The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) is warning of an impending unemployment tsunami, with up to 24,000 jobs thought to be at risk within weeks, as a majority of struggling night-time economy businesses have now run out of cash to pay furlough contributions and fixed costs.
The Scottish Government released the latest Strategic Framework update on Friday, which confirmed businesses will be subject to the commercially unviable levels system of restrictions for many months longer despite all financial support being withdrawn by the end of April.
Worse still, there is no commitment or target date for the return to commercially viable trading for businesses in the sector, which is only possible when social distancing and all other legal restrictions end.
A survey this month of NTIA members confirmed the perilous state the sector is now in, with average Covid related debt reaching a wholly unsustainable £150,000 or more per premises, and businesses facing an imminent cash flow crunch.
The survey also confirmed that less than a quarter of premises have licensed outdoor areas, the vast majority are many months behind on rent or mortgage payments, fewer than a third have been able to trade viably at any point in the last year, and almost all cannot reopen or trade viably while social distancing remains.
These businesses have now exhausted financial resources. Cash reserves have been depleted, more borrowing is now impossible with no guaranteed opening dates and businesses are rapidly running out of cash to pay their fixed costs and furlough contributions.
Business insolvencies and mass job losses are now inevitable within weeks unless the Scottish Government acts urgently. The NTIA wrote to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier this month highlighting the issues and requesting immediate crisis talks.
It is beyond disappointing that as yet we have had no response whatsoever.
NTIA Spokesman Gavin Stevenson said: “Our members have done the right thing, closed their previously successful businesses for the sake of public health, and gone deep into debt paying the enormous fixed costs and furlough contributions to keep staff employed for over a year now.
“We were the first to close and will be last to open. No sector has suffered more. But Government have consistently taken our sector for granted and refused to engage meaningfully with our representatives.
“Many of our members have been closed for over a year now, and virtually all have suffered crippling financial losses. In short, the money going out every month has been far greater than the money coming in, and government support has typically covered less than a quarter of this deficit.
“To add insult to injury government support has now ended while there is no end date to forced closure and other restrictions. Scottish Government now only has two options, provide substantial and immediate additional support for as long as it is mandated that our businesses stay closed and/or operate under the restrictions that make them unviable, or provide a clear route map with target dates for the end of all legal restrictions on capacity, activity, and opening hours.
“If neither of those options are forthcoming then our First Minister is, in effect, asking thousands of small Scottish business owners to bankrupt themselves.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will make a statement this afternoon. She is expected to confirm the latest easing of restrictions will take place next Monday (26 April) and will include the reopening of hospitality, gyms and non-essential shops.
The British Dental Association has indicated it is ready to work with a future SNP government on wide-ranging pledges made in the party’s manifesto, which could fundamentally change the way dentistry is delivered in Scotland.
The party has pledged to abolish patient charges over the course of the next parliament, and to work with the BDA to “shape a reformed funding arrangement for NHS dentists so that they are supported for the future”.
Approximately 20% of the NHS dental budget – some £74 million in 2018/19 – is drawn from charges. The BDA believes charges represent a tangible barrier to care for those on modest incomes but will be seeking assurances that any move will not lead to a reduction in overall funding for the service.
The Scottish Budget 2021- 22 provided £431 million for general dental services, a rise of just 0.6% from the year before which represents a real-terms cut at a time the service faces an unprecedented backlog. The dental budget in Scotland has been cut in real terms in three out of the last four years.
The dentist’s union has warned of widening inequality following the COVID pandemic, with high street services operating at a fraction of their former capacity, with an estimated 2,500 children now facing up to year-long waits for dental extractions in hospitals.
Public Health Scotland data has shown a dramatic reduction in NHS dentistry due to COVID, which is hitting those in most deprived communities the hardest. Between April and November 2020, the number of courses of treatment delivered was 83% lower than during the same period in 2019. Practices are operating at significantly reduced capacity to meet infection control protocols, and the BDA is seeking capital investment in areas such as ventilation that can help restore patient volumes.
David McColl, chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said:“Dentistry in Scotland risks becoming a casualty of this pandemic. We have called for wholesale change to the way care is delivered, and we will work with the next Scottish Government to achieve that.
“These are big plans to bring down barriers to care and improve access, but they must go hand in hand with needed investment if services millions depend on are going to remain sustainable.
“Practices are now operating at a fraction of their former capacity. Dentists will need real and ongoing support if we’re ever going to meet historic levels of demand.”
“Covid is in retreat in Scotland” – FM Nicola Sturgeon
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at St Andrew’s House today (Tuesday 13 April 2021):
“Lastly, I want to set out, as I indicated earlier, a change to our existing plans.
We have always said we will keep plans under review and accelerate the lifting of restrictions if possible.
