quickly as vaccine supply allows and we urge you to go for the vaccine when it’s your turn.

“Meantime it remains very important that as we vaccinate, we all stick to the necessary restrictions and public health advice to keep suppressing the virus to as low a level as we can.

“A vaccination programme of this scale is a significant logistical challenge and requires a major nationwide effort.  But it is one we undertake with optimism and determination to succeed.” 

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman (above) said: “I felt genuinely privileged to see this long hoped for and clinically crucial vaccination programme begin at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, and I would like to sincerely thank all those involved in the vast amount of work which has allowed us to reach this absolute milestone in our COVID-19 response.

“The arrival of these first COVID-19 vaccines is a huge turning point for us all, and will protect those most at risk from the serious effects of the virus, but we can’t relax yet. Even after the first people are vaccinated it will be important for now that everyone continues to follow the Scottish Government’s guidance for their area and above all to follow FACTS.

“These will continue to be the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and others from the virus, as we continue to roll out the vaccination to all of those who need it.”

Clinical Lead for the COVID Vaccination Hub at the Western General Hospital Pauline Bell said: “I am incredibly proud to be leading the team of vaccinators here at the Western General Hospital, for this unique and hugely important vaccination programme.

“An enormous amount of planning and preparation from across the organisation has been undertaken to get us to this point, so I am looking forward to finally welcoming staff into the clinic.

“As we prepare to administer the very first vaccinations, we reach a crucial juncture in the fight against COVID-19, the beginning of the journey towards a return to normality.”

Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:

F – Face coverings

A – Avoid crowded places

C – Clean your hands regularly

T – Two metre distance

S – Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

Usdaw urges retailers to give staff a proper festive break

B&M to close stores on New Year’s Day

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed an announcement by discount retailer B&M that they will close their stores on New Year’s Day. The company said this is a ‘thank you’ for hard work and commitment during incredibly challenging year and to give staff a ‘well-deserved rest’.

This is particularly important in Scotland where Usdaw is campaigning for all stores to close on 1 January. The union’s New Year’s Day petition will be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee on Wednesday 16 December.

Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer, said: “When the country faced a crisis unlike any in our lifetime, shopworkers stepped up and kept essential services running. They continued to work and faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as being worried about catching Covid-19.

“So we welcome B&M saying ‘thank you’ to their staff with the closure of stores on New Year’s Day. Key workers have done so much this year and we are asking retailers to give their staff the longest possible break over the festive season. We don’t think that is too much to ask for.”

SFA recognises Gorgie Road restaurant with National Award

The national winners of the annual Scottish FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards have been revealed, with the Gorgie Road restaurant in Edinburgh being crowned the winner of the 2020 Football Restaurant of the Year award.

The awards celebrate the efforts of grassroots football volunteers across Scotland who make a difference and go the extra mile to support their local communities.

Launched in March this year, the public response has been extremely strong, despite the challenging circumstances, with the Community Projects category receiving over 351% more votes this year compared to 2019. The awards feature a wide mix of categories which reflect the huge range of roles that volunteers play.

McDonald’s Gorgie Road, owned and operated by local franchisee Graham Angus (pictured above), joins a long list of inspirational grassroots football heroes who have been recognised by the awards programme.

Graham has been involved in the local grassroots community for a number of years, and the team at McDonald’s Gorgie Road support local football at Salvesen FC, as well as developing an innovative partnership by working with the club’s older players looking for a route back into employment.

The Gorgie Road restaurant was judged alongside the other regional winners from the Football Restaurant of the Year 2020 category and will be presented with their award at a ceremony at a later date.

Graham, who with his team will continue to support grassroots football in the Edinburgh area, added: “It’s an honour to be named Football Restaurant of the Year at the awards this year.

“I’m so proud of the efforts my team have put in to support grassroots football. Over the years our relationship with football teams have thrived. We’ve worked hard to form strong relationships with clubs like Salvesen FC, so we can help provide them with much-needed support to keep grassroots football prosper in the area.”

McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Kenny Dalglish said: “It’s been a really difficult year for the whole country, but I’m very pleased that we’re able to recognise and celebrate the volunteers who go above and beyond to have a positive impact on their local communities.

“The tireless work of local heroes like Graham Angus and his team at Gorgie Road is what keeps the game going. Graham and his team should be extremely proud of his achievements and grassroots football in Scotland is in a much better place with them being a part of it.”

