Tag: Politics

A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP: Shameless Johnson battles to save his political life following scathing report

PM Boris Johnson made a statement on the long-awaited Sue Gray report in the House of Commons yesterday:

Mr Speaker, with permission I would like to make a statement.

First I want to express my deepest gratitude to Sue Gray, and all the people who have contributed to this report, which I have placed in the Library of this House and the government has published in full today, for everyone to read.

I will address its findings in this statement – but firstly I want to say: sorry. Sorry for the things we simply did not get right and sorry for the way that this matter has been handled. It is no use saying that this or that was within the rules. It is no use saying that people were working hard.

This pandemic was hard for everyone. We asked people across this country to make the most extraordinary sacrifices, not to meet loved ones, not to visit relatives before they died, and I understand the anger that people feel.

But, Mr Speaker, it is not enough to say sorry. This is a moment when we must look at ourselves in the mirror and we must learn. And while the Metropolitan Police must yet complete their investigation – and that means there are no details of specific events in Sue Gray’s report – I, of course, accept Sue Gray’s general findings in full, and above all her recommendation that we must learn from these events and act now.

With respect to the events under police investigation, she says – and I quote – “No conclusions should be drawn, or inferences made from this other than it is now for the police to consider the relevant material in relation to those incidents.”

But more broadly she finds that – “There is significant learning to be drawn from these events which must be addressed immediately across Government. This does not need to wait for the police investigations to be concluded.”

That is why we are making changes now to the way Downing Street and the Cabinet Office run so that we can get on with the job, the job that I was elected to do and that this government was elected to do.

First, it is time to sort out what Sue Gray rightly calls the “fragmented and complicated” leadership structures of Downing Street which she says have not evolved sufficiently to meet the demands of the expansion of Number ten.

And we will do that, including by creating an Office of the Prime Minister, with a Permanent Secretary to lead Number ten. Second, Mr Speaker, it is clear from Sue Gray’s report that it is time not just to review the Civil Service and Special Adviser codes of conduct wherever necessary to ensure they take account of Sue Gray’s recommendations but also to make sure those codes are properly enforced.

And third, I will be saying more in the coming days about the steps we will take to improve the Number ten operation and the work of the Cabinet Office to strengthen Cabinet Government and to improve the vital connection between Number ten and parliament.

Mr Speaker, I get it and I will fix it. And I want to say to the people of this country. I know what the issue is, it is whether this government can be trusted to deliver and I say yes we can be trusted yes we can be trusted to deliver.

We said we would deliver Brexit and we did. We are setting up freeports across the whole United Kingdom, I’ve been to one of them today, which is creating tens of thousands of new jobs Mr Speaker.

We said we would get this country through Covid and we did, we delivered the fastest vaccine roll out in Europe and the fastest booster programme of any major economy so that we have been able to restore people’s freedoms faster than any comparable economy and at the same time as we have been cutting crime by fourteen per cent and building 40 new hospitals and rolling out gigabit broadband, and delivering on all the other promises of that 2019 agenda so that we have the fastest economic growth in the G7.

We have shown that we can do things people thought were impossible and that we can deliver for the British people.

The reason we are coming out of Covid so fast is at least partly because we doubled the speed of the booster rollout and I can tell the House and this country, that we are going to bring the same energy and commitment to getting on with the job to delivering for the British people and to our mission to unite and level up across the country.

And I commend this Statement to the House.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer’s response:

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

I would like to thank Sue Gray for the diligence and professionalism with which she has carried out her work.

It is no fault of hers that she only been able to provide an update. And not yet the full report.

The Prime Minister repeatedly told the House that all guidance were followed at all time.

We now know that 12 cases, 12 cases, have reached the threshold for criminal investigation – which I remind the House means that there is evidence of serious and flagrant breaches of lockdown, including:

The party on 20 May 2020, which we know the PM attended, and the party on the 13 November 2020 in the PM’s flat. There can be no doubt the Prime Minister is now under criminal investigation.

The PM must keep his promise to publish Sue Gray’s report in full when it is available, but it is already clear that the report discloses the most damning conclusion possible.

