Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“These figures show the devastating affect that Covid-19 has had on Care Homes in Scotland.
“My thoughts are with all the families whose loved ones have died from Covid-19 throughout the last year.
“SNP Ministers were completely unprepared for Covid-19, with a lack of PPE and unclear guidance for care homes.
“The decision by SNP Ministers to move Covid-19 positive hospital patients to care homes, without being tested, is the single biggest failure throughout the pandemic.
“The Scottish Conservatives have called for a full public inquiry into care home deaths in Scotland and these figures reinforce the need for that inquiry.”
Scotland is sending life-saving oxygen and ventilation equipment to India as part of a UK-wide effort to support it in its fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).
Following an initial offer of various types of equipment, the Indian High Commission has accepted 100 oxygen concentrators and 40 continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilators.
The Indian Government urgently requires these units as its healthcare system is under extreme pressure. The devices can be used in hospitals, ICU wards or other locations and are ideally suited to treat COVID-19 patients when there are constraints on medical gas infrastructure supply.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The coronavirus situation in India is a human tragedy. We are working with the other UK nations to help tackle the crisis by providing equipment that can be used immediately to save lives.
“Solidarity with other countries remains of key importance throughout this global pandemic and we will continue to make contributions within the international community, while tackling COVID-19 here in Scotland.
“There are a number of ways to donate to the response effort, including the British Asian Trust’s ‘Oxygen for India’ Emergency Appeal, and the Disasters Emergency Committee, which has extended its Coronavirus Appeal to include India.”
Moray moves to Level 2, Glasgow remains in Level 3
Moray is the only local authority area to change protection level as it moved to Level 2 at midnight last night following improvement in coronavirus (COVID-19) prevalence.
Data available yesterday showed that in the last week case rates in Moray have fallen sharply, from 98 per 100,000 to 37 per 100,000, and cases of the April-02 variant – the so-called Indian variant – are lower there than in other parts of the country.
Both the proportion of cases and of positive tests have continued to rise in Glasgow, with the April-02 variant thought to be driving the spread, meaning the city will remain in Level 3 for at least another week.
Enhanced testing, vaccination and public health measures will continue to attempt to contain the spread, and enhanced contact tracing may mean close contacts of close contacts are asked to self-isolate and book a test.
A further £1.05 million per week has been made available to Glasgow City Council to provide additional support for businesses in hospitality and leisure in Glasgow of up to £750 per week.
East Renfrewshire will see public health efforts intensified to tackle an increase in prevalence there, but will remain in Level 2 for now and be monitored closely. According to this morning’s data, cases as a proportion of the population there have increased to 118 per 100,000 people in the last week, though many of these can be traced to specific household clusters.
Everyone in Glasgow and East Renfrewshire is encouraged to get tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by finding cases that might be missed, as around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms.
Travel between Scotland and three local authority areas in England will be restricted from 00:01 on Monday 24 May 2021 due to sustained high prevalence of the virus in Bedford, Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen.
This will be reviewed in a week along with the other measures announced today. People can travel freely throughout most of Scotland and between most of Scotland and the rest of the UK, other than to, or from, Glasgow.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The situation in Moray has improved very significantly – cases and test positivity have fallen markedly and the April-02 variant does not seem to be as commonly present as in Glasgow and some other parts of the country.
“I can therefore confirm that Moray will now move down to Level 2, taking effect from midnight tonight. This has been made possible by the efforts of local public health teams, their partners, and of course the public – and I am grateful to all of them.
“Extensive public health measures have been deployed in Glasgow city, including enhanced testing and vaccination in the areas with the highest rates of COVID – especially the G41 and G42 postcodes – and enhanced contact tracing has been put in place.
“Despite all of the efforts that have been made in the last 10 days, however, cases in Glasgow are still rising and we are fairly certain the increase is being driven by the April-02 variant.
“We are confident that the major public health efforts which are underway will be effective – and that they will bring levels of the virus back under control – but they need a bit longer to do that.
“We also need a bit more time to be more confident that vaccination will stop rising case numbers today becoming sharply rising hospital and severe illness numbers a couple of weeks from now.
“I know how unwelcome Glasgow remaining in Level 3 is for individuals and businesses, but I genuinely hope it will not be for too much longer, and all of us who do live in Glasgow can play our part in getting this under control as soon as possible.