The Scottish FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are part of McDonald’s ongoing Community Partnership with the Scottish FA.

To find out more about McDonald’s partnership visit:

http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball 

or on Twitter @FunFootballUK.

Coorie in for Christmas!

Please find attached a copy of our “Coorie in for Christmas” booklet  that we partnered with Health  in Mind to produce. 

Recognising that Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time of year and that we also face new challenges, unknowns and stresses over the festive period from coronavirus, we’ve focused on the Scottish concept of ‘coorie’ as a way to help us look after our mental health and wellbeing this winter. 

This booklet focuses on the things we can all do to look after our mental health and wellbeing in our homes, whilst also encouraging us to get outside and embrace the benefits of nature. It also includes a range of support and helpful contacts.

There is more information about mental health and support available all year round on iThrive Edinburgh and that online space will be kept up to with support available during the festive period and on Christmas Day in Edinburgh.

Please do share the booklet across your networks. 

Coorie-in-Online-Booklet-1Download

With best wishes

Linda

Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick

Strategic Programme Manager, NHS Lothian

Social Bite partners with Just Eat to launch Christmas Meal Appeal

●        Dame Helen Mirren urges people in Edinburgh to donate to support homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas

●        Comedian Rob Brydon and Olympian Sir Chris Hoy also encourage the nation to get involved

●        Just Eat launches scheme in partnership with homeless charity Social Bite, to provide meals in Edinburgh over Christmas

●        Customers can donate whilst ordering their takeaway and Just Eat will match their donations from Monday December 7th, raising funds for at least 100,000 meals

Dame Helen Mirren has urged people in Edinburgh to help raise money for homeless and vulnerable people in an appeal launched by Just Eat and Social Bite.  Other well-known faces including Rob Brydon and Sir Chris Hoy have posted videos backing the new Christmas Meal Appeal launched by Just Eat in partnership with Social Bite.

The appeal comes after reports detail the increasing issue of homelessness in the UK, and the increased pressure and reliance on charities as the nation deals with the economic and social fallout of the Covid pandemic.

2020 has been like no other, but one positive outcome from this exceptionally challenging year is the sense of community and camaraderie that has emerged. Over 50% of people in Edinburgh say the pandemic has made them far more aware of those in need around them while two thirds agree that the pandemic has made them more appreciative of the life they lead.

The funds raised will be distributed by Social Bite who support homeless people through meal donations.  Social Bite is the largest distributor of free fresh food to the homeless in the UK, giving out more than 140,000 items of food and hot drinks per year.

The initiative has also been praised by former government advisor on homelessness, Dame Louise Casey, who remains one of the UK’s most active advocates around the issues of homelessness and food poverty.

The Just Eat Christmas Meal Appeal is the perfect opportunity to help out and give back as we move towards the Christmas celebration, with many of us now hoping to be able to spend it with at least some of our family and friends. 

Just Eat has committed to raising funds for at least 100,000 Christmas meals for homeless and vulnerable people and with support from customers, are aiming to fund up to 200,000. Customers can take part by clicking the donation button whilst they order their takeaway. They’ll have the choice of making a £3, £5 or £10 donation and Just Eat will match it, pound for pound.

Andrew Kenny UK MD for Just Eat commented: “After an exceptionally difficult year for so many, we’re proud to partner with Social Bite & FoodCycle, matching customers’ donations pound for pound to provide tens of thousands of Christmas meals for the UK’s homeless and vulnerable people.”

Josh Littlejohn from Social Bite added: “This year has been a lot more difficult than most, with many people finding themselves financially vulnerable and in the worst-case, homeless.

“We know that Christmas, in particular, can be a very challenging time which is why we’re delighted to be partnering with Just Eat for the Christmas Meal Appeal to help fill at least 100,000 plates this year all over the UK’.

Dame Louise Casey said: “The economic conditions that have prevailed across the UK since March means there has rarely been the same need as there is now to support our homeless people and I really welcome initiatives like Just Eat’s Christmas meal appeal to raise funds and awareness for charities like Social Bite”.

Mary McGrath, FoodCycle CEO says: “We are delighted that Just Eat are supporting FoodCycle again this winter.  The Christmas Meal Appeal will help us provide nutritious meals to the thousands of people who simply cannot afford to buy food, including low income families, the elderly, key workers, students and asylum seekers.”