Over the last two years the British public have been asked to make the most heart wrenching sacrifices.

A terrible collective trauma. Endured by all, enjoyed by none.

Funerals have been missed. Dying relatives unvisited.

Every family has been marked by what we’ve been through.

And revelations about the Prime Minister’s behaviour have forced us all to relive and rethink those darkest moments.

Many have been overcome by rage, grief, and even guilt.

Guilt – that because they stuck to the law they did not see their parents one last time.

Guilt – that because they didn’t bend the rules their children went months without seeing friends.

Guilt – that because they did as they were asked they didn’t go and visit lonely relatives.

But people shouldn’t feel guilty. They should feel pride in themselves and in their country. Because by abiding by those rules. They have saved the lives of people they will probably never meet.

They have shown the deep public spirit. And the love and respect for others that has always characterised this nation at its best.

Our national story about Covid is one of a people that stood up when it was tested. But that will forever be tainted by the behaviour of this Conservative Prime Minister.

By routinely breaking the rules he set, the Prime Minister took us all for fools. He held people’s sacrifice in contempt. He showed himself unfit for office.

His desperate denials since he was exposed have only made matters worse.

First, the Prime Minister said there were no parties. Then he said he was sickened and furious about the parties.

Then it turned out he was there. Rather than come clean, every step of the way he has offended the public’s intelligence.

Finally, he’s fallen back on his usual excuse – it’s everybody’s fault but his. They go, he stays.

Even now, he is hiding behind a police investigation into criminality in his home, and in his office. He gleefully treats what should be a mark of shame as a welcome shield.

But, Prime Minister, the British public aren’t fools.

They never believed a word of it. They think the Prime Minister should do the decent thing and resign.

Of course, he won’t. Because he is a man without shame.

And just as he has done throughout his life. He is damaging everyone and everything around him along the way.

His colleagues have spent weeks defending the indefensible.

Touring the TV studios parroting his absurd denials. Degrading themselves and their offices.

Fraying the bond of trust between the Government and the public, eroding our democracy and the rule of law.

Margaret Thatcher once said: ‘The first duty of Government is to uphold the law. If it tries to bob and weave and duck around that duty when it is inconvenient, then so will the governed.’

To govern this country is an honour. Not a birth-right. It’s an act of service to the British people. Not the keys to a court to parade to your friends.

It requires honesty. Integrity. And moral authority.

I cannot tell you how many times people have said to me that this Prime Minister’s lack of integrity is somehow “priced in”.

That his behaviour and character don’t matter. I have never accepted that. And I never will accept that.

Whatever your politics. Whatever party you vote for. Honesty and decency matter. Our great democracy depends on it. And cherishing and nurturing British democracy is what it means to be patriotic.

There are members opposite who know that. And they know the Prime Minister is incapable of it.

The question they must ask themselves is what are they going to do about it?

They can go on degrading themselves. Eroding trust in politics. And insulting the sacrifice of the British public.

They can heap their reputations, the reputation of their party, and the reputation of this country, on the bonfire that is his leadership.

Or they can spare the country from a Prime Minister totally unworthy of his responsibilities.

It is their duty to do so.

They know better than anyone how unsuitable he is for high office.

Many of them knew in their hearts that we would inevitably come to this moment.

And they know that as night follows day, continuing his leadership will mean further misconduct, cover-up, and deceit.

It is only they who can end this farce. The eyes of the country are upon them. They will be judged on the decisions they take now.

SUE GRAY’S INTERIM REPORT IN FULL:

Investigation_into_alleged_gatherings_on_government_premises_during_Covid_restrictions_-_Update-2Download

Searches for ‘Boris Resign’ soar 458% after Sue Gray report is released

Analysis of Google search data reveals that online searches for ‘Boris Resign’ exploded 458% in the UK on the 31st of January, hours after Sue Gray’s report was published on the Downing Street parties, held whilst lockdown restrictions were in place. 

A new finding by online tax calculator Income Tax UK reveals that online searches for ‘Boris Resign’ skyrocketed to almost five times the average volume in a matter of hours, an unprecedented spike in people Googling for the Prime Minister to leave his position in No.10.  

