Following yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon of a £2.5m increase to the Scottish Government’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, taking the total available through the fund to £12.5m, Creative Scotland has, today, published guidance on how to access this fund.
Allocation of this fund is as follows:
· £7.5m targeted funding for performing arts venues in Scotland currently in receipt of Regular Funding through Creative Scotland
· £5m open fund for application from Scotland based performing arts venues not currently in receipt of Regular Funding. This open fund has been developed with input from the Federation for Scottish Theatre and opens today, Thursday 30 July 2020.
The Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund will help performing arts venues which cannot yet reopen to their audiences due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Scottish Government intends the fund to:
· Remove the threat of insolvency prior to the end of March 2021 to enable the development and delivery of activity as soon as practicable
· Allow for specialist / core staff to return from furlough or avoid redundancy to work on future sustainable activity plans
· Increase commissioning and employment opportunities for freelance artists and creative practitioners (between now and end of March 2021) to support continued public engagement while closed.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslopsaid: “Our world-class performing arts venues have suffered immensely from the impacts of coronavirus. They were among some of the first businesses to close and sadly, will be amongst the last to reopen.
“We worked hard to get much-needed funding out as quickly as possible to the culture sector to help organisations cope with the immediate effects of the pandemic, and this new fund recognises the particular difficulties which continue to be felt by performing arts venues.
“I’m pleased to announce we have increased the fund to £12.5 million, which will ensure even more venues can get financial support to help them through this challenging time.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotlandsaid: “We very much welcome this funding from Scottish Government which provides some much needed relief for Performing Arts Venues in Scotland, venues which are facing significant financial challenges due to their continued closure in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have worked at pace to open this fund for application as quickly as possible.
“Beyond this fund, we are also working closely with the Scottish Government on further measures to provide emergency support for the culture sector and further details will be announced as soon as possible.”
The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, is calling for the Government to show real leadership to drive down death and injury on UK roads after yet another year of no real improvement according to figures released by the Department for Transport yesterday.
Provisional figures for 2019 in: Reported road casualties in Great Britain: provisional results 2019, revealed there were 1,748 reported road deaths, compared to 1,784 in 2018. Although this is, a welcome two per cent fall it marks an eight-year period of no significant reduction in deaths on UK roads. It means that on average almost five people are still dying on UK roads every day.
Fatalities for older road users – aged 60 and over – was the largest increase for any group increasing by eight per cent from 588 in 2018 to 637 in 2019.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart’s Director of Policy & Research, said: “These results are frankly embarrassing. We need UK Government to show real leadership and push road safety up the political agenda if we are to see a return of year-on-year improvements.
“Some quick wins could include: graduated driver licencing, more traffic police on the roads, a new approach to older drivers – such as an eye test on licence renewal at 75, mature driver assessments on prescription and more powers for the Health and Safety Executive to insist on good driver risk management across UK business.”
IAM RoadSmart expects 2020 to be a unique year, due to COVID-19, and comparisons with previous years will almost certainly not be possible. But with 2020 results not being published for another year the true impact of the pandemic on road deaths in the UK will not be clear for some time.
Neil added: “Up to date collision information is essential to avoid transport policy being developed in a data vacuum.
“We urge the Government to issue road safety figures for the last few months now so that informed decisions can be made. This is particularly important following the significant shift we’ve seen in recent months due to the pandemic and increasing use of new modes of transport.”
SHARP RISE IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHSIN SCOTLAND
Latest road safety statistics reveal a 35 per cent increase in pedestrian fatalities last year. Transport Scotland’s ‘Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2019’ report, published yesterday, gives provisional statistics of reported injuries and shows pedestrian deaths rose from 34 in 2018 to 46 in 2019.
It comes after the Prime Minister announced a consultation into the Highway Code to make it safer for people walking and cycling this week (27 July 2020).
A key feature of the proposals is the idea of a ‘hierarchy of responsibility’, with road users who cause the greatest harm having a greater responsibility to reduce the threat they pose to others; along with proposed changes at crossings and junctions and additional narrative on the dangers of speeding.
Stuart Hay, Director of Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking, said: “It is deeply concerning to see any rise in pedestrian deaths, especially at this level. We urge the Scottish Government to investigate the spike in casualties.
“The majority of these incidents occurred in urban areas, highlighting the need to bring speeds and traffic levels down. The changes proposed to the Highway Code this week, along with a mandatory 20mph limit, are vital if we’re to keep people safe on our streets.
“The Highway Code currently treats all road users – from children walking to lorry drivers – as if they are equally responsible for their own or other people’s safety. However, people walking cause the least road danger but are often left paying the price – as these figures show.