Indeed, we are legally obliged not to keep any restrictions in place for longer than they are needed.
Now, it’s important to stress that the improved data, and I’m sure the CMO will underline this, does not allow us to throw caution to the wind – certainly not if we are sensible – but it does give us a bit of limited headroom.
So we have considered whether we can bring forward any changes that will particularly boost mental health and wellbeing. So we focused really on trying as far as possible to give families more opportunities to get together earlier than was planned.
In particular, we have looked at travel within Scotland to see friends and family, albeit outdoors.
At the moment, we cannot leave our own local authority areas except for an essential purpose.
That rule was due to remain in place until the 26 April.
But the data allows us to make a change to this earlier than that.
So, from Friday this week – 16 April – we will all be able to travel anywhere within Scotland for the purposes of outdoor socialising, recreation, or informal exercise.We are also able to relax the rules for meeting people outdoors, again from Friday.
At the moment, a maximum of four adults from two households are permitted to meet outdoors.
From Friday onwards, that will change to a maximum of six adults, from up to six households. So that’s quite a significant relaxation of that outdoor meeting limit.
So in summary from the end of this week, you will be able to meet up with family and friends who live in different parts of the country. Many of those reunions will be long-awaited, and much anticipated.
But please do remember that meetings at this stage, probably until the middle of May, meetings must still be outdoors – not inside our own homes.
And I would aske everyone to please be careful and remember that due to physical distancing, public transport capacity remains relatively limited.
And remember also that travel restrictions for wider purposes – such as leisure, shopping, visiting hospitality premises or staying in tourist accommodation – will remain until 26 April when these places will re-open and all travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted.
I can also confirm today that we do expect to lift restrictions on travel to and from England and Wales on 26 April – something which I know will be welcomed by many, and perhaps in particular by businesses in our tourism sector.
Now it may still be necessary in future to have temporary travel restrictions to and from places with high rates of Covid.
We will be very serious about mitigating any risk of importing the virus, and particularly new variants of the virus, into Scotland, so we may see some limited travel restrictions in future either within Scotland or between Scotland and other parts of the UK.
But from 26 April, we intend that people in Scotland will be able to travel anywhere across Britain.
Northern Ireland is due to review its restrictions later this week – so we will review our approach to travel there before 26 April and we hope that that can be freed up to.
And travel restrictions to and from other parts of the common travel area – including the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – will also be kept under review.
We also hope to be able to agree rules for international travel on a four nations basis.
I should stress however, and I know this is difficult, that international travel does remain a significant risk – particularly given the acceleration of spread that we are seeing in many other parts of the world and given the possibility and reality of new variants of the virus being imported into Scotland.
It may be the case that we have to endure restrictions on international travel for a bit longer, as the price we pay for much greater normality here in Scotland.
I know that’s not easy and often when we talk about international travel we talk about holidays, but I’m very well aware that for many people international travel is about seeing families, so we will not keep these restriction in place for any longer than necessary, but it is important right now to protect our progress here so we don’t make the mistakes we perhaps made as we came out of lookdown last time and open up international travel too quickly and then compromise and jeopardise the progress that we have made.
However, back to the positive, from Friday – we will be able to travel more freely within Scotland, and to meet up in larger groups outside.
A week later, on 26 April, the retail and hospitality sectors will reopen.
And then, as the summer progresses, we do expect to see a return to much greater normality.
All of that is positive news. It’s a testament to the success of the vaccination programme, and more importantly it’s down to the sacrifices all of us have made up until now.
I know how tough that has been and how tough it still is, but it is those sacrifices that now make possible the easing of restrictions that lie ahead of us.
But the final point I need to make really relates to that one. It is the truth and the continuing reality that the best way to keep on making progress out of lockdown, is to continue to keep cases low.
Covid is in retreat in Scotland, no doubt about that, but it hasn’t gone away and it won’t simply magically go away. It will come back if we allow it to come back.
So we must still exercise care and caution because we want our progress this time, even if it as not as fast as we want it to be, to be firmly in one direction.
That means continuing to stick to the rules that are in place.
In particular, for now, please don’t meet up with other households in your or their homes. We hope that can be eased from the middle of May.
Continue to work from home if you can for now.
And on any occasion when you do leave the house, and this becomes more important as we start to ease restrictions, remember all of the basis rules:
wear face coverings;
avoid places that are busy; so this weekend if you decide to travel a bit further to see a group of friends or family, if you go to somewhere that’s crowded, come away and go somewhere else.
remember to clean hands;
use two metre distancing
and self-isolate and get a test if you have symptoms.
As i said, these precautions become more important as we open up.
One final point I just want to clarify, which I should have said earlier on the move to six people from six households outdoors, is that of course doesn’t include children under 12. They don’t count towards that limit.