The report, published on Monday 31st January, detailed the breaches of lockdown rules by members of the government including the Prime Minister, resulting in calls for Boris Johnson to step down.

A spokesperson for Income Tax UK commented on the findings: “The Sue Gray report finds that events held by senior members of the government ‘shouldn’t have been allowed to take place’, leading Brits to question the leadership of those running the country. 

“These findings reveal the bitter taste that the public hold towards the actions of the Prime Minister and his cabinet, with the report prompting the highest rise in searches calling for the Prime Minister to resign in the last year. It will be fascinating to see if these searches will translate to votes in future elections.”  

Finance Secretary urges MSPs to back Scottish Budget spending plans

The 2022-23 Scottish Budget should be supported by MSPs to help accelerate economic recovery, tackle the climate emergency and reduce entrenched inequalities, according to Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.

It is the Scottish Government’s first Budget in partnership with the Scottish Green Party.

Speaking ahead of the Stage One Budget Bill debate in Parliament today, Ms Forbes said: “Our bold and ambitious spending plans are focused on supporting our key priorities, ensuring no one and no region is left behind.

“It targets resources towards low income households, invests in initiatives to end Scotland’s contribution to climate change and fundamentally, provides much needed investment to bolster our economic recovery.

“Recognising the severe impacts of the pandemic, £18 billion will support health boards and accelerate the recovery of vital health and social care services. Significant funding is also being provided to support the next steps in the single greatest public health reform since the establishment of the NHS – the creation of a new National Care Service.

“This Budget also funds our key priority of tackling child poverty and inequality, by targeting over £4 billion in social security payments, including £197 million to double the game-changing Scottish Child Payment from April 2022.

“Green recovery and economic transformation are central to our spending plans and an investment of at least £2 billion in infrastructure initiatives will support green jobs and accelerate efforts to become a net-zero economy, in addition to £150 million to create an active travel nation.

“Despite increased financial pressures, we are also continuing to treat councils fairly and we are providing a real terms increase of over 5% to local authority budgets for the coming year – despite cuts to Scotland’s overall budget by the UK Government.

“It cannot go unsaid that despite the ambition of this Budget, it comes amidst an extremely challenging fiscal backdrop and difficult decisions have had to be made. With uncertainty surrounding the cost of living, sky high energy prices, the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and the fallout from Brexit,

“I urge MSPs across the chamber to support this Budget and help us secure the way forward to becoming a fairer, greener, more prosperous country.”  

The SNP budget is certain to be passed with Green Party support.

Read the 2022-23 Scottish Budget.

Illegal and harmful content could evade new online safety law, warns Westminster committee

A new Report warns that draft UK Government legislation on online harms would fail to prevent the sharing of some of the most “insidious” images of child abuse and violence against women and girls.

Scrutiny by the DCMS Committee of the Government’s Draft Online Safety Bill has found that in its current form, the legislation is neither clear nor robust enough to tackle certain types of illegal and harmful content on user-to-user and search services.

In the Report published today, MPs call on the Government to address types of content that are technically legal – including parts of child abuse sequences like “breadcrumbing” and types of online violence against and women and girls such as tech-enabled “nudifying” of women and deepfake pornography – by bringing them into scope either through primary legislation or as types of harmful content covered by the duties of care.

MPs reject a recommendation made by the Joint Committee to include in the Bill the establishment of a permanent Committee of both Houses on the grounds that such a development would duplicate the existing constitutional role of the DCMS Committee.

Chair of the DCMS Committee Julian Knight MP said: “In its current form what should be world-leading, landmark legislation instead represents a missed opportunity.

“The Online Safety Bill neither protects freedom of expression nor is it clear nor robust enough to tackle illegal and harmful online content.

“Urgency is required to ensure that some of the most pernicious forms of child sexual abuse do not evade detection because of a failure in the online safety law.

“These are matters of important public debate to which we will return as the Bill makes its way through Parliament.”

ONLINE-SAFETY-REPORTDownload

Aye, right! Boris Johnson is UK’s hardest working Prime Minister!