“Whether we choose to drive or cycle, we are all pedestrians at some point. These proposed revisions will benefit all of us and I urge people to respond to the Highway Code consultation so that this may be the last year we see increases like this.”
For more information and to take part in the Highway Code consultation, visit livingstreets.org.uk/no1
Reconnecting Families: a project for the local communities of Restalrig and Lochend.
Aerial Art House has officially launched registration for the “Reconnecting Families” activities. The project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, will take place from 29th August to 21st November in the Restalrig area, at Aerial Art House (respecting the social distancing measures), or online if the restrictions won’t be eased.
During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis families with young children at home and parents-to-be are struggling more than ever due to increased stress and reduced support.
The “Reconnecting Families” project aims to protect those people’s mental health and wellbeing by encouraging post-lockdown community bonding and exercise.
“We believe that circus can help our neighbourhood come out strong from this crises” said Emanuela Orti, Company Director at Aerial Art House.
“We want people to experience the joy of circus and the magic of being together,” added Hania Chwialkowska, Founder and Director at Aerial Art House.
Local families will be able to attend free of charge:
• Community support sessions
• Circus-based fitness classes for kids
• Family entertainment
100 activity packages will be distributed to local who won’t be able to take part in the activities for any reason.
Midwife advice sessions will follow pregnant women and new mums aerial yoga sessions to provide support and help families strengthen social connections in their neighbourhood.
Circus classes of various types will keep the kids active and entertained, to benefit their physical and mental health. Family entertainment will improve people’s mood during this difficult time.
For more information about the “Reconnecting Families” project, registrations, or donations e-mail aerialarthouse@gmail.com or visit Aerial Art House Facebook page.
Public service staff will deliver a petition to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today on behalf of thousands of key workers, calling on the Scottish Government to recognise the sacrifices of those on the frontline by bringing forward a coronavirus bonus payment.
GMB Scotland members are campaigning for a £2 an hour additional payment for every hour worked during the lockdown, a figure that would deliver a retrospective payment of as little as £85 extra per week on the basic rate of pay for frontline staff, many of whom earn just under or over £10 an hour.
The union is citing the example of the devolved Welsh Government’s decision to award carers a £500 bonus, retailers like Tesco who have increased the basic rate of pay by 10 per cent for their staff, and the decision of the French Government to award health workers a €1,500 bonus – in addition to a further €8 billion worth of additional funding for future pay increases.
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Drew Duffy said: “The frontline response to the coronavirus crisis across the public sector has been largely delivered on the backs of the lowest paid – cleaners, carers, porters, refuse workers and school support staff.
“When the rest of the country went into lockdown they kept our hospitals clean, lifted our rubbish, looked after the kids of our other key workers in hub schools across Scotland, and they continue to face the crisis within a crisis that is social care.
“And while the magnificent public support they received really boosted their morale, they are rightly looking for recognition from the employers and politicians who were quick to clap them.
“Employers and governments across the UK and beyond are starting to appreciate the real value of this low-paid army and are committing to tackling the damage caused by a decade of cuts.
“If Scotland really aspires to be a nation of fair work, then the Scottish Government should do the right thing and recognise that there needs to be a reckoning on the value of these workers.
“The message is loud and clear: After the applause, pay up for our key workers. It’s the very least they deserve for everything they have done for all of us.”
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee report ‘Universal Credit isn’t working: proposals for reform‘, calls on the UK Government to make substantial changes to universal credit in order to protect the most vulnerable.
Universal Credit is failing millions of people, particularly the most vulnerable. The Economic Affairs Committee agrees with the original aim of Universal Credit but blames the scheme’s design for soaring rent arrears and the use of food banks.
Cuts to social security budgets over the last decade is causing widespread poverty and hardship. Universal Credit needs urgent investment to catch up and provide claimants with adequate income. The temporary increase in the standard allowance in response to the Covid-19 pandemic shows that the previous level of awards was too low. The increase should be made permanent.
The Government is using Universal Credit to recover debt, mostly £6 billion of historic tax credit debt. Deductions of up to 30% of the standard allowance, and in some cases more, can be taken from claimants. This has left many households with less money than they are entitled, often at no fault of their own. Tax credit debt should be written off as it is unlikely to be repaid.
The five-week wait for the first Universal Credit payment is the main cause of insecurity. This wait entrenches debt, increases extreme poverty and harms vulnerable groups disproportionately. The Government should introduce a non-repayable two-week grant to all claimants.