‘Back of the queue’ home carers launch ballot for immediate COVID-19 test at work

Home carers in Glasgow’s Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) will launch a consultative ballot today to demand immediate workplace testing for COVID-19 amid anger at being “put to the back of queue” in the Scottish Government’s roll-out programme.

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday 23rd October that priority testing would be extended to home care workers, only for the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman to announce on Wednesday 25th November that testing would be rolled-out for home care from mid-January.

Since then, under government instruction temporary testing centres have been set-up by Glasgow City Council in Dalmarnock and Pollokshields, students have been offered tests to return home for Christmas, and pilot projects have been launched to test care home visitors.

The ballot, where over 1,400 GMB members will be asked if they are prepared to take industrial action to secure immediate and regular testing at work for COVID-19, will run until 12.00 hours, Thursday 17th December.

Rhea Wolfson of the GMB Scotland Women’s Campaign Unit said: “There is no excuse for leaving home carers waiting until next year for COVID-19 testing at work. The First Minister said home carers would get priority testing, but this isn’t what a priority looks like, this is how it feels to be put to the back of the queue.

“If testing centres can be set-up in high risk communities within a matter of days, and if students can get a test to return home to their families for Christmas, then why are home carers, who will work in these communities throughout the festive period, being left to wait?

“We’ve asked the council to intervene, the council say they are waiting on more guidance from government, but there is no trust left in the government’s promises and timelines. From PPE to testing these workers have been consistently failed over the last ten months.

“Our members believe the only people who will stand-up for their safety and value are themselves, campaigning together under the banner of their trade union, and they have been left with no choice but to ballot.”

UPDATE: Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has responded: ‘Unpaid carers will be vaccinated in Scotland. They will be alongside the group with underlying health conditions. We can’t give a definite date for this important group of people because exact dates depend on supplies of vaccine arriving.‘

Increased support for tenants struggling with rent arrears

A £10 million fund which offers interest-free loans to tenants who are struggling with rent arrears opens for applications today.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund is designed to help people who have had their finances or employment impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and do not have other means of housing support.

The new fund is part of a range of support and interventions in response to the pandemic. By giving tenants access to loans to cover a maximum of nine months worth of rent arrears and long repayment terms, it provides another option for people who have lost out financially due to the pandemic, but who can’t claim support from other means, such as welfare benefits.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “There is no single solution to the difficulties being experienced as a result of the impacts of the pandemic in Scotland, and the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund is a part of a broader effort to support those who are affected.

“We want people to access the most appropriate form of financial support. For the majority of tenants facing financial difficulties and arrears the best means of support is regular non-repayable support, for example through Universal Credit and Discretionary Housing Payments.

“However, for those who may fall through the gap and are unable to claim such support, or who might be thinking of borrowing, this new Fund will be a helping hand to manage any rent issues that have arisen in the last few months as a result of the impact of COVID-19.”

Applications for the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund can be completed online. 

Western staff ready to administer COVID-19 vaccine

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today met staff co-ordinating the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine at the Western General Hospital.

The Western is one of 23 centres where priority groups will be vaccinated against coronavirus. The First Minister had a tour of the facility and learned about the detailed preparation which has gone into organising the delivery of the vaccine.

Those giving the vaccination to others will receive the injection first. The programme will then follow the independent advice received from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommends prioritising those with the greatest clinical need – including those aged over 80, and health and social care workers.

The First Minister said: “I’m grateful to everyone involved in giving this vaccine to those who need it most.

“By vaccinating the priority groups they will be covering those associated with 99 per cent of preventable COVID-19 deaths. That is a very compelling reason to put these groups first in the queue for this vaccine.

“Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel. But I ask everyone to be patient as we work our way through this vaccination programme, and continue to follow FACTS to keep us all safe.”

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lothian said: “As we prepare to launch our staff vaccination clinics, we reach a crucial milestone in the fight against COVID-19. Across NHS Lothian, a huge amount of planning has and will continue to take place to ensure that we can deliver the vaccine quickly, efficiently and effectively.

“I am delighted that the first COVID vaccinations in NHS Lothian will be given tomorrow and would like to thank all our staff for their dedication in making this happen.”

The vaccine, which must be stored at well below freezing, has been transported to 23 locations around Scotland in temperature controlled lorries.