Boris Johnson: Work Hard, Party Hard?

With the revelations that staff inside Downing Street held two staff parties with alcohol and music the night before Prince Philip’s funeral last April – and while social contact remained banned – health and wellness store Eden’s Gate wanted to ascertain the hardest working Prime Ministers of all time.

Using Hansard, they looked into how many spoken parliamentary contributions each PM has made, as well as how many weeks they held office, and ranked them to reveal the hardest working Prime Minister of the 20th and 21st century. 

Key points:

  • Boris Johnson is the hardest working prime minister, making an average of 12.8 contributions in parliament per week.
  • James Callaghan and Theresa May come second and third, with an average of 11.3 and 6 contributions per week respectively. 
  • The Labour party is the hardest working party overall, with average weekly contributions per PM of 4.8 compared to the Conservative party’s 4. 
  • Tony Blair only made one contribution per week on average, making him the least hard-working Prime Minister of the past decade. 

Full data can be found below.

Tyler Woodward, CEO of Health and Wellness store Eden’s Gate, said: “It comes as no surprise to me that Boris Johnson has been named hardest working PM in terms of parliamentary contributions. After all, he has been in office throughout Brexit and a worldwide health crisis!

“I’d suggest he makes sure to make time for himself and ensure he’s sleeping and eating well to avoid burnout.”

Past Prime MinistersSpoken parliamentary contributionsWeeks in officeAv. Contributions per week
Boris Johnson1,40510912.8
James Callaghan1,82116111.3
Theresa May9601586
Gordon Brown8531505.7
Harold Wilson2,3264055.7
Sir Edward Heath1,0671935.5
Harold Macmillan1,2933533.6
Sir Anthony Eden328923.6
David Cameron6843222.1
Sir John Major KG CH6683352
Baroness Margaret Thatcher1,0196031.7
Sir Winston Churchill6964511.5
Neville Chamberlain1791591.1
Tony Blair5105301
Stanley Baldwin1983770.5
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman351220.3
Clement Attlee03260
James Ramsay MacDonald13540
Andrew Bonar Law0–0
David Lloyd George0–0
Herbert Henry Asquith0–0
Arthur James Balfour0–0
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil0–0

Methodology: Eden’s Gate used Hansard to find the number of spoken parliamentary contributions each prime minister made whilst in office. They then divided this by how many weeks each prime minister spent in office to get the average number of contributions each PM made per week. They then ranked these in order to find the most and least hard working prime ministers of the 20th and 21st century. 

MSPs launch inquiry into effectiveness of Scottish Attainment Challenge funding

Funding to help schools and councils close the attainment gap is the focus of a new Scottish Parliament inquiry.
 
The Education, Children and Young People Committee will examine the effectiveness of the Scottish Attainment Challenge in raising the attainment of children from deprived backgrounds.

A range of educational programmes are supported through this funding including support for local authorities and schools. The Scottish Government has announced it will allocate £1bn from 2021 to 2026 to support closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

In launching the inquiry, the Committee is seeking views on how the funding has benefited young people in deprived areas, what difference this has made to the attainment gap so far, and what more can be done going forward.

The Committee will also look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attainment of pupils across Scotland over the past two years.

Committee Convener Stephen Kerr MSP said: “Every pupil in Scotland deserves an equal chance to succeed, no matter their background.

“With funding for the Scottish Attainment Challenge set to increase, we need to ensure this money is making a real difference. That is why we are launching an inquiry to determine the impact the fund has made so far in closing the attainment gap.

“To assist with our inquiry, we want your views not only on the progress of the fund but also on how we can best measure its success. That way, we can make sure the money is getting to those who need it the most.”

Deputy Convener Kaukab Stewart MSP said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected young people across Scotland, but no group has been hit harder than those from deprived backgrounds.

“We need your help to better understand how the pandemic has impacted on the achievement of our pupils and how the announced new funding can best remedy these effects.”

The deadline for responses to the call for views is 8th February 2022.