“While the case rates per 100,000 in Glasgow and East Renfrewshire look similar, the total number of cases in East Renfrewshire – because it’s a smaller area – is significantly smaller than in Glasgow.
“More importantly, many more of the cases that have been reported in the last week in East Renfrewshire can be traced to specific household clusters than is the case in Glasgow, where transmission appears to be much more widespread. That means we think strong and targeted public health measures have more of a chance of stemming the rise, without the need to use wider restrictions.
“We know there are particularly serious outbreaks of the April-02 variant in three specific English local authority areas – Bedford, Bolton, and Blackburn with Darwen. For that reason, from Monday onwards, we are imposing hopefully temporary travel restrictions between Scotland and those three local authority areas in England.
“If you are planning to visit friends or relatives, or to stay in those areas, you must delay your visit. We hope that these rules and guidelines will not be in place for very long, but at the moment they are a further way of reducing the risk that people will bring the April-02 variant into Scotland from those locations.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon completed her new governmental team last night with the announcement of junior ministerial appointments.
Consisting of 10 Cabinet Secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet will be supported by 15 Junior Ministers.
There’s a new role for Northern & Leith MSP Ben MacPherson, who moves from Rural Affairs and Environment to become Minister for Social Security and Local Government.
Edinburgh Eastern MSP Ash Denham remains Minister for Community Safety and new Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson comes straight into government as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
The full ministerial team is:
First Minister: Nicola Sturgeon
Minister for Drugs Policy: Angela Constance
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery:John Swinney
Minister for Parliamentary Business: George Adam
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy: Kate Forbes
Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work: (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Richard Lochhead
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise: Ivan McKee
Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth: Tom Arthur
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Humza Yousaf
Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport: Maree Todd
Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care: Kevin Stewart
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills: Shirley-Anne Somerville
Minister for Children and Young People: Clare Haughey
Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training: Jamie Hepburn
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport: Michael Matheson
Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Rural Affairs Secretary): Mairi McAllan
Minister for Transport: Graeme Dey
Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Keith Brown
Minister for Community Safety: Ash Denham
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government: Shona Robison
Minister for Equalities and Older People: Christina McKelvie
Minister for Social Security and Local Government: Ben MacPherson
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands: Mairi Gougeon
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture: Angus Robertson
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development: Jenny Gilruth.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her new Cabinet line-up following the recent election.
Following the reappointment yesterday (18 May) of John Swinney as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, taking responsibility for driving cross-government action on Covid Recovery, the rest of the top tier ministerial appointments have been confirmed.
The First Minister said: “I’m delighted to announce the Scottish Government’s new Cabinet team. Scotland needs a serious Government for the serious times we face as a nation, and in the top level ministerial line-up I have announced today we have exactly that.
“It is a Government which will drive Scotland forward, as we look to build a just, fair and sustainable recovery from the Covid pandemic.
“My Cabinet team combines experience with new arrivals and fresh faces, giving us the range and depth of talent we need to tackle the pressing issues we need to tackle, from covid to climate change.
“This term of office is unquestionably the most important one the nation has faced since devolution, more than 20 years ago. We are dealing with the joint challenges of a global pandemic and recovery from it, the ongoing tests posed by Brexit and the urgent, pressing need to take forward our net zero agenda as part of the global efforts to secure a greener future.
“The magnitude of these challenges is clear, but now is not a moment to shirk from those tasks but to embrace them. In the next five years, we have a chance to shape Scotland permanently for the better, creating a healthier, happier, fairer, more prosperous and more sustainable country for everyone who calls Scotland home, establishing a positive legacy for future generations.
“The immediate challenge is the focus on recovery and the part that all policy portfolios can play in that. But, as I have made clear, when the crisis is over and the time is right, Scotland must and will have the chance to choose its future in line with the unquestionable democratic mandate for that choice.”
Kate Forbes takes on an expanded brief as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, including responsibility for the Scottish Budget, fiscal policy and taxation, economic strategy, the wellbeing economy, trade and inward investment, city and regional growth deals, enterprise and the digital economy.
Humza Yousaf becomes Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, with responsibility for the NHS, including ongoing health service remobilisation as we move out of the pandemic. Mr Yousaf’s portfolio will also cover the establishment of the National Care Service.
Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, taking forward work on Covid recovery within the education system, as well as continuing the Government’s mission to further close the attainment gap.