People will be required to have two doses, at least 21 days apart. Scotland has had an initial delivery of more than 65,500 doses, with more to follow.

Storage requirements mean logistics have had to be worked out carefully, planning is underway for the vaccine to be taken to care home residents from December 14.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack celebrates the UK Government’s safe and speedy vaccine rollout

By Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland (originally published in the Scottish Mail on Sunday 06/12/20)

Magnificent news for us all that the rollout of the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved in the western world begins here in the UK.

Inch by painful inch, countries everywhere have been struggling to find an exit from the misery inflicted by this wretched pandemic and now we have a great, tangible leap forward thanks to brilliant scientists who have harnessed the power of their knowledge to bring us a safe vaccine which offers the chance to finally slacken the grip of Covid-19.

It is great news too for the Union. We know the 300-year-old links which bind us as one nation state have a great past, but here now is proof that the self-same Union offers us a great future too.

For make no mistake, all four nations which form the United Kingdom are benefitting equally from our combined strength as one country. From our furlough scheme, Covid testing, vaccine procurement, and now the efforts to get the vaccine to where it is needed, the UK Government has been working tirelessly to support all parts of the country through the pandemic.

The UK Government took advance steps to secure the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which will be made available to frontline medical staff and some of our most vulnerable citizens from tomorrow.

The figures are astonishing, and a clear indication of the heft this country can bring to bear amidst a crisis of terrifying proportions. The initial shipments from Belgium will amount to some 800,000 doses and Scotland will quickly get 65,500 of those.

Backing those stellar scientists to the hilt, the UK Government has secured nearly 360 million vaccine doses, representing the world’s largest and most diversified vaccine portfolio. This means we have the best chance of securing speedy access to other vaccines once they finish their essential checks for efficacy and safety.

Right from the start, the UK Government has strained every sinew to aid the global search for a vaccine, funding more international research than any other country of comparable size.

We are starting to see real returns on that £230 million investment. Pfizer/BioNTech have delivered a vaccine with an outstanding 95 per cent effectiveness rate and no serious safety concerns – now approved by the regulator. There will be more vaccines to come from other sources – with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine likely to join us soon on the front line of the Covid fight.

And of course, securing, approving and paying for millions of doses of safe vaccines is one thing – delivering them quite another altogether. The mass vaccination programme we are undertaking now is unlike anything we have seen before and here again the power of the Union is to the fore.

Doses will be distributed fairly across all parts of the UK according to population share. As a result Scotland will be able to vaccinate and protect priority groups such as the clinically vulnerable and frontline health and social-care workers.

It is wonderful that the UK Government has made experts from the forces available for us here in Scotland to help ensure the vaccines reach priority groups swiftly.

It has been heartening to see co-operation on this great endeavour across the United Kingdom. The UK Government has involved the devolved administrations at every stage – in the certain knowledge that full co-operation between Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd is the best for every citizen of these islands.

The conquest of Covid – for that is what we are aiming for – is a real display of what we can achieve together. The Union is firing on all cylinders, delivering fairly in each and every corner of the country.

Of course, we have many miles to go before we can rest, before we can declare Covid under control. That means not relaxing our guard just yet and still obeying the rules around hygiene and social distancing.

Though the approval of this first vaccine is perhaps an early Christmas present, this festive season will still – unfortunately – be lower key this year.

Yet we can now look forward to better times not so very far ahead, and to a time when Covid restrictions can at last be eased off.

I am confident people will ignore any false stories and embrace, at the first chance, the opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones from a truly dreadful illness.

For my part, I will gladly roll up my sleeve and have the jabs, when my turn comes.

Meantime, we must concentrate fully on the task of rebuilding an economy laid low by an invidious enemy. Here too the Union has proved its worth, with thousands kept in jobs and countless businesses supported by the broad shoulders of the UK and the deep pockets of our Treasury.

Rather than the inward-looking and diminished country the Brexit naysayers said we risked becoming, Britain has in these last months shown not just amazing solidarity within our borders, but maintained engagement with our many friends around the world. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, developed with UK Government funding, is to be made available to countries in the developing world on a not-for-profit basis in perpetuity. Britain remains a beacon of light in an often dark world.

Many people have made huge sacrifices this year. Much has been done, but we know much remains to be done.

However, let’s take a moment to savour this week’s good news. We are, in all four nations of our fantastic Union, looking forward to a bright future.