You can submit your views to the Committee here:

The Scottish Attainment Challenge – Scottish Parliament – Citizen Space

PM to chair new council with devolved governments

A landmark agreement setting out how the UK and devolved governments will work closely together to deliver for people across the whole of the United Kingdom has been published.

  • Landmark agreement on how UK government and devolved governments will continue to work together has been reached
  • New ways of working agreed by the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government
  • Reaffirmed principles agreed by all includes mutual respect, maintaining trust and positive working
  • Agreement formalises a PM led council, overseeing strengthened working

A landmark agreement setting out how the UK and devolved governments will work closely together to deliver for people across the whole of the United Kingdom was published yesterday (13 January 2022).

The statement was completely overhadowed by the ongoing brouhaha over the Prime Minister’s attendance at lockdown Downing Street parties (or work events!) At time of writing Boris Johnson’s political future remains very much in the balance.

The Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Review sets out new structures as to how the UK government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government and Welsh Government will work to deliver for people across the UK – based upon on the existing values of mutual respect, maintaining trust and positive working.

The new system will be a three-tiered structure and will formalise a new council, chaired by the Prime Minister, made up of Heads of the Devolved Governments.

The Prime Minister-led council and Ministerial groups will oversee and strengthen relations between all of the UK’s governments. They will discuss issues that affect people across the UK, particularly where they cut across reserved and devolved policy – or are of shared responsibility.

Strong working and close co-operation has been vital in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including coordinating the response to new variants and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Other examples of joined-up work include investment through Growth Deals and the Afghanistan resettlement programme.

The new structures will be supported by an independent secretariat made up of civil servants seconded from all four governments and will serve the UK government and devolved governments equally.

Beleaguered Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “When team UK pulls together in common cause, spirit and endeavour we will always be at our very best.

“We’ve shown time and time again the combined strength we have in facing off the shared challenges before us, while also seizing the opportunities ahead for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom.

“Today’s announcements build upon that strength as we all continue to work together to deliver for the British people.”

Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Michael Gove said: “Devolution has empowered communities and resulted in huge benefits across the United Kingdom.

“Today’s landmark agreement will build on the incredible amount of collaboration already taking place between the UK government and the devolved administrations.

“By working together even more effectively, we can better overcome the challenges we face, create greater opportunities and improve people’s lives for the better.”

The new structures are based on a three tier levels for ministerial engagement – alongside a new mechanism for avoiding, escalating and resolving disputes; supported by joint or independent secretariats and based upon consensus.

Sitting below the Prime Minister-chaired council, the second tier will consist of two Interministerial Standing Committees, one chaired by the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and one on finance.

There will also be the option of time limited committees agreed by consensus to deal with specific issues as required.

The third tier will be made up of Interministerial Groups (IMG) led by individual departments, which will cover a wide range of policy issues within a given minister’s or department’s portfolio.

These will include regular meetings between devolved and UK government ministers on issues such as Health, Transport and Education.

The new structures and processes announced yesterday are underpinned by a reaffirmed set of principles for collaborative working. These are:

  • Maintaining positive and constructive relations, based on mutual respect for the responsibilities of the governments and their shared role in governance of the UK
  • Building and maintaining trust, based on effective communication
  • Sharing information and respecting confidentiality
  • Promoting understanding of, and accountability for, their intergovernmental activity
  • Resolving disputes according to a clear and agreed process

The new structures create a ‘more equal, transparent and accountable system to support collaboration and information sharing between the UK government and the devolved governments and continue to deliver for citizens across the UK‘.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Scotland has two governments, and people want to see them continue to work together to tackle covid and drive our recovery.

“Throughout the pandemic, the Scottish and UK governments have worked closely together, to keep people safe, protect public services, and support businesses and jobs in Scotland.

“This important agreement will build on that and help strengthen cooperation further – as we work together to deliver the priorities of people in Scotland on jobs, prosperity and economic recovery.

“It also reflects the increased powers of the Scottish Parliament since 2016 and the UK’s vote to leave the EU.”

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “People in Wales want to see politicians working together to defeat the pandemic and focus on our recovery and throughout the past two years the UK government has worked with the Welsh Government more closely and productively than ever.