Michael Matheson takes on a new role as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. The portfolio brings together cross government responsibility for coordination of Net Zero policy, encompassing transport, environmental protection, energy and COP26 delivery.
Keith Brown becomes the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice, with responsibility for reform of the justice system as well as work to reduce reoffending.
Shona Robison is appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, tasked with reducing child poverty as well as work to deliver 100,000 affordable homes.
Mairi Gougeon becomes Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands. The post includes responsibility for agriculture, food and drink policy, fisheries and aquaculture as well as cross-government coordination of policies for island communities.
Angus Robertson is appointed as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. The portfolio covers constitutional policy, cross-government coordination of European and wider external relations, including post-Brexit relations.
The First Minister completed the line-up of the refreshed Government team when appointments to junior ministerial roles were announced.
The remaining junior appointments were as follows:
Richard Lochhead, who was minister for further and higher education, is minister for just transition, employment and fair work
Maree Todd, who was children’s minister, becomes minister for public health, women’s health and sport
Kevin Stewart is moved from housing to minister for mental wellbeing and social care
Clare Haughey, previously mental health minister, is minister for children and young people
Jamie Hepburn is moved from business minister to further and higher education
Graeme Dey, who had been veterans minister and parliamentary business minister, is transport minister
Ben MacPherson, who was rural affairs and environment minister, is social security and local government
Angela Constance remains as drugs minister
Ivan McKee remains as trade minister
Ash Denham remains community safety minister
Christina McKelvie remains minister for equalities and older people
Jenny Gilruth remains minister for Europe and international development.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has appointed John Swinney as Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery, as she begins the appointment of a new Scottish Government.
Mr Swinney, who has served as Deputy First Minister since 2014, will take responsibility for driving cross government action on Covid Recovery.
The role will see Mr Swinney mobilise the Scottish Government and wider public, private and third sectors to ensure a strong recovery. He will chair a cross party steering group on Covid recovery which is expected to hold its first meeting next week.
Mr Swinney will also take the lead on inter-governmental relations, public service reform, including within government, and the delivery of a number of transformational projects across government and wider society. This includes the incorporation of the UN Human Rights treaties and the delivery of The Promise to care experienced young people.
He will be supported by the Minister for Parliamentary Business.
Further cabinet and ministerial appointments will be made today.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our first priority as a government is to lead the country through the pandemic and into a recovery that supports our NHS, protects and creates jobs, backs our young people and contributes to our ambition to be a net zero nation.
“Appointing John Swinney to drive cross government work on Covid Recovery is a key step in getting Scotland’s recovery off to the right start.
“How we begin our recovery is crucial to the kind of country we can become, and that means ensuring everyone, whether in government, the public sector, the business community or wider society is pulling in the same direction.”
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery John Swinney said: “Recovery in our schools, our health service, our economy and across our wider society is this government’s immediate priority and I am honoured to have been asked to lead that mission.
“I am determined that government will bring the same urgency that we applied to the actions we took to protect public health, to the actions we need to take to secure a fair and just recovery.
“I will be bringing opposition parties together next week to hear their contributions and to set out how I believe we can all work together to secure a strong recovery.
“As we recover we must also remember our commitments to improve the lives of people across our society and it is a privilege to continue to lead the work across government to deliver on the incorporation of UN charters and to deliver The Promise for our care experienced young people.”
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery will have the following responsibilities:
Government strategy
Inter-governmental relations
Cross government coordination of Covid Recovery policies
Cross government co-ordination on Covid-19 recovery & Covid-19 strategic reviews
Delivery and outcomes across portfolios
Public service reform
Cross government co-ordination on UN treaty incorporation
Resilience
Government statistics
Office of the Chief Researcher
Local Government Boundary Commission
National Performance Framework
Historical abuse inquiry
Local governance review and democratic renewal
Efficient Government
Cross-Government delivery of ‘The Promise’ to Care Experienced Young People
An update to the budget framework is under way at the Council after the publication of a report outlining a range of proposals for investing approximately £20m of one-off additional revenue funding.
The report will be considered by the Council’s Finance & Resources Committee at their meeting on Thursday before being referred to Full Council on Thursday 27 May, when political groups are expected to submit motions setting out their proposals for investment.
Following confirmation by the Scottish Government of additional funding for local authorities and, after making provision for the anticipated on-going financial impacts of the pandemic over the next two years, Council officers have now identified up to £20.15m which could be made available to address budget pressures, anticipated shortfalls in savings delivery and other member priorities in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Finance and Resources Convener Councillor Rob Munn said: “We were very pleased to have been able to set a balanced budget back in February despite the ongoing challenges and pressures brought about by the Covid19 pandemic.