The way payments are calculated can result in large fluctuations in income month-to-month, making it extremely difficult for claimants to budget. The level of awards should be fixed at the same level for three months. There should be a mechanism to enable claimants to have an early reassessment if their circumstances change.
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee, said: “Most people, including our Committee, broadly agree with the original aims and objectives of Universal Credit. However, in its current form it fails to provide a dependable safety net. It has led to an unprecedented number of people relying on foodbanks and not being able to pay their rent.
“The mechanics of Universal Credit do not reflect the reality of people’s lives. It is designed around an idealised claimant and rigid, inflexible features of the system are harming a range of claimant groups, including women, disabled people and the vulnerable.
“Universal Credit needs more money to catch up after 10 years of cuts to the social security budget. It requires substantial reform to its design and implementation, the adequacy of its awards, and how it supports claimants to navigate the system and find work.
“The five-week wait for a first payment must be replaced by a non-repayable two-week grant to all claimants. The monthly payment calculations which can result in big fluctuations to claimants’ incomes should be fixed for three months. Historical tax credit debt needs to be written off.
“The punitive nature of Universal Credit has not worked. It punishes the poorest by taking away their sole source of income for minor infractions. It needs rebalancing, with more carrot and less stick, particularly as large numbers of claimants will have ended up on it because of events completely out of their control.”
The Committee’s other key findings and recommendations include:
The Government must prioritise helping people into work, particularly with the increase in unemployment that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing. All claimants should have a work allowance, at a higher rate than now, to allow them to keep more of their award as they move into work.
The Government should consider reducing the taper rate to ensure that the poorest in society do not pay higher marginal effective tax rates compared to the richest in society.
The conditionality requirements on claimants who can look for, or prepare for work, has been increased significantly over recent years. Less emphasis should be placed on obligations and sanctions. Instead, there should be more support to help coach and train claimants to find jobs or to progress in their current roles. Conditionality should be adapted to accommodate changing labour market conditions, including at the local level, particularly in the light of the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK has some of the most punitive sanctions in the world, but there is limited evidence that they have a positive effect. Removing people’s main source of support for extended periods risks pushing them further into poverty, indebtedness and reliance on food banks. There is a substantial body of evidence which shows that sanctions harm people’s mental health. The Government should evaluate the current length and level of sanctions. It should also expedite its work on introducing a written warning system before the application of a sanction. Sanctions must be a last resort.
The Government is doubling the number of work coaches in response to potential levels of high unemployment. This may not be enough to support people to find work in a stagnant labour market with high levels of competition for jobs. A cap should be introduced on the number of cases for which each work coach can be responsible.
Paying awards on a monthly basis does not reflect the way many claimants live. It causes unnecessary budget and cash flow problems. All claimants should be able to choose whether to have Universal Credit paid monthly or twice monthly.
Including childcare support in Universal Credit was a mistake. Paying costs in arrears has been a barrier to in-work progression and in some cases, it has been a disincentive to work. The Government should remove childcare support from Universal Credit and be made into a new standalone benefit paid in advance.
The self-isolation period has been extended to 10 days for those in the community who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or a positive test result.
In symptomatic people COVID-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin. It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.
Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID-19 who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days after illness onset.
We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.
This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty
Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Gregor Smith
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton
Here at Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE) we’re putting together a new free filmmaking programme for the people of North Edinburgh. In order to deliver something that meets the needs of those living and working in the area we have drawn up a short survey and would like to hear from locals of all ages.
The North Edinburgh filmmaking programme will engage local people to learn all the skills of filmmaking to create work that shines a light on, and celebrates, life in the area.
To help shape this we are looking to gather as much information from as many people as possible, whether they work for a local organisation, are in education, or a local resident, we want to hear from people about their life in the community as well as their future aspirations, not only for themselves, but also for their families and the community.
The link to our survey is below. We would be extremely grateful if you could complete this if you’re interested in taking part in the programme, and please circulate to those you are engaged with through your work in the community and feel free to share on social media.
It will stay live until 5pm Monday 10th August.
If you would also like to find out more about the programme or have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we can chat further by video or telephone call.
A ‘local Champions’ network will be established in Edinburgh to provide a direct link between the Council and businesses during the city’s ongoing recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.
The decision to create a new dedicated network was taken by elected members at an online meeting of the Full Council on Tuesday and is set to involve individuals from local businesses, traders associations, community councils and other local groups to push forward policy proposals to help Edinburgh’s high streets.
It will become the latest in a long line of immediate measures put in place by the Council to provide support to businesses during and in the aftermath of Edinburgh’s lockdown.