“This agreement will strengthen these relationships still further as we work together to deliver the priorities of the people of Wales like jobs, prosperity and economic recovery.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said: “Today’s agreement will enhance the positive working relationship between the UK government and the Northern Ireland Executive, to the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.

“By ensuring that we work together in the best way possible, we will build on the fantastic collaboration which has stood us in good stead as we continue to deliver together for local people.”

So the PM will chair the new council with devolved governments – but will Boris Johnson still be that Prime Minister, or is the party over? The picture may perhaps become clearer early next week.

See the written ministerial statement

Local MSP slams £82.5 million bill for delayed discharge in Capital

Edinburgh Labour list MSP Foysol Choudhury has slammed the SNP’s failure to end delayed discharge, after it was revealed that it has cost £82,411,987 in the City of Edinburgh over the last five years.

Statistics revealed by Scottish Labour have shown that the total cost of delayed discharge across Scotland has hit over £1bn over the last eight years.

In total, 325,736 bed days have been lost in Edinburgh due to delayed discharge between 2016/17 and 2020/21 with a total cost of £82,411,987.

Local MSP Foysol Choudhury has said that this is symbolic of SNP failure to deliver on its promises and shows the damage done to public health and finances by SNP incompetence.

He warned this will only get worse if the SNP fail to fix the growing crisis in social care, criticising the Scottish Government’s decision not to give carers a fair pay deal in this year’s budget.

The Edinburgh Labour MSP said: “Never mind the spin and promises, the numbers speak for themselves – SNP incompetence has cost Edinburgh £82,411,987  in delayed discharge alone.

“For years the SNP promised to end this dangerous and costly practice and for years they have failed.

“It is simply unacceptable to have patients left needlessly stranded in hospital and the public purse drained due to poor provision of care for those leaving hospital.  

“Things will only get worse if the SNP fail to deal with the crisis in our social care system.

“This makes the SNP’s failure to give carers a fair deal in this budget all the more damaging.

“Ending this costly and dangerous practice must be top of Humza Yousaf’s priority list as we enter the new year.

“This means properly funding social care in Edinburgh and giving staff the real pay rise they so badly deserve.”

Delayed discharge 2016-17 to 2020-21:

Local authority of residenceTotal Bed Days lostTotal Costs
Scotland2,448,948£623,641,618
Aberdeen City77,922£19,421,606
Aberdeenshire74,507£18,812,235
Angus29,759£7,593,790
Argyll & Bute37,964£9,687,010
City of Edinburgh325,736£82,411,987
Clackmannanshire16,149£4,155,811
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar32,742£8,267,394
Dumfries & Galloway69,290£17,710,667
Dundee City52,217£13,206,196
East Ayrshire23,196£5,889,582
East Dunbartonshire21,952£5,675,305
East Lothian41,985£10,469,017
East Renfrewshire10,978£2,805,220
Falkirk87,703£22,374,280
Fife171,809£43,936,581
Glasgow City202,643£52,290,504
Highland187,903£47,838,848
Inverclyde8,444£2,139,961
Midlothian52,311£13,330,822
Moray55,017£13,953,009
North Ayrshire78,324£20,076,967
North Lanarkshire179,598£45,912,014
Orkney6,365£1,627,198
Other2,427£612,271
Perth & Kinross68,060£17,087,463
Renfrewshire31,950£8,342,877
Scottish Borders59,496£15,215,448
Shetland6,017£1,523,845
South Ayrshire100,431£25,776,248
South Lanarkshire194,721£49,369,081
Stirling36,757£9,374,287
West Dunbartonshire26,849£6,997,222
West Lothian77,726£19,756,872

Source: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-annual/delayed-discharges-in-nhsscotland-annual-annual-summary-of-occupied-bed-days-and-census-figures-data-to-march-2021-planned-revision/

First Minister’s Omicron update: Reasons to be Cheerful?

  • Large outdoor events resume from 17 January
  • Measures covering indoor events and hospitality to be reviewed in one week

Large outdoor events can resume without physical distancing or capacity limits from 00:01 on Monday 17 January, following a review of all measures in place to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

To support the lifting of capacity limits on outdoor events, COVID certification will remain for these where more than 4,000 standing or 10,000 seated are in attendance, and all other events and venues previously covered. Organisers of all events with more than 1,000 attendees will be expected to check a minimum of 50% of attendees for certification of vaccination, exemption, or negative test.

From Monday, a person will need to show they have had a booster to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ if their last vaccine dose was more than four months ago. The NHS Scotland COVID Status app will be updated from this Thursday and will include booster jags on the QR code for domestic settings. Updated paper and PDF certificates are already available on request from the NHS Inform website or helpline.

Cabinet will next review the state of the epidemic on Tuesday 18 January and consider whether it may be possible to lift capacity caps on indoor live events, including theatre performances and concerts, from 24 January, by which time the impact of the return to schools and workplaces following the festive period should start to show. Cabinet will also consider whether COVID certification should be required in a broader range of settings.

Local authorities will receive up to £5 million of additional support to ensure ventilation in schools and early years settings meets the latest COVID-19 safety guidance.

The funding is to improve air flow, such as adjustments to windows and doors, use of fan systems and use of air cleaning devices in line with existing safety guidance. This is in addition to Scottish Government funding of £10 million provided local authorities for ventilation and CO2 monitoring last year.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We remain in a highly challenging phase of the pandemic. Case numbers are high, and the impacts of that are severe, and the future trajectory does remain uncertain at this stage.

“But, because of the efforts we have all made, we are in a better position than I feared would be the case when additional measures were announced in December, and I do hope we are now seeing signs of improvement.

“That is allowing us to start the process from Monday of lifting the additional restrictions – and I hope that next week I will be able to confirm the further steps in that process.

“In the meantime, we can all continue to act in a way that keeps things moving in the right direction. Get fully vaccinated as soon as you can – if you haven’t done so already, please do that and do it this week. Try to limit your contacts for a further period, and prioritise the contacts that matter most to you.

“If you are meeting other people socially, test before you go, every time, as close as possible to the time you will be seeing other people and remember to record the result whether that is positive or negative, and take all the other precautions that make a difference.

“‘Living with the virus’, a phrase that we hear more and more right now, is what we all desperately want to do. Unfortunately it doesn’t mean waking up one morning soon and find that COVID has disappeared or that we no longer need to think at all about mitigating the harm it can do.

“Hopefully, we are on a path from COVID being an epidemic to it becoming endemic – in other words, existing at more manageable and consistent levels.

“These are important issues for not just government, but for all of us – so as we prepare the revised strategic framework in weeks to come, we will consult with Parliament, business organisations and other partners across society.

“Our aim is to publish the revised strategic framework within the next few weeks.”

Scottish Rugby responded:

It’s disappointing news for the arts, however:

IMPORTANT CUSTOMER UPDATE from EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

Following the Scottish Government announcement on Tuesday 11 January, in which it was confirmed that indoor seated events continue to be limited to 200, we regret to announce that the following performances scheduled to play at the Edinburgh Playhouse have been postponed:

Waitress: 18th January – 22nd January

If you have tickets to these performances, you do not need to do anything at this time. You will be contacted from your point of purchase in the next few days with next steps.

Performances from 25th January onwards are still scheduled to go ahead as planned and any changes to this will be communicated as soon as possible if restrictions should be extended by the Scottish Government.

We thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this difficult time.

Scottish Fans Ask for a 3 Day Shift

“3 days will Make a Huge Difference”

The Scottish Football Supporters Association thank the First Minister and welcome the news that the cabinet have green lighted a return of fans above the short term limit of 500 imposed on 26th December.

Next week’s Scottish Premier League card can now take place in front of full houses starting with Celtic vs Hibs on Monday 17th and it means the early winter breakdown decision by our top 12 clubs has been commercially justified.

But as it stands the clubs below the Premier League and their fans face another weekend with restricted crowds.

The SFSA are aware that there is no strict science stipulating the 17th as the key restart date and ask that the First Minister, the Sports Minister and Cabinet revisit the decision urgently on behalf of all Scotland’s smaller clubs and their fans.

We ask that the date is brought forward to 14th of January instead of the 17th.

This will allow Ayr United, Dunfermline Athletic, Caledonian Thistle, Raith Rovers, Airdrie, Dumbarton and many other smaller clubs to allow their full fan communities back on Saturday. It will also allow for the top of the table clash in the Championship between Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock to have fans in attendance.

This simple change will bring financial benefits to clubs and communities and is we have been advised low risk.

Andy Smith, Chairman of the SFSA said: “A reprieve will make a huge financial difference to many of our smaller clubs and allow all their fans back and a normal Saturday in many communities.

“Too often Scottish Football overlooks the smaller clubs and their supporters when making big decisions. This is a chance to make a statement that football in Scotland is more than just the Premier League”.

Lorna Slater urges Lothian young people to apply for free bus card

Young people in Lothian are being urged by their local Scottish Greens MSP to apply for a new card which will allow anyone aged 21 or under to travel on the bus for free.

The scheme is being implemented by the Scottish Government, following budget negotiations with the Scottish Greens. It commences at the end of the month. Lorna Slater MSP is urging all eligible young people to apply, especially those who are key workers during COVID restrictions.

From today, anyone between 5-21 can apply for a new Young Scot Card or National Entitlement Card via the Transport Scotland website. Old cards will not work in the scheme.

Scottish Greens MSP for Lothian, Lorna Slater said: “I am delighted that young people will be able to travel anywhere in Scotland by bus for free from the end of the month.I’d encourage all young people who rely on buses for essential travel in Lothian to apply for their cards as soon as possible.

“As Covid travel restrictions start to lift, even more young people will be able to get onboard and enjoy the opportunity of free travel.

“Public transport will be a crucial part of the green recovery. By providing free buses we are helping to tackle Scotland’s role in the climate emergency while opening up opportunities for young people and their families.

“I’m very proud that this Green policy has gone from the drawing board to reality and, despite the difficulties of Covid, essential travellers, such as key workers, will be able to feel the benefit from day one.”

A number of different methods will be available for 5–21 year olds to get their card to access free bus travel: online at GETYOURNEC.SCOT or through parentsportal.scot if it is used by the child’s school; via a local council where it is not possible to apply online; and, in some local council areas, schools are coordinating applications on behalf of their pupils.

* Young people aged 16-21 should apply themselves.

* Parents or guardians will be required to apply on behalf of 5-15 year olds.

* Children under the age of 5 do not need to apply as they already travel for free on commercial bus services without a card.

Foysol Choudhury: Scotland needs a Culture Recovery

Shadow Culture Minister Foysol Choudhury MSP has set out his vision for a culture recovery as the Holyrood Parliament returns next week.

Whilst welcoming the recent announcement from the Scottish Government on additional funding, Foysol Choudhury said that a number of small community culture groups across Scotland were still struggling to gain access to crucial sources of finance.  

Mr Choudhury also said that Scotland’s gets a big return for the small for a small investment and urges more investment in the sector.

Shadow Culture Minister Foysol Choudhury MSP said: ‘’Parliament returns after the Christmas break on Monday and there can be no doubt, as the omicron continues to spread, our Culture sector needs help more than ever.

“The arts and culture sector needs a long-term recovery plan that’ll respond and support the sector. It was one of the first to shut and will be among the last to fully open.

“People’s livelihoods have been decimated and too many have fallen through the cracks.

“Whilst the Government has announced funding which is welcomed, many are still facing barriers to gaining access to funding, particularly from our smaller, community cultural groups.

“We need to better recognise the role our cultural and creative industries have in contributing to our economy and society. Not many will know that just 0.2% of the Scottish budget is spent on culture. Scotland gets so much back for so little investment.

“We need protection for essential cultural, social infrastructure in our communities which includes our local museums, historical sites, libraries and archivist services.

“Scotland needs a genuine Culture recovery as we emerge from COVID-19 and as Shadow Culture Minister, I’ll hold the Government effectively and ensure Scotland’s culture sector not only recovers from the pandemic but truly prospers.

“When Scottish Culture prospers, Scotland prospers.’’