“It’s welcome, therefore, to now have this opportunity to invest further in this financial year and the next and I’m looking forward to a thorough and, I hope, constructive debate among elected members over the next couple of weeks on the best ways to direct this funding.
“Ultimately, we want to ensure we’re targeting the extra investment in line with our core priorities and the services most valued by the people of Edinburgh.
Finance and Resources Vice Convener Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “I’m sure this opportunity to collectively agree priorities for investing this funding will be unanimously welcomed across the chamber.
“Committee will have its say on 20 May first of all and thereafter it’s over to the full complement of Councillors to arrive at a set of agreed spending options which support our priorities – tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing in the city.
“I’m confident we’ll be able to approve a revised budget framework that takes Edinburgh forward positively.”
More than three million people vaccinated in Scotland
The vaccination programme has delivered first doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to more than three million people – 66.6% of Scotland’s adult population.
The landmark was reached on Friday 14 May. Nataliya Dasiukevich from Milngavie was among those vaccinated on the day the milestone was reached. The 45 year old received her first dose at the Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden.
The national vaccination programme is now moving through those aged 40 – 49 years old and more than 50% of this age group have come forward to receive their first vaccination.
As the programme progresses through this group, appointments are being scheduled for those aged 30-39 years old. In line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) people in this age group will be offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine when it is appropriate to do so.
Meanwhile 1,599,519 of the population have received their second dose which offers greater and longer lasting protection against the virus.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said; “It is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams around the country that more than three million people in Scotland – two thirds of the adult population – have received their first dose and I would like to say a huge thank you to them and all those who have taken up their offer of a vaccine.
“The vaccination programme is one of the main ways – along with restrictions and testing – that we are working to beat this virus and so it is crucial that everyone attends for their appointments when they are offered. This is equally important for those receiving appointments for their second dose as these offer longer lasting protection against COVID-19.
“It is great news that more than half of 40-49 year olds have now come forward and had their vaccine. Everyone has a role to play in helping to bring this virus under control and we want to see our high uptake rates continuing through all the age groups. I would urge all 40-49-year-olds to take the chance of getting vaccinated when your chance comes.
“The latest advice from the JCVI regarding 30- 39 year olds is clear that it is based on the current low prevalence of the virus and the availability of alternatives to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. If the situation changes the advice is that vaccination of adults aged 30-39 years with any of the UK authorised vaccines is always better than no vaccination, except where there are specific medical reasons for not doing so.
“Supplies permitting, we still expect to offer a first dose to all adults in Scotland by the end of July.”
Ms Dasiukevich said: “I am delighted to have had my first vaccine and I hope it encourages everyone in my age group to take up their offer of a vaccine as it is by doing so and following restrictions we can start to think about a return to normal life.
“I want to thank everyone at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – all the staff were reassuring and the process was clearly explained. I was also give a leaflet with further information. I look forward to getting my second dose in around twelve weeks’ time.”
Director of Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Dr Linda De Caestecker said: “Thank you to everyone who has come out to get their vaccination so far. The rollout has been the most significant of any vaccination programme ever undertaken by the Health Board and the numbers of doses administered both within NHSGGC and across Scotland is hugely encouraging.
“Our staff have been the driving force behind the local rollout, and we thank them for their ongoing dedication and enthusiasm during this difficult period.
“The vaccine provides our best way out of the coronavirus pandemic and a return, in time, to the things we’ve all missed. We continue to urge everyone to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19.”
More than 36 million people in the UK have now been vaccinated with 1 dose and 20 million have received 2 doses.
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Police Scotland’s Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow, issued a statement last night following the scenes across Glasgow as Rangers fans celebrated their title victory:
“During the evening of Saturday, 15 May 2021, Rangers supporters continued to gather and celebrate the awarding of the league championship trophy in George Square.
“Throughout the day Police Scotland had managed the gathering appropriately tackling anti-social behaviour and encouraging dispersal under Scottish Government Coronavirus regulations.
“As celebrations continued sections of the crowd became increasingly disorderly, property was damaged and people were assaulted. Our officers became the focus of the crowd’s attention with missiles and flares being thrown at them. Our policing response has been proportionate. We have responded appropriately and consistently to the behaviour of those gathered.
“This disgraceful behaviour which clearly endangered public and officer safety could not be tolerated and officers dressed in full public order equipment and, after appropriate warnings were given, moved in to disperse those present.
“Although most of those present dispersed, a number remained and confronted officers with violence and aggression. Missiles were thrown and officers came under direct attack as George Square and the surrounding area was cleared.
“I strongly condemn the behaviour of these supporters who have not only placed our officers at risk but have sought to damage the image and reputation of this great city, especially during this critical period of the pandemic.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to the police and partners who manged this incident, especially those officers who put themselves in danger to bring this violent and disorderly gathering to an end.
“So far we know that three officers have been injured and more than 20 people have been arrested.
“We will be continuing our enquiries and my message is clear that if you have been involved in these ugly scenes then we you will be identified and arrested.”
Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said last night:
Rangers FC have yet to make a public statement on last night’s events, and neither SPFL or the SFA have commented so far.
An NHS pay deal which offers an average increase of 4% will be immediately implemented after the majority of NHS unions voted to accept the biggest pay uplift since devolution.
The increase covers 16 months, having been backdated to 1 December 2020 in recognition of an exceptional year of significant pressure for staff. This comes on top of the £500 thank you payment for health and social care workers.
Benefiting around 154,000 employees covered by the ‘Agenda for Change’ NHS pay and grading system – including nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals, as well as domestic staff, porters and healthcare support staff plus other front line health workers – this is the most generous increase anywhere in the UK. Staff should expect to receive payments, including the backdated uplift, this summer.
Staff on pay bands 1 to 7, almost 95% of Agenda for Change staff, will receive at least a 4% pay rise compared to 2020/21. This means those on the lowest Agenda for Change pay point will get a 5.4% increase and those on the highest pay points will receive uplifts of £800.
The UK Government’s submission to the NHS Pay Review body (PRB) provided for a £250 uplift for staff earning less than £24,000 and 1% for all other NHS Agenda for Change staff. Assuming the Department of Health in England maintains its current position, staff in Scotland will be considerably better off in 2021-22.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am delighted that unions representing a majority of NHS staff have voted to accept our offer of a pay rise of 4% on average.
“We all rely on the hard work and dedication of NHS Scotland, and never more so than during this pandemic. This pay rise, the biggest pay uplift for NHS staff since devolution recognises the unwavering commitment of NHS Scotland staff.
“If the Department of Health sticks with the offer it has proposed, staff in Scotland will be considerably better off in 2021-22 than their counterparts in England.
“This has been an exceptionally challenging year for our health service and I am delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to recognise the service and dedication of our healthcare staff. On behalf of us all, thank you for all you have done and for all you continue to do.”
On 24 March the Scottish Government announced a pay offer for Action for Change employees which unions agreed to take to staff. The pay offer is:
Bands 1 – 4: a flat uplift of £1,009
Bands 5 – 7: a 4% uplift
Bands 8a – 8c: a 2% uplift
Bands 8D – 9: a flat uplift of £800
NHS staff side met on May 12th following the closure of the staff ballot on the Agenda for Change pay deal. Seven of the nine unions representing AfC staff have voted to accept the deal. While support for the deal was not unanimous, a clear majority of staff who voted wish to accept it.
British Dietetic Association
Accept
College of Podiatrists
Accept
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Accept
GMB
Reject
RCM
Accept
RCN
Reject
Society of Radiographers
Accept
UNISON
Accept
Unite
Accept
Assuming the Department of Health in England maintains its current position, staff in Scotland will be considerably better off in 2021-22:
Pay for a porter at the top of Band 2 will be over £2,028 more
Pay for a healthcare assistant at the top of Band 3 will be over £2,211 more
Pay for a healthcare support worker at the top of Band 4 will be over £1,583 more
Pay for a ward nurse at the top of Band 5 will be over £1,994 more
Pay for a paramedic at the top of Band 6 will be nearly £2,467 more
Pay for an advanced nurse practitioner at the top of Band 7 will be over £2,898 more.
Agenda for Change is the NHS pay system for all staff directly employed by NHS Health Boards with the exception of Medical and Dental staff who are within the remit of the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body, and Executive and Senior Management staff. Across the UK, the system applies to over one million NHS staff and in NHS Scotland approximately 154,000 NHS Staff are on these terms and conditions of service.