Proposals will be brought forward to support businesses applying for tables and chairs licences and a local promotional campaign will also be explored to increase resident and visitor footfall, alongside floral planters to enhance local high streets and the option of ‘green deliveries’ using cargo bikes.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: We want to strengthen communication with businesses and make sure traders are aware of routes they can use to raise ideas and concerns with the Council. This will help us respond as quickly and effectively as possible to the needs of local businesses through these enormously challenging times and beyond.
“It’s vital that we hear from businesses about their experiences and we also need to keep residents and communities’ views central to how we move forward. A Champions network will help us strike the right balance between what is necessary for our people, planet and economy in the coming months as lockdown restrictions continue to ease and we all adapt to a new normal.
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Officers and Councillors from all parties have put an enormous amount of work into supporting local businesses during the pandemic and it’s fantastic to see this constructive way of working continue.
“At our Full Council meeting, there was strong consensus that we need to do all that we can to support businesses, for the wellbeing of our economy and jobs but also for our local communities.
“It’s going to be important that we continue to hear from businesses about what they need and what they would find helpful. The creation of a Champions network will help us to do that.”
Other Council steps to promote a sustainable economic recovery and support small businesses have included:
– Supporting businesses to gradually reopen safely with a ‘Ready, Set, Go’ advice service, including guidance provided to 20,000 business owners
– A more flexible approach to licensing to help more businesses apply to use outdoor space
– Accelerating plans to use the Council’s supply chains to better support local business and stimulate economic growth
– Creating more space for people to travel to businesses safely and enjoyably through the Council’s Spaces for People initiative, with priority being given to support walking, cycling, wheelchair use and prams
– Supporting planned promotional activity with the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group to gradually market the City as an attractive place for shopping, dining out and visiting with a £55,000 contribution from the Council.
The full report on support for local businesses is available online.
‘Significant steps back to a less-restricted way of life’
Schools will return from 11th August, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. Ms Sturgeon said she expects all pupils to be back in class full time from 18 August “at the very latest”.
Guidance issued to councils said children should ‘return to school as quickly and as safely as possible’.
Children will return to schools full-time from August 11, with quick access to testing for all those who are symptomatic, and a targeted, enhanced surveillance programme to highlight any impact on pupils and staff.
The First Minister has also announced the return to schools will be supported with an additional £30 million to recruit new teachers. This brings the total additional Scottish Government investment in the teaching profession to £75 million, enough to recruit up to 1,400 new teachers. This funding will help address learning loss and ensure much-needed resilience in our schools as we recover from coronavirus (COVID-19).
On top of £20 million of funding previously committed, a further £30 million will also be available as part of a £50 million education recovery fund for local authorities. This will support cleaning, facilities management, school transport and other practical issues that are vital in ensuring a safe return to school.
The First Minister told Parliament: “In many ways, Scotland is in a better position in relation to COVID than I would have dared hope a few weeks ago. But this position is fragile.
“If we are not careful now, then in two or three weeks we could easily be facing some of the issues here in Scotland that we are currently seeing around the world.
“The two changes I have announced – on schools and shielding – are very significant, and we need to see if there has been any impact from changes that have already taken place. It is important, in particular, that we allow the impact of re-opening our schools to be assessed before we proceed with further major changes.
“Caution remains essential. We want to open up society and the economy as soon as we safely can, but we do not want to have to re-impose restrictions. That start-stop pattern seen in other countries is potentially more harmful to the economy, and our health and wellbeing.
“Do not drop your guard now. Every single time one of us breaches the rules, we give the virus a chance to spread. If we allow complacency to creep in now, it will – without exaggeration – be deadly.”
The STUC has called for the Government and local authorities to heed the advice of teachers and the whole education workforce to ensure that schools are safe environments for pupils and staff.
STUC Deputy General Secretary Dave Moxham said: “Schools re-opening full-time is an enormous step which requires continuing suppression of the virus across communities, the full implementation of safety guidance and a proactive testing regime. We support the call of education unions to ensure that smaller class groupings are the norm with sufficient resources ploughed into schools to ensure this can happen.
“Despite the correct decision not to move into Phase 4, it is vital that we recognise that school re-opening coincides with a wider return to work under phase 3 and that pressures on school and public transport must be carefully monitored.
“Government and local authorities will need to listen carefully to staff across the whole school community as they strive to maintain a safe environment, allay the fears of pupils and parents and provide a positive education experience in these abnormal times.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson and Co-chair of the Education Recovery Group said: “The guidance published today was a truly collaborative effort between local authorities, the Scottish Government, trade unions and parent organisations.
