TRAMS FIASCO REPORT HAS NOW BEEN NINE WEEKS AT PRINTERS
Lothians MSP Miles Briggs said: “It is a perplexing that the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry is still with the printers nine weeks after it was finalised.
“The inquiry was funded by taxpayers money and the public, who have already waited over nine years, have waited more than long enough to hear the findings.
“I am seeking answers to why the inquiry is on hold at the printers and if a review will be undertaken into the time and costs associated with the delivery of this inquiry.”
Changes to the questions people are asked before they are accepted as blood donors come into effect today – meaning all potential donors are treated the same.
The changes, implemented on World Blood Donor Day, will allow more men who have sex with men, and people whose partners have previously lived in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, to give blood if they meet the other blood donation criteria.
Questions about recent sexual activity will be the same for all donors, regardless of their sexuality.
The changes follow recommendations by the specialist research group For Assessment of Individualised Risk (FAIR), made up of leading medical and academic experts and LGBTI+ groups. The new questions will mean that people will still be unable to donate where there is evidence of recent sexual activity that could lead to a higher risk of a donor having blood-borne virus infection.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome the changes being made today and am grateful to everyone who currently gives blood and everyone who wants to give blood in future. Your support is vital to save lives and ensure our NHS has enough blood components to meet the needs of all those who will need a blood transfusion.
“Previous rules meant that automatic time bars were in place for a number of people, including men who have sex with men. It’s clear that such a blanket approach was simply not fair – not least to gay and bisexual men in committed relationships.
“There are also some people who have partners who previously lived in sub-Saharan Africa, but have been in the UK for a long time. These changes to the questions will allow more people in these groups to donate, and continue to ensure the blood supplied to our hospitals is safe.”
Development Manager for the Equality Network Scott Cuthbertson said: “I’ve been campaigning on the issue of blood donation for gay and bisexual men for over 15 years, and I welcome the support of Scottish Ministers in approving this change.
“For me this was never about a right to give, but the fact that there were many gay and bisexual men that could do so safely.
“I’m pleased the evidence, assessed by experts, has concluded that to be true, and that many thousands of gay and bisexual men will be able to donate their blood and help save lives.
“Today, during Pride Month, I’m proud to donate my blood for the first time alongside many other gay and bisexual men across the UK as the rules are changed to be fairer for all.”
New advice has been issued to households in Scotland to help answer questions over whether maintenance or servicing work can still be carried out in the home during the Covid-19 lockdown.
According to a survey conducted before the pandemic, over half of UK homeowners were planning to have work completed on their property during 2020, at a total cost of £55bn.
Many households may now be asking whether their plans can still go ahead in the current climate and, in response, OFTEC, the registration body for off-grid heating work, has answered some of the most common questions to help homeowners in Scotland comply with government advice and stay safe.
These include:
Can work continue in my home?
Repair and maintenance work can be carried out by a tradesperson providing no one in your, or the tradesperson’s, family are showing any Covid-19 symptoms. However, two metre social distancing rules must be followed and regular handwashing is recommended. It may also be worth considering whether it may be better to postpone ‘non-essential work’. OFTEC has advised technicians to undertake additional risk assessments and many businesses have signalled that they will only carry out emergency work.
Are there circumstances when work must not be carried out in my home?
Work should not be carried out in households where occupants are self-isolating or being ‘shielded’. If there is an urgent need to address a direct risk to those living in the property, such as emergency plumbing or repair work, this can go ahead if the tradesperson is willing to do so. Additional precautions may also need to be put in place.
If it is safe to carry out work in my home, what should I expect?
Many tradespeople have introduced additional precautionary measures and it is important to follow these carefully. They may include:
Asking you to stay in a separate room whilst the work is completed
Requesting doors and windows are open to increase ventilation
Adapting payment methods e.g. no paper invoices or cash payments
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Regularly washing their hands and bringing their own towel
Declining refreshments
Can I still have heating oil delivered?
Yes. There are 135,000 households in Scotland who rely on oil to heat their homes and, fortunately, the price of oil has plummeted which is a welcome relief when many incomes have been reduced. However, delivery times may be slightly longer than normal so regularly check your oil level to ensure you don’t run out. Some oil delivery firms are prioritising vulnerable households so ask your provider if you fall into this category. More information is available from the liquid fuel distribution trade association’s website: UKIFDA.
Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC, commented: “It is a very unsettling time for many households and there is a lot of confusion about tradespeople working in homes. The government advice is regularly being updated so ensure you check their website for the latest information.
“Most tradespeople are also introducing new safety measures as a precaution for both your and their benefit so don’t take it personally if they change the way they work! If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to raise them with the tradesperson.
“Remember, always ask to see an ID badge to check their credentials such as whether they are OFTEC (for oil and solid fuel) or GasSafe (for mains gas) registered. This will ensure the work is completed safely and to a high standard.”
More information and advice is available on the OFTEC website.