If we all continue to do the right thing, do the sensible thing, enjoy responsibly these easing of restrictions, then there is every reason for us now to be really optimistic that we are on the right track.
So let me end by thanking you again for everything you have done to make all of that possible.
Council Leaders have welcomed the Scottish Government’s latest COVID-19 update, and the easing of some restrictions earlier than expected.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “I know people across the city will be extremely pleased with the First Minister’s latest COVID update, as am I. So many residents will now be able to visit loved ones in other parts of the country, who they may not have seen for many months, or to gather with more friends and families outdoors, which I know will have such a positive impact on everyone’s wellbeing.
“We’ve all worked so hard over the winter to stick to restrictions, and I know many businesses have had to make real sacrifices to help limit the spread of this virus, so once again I want to thank everyone for their efforts to protect one another during this most challenging of years.
“Of course, with infection rates dropping and an ongoing rapid roll-out of vaccinations, there is much to be hopeful about as we stay on-track in our recovery from the pandemic.
“But, while some of our freedoms are gradually being returned, there’s no room for complacency. There are still rules in place, for good reason, and we must continue to observe these with care if we are to return to the normality that we’ve missed so much, sooner rather than later.
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: Today’s news is to be welcomed and recognises the real need for us to be able to spend more time with family and friends, something I know we have all felt the lack of over recent months.
“Lifting of travel restrictions from England and Wales later this month is also a really positive step for all those missing relatives and friends around the country and will be a huge benefit to all the hospitality businesses and accommodation providers who are looking forward to welcoming visitors back.
“Now, we need to set our sights on recovering safely and sustainably. Though the latest update gives us reason to be optimistic, and will allow us to enjoy spring with one another, we still need to work together to get through this.
“By following the guidance in place around physical distancing, meeting outdoors and continuing good hygiene – as well as looking after our parks and outdoor spaces when we do gather – we can emerge from this healthy and happy.”
The Scottish Government is following a timetable for easing restrictions – indicative dates and further information can be found on their website.
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
Further announcements will be made in due course.
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.
UK GOVERNMENT STATEMENT
It is with great regret that we note the announcement today, Friday 9 April 2021 from Buckingham Palace of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
All official flags, including the Union Flag, are to be half-masted on all UK government buildings as soon as possible today until 0800 on the day following the Funeral. Flags may be flown overnight during this period but should remain at half-mast.
Any non-official flags currently flying or due to be flown should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag at half-mast. Other official flags scheduled to be flown should be flown as normal, but at half-mast (see official flags criteria below).
Half-mast means the flag is flown a third of the way down the flagpole from the top, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole. On poles that are more than 45° from the vertical, flags cannot be flown at half-mast and should not be flown at all.
Devolved administrations will issue instructions for the flying of the Union Flag and other official flags on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
Local authorities and other bodies may choose whether to follow this guidance.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement
It was with great sadness that a short time ago I received word from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has passed away at the age of 99.
Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world.
He was the longest serving consort in history, one of the last surviving people in this country to have served in the second world war at Cape Matapan, where he was mentioned in despatches for bravery and in the invasion of Sicily, where he saved his ship by his quick thinking and from that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the post war era.
Like the expert carriage driver that he was he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.
He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.
With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.
We remember the Duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty The Queen. Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her “strength and stay”, of more than 70 years.
And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today.
Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.
Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband “a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know” and I am sure that estimate is correct.
So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen, we offer our condolences to her and to all her family and we give thanks, as a nation and a Kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Scottish Secretary pays tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack’s statement on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said: “It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Since her accession in 1952, the Duke has given the Queen his unstinting support and dedication. Their marriage was a true, and enduring partnership.
“Prince Philip’s life was one of tireless public service. That was never more evident than during his countless visits to Scotland, where the Duke’s warmth and humour endeared him to Scots from all walks of life.
“His Royal Highness had a long and fond relationship with Scotland and, through his fantastic Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, has played a key role in building the confidence, ambition and aspiration of thousands of young Scots.
“As we reflect on the Duke’s life, we give thanks for his remarkable lifetime of dignity and devoted service, and extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
“He was an amazing man, a great character. I fear we will never see his like again.”
DEATH of HRH PRINCE PHILIP: FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON’S STATEMENT
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has sent a message of condolence to Her Majesty The Queen following the announcement.
Flags are flying at half-mast on Scottish Government buildings and online Books of Condolence are due to open.
The First Minister said: “On behalf of the people of Scotland, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family.
“Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time and their grief is shared by people across the country.
“The Duke of Edinburgh had deep and longstanding ties to Scotland, attending school here at Gordonstoun and regularly holidaying at Balmoral Castle.
“From his patronage of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, to his close association with the University of Edinburgh as Chancellor for over fifty years and his commitments to countless charities and organisations, Prince Philip’s long contribution to public life in Scotland will leave a profound mark on its people.
“Online Books of Condolence will open in the coming days to allow people to pay their respects. In line with current restrictions, the Royal Household has requested that members of the public do not leave floral tributes or gather at the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Balmoral Castle at this time.
The Palace has suggested that people could donate to charity instead, if they wish to do so.”
As flags at the City Chambers are lowered to half-mast, the Queen’s Royal Representative in Edinburgh, the Lord Lieutenant Frank Ross, said:Throughout Prince Philip’s extraordinary lifetime, he showed great appreciation for this city and its people.
“During his countless visits to the Capital as Duke of Edinburgh, he regularly reached out to fellow veterans and serving personnel and thousands of our children and students, both through the Duke of Edinburgh Award and his longstanding links with our Universities.
“As Patron of so many Edinburgh-based charities, he won a special place in the hearts of Scottish people. It’s with great sadness that I share on behalf of the city our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all the members of the Royal Family at this very sad time. It has been my privilege and honour to personally represent His Royal Highness in Edinburgh. Just like his consort to the monarch, his legacy will be longstanding.”
Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921, married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947. On the morning of their wedding, he was created the Duke of Edinburgh and was formally made a British Prince in 1957.
His Royal Highness retired from his royal duties on 2 August 2017, aged 96, having completed more than 22,200 solo engagements since 1952. He remained Patron, President or Member of around 30 Edinburgh-based organisations, including: the Universities of Edinburgh and Heriot Watt, the Royal Botanical and Zoological Societies of Scotland, the National Galleries, Royal British Legion and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.
He was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the oldest ever male member of the British royal family.
Nearly all pupils will return to full-time school when the Easter holidays end. However, children who are on the shielding list are advised to stay at home until 26 April, in line with advice from the Chief Medical Officer. All other pupils, will return to school once the summer term starts.
Strict 2 metre physical distancing between pupils in secondary schools will be removed and schools will consider how they can strengthen other mitigations.
Following the national expansion of lateral flow testing, twice-weekly tests are available for all school staff in primary, secondary and special schools and for secondary school pupils.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This I know, will be a huge relief to many children and young people – and of course to many parents and carers.
“I know though that the return to school, particularly for older pupils, will cause concern and anxiety – to pupils, to parents and of course to teachers and others who work in schools. So let me give an assurance that we will continue to give paramount consideration to safety.
“The return to school will involve the removal, where necessary, of strict 2m physical distancing between pupils in secondary schools – but we are asking schools to consider how they strengthen other mitigations. Twice-weekly lateral flow testing is already available for all school staff, in primary, secondary and special schools and also for all secondary school pupils and I would encourage as many staff and pupils as possible to make use that testing.
“We will, of course, continue to study and assess the data, in order to quickly identify and limit any outbreaks that do arise, and make sure that we are also learning from them. For now, let me thank everyone who is working to make this return to school possible. For many teachers and school staff, I know, this has been the hardest year of your professional lives. I am very grateful for the way in which you have adapted to such difficult circumstances.”
Edinburgh’s education leaders have welcomed confirmation from the Scottish Government that schools will fully reopen in Edinburgh on Tuesday 20 April.
All pupils will be back in school on that day except for those shielding who are advised to return on Monday 26 April, in line with the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.
Cllr Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is the news that families of our high school pupils have been looking forward to hearing and it’s great that they have confirmation their children will be back in school full time after the Easter holidays.
“There’s been excellent home learning involving our young people, teaching staff and parents taking place but everyone knows there’s no better place for children than being back in school with their peers and learning face to face.”
Cllr Alison Dickie, Education, Children and Families Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: I’m delighted that our young people will be back in school after the school holidays.
“These are really challenging times for many families and it’s so important for children’s learning and development that they’re back in school where they belong.
“We will make sure our schools continue to be safe learning and teaching environments for all our young people and staff by following the latest health advice.”
The First Minister’s confirmation that there will be a full pupil return post-Easter is of little surprise but the EIS continues to urge great caution.
The removal of physical distancing between pupils, particularly older pupils, represents a heightened risk that more pupils will be infected and the larger numbers in classrooms also creates more risk of airborne transmission, which is why face coverings remain important, including the provision of medical grade face masks for staff.
Whilst some Councils have made progress in relation to monitoring and improving ventilation, others have dragged their heels.
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The full return of pupils needs to be treated with great caution. It will undoubtedly lead to an increase in school Covid outbreaks which will require to be dealt with quickly, particularly for senior pupils who will be in the final stages of their qualification work.
“If we had made more progress on the EIS demands of ventilation, vaccination, and facemasks, we would be in a stronger position. Improving such mitigations is still possible.
“Notwithstanding their concerns, however, teachers will be keen to engage positively with pupils to support their well-being and their progress in learning. There will be a particular challenge for senior pupils as lockdown has squeezed the time available for the alternative certification model.”
GMB workplace representatives in NHS Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service will recommend its members vote to reject the Scottish Government’s pay offer when a consultative ballot is launched next month.
The recommendation to reject comes ahead of a public demonstration by NHS nurses and staff later today at George Square, Glasgow, against the Scottish Government’s pay offer for 2021-22.
GMB Scotland will launch a consultative ballot of its entire NHS Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service membership from Monday 12 April, which will run until 12.00 hours on Wednesday 5 May.
GMB Scotland Organiser Karen Leonard said:“The offer doesn’t value our members properly, it doesn’t restore the pay they’ve lost after a decade of cuts, and it doesn’t secure their future. That’s why are recommending its rejection.
“We see this pay offer for what it is: a pre-election punt by an outgoing Health Secretary that looks better than it really is when put up against the insulting 1 per cent increase for our NHS colleagues in England.
“It’s been a wretched year for our NHS workers and the COVID-19 pandemic has not only pushed them beyond their limits, but it’s also exposed the many underlying problems in our NHS because of its managed political decline over the last ten years.
“After all the applause, we strongly believe the Scottish Government can and should go further on our members’ pay, and it’s the least Ministers can do after everything our NHS staff have done for all of us.”
First Minister’s Coronavirus media briefing: Tuesday 30th March
Thanks for joining us again.
I am not able to give these Covid briefings just now as often as I have been doing because we are now in a pre-election period.
However I think that it’s important to give an update today, in advance of the changes that are due to take place over the weekend.
As things stand just now, I intend to give further updates at this time next Tuesday and on 20 April.
I am joined today by the Chief Medical Officer, Gregor Smith, and the National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch, who will help me answer questions.
However, I will start as usual with the latest statistics.
The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 411.
That represents 2.8% of the total number of tests, and takes the total number of confirmed cases in Scotland to 217,890.
109 of those new cases were in Lothian, 94 in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and 76 in Lanarkshire.
The remaining cases were spread across 7 other health board areas.
250 people are currently in hospital – that is 9 fewer than yesterday.
23 people are in intensive care, which is an increase of 1 since yesterday.
And 12 deaths were reported yesterday, of patients who first tested positive over the previous 28 days. That takes the total number of deaths registered, under that definition, to 7,596.
That reminds us of the heartbreak that this virus continues to cause. Once again, I want to send my condolences to all those who have lost a loved one.
I can also provide an update on our latest vaccination figures.
As of 7.30 this morning, 2,436,398 people in Scotland have received their first dose of the vaccine.
That is an increase of 26,572 since yesterday.
In addition, 12,180 people received their second dose yesterday, which brings the total number of second doses to 338,443
Virtually all over 65 year olds have now received a first dose of the vaccine.
So have:
98% of 60-64 year olds;
81% of 55 to 59 year olds;
and 57% of 50 to 54 year olds.
We remain on course to offer a first dose of the vaccine by the middle of April to all over 50 year olds; all unpaid carers; and all adults with particular underlying health conditions.
Those figures confirm the progress we have made in the last three months.
We are now averaging 539 new cases per day.
That is a decline of more than 3/4 since early January.
The number of deaths from Covid has fallen even more sharply. They are down by more than 80% in the last 2 months.
And, as you can see from the figures I have reported, the number of people in hospital and intensive care is also reducing.
However there are still no grounds for complacency. Indeed, we must continue to be hyper vigilant. For example the data suggests that the numbers of new cases in Scotland – having fallen throughout January and February – are now plateauing, rather than continuing to decline significantly.
Numbers fell very slightly last week – but they have risen in some other weeks recently.
As a result, hundreds of people in Scotland every day, are still getting the virus which remains very infectious and highly dangerous.
So we still face significant risks – and it is vital that we all continue to bear that in mind and act cautiously and carefully.
However, there is no doubt that we have made progress – both in suppressing the virus and in vaccination – and that is directly relevant to the decisions I am confirming today.
I am able to confirm today, that taking all of the recent data into account, the changes which I previously indicated that we hoped to make on 2 and 5 April can go ahead.
The first change will take effect from Friday, 2 April.
From that day, our current stay at home rule will be lifted. That rule currently applies across all of Scotland, except for some of island communities.
However the stay at home rule is being replaced by a requirement to stay local.
This means that the current travel restrictions – which prevent non-essential travel outside your local authority area – will remain in place for another 3 weeks.
I understand how frustrating those restrictions are.
I share that frustration – my family live in a different local authority to me.
And like anyone with loved ones in a different part of the country, I desperately want to see them in person.
But the requirement to stay local is there, for the moment, for a good reason.
At the moment, different parts of the country, have different levels of infection.
For example some parts of the central belt have far more new cases each day, than areas such as Highland, the Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway. And there are also different rates of infection within the central belt itself.
So while Covid levels remain high in some areas – and while a lot of people remain unvaccinated – we do not want the virus to spread from areas with relatively high prevalence, to areas with low rates of infection.
That’s why sticking to the stay local rule for another 3 weeks is really important.
All of the other immediate changes will take effect from next Monday, 5 April.
From that date, more students – particularly in colleges – will be allowed to return to on-campus learning. That includes many students who are taking qualifications in construction, in engineering, and in subjects such as hairdressing and beauty.
In addition, from Monday onwards, contact sports will resume for 12 to 17-year-olds. And there will be a limited reopening of some retail services.
All shops will be allowed to operate click and collect services from Monday – although you will need an appointment to pick up your goods.
Car showrooms and forecourts will also reopen. Again, you may need an appointment to get into showrooms, so please check that with the retailer before you go.
Homeware stores and garden centres will also be able to reopen – that’s something which I know will be appreciated by those retailers, and also by many customers, as we head towards the summer.
Obviously, we don’t want big crowds at any of these stores – so although they open on the 5th, think about whether you really need to visit them on Monday itself. If you can, wait until later in the week.
Going later in the week – or later in the month – might mean things are a bit quieter.
And of course, follow the advice and the instructions given by store staff. Those staff will be helping to keep you and the other customers safe.
Finally, from next Monday, hairdressers and barbers will also be allowed to reopen. I know that many people are already looking forward to their first professional haircuts of the year. But again, please make an appointment before you go.
These changes will I hope be widely welcomed.
But they are – quite deliberately – fairly cautious steps out of lockdown.
If you look across to Europe at the moment, many countries there are seeing a big rise in cases.
We don’t want the same thing to happen here if we can avoid it.
And in our view the virus is still too widespread, and too dangerous, to allow for a more rapid opening up.
However if the data permits, we do expect to be able to make further changes later in April.
First of all, once the Easter holidays finish, all secondary school children will return to school full time.
After that, we hope to ease restrictions further on 26 April. By that time, we expect to have offered a first dose of the vaccine to all JCVI priority groups – that includes everyone over the age of 50.
That is a significant milestone – since those priority groups are estimated to account for 99% of all deaths from Covid.
We hope that mainland Scotland will move from level 4 to level 3 on 26 April.
That means – for example – that we expect to end all restrictions on travelling within mainland Scotland on that day. We also expect to confirm a full reopening of retail premises, and a partial reopening of the hospitality sector.
We also hope that on the 26th, it will be possible to ease some of the rules on outdoor meetings.
I hope to be able to confirm those changes at a media briefing in three weeks’ time.
In addition, the Scottish Government will publish updated levels tables on our website, in the next few days. They will provide some more information about the changes we hope to make during April and May, and into the summer.
We will also update our guidance on the current restrictions on Friday and Monday, to take account of the changes I have just confirmed.
For now, however, the main point that I want to stress is that it will be more possible to relax more restrictions in the future, if case numbers remain under control.So when things open up slightly this weekend – please continue to stick to the rules.
Until Friday, stay at home – and from Friday onwards, stay local.
Remember that you must stay in your local authority, unless your travel is for an essential purpose.
Continue to work from home if you can. That remains the default position. And employers still have a duty – if they reasonably can – to support people to work from home.
Don’t meet up with other households in their homes. That is really important. We know that the virus spreads much more easily in indoor environments.
When you are outside – the maximum group size for adults is up to four people, from up to two households.
For 12 to 17-year-olds, the maximum group size is still four– but they can be from up to four households.
On any occasion when you do leave the house, remember FACTS.
wear face coverings;
avoid anywhere busy;
clean hands and surfaces;
use two metre distancing
and self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.
And Download the Protect Scotland app, if you haven’t already – and make sure that it is enabled when you are out and about.
These basic precautions are always important – but they perhaps become even more vital, as we start to do slightly more.
By following them – and by sticking to the rules – we can all keep the virus under control, while vaccination continues.
And we can all make it safer, for more restrictions to be eased in the future.
So please, stay at home – for now. Protect the NHS. And save lives.
Thank you, once again, to everyone who is doing that.
PM Boris Johnson’s statement at yesterday’s Coronavirus press briefing:
Good afternoon and welcome to this press conference on what has been a big day for many of us – with the first chance to see friends and family outdoors, whether as six people or two households.
And I want to congratulate the members of Ilkeston cycling club in Derbyshire that set off at midnight, the swimmers who broached the chilly waters of the Hillingdon Lido at the crack of dawn, and more than anything I know how much it will have meant to millions of people to have joined someone else for a cup of tea in the garden.
And I must stress that it is only because of months of sacrifice and effort that we can take this small step to freedom today. And we must proceed with caution.
It is great to see that yesterday we recorded the lowest number of new infections for six months, deaths and hospital admissions across the UK are continuing to fall.
But that wave is still rising across the Channel and it is inevitable as we advance on this roadmap that there will be more infections, and unavoidably more hospitalisations and sadly more deaths.
So what we need to do is continue flat out to build the immunity of our population, build our defences against that wave when it comes.
And now that we have vaccinated more than 30 million adults across the United Kingdom it is more vital than ever to protect the most vulnerable.
The evidence seems pretty clear that vaccinating the elderly and vulnerable has helped to drive down rates of hospitalisation and death and now we want to reinforce that protection with a second dose so for many people April will be the “Second Dose Month” – and please take up your appointment when it’s your turn.
And at the same time as we push forwards with our programme to offer a vaccination to all adults by the end of July we’re building up our own long-term UK manufacturing capabilities.
I’ve already told you that Novavax – a potentially significant new weapon in our armoury against Covid – is going to be made at Fujifilm in the North East.
And I can today announce that the Vaccine Task Force has reached an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to finish and bottle this precious fluid also in the North East giving us between 50 and 60 million doses of UK made vaccine subject to the right approvals from the MHRA.
And then, of course, there is one other way we can all build our own individual defences against Covid and enjoy ourselves at the same time – and that is to take more exercise.
So I am personally thrilled that I will be able to play tennis for instance, and without being remotely preachy I do hope that we can take advantage of this moment and the beautiful weather – to play sport, to take exercise, to have fun and build our national resilience in that way too.
And remember that outdoors is generally much safer than indoors and the way to continue on our cautious but irreversible roadmap to freedom is to follow the rules and remember hands, face, space and fresh air.
In Scotland, lockdown restrictions will ease from Friday with a move from Stay at Home to Stay Local
Stay at Home regulations will be lifted on 2 April and replaced with guidance to Stay Local, with more services including hairdressers, garden centres and non-essential click and collect services able to open from 5 April.
More college students will also return to on-campus learning and outdoor contact sports will resume for 12-17 year olds on 5 April if progress on vaccination and suppression of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues.
The Scottish Government then hopes to lift all restrictions on journeys in mainland Scotland on 26 April.
Covering the period just before the current pandemic, the statistics suggest a gradual increase in child poverty levels since the early 2010s.
Two out of the four child poverty measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act show a gradual increase, and two show little change. While the poverty risk is much lower for children where someone in the household is in paid work compared to those in workless households, not all work pays enough to lift the household above the poverty line.
Over two thirds of children in poverty live in a household with someone in paid work.
There is little change in poverty levels for working-age adults and pensioners. Pensioners are less likely to be in poverty compared to working-age adults and children: 14% of pensioners are in relative poverty after housing costs, compared to 19% of working-age adults and 24% of children.
New food security analysis suggests that while most people (84%) live in households with high food security, this falls to only 60% for people in poverty. A household has high food security if people never need to worry about running out of food before they can afford to buy more, and never struggle to afford balanced meals.
Household incomes continue to rise. A typical two-adult household has £27,800 per year after tax and including benefits. Income inequality has fluctuated since the beginning of this data collection in the mid-nineties and continues to do so.
Adults under 25 are more likely to be in poverty than older adults. Non-white ethnic minorities are more likely to be in poverty compared to white ethnic groups. Muslim adults are more likely to be in poverty compared to adults of Christian and other faiths and those with no religion.
Some, but not all, of the higher poverty risk for ethnic minorities and Muslims can be explained by their lower average age. Single adults, especially single parents, and those who are divorced or separated are more likely to be in poverty compared to married, cohabiting and widowed adults.
People living in households with disabled household members are also more likely to be in poverty than those with no disabled household members.
These figures are produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
Stemming the rising tide of poverty across Scotland must be the defining issue of the Holyrood election, the Poverty Alliance said as they launched their manifesto earlier this month. They call for all political parties to commit to a range of ambitious and bold action to boost incomes and reduce costs.
A Scotland for All of Us, puts forward a package of measures that all of Scotland’s political parties are being urged to back in order to loosen the grip of poverty on the lives of people across Scotland. These include:
Committing to a Minimum Income Guarantee, which would ensure that nobody in Scotland had an income below an agreed minimum level;
At least doubling the new Scottish Child Payment, and increasing financial support for unpaid carers and disabled people;
Extending free bus travel to more young people and to people on low incomes;
Ending digital exclusion, by providing low cost or free broadband to low income households;
Attaching conditions to all public sector grants, funding and contracts that require payment of the real Living Wage and Fair Work;
Adjusting our income tax levels and thresholds to fund greater investment in tackling poverty and exploring the use of wealth taxes;
Giving communities a greater say over how money is spent in their local area.
The manifesto is launched at a time of growing hardship across Scotland. Even before the pandemic, over one million people – including almost one in four children – were living in poverty in Scotland. Now with many more people being swept into poverty, Scotland’s child poverty reduction targets remain unlikely to be met without more urgent action in the coming years.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “In Scotland we believe in protecting one another from harm, and in the principle that every child should have every chance. Yet Scotland is also a country with unacceptably high levels of poverty and inequality.
“Addressing the rising tide of poverty that is affecting so many communities should be at the heart of every party manifesto, and with the pandemic still having an impact this is not a time for timidity. All parties must pledge to take the bold and ambitious action to boost incomes and reduce costs that we have set out, including committing to a Minimum Income Guarantee and to taking action to create a more just economy and labour market.
The next Scottish Parliament must be remembered as one that reshaped Scotland for the better, that prioritised the needs of those facing poverty and inequality, and that built a Scotland not just for some of us, but for all of us.”
Scottish Government Poverty Statistics background
The two full statistical publications are available here:
Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland contains statistics on poverty, child poverty, poverty risks for various equality characteristics, household income and income inequality for Scotland. This report also includes new statistics on household food security. The data comes from the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Family Resources Survey, Households Below Average Income dataset. Comparable UK income and poverty figures are published on the same day by DWP.
Figures are presented as three-year averages of each estimate. Three-year estimates best identify trends over time. Single-year estimates are also available in the reference tables. The latest poverty and household income data in this report covers the period from April 2017 to March 2020, just before the first lockdown due to COVID-19.
Persistent Poverty in Scotland presents estimates of the proportion of people in Scotland who live in persistent poverty. The data comes from the Understanding Society Survey, and the latest statistics cover the period from 2015 to 2019.
These poverty statistics are used by the Scottish Government and other organisations to monitor progress in tackling poverty and child poverty, and to analyse what drives poverty and what works for tackling poverty and income inequality.
Key poverty measures:
Relative poverty: A household is in relative poverty if its income is below 60 percent of the middle household income in the UK (the poverty threshold). Relative poverty is a measure of whether the income of the poorest households are keeping pace with middle income households across the UK.
Absolute poverty: A household is in absolute poverty if its income is below the relative poverty threshold from 2010/11. This way, it measures whether the incomes of the poorest households are keeping pace with rising prices.
Combined low income and material deprivation identifies the number of children in families that cannot afford basic essential goods and services because of a low income (below 70 percent of the middle household income).
Persistent poverty identifies the number of people in relative poverty for three or more out of four years. People who live in poverty for several years are affected by it through their lifetime.
Household income is adjusted for household size.
The poverty publications present poverty figures before and after housing costs. Before housing costs figures are a basic measure of household income from earnings and benefits. After housing costs figures subtract spending on rents, mortgage interest payments and other unavoidable housing costs from this basic income. In Scotland, poverty statistics focus mainly on poverty after housing costs. The poverty estimates in this summary refer to relative poverty after housing costs.
Household food security: Household food security questions were newly added to the Family Resources Survey in 2019/20. They ask about whether people were worried about running out of food, had to reduce meal sizes or skip meals. Food security levels can be “high”, “marginal”, “low”, “very low”.
Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland is available. About our statistics – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Funding of £20 million will deliver a range of activities for children and young people and their families over the summer, ensuring they are provided with opportunities to socialise, play and reconnect within their local communities and environments.
In particular this will provide support for those children and young people who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays.
Working with local authorities and partner organisations including sportscotland, Creative Scotland, Play Scotland, Education Scotland and others, the funding will support existing provision of community-based services while also widening access to other local facilities, such as school estates and local sports facilities.
Speaking before Holyrood broke up for May’s elections, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “We do not underestimate the physical and mental health impacts which children and young people have experienced throughout the pandemic, and that the impacts have fallen unequally across society.
“This enhanced range of summer experiences for children and young people will help address the impacts associated with extended periods of isolation and reduced participation in normal activities. This offer will have children’s rights and needs at its heart, and will provide opportunities to socialise across a range of activities, combined with broader support where needed.
“This will build on local summer offers, recognising the need for flexibility to deliver using local assets and connecting with wider offers from partners.
“Over the next few months we will continue to develop further all aspects of our education recovery strategy with our partners and stakeholders. Following periods of disruption to in-school learning, this will include how we can intensify and deepen support for children and young people’s progress in learning, including in key areas such as literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.”