“The overriding priority for everyone involved is to ensure a safe return to education for our children and young people. At the same time, we have been extremely conscious of the impact that not being in school has on children, young people and families.
“The guidance is designed to give clear direction to all of those in local authorities preparing for the return to school. There are many issues to consider including arrangements for cleaning, school transport, testing and surveillance. Local authority staff have been working over the summer to make preparations not only for a full return but for the contingency of blended learning.
“Now that guidance has been finalised the hard work of school staff – cleaners, janitors, catering staff, teachers, support staff and youth workers – will be focussed on making sure that our children and young people get the very best from their education in what will be a very different environment from what they were used to before the pandemic.”
Councillor Gail Macgregor COSLA Resources Spokesperson added: “We welcome the additional funding that has been provided by the Scottish Government and this will allow local authorities to move forward on preparations for a full return to school in August.
“Safety is the key priority in returning and we have always been clear that any request for funding is on that basis. As we move through the school year additional costs are likely to be incurred by local authorities.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government as we see these costs emerge. It is our expectation that Scottish Government will provide additional funding to meet evidenced and reasonable costs.
“I would like to thank all council staff for the exceptional work they are doing as they continue their preparations for the safe return to school for our children and young people.”
Responding to the First Minister’s announcement that schools will return full time from August 11th, the EIS has warned against complacency and called for more to be done to ensure that schools are safe environments for pupils and staff.
Commenting following the announcement, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The decision of the Scottish Government to reopen schools with a full pupil return is predicated on the current successful suppression of the virus but as we are seeing in parts of Europe, that situation can change quite quickly.
“Even with full implementation of the guidelines and its mitigations, many teachers and parents will be understandably nervous about a return to the classroom.
“The EIS believes more could be done to reassure school communities around safety if smaller classes were introduced as the norm, employing the many unemployed teachers currently seeking work. The additional funding announced is welcome, therefore, but this needs to translate into smaller class grouping to support physical distancing amongst pupils.”
Mr Flanagan continued: “Smaller classes would also provide real extra support to pupils, who we know will have suffered emotionally as well as educationally as a result of lockdown. Reopening schools is only the start of education recovery.”
He went on: “The EIS will be insistent that the broader mitigations proposed are implemented rigorously, particularly physical distancing between staff and pupils, which will have significant pedagogical implications.”
“It certainly will not be ‘business as normal’. We will be seeking, also, further reassurances from the Scottish Government on proactive testing and monitoring of the school estate.”
Eileen Prior, Executive Director of Connect (formerly the Scottish Parent Teacher Council), said: “We know how hard it has been for many, many families, particularly for those facing multiple pressures. So this announcement will be the light at the end of the tunnel for the majority of parents.
“Our recent survey report, reflecting the views of nearly 8000 parents, showed that most parents want their children to get all the social and educational benefits of nursery and school.
“However, parents also told us they are anxious: parents need clear information. We’re calling on the Scottish Government to help schools and parents with an education programme about COVID-19, to make sure we are all able to work together to support young people as they go back to school with a positive attitude and agreed, shared approaches to help our children and young people be healthy and happy.
“We’d like to see a communication plan in every school, so parents know what to expect in the event of a local lock down – how communication between school and home will take place, whether and how school work at home can happen.
“Putting together the plan must involve parents.'”
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said:“This is very welcome news for parents, teachers and most importantly school pupils, who will be able to return to school mid-August.
“What is vital now is that the return of schools is managed effectively and teachers are provided full support to implement protocols for reopening schools.
“Even though lockdown rules are easing, it is vital that we don’t become complacent, and continue to social distance wherever possible, to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading.”
As lockdown eases the Scottish Government wants us to walk and cycle more, to reduce passenger numbers on public transport and encourage us all to keep fit and healthy.
RNIB Scotland believes this ‘Spaces for People’ initiative could transform active travel for everyone. However, we remain concerned that, if these moves are introduced too hastily, with not enough thought given to people who are blind or partially sighted or who have other mobility issues, it could actually end up putting barriers in place.
We want space for new cycle lanes to be taken from roads not pavements, for new designs to avoid the shared spaces concept, for clutter to be removed from our streets, and for controlled crossings to the road or bus stops to be installed. This will make things safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The current situation has made us all a little more aware of what it is like to feel vulnerable, to depend more on others. Let’s build on the sense of greater cohesiveness this crisis has created and make sure the Scotland we return to is inclusive for everyone.
James Adams
Director, Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland
