Tag: Scottish Government

Limit on indoor gatherings extended

More restrictions in West of Scotland

Restrictions on meetings in indoor household settings have been extended to people living in Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire.

The current limits on indoor gatherings for people living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire will also continue for at least a further seven days.

The restrictions follow a recent increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases with 78 new cases reported yesterday in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde area and 92 new cases on Sunday.

From midnight last night, the revised restrictions are:

  • people in the Glasgow, East Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire local authority areas should not meet with people from other households in indoor household settings.
  • People from these areas should also not meet people in indoor household settings in other local authority areas. Members of different households can continue to meet outdoors, including in gardens, and in hospitality settings, provided all existing guidance is followed.
  • indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits only to protect the most vulnerable. Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.
  • if anyone living in these areas is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they and all those in their household group should self-isolate for 14 days.

The Scottish Government and local authorities will monitor hospitality over the coming days to see whether restrictions should be extended.

Those households who have formed an extended household and people providing care and support – for example caring for an elderly family member or delivering shopping – can continue to meet indoors with enhanced hygiene measures in place.

People living in all affected local authority areas who were previously shielding are asked to be particularly vigilant.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Over recent weeks, we have seen a continued increase in new COVID-19 cases in the Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board area.

“Having looked at where cases are being identified, the advice from the public health experts managing this outbreak is that restrictions on indoor gatherings should be extended to Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire and continue for at least a further seven days in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire.

“I understand this will not be welcome news for people living in these areas but it is necessary to help us limit the spread of COVID-19. Acting now gives us the time and the space to protect people and get more control over the virus.

“I would ask everyone to be extra vigilant, to follow all guidance and to isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms. Above all, I want to emphasise that getting a test – and even getting a negative result – is not a substitute for self-isolating. If you have symptoms, or if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to do so, you will need to self-isolate.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Director of Public Health, Dr Linda de Caestecker, said:  “We know it’s not much fun right now not being able to socialise as we would like to and Covid has gone on much longer than any of us would want. 

“However the only way we are going to beat this is by working together and sticking by the rules. Please limit your contacts and by doing this you’re not only protecting yourself but also your friends and family.”

The current restrictions will be reviewed every seven days in discussion with local partners.

The Scottish Government has not ruled out extending restrictions if necessary to protect public health.

Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:

F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)

A – Avoid crowded places

C – Clean your hands frequently, using water & soap whenever possible

T – Two metres – observe physical distancing

S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms

Further guidance will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Senior public health officials have expressed concerns over the sharp rise in COVID cases across the UK over recent days.

 2,948 UK cases were recorded on Monday, according to UK government data. This follows 2,988 new cases announced on Sunday – the highest figure since 22 May.

Caerphilly becomes the first county in Wales to face lockdown from 6pm tonight and other areas across the UK have shown upward trends. Scientists are concerned that too many members of the public are not listening to public health advice and an increasing number have become complacent.

England’s deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van Tamm said: “If we don’t take this incredibly seriously from this point in we are going to have a bumpy ride over the next few months.”

Community optometrists to support eye care services

Help for those with sight-threatening conditions.

Patients with chronic eye conditions will be now be able to be assessed by community optometrists as part of a new plan supported by £3 million in funding.

Due to changes in hospital services because of COVID-19 – including health, safety and physical distancing measures – there has been limited capacity to see all patients with chronic and sight-threatening conditions.

Under the new plan, the skills of community optometrists will be utilised to support hospital eye services, ensuring more patients can be seen for their appointments. 

Community optometrists are qualified to undertake this care – and the new initiative will help patients as well as supporting the existing optometry workforce. 

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to accelerate the reform of NHS eye care services.

This includes funding to support an additional 50 optometrists to train as independent prescribing optometrists, who can safely treat more patients within the community.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “As we steadily re-mobilise, we are implementing new ways of working to enable our highly skilled workforce across the whole NHS to deliver care in a safe and timely manner.

“I’m pleased that as we continue to see positive results in dealing with the virus, hospital patients with eye conditions will now be able to be reviewed by community optometrists.

“Community optometrists have worked very hard during the pandemic to embrace new ways of working, and these clinicians will now also play a key role in this initiative.

“This plan utilises the capacity within community optometry – their expertise, staffing and readily equipped practices can support the NHS both during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, and beyond.”

Director of Royal National Institute of Blind Scotland James Adams said: “We welcome any move that ensures people receive timely eye-care examinations and treatment.  It remains as crucial as ever that eye problems are diagnosed as quickly as possible so that people don’t lose sight unnecessarily.

“As with all our health sector staff, optometrists have worked incredibly hard to maintain their vital service in very challenging conditions. RNIB Scotland has worked closely with them to assure the public that it is safe, and important, to attend appointments.”

More detail on Health Board mobilisation plans can be read online.

Improving opportunities for minority ethnic people

£470,000 to fund 50 leadership placements.

A new development programme will aim to remove barriers that can be faced by minority ethnic people moving into leadership positions in society.

Up to 50 people will benefit from a nine-month professional and personal development programme backed by mentoring, and living wage placements across the public, third and private sectors.

The programme will focus on young people, and will be delivered by the John Smith Centre, backed up by £470,000 of Scottish Government funding. The programme will focus on developing the professional and personal skills of participants, including negotiating and communication.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government is committed to achieving equality for all minority ethnic people and part of that means taking tangible steps to remove barriers and improve opportunities across society.

“Improving representation across all walks of life is key to achieving this aim and I am pleased that the John Smith Centre will deliver this important programme. The programme will provide up to 50 people with a fantastic opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed.

“The programme will be developed and delivered in consultation with relevant organisations and people to ensure that we are learning from lived experience.

“I want to see talented participants from all walks of life taking part, including those who haven’t taken traditional academic routes to success. I hope the result will be an increase in numbers of minority ethnic people in leadership roles that reflect the society we live in.”

Director of the John Smith Centre Kezia Dugdale said: “The John Smith Centre exists to break down the barriers disadvantaged groups face accessing public life. We listened carefully to the call for action emanating from the Black Lives Matter movement and reflected hard on what we could do that would make a meaningful difference.

“We have a strong track record in supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the confidence, the networks and the experience they need to break through the challenges they face. We are therefore extremely proud to now be collaborating with the Scottish Government to increase the scale of this work with a particular focus on minority ethnic young people.

“At every stage of this programme we’ll listen to, learn from and involve people with lived experience of the barriers that minority ethnic communities face, and combine it with our experience of what makes a real difference and delivers long term change.”

Features of the Minority Ethnic Emerging Leaders Academy are expected to include:

  • A residential development weekend focused on developing employability skills such presentation, negotiating and communication skills and networking/social events to build early cohesion in the group in order to establish a peer support network.
  • Internship with an MSP or Non-Government Organisation over the course of the nine month placement.
  • Employability events at the University of Glasgow with high level politicians and public service practitioners.
  • Programme management by experienced providers of high-quality development opportunities. Developed by the John Smith Centre with extensive involvement of the minority ethnic community in all aspects of the programme.

Updated guidance for colleges and universities

Revised guidance for colleges, universities and student accommodation providers reflecting the latest public health advice has been published.

It builds on previous guidance and uses the most up-to-date evidence to support universities, colleges and accommodation providers plan for a safe return to campus in the new academic year. It includes:

  • a continuation of blended learning, with significantly reduced frequency and numbers of staff and students on campus compared to pre-COVID levels
  • a requirement to keep face-to-face teaching to small groups, generally less than 30 and supported by other infection prevention control measures. Group numbers of up to 50 students may be considered in some circumstances, but only where supported by a risk assessment
  • advice that face coverings should be worn in any area on campus where physical distancing cannot be guaranteed, on dedicated college and university transport and in student accommodation indoor communal areas such as toilets, common rooms and laundry rooms
  • a requirement for colleges and universities to give clear information on regulations and guidance to students arriving from outside Scotland, and to take steps to ensure international students and staff who need to quarantine comply with the law, including using appropriate disciplinary procedures

The start of the student year will be fundamentally different this year with significant change to the delivery of education and a need to dramatically curtail the socialising many would associate with this period. It is vital, for the protection of public health, that institutions ensure that the guidance is complied with.

Universities Scotland, Colleges Scotland, National Union of Students (NUS), trades unions and public health professionals were consulted on the guidance.

Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Colleges and universities have been working extremely hard to ensure the safest possible environment for students and staff returning.

“Studying in Scotland is special no matter where you come from and, while this is an exciting time of year for new and returning students, it is not a resumption of normal life on campus.

“Remote learning will significantly reduce the number of people on campus at any one time, while everyone on campus or in student accommodation must follow the rules around quarantine, self-isolation, physical distancing and using face coverings.

“This guidance strengthens some of these issues and institutions must make students and staff aware of Scottish law and public health advice to keep themselves and others safe. For those people who need to quarantine on arrival, or self-isolate with COVID-19 symptoms, institutions will have a range of practical support in place.

“While we will keep the guidance under review, we believe this strikes the right balance of allowing young people to get on with their lives in a manner that is as safe as it can be for students, staff and society. I have no doubt that students will want to act responsibly and will follow the rules that we are asking them to observe.”

Professor Gerry McCormac, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are looking forward to welcoming students back for the start of a new academic year.

“We have been working for months to plan a safe return that will support high quality learning and offer a rounded student experience while ensuring the safety of our students, staff and the wider community. It’s important that students have the opportunity to continue their studies; they’ve been through a lot and will benefit in many ways from a safe return to study.”

Shona Struthers, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said: “The safety of our students and staff is the overarching priority, and this collaboration between the college and university sectors, NUS Scotland and the Scottish Government is an important element in helping everyone in the tertiary education system return to campuses with confidence in the measures which have been put in place.

“As well as following the latest advice from the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, colleges will continue to engage with student associations, staff, and trade unions to do everything possible to make the approach of blended online and onsite learning for students a success throughout this new academic year.

“Although the practical implications of COVID-19 certainly present challenges to the sector, colleges and their staff have shown remarkable resilience and flexibility in continuing to successfully deliver learning throughout the pandemic.”

Professor Marion Bain, Interim Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: “University and college life in the midst of Covid19 will feel very different.  While learning will continue and students will enjoy spending time with friends, this must be done in a safe way. 

“It is vital that students and staff are aware of what they need to do and that they follow all the requirements.  These measures are essential in ensuring safety for students, staff and for all those around them.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for universities, colleges and student accommodation providers

Information on what you can and cannot do under Scotland’s route map

Information and advice on COVID-19 is available on Student Information Scotland

More support for tenants

New measures to help with housing costs during the pandemic

Emergency legislation extended to ensure no evictions until March 2021

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A new £10 million fund will be part of a package to support people struggling to pay their rent due to financial difficulty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will open later in the Autumn and offer interest-free loans to those unable to access other forms of support for their housing costs.

The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) fund which helps tenants in receipt of benefits will increase by £3 million, bringing the total to £19 million. This is in addition to the £60 million DHP budget already being used to fully mitigate the bedroom tax.

Emergency legislation put in place to protect private and social tenants from eviction during the coronavirus pandemic will be extended by six months, pending approval from the Scottish Parliament.

Ministers will also introduce new regulations to allow for the notice period for eviction for anti-social or criminal behaviour to return to one month to protect other neighbours.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Tackling inequality and supporting people is a central theme of this year’s Programme for Government and this package of support for tenants is part of that.

“We already know that the pandemic has hit the lowest earners hardest and the Scottish Government has already put in place a range of actions in place to support tenants.

“This new £10 million fund, along with a further increase in our Discretionary Housing Payment funds, will mean that no one should be left in a position where they cannot access support to pay their rent. The intention is that this fund will open in November for those unable to access other forms of support to help meet their housing costs.

“We have been clear that no landlord should evict a tenant because they have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic.

I fully expect landlords to be flexible with anyone facing such challenges, signposting them to the sources of financial support available, and tenants in difficulty should engage with their landlord and seek advice on the options open to them.

“I can confirm today that emergency legislation will be extended to ensure no evictions can take place until March 2021. However, since the initial legislation was introduced we have listened carefully to tenants and housing authorities concerned that a three month notice period is too long where tenants have behaved in an anti-social or criminal way. We are therefore reverting back to a one month period for repossession for such cases to ensure we can protect other tenants, neighbours and landlords who should not have to tolerate such behaviour.”

The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act ensures evictions cannot take place before end of September and this will now be extended for a further six months to March 2021.

The Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will open later in the autumn and further details of how to apply will be announced in due course.

Scottish Government to embed UNCRC into Scots law

Scotland is set to become the first country in the UK to directly incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law.

The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill will make it unlawful for public authorities to act incompatibly with the incorporated UNCRC requirements, giving children, young people and their representatives the power to go to court to enforce their rights.

The UNCRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world and sets out the specific rights that all children have to help fulfil their potential, including rights relating to health and education, leisure and play, fair and equal treatment, protection from exploitation and the right to be heard.

The Bill:

  • directly incorporates the UNCRC as far as possible within the powers of the Scottish Parliament
  • makes it unlawful for public authorities to act incompatibly with the incorporated UNCRC requirements
  • gives power to the Children’s Commissioner to take legal action in relation to children’s rights
  • requires Ministers to produce a Children’s Rights Scheme setting out how they comply with children’s rights and to report annually
  • requires listed public authorities to report every three years on how they comply with children’s rights

The Bill also allows for incorporation of the articles of the UNCRC currently beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament, should these powers change in the future.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “This Bill will revolutionise the way we listen to children and take their rights into account.

“By directly incorporating the UNCRC into Scots law, and to the maximum extent possible under the current powers of the Parliament, we will build children’s rights into the fabric of decision making in Scotland.

“It will mean children and young people are involved in the decisions that affect their lives and that children’s rights are always respected, protected and fulfilled by public authorities. Where necessary, children will be able to go to courts to enforce their rights.

“This Bill is a significant step towards a future based on tolerance, equality, shared values and respect for the worth and human dignity of all people.” 

Joanna Barrett, NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager, said: “This is a monumental day for Scotland; incorporating the UNCRC into Scots law is a significant step to ensuring that all children, even babies, in the country have their rights recognised, respected and fulfilled.

“Among its provisions, the Convention sets out children’s right to be safe and their right to access support services to help them recover from abuse or neglect.

“Our research shows that the availability of therapeutic services for children who have suffered abuse is inconsistent across the country but this new Bill puts an obligation on the Scottish Government and others to ensure access to specialist and timely treatment for all children who have suffered from traumatic experiences.”

The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill

Quarantine measures introduced for travellers from Greece

Importation of new cases remains ‘significant’ public health risk

Travellers from Greece will be required to self-isolate at home, or another specified address, for 14 days on arrival in Scotland from 4am Thursday morning (3 September). This is due to a significant rise in cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) being imported into Scotland by people who have been in Greece.

Evidence of virus importation, especially from the Greek islands, has led to the country being removed from the exemption list on public health grounds. It is believed prevalence of COVID-19 in Greece currently remains lower than 20 per 100,000, however, a number of cases of the virus in Scotland can be traced back to travel to Greece.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are in the midst of a global pandemic and the situation in many countries can change suddenly. Therefore, people should think very hard before committing to non-essential travel abroad.

“With Scotland’s relatively low infection rate, importation of new cases from Greece is a significant risk to public health. I would also encourage people who have returned to Scotland from Greece in the last few days to be particularly careful in their social contacts and to ensure they stick to the FACTS.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in all parts of the world and base the decisions we make on the scientific evidence available.

“Regular discussions continue with the other three governments in the UK.

“Requiring travellers arriving from a non-exempt country to quarantine for 14 days on arrival is vital to helping prevent transmission of the virus and to suppress it. More details about what this means can be found on the Scottish Government website.

“Wherever people have travelled from – an exempt country or not – it is a legal requirement to complete a Passenger Locator Form and provide it to Border Force officials. Failure to do so can also result in a fine since this, along with any failure to self-isolate where required, poses a significant risk to wider public health across Scotland.”

Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said: “There is a compelling public health risk around importation of the virus, especially given the number of imported cases linked to the Greek islands.

“The flow of travel between Scotland and Greece, and the behaviour we have seen from some of those travellers, means that on public health grounds there is a strong case – supported by public health directors – to remove Greece from the exemption list.”

Public health rules for international travel are an important part of Scotland’s wider response to the pandemic to limit the introduction of new chains of transmission. 

To allow the appropriate arrangements to be put in place, following the laying of the regulations, the change will come into force at 4am on Thursday 3 September.

All international travellers arriving into Scotland, apart from a very limited number of individual exemptions, must complete a passenger locator form and provide evidence that they have done so on arrival in the UK if requested to do so by a Border Force official. This includes people arriving from countries where quarantine is subsequently not required. Individuals who do not complete the form and present it when asked on arrival may be fined £60. The fine can be doubled for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £480.

Failure to comply with the requirement to quarantine may result in a fine of £480.

Those travelling abroad should check in advance for any local requirements to quarantine on arrival at their destination. Further information about the foreign travel public health rules, including quarantine requirements can be read on the Scottish Government website.

This includes the existing list of overseas destinations where those arriving in Scotland are exempt from self-isolation.

New books receive funding from Scots Language Publication Grant

Nine new books in Scots have been awarded funding by the Scots Language Publication Grant.

Now in its second year, the Scots Language Publication Grant was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and to encourage Scots writers. It is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.

Applications were assessed by a panel with expertise in Scots and publishing, including a writer and representatives from Creative Scotland, Education Scotland and Publishing Scotland.

The successful titles are:

  • The Itchy Coo Book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark, translated by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson (Itchy Coo/Black & White Publishing)
  • Duck Feet by Ely Percy (Monstrous Regiment Publishing)
  • The Leerie by Stuart Armstrong & Joseph Daly (Leerie Press)
  • A Nicht Afore Christmas by Irene McFarlane & Rosemary Cunningham (Tippermuir Books)
  • Ghost Polis by Matthew Fitt, 
  • But N Ben a Go Go (audiobook) by Matthew Fitt, 
  • Scotsaga by Donald Smith,
  • A Short Story Collection in Scots by Gerda Stevenson and The Classics in Scots by William Imray Brown(Luath). 

The Scots Language Publication Grant provides assistance for publishing new work (including translated texts), reprinting existing historical or culturally significant work, and also effective marketing and promotion of existing and new work.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney, said: “The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of our indigenous languages, including Scots.

 “We want to support those who wish to learn and use the language and access new and exciting reading materials. These books are for adults and children, encouraging a love of Scots from an early age.

 “We have invested £30,000 funding towards the Scottish Book Trust grant for publishers. This is the second year that we have supported the grant and it is hoped it will foster the development of new writers.”

Rhona Alcorn, CEO of Scottish Language Dictionaries and Chair of The Scots Language Resource Network, said: “The Scots Language Resource Network is incredibly proud of this grant.

“By helping Scots publishers publish new work in Scots, we directly influence the number of titles on the Scots language shelves of libraries and book shops, real and virtual. For those for whom Scots is a first or subsequent language, this broadening of choice is immensely gratifying.”

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to see a diverse range of titles receiving the Scots Publication Grant: from classic fairy tales to brand new zines.

“Our thanks to the Scottish Language Resource Network for their excellent recommendations, and to the Scottish Government for funding this programme which helps to support publications in the Scots language.”

A Short Story Collection in Scots is by Gerda Stevenson, anaward-winning writer, actor, theatre director and singer-songwriter. She has worked on stage, television, radio, film and in opera, throughout the UK and abroad.

Gerda Stevenson said: “I look forward to the challenge of another creative journey into the unknown with the supple Scots language, and appreciate the support of this grant.” 

Scotsaga will be a bold reinvention in one interlinked narrative of Norse sagas, myths, folktales and legends connected with Scotland.

Donald Smith said: “I am honoured to receive support from the Scots Publication Grant fund. I want to show how Scots takes us into new areas of cultural expression and linguistic virtuosity. I hope that Scotsaga will intrigue readers and sustain the role of Scots as an international literary medium.”

Protecting Scotland, Renewing Scotland

Programme for Government 2020-21

Ensuring Scotland’s economic, health, and social recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the focus of this year’s Programme for Government.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the First Minister said the Scottish Government would prioritise work to suppress the virus – building on its commitment to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and surveillance.

The COVID-19 response will be bolstered with the launch of Protect Scotland, a new proximity tracing app, later this month. The app will add an additional means of notifying people that they may have been exposed to the virus and that they should isolate to prevent onward transmission.

The First Minister also set out the government’s plans for renewal while ensuring a green recovery is at the heart of the economic recovery, with job creation, support for health and wellbeing and work to tackle inequalities all high on the agenda.

A National Transition Training Fund will support up to 10,000 people at risk of redundancy or unemployment. The Scottish Youth Guarantee will ensure every young person has the opportunity of work, education, or training.

A new £100 million Green Jobs Fund will be created while a new Inward Investment Plan will create 100,000 high value jobs over the next decade and boost GDP.

The pandemic has also reiterated the need for a radical rethink of social care. An independent review of the care system will be established to examine how adult social care can be most effectively reformed to deliver a national approach to care and support services. This will include consideration of a National Care Service.

In order to support families, applications for the Scottish Child Payment will open in November 2020, with the first payments to be made in February 2021.

A new £10 million Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will protect people from homelessness by providing interest-free loans for those struggling to pay their rent and there will be a ban on evictions until March 2021.

Other measures include:

  • accelerating the roll-out of Community Treatment and Assessment Centres so more people can receive medical care in their community rather than going to hospital
  • expanding digital access to health care to ensure more people can get the help they need
  • £1.6 billion low carbon funding to secure a just transition to a net zero economy, including a £100 million Green Jobs Fund, investment in heat and energy efficiency and industrial decarbonisation
  • a 20 year vision for energy efficient, zero carbon housing, with access to outdoor space, transport links, digital connectivity and community services
  • £500 million for infrastructure to support active travel
  • bringing 50,000 people into the digital world through the Connecting Scotland programme and creating a world class digital eco-system in Scotland
  • introducing legislation on domestic abuse protection orders and progressing legislation to improve forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault

The First Minister said: “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing, on business and the economy – indeed, on our whole way of life. That is true here in Scotland, and across the globe.

“Today’s Programme is clear that suppressing COVID is our most immediate priority – and it will remain so for some time. However, it also makes clear that we will not simply hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.

“This Programme for Government sets out plans for a stronger, more resilient and sustainable economy – with a laser focus on creating new, good, green jobs.

“It guarantees opportunities for young people – and refuses to accept that their generation will carry the economic scars of COVID into adulthood.

“It sets out plans to strengthen and reform our public services, including our NHS. And it takes the first step on the road to a National Care Service.

“It promotes equality and wellbeing, with decisive action to combat child poverty. At its heart is the new, game-changing Scottish Child Payment.

“We must treat the COVID-19 challenge not as a brake on our ambitions but as an accelerant – helping us shape a stronger, greener, fairer future.”

STUC welcome National Care Service commitment in Programme for Government, but raise concerns around Fair Work

STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “While we strongly support many of the aspirations in today’s Programme for Government, aspirations aren’t enough and it will take a serious stimulus package to deliver the sort of transformative change being talked about by the First Minister.

“We welcome the First Minister’s commitment to review adult social care and support for a National Care Service. This is a very important development that we have long called for. However, it is deeply disappointing that trade unions representing the workers in this sector have not been offered a seat at the table for any review in order to hold the Scottish Government to account and represent our members.

“Additionally, given the scandal that has unfolded across our care services and the sub-standard employment practices that have been uncovered the Government must commit now to ensuring that the profit motive is removed from any future social care model and Fair Work issues are addressed as an urgent priority.

“We commend the Programme’s ambition of building a green economy. Unfortunately, the level of investment to create a zero-carbon economy is simply too small to meet the scale of the challenge. Supporting workers to upskill and retrain is important, but it counts for little when there is currently a lack of jobs and demand in the green economy.

“We need to see major investment and intervention and would have liked to have seen an extension of public ownership in key areas like transport, construction and energy to ensure that the government’s aspirations can be delivered effectively.

“Where money is invested it is essential that it comes with Fair Work conditionality attached. We are disappointed that the Fair Work agenda and conditionality has not featured more heavily in today’s programme.

“We would also have liked to have seen more commitment to increased funding for local government, which is absolutely vital if we are to ensure services in local communities for our most vulnerable.

“Overall the programme is full of the right ambitions, but it’s too cash tight. We will continue to call on both the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to deliver the level of stimulus our economy so desperately needs as this investment can’t wait for the debate on independence to be resolved.

“Today’s programme has good potential, but we need more investment to ensure real transformative change in our society.”

Joanna Barrett, NSPCC policy and public affairs manager, said: “It is clearly right that Covid-19 recovery, including for children, is at the heart of this year’s Programme for Government.

“Calls to our Childline service from children and young people who had experienced sexual abuse in the home tripled during lockdown. And there was an increase in referrals from our helpline to Scottish agencies, due to parental behaviour, physical and emotional abuse and neglect, during this time.

“It is, therefore, crucial that any efforts to support children recover from the effects of the pandemic, especially those focusing on mental health, include specialist and timely treatment for those who have endured traumatic experiences, such as abuse and neglect.”

Full Programme for Government

Full First Minister statement

Bills to be progressed during this parliamentary session (2020-21):

Budget Bill

Domestic Abuse Bill

Incorporation of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Bill

University of St. Andrews (Degrees in Medicine and Dentistry) Bill

Defamation and Malicious Publication Bill

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) Bill

Hate Crime and Public Order Bill

Heat Networks Bill

Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) Bill

Social Security Administration and Tribunal Membership Bill

UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) Bill

Visiting restrictions reintroduced across Greater Glasgow from midnight

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reimposed restrictions in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire following a rise in cases.

66 new positive tests have been recorded in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

The news was announced at 6:15pm.

Following an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, additional restrictions will be introduced for people living in these areas for an initial two week period.

From midnight (Tuesday 1 September), the restrictions are as follows:

  • people in the Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire local authority areas should not meet with people from other households in indoor household settings, whether in these areas or elsewhere. Members of different households can continue to meet outdoors, including in gardens, and in hospitality settings, provided all existing guidance is followed
  • if anyone living in these areas is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they and all those in their household group should self-isolate for 14 days
  • indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits only to protect the most vulnerable. Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.

Those households who have formed an extended household and people providing care and support – for example caring for an elderly family member or delivering shopping – can continue to meet indoors with enhanced hygiene measures in place.

People living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire who were previously shielding are asked to be particularly vigilant.

Schools and nurseries will remain open, and plans for the opening of colleges and universities remain in place.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The rise in new COVID-19 cases in all three of these local authority areas is of significant concern and these figures remind us all that the virus has not gone away. We are at a stage of this pandemic where we must all act with extreme caution. 

“Following discussions with local public health officials and local authorities, it is necessary to ask people in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire to limit their contact with other households.

“People living in these areas should not meet with other households in indoor household settings for at least two weeks, except where they are providing essential care and support, or have formed an extended household. People can continue to meet other households outside and in other settings but I would ask everyone to be extra vigilant, to follow all guidance and to isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms. 

“Above all, I want to emphasise that getting a test – and even getting a negative result – is not a substitute for self-isolating. If you have symptoms, or if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to do so, you will need to self-isolate.

“I understand this will not be welcome news for people living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire but it is necessary to help us limit the spread of COVID-19. Acting now gives us the time and the space to protect people and get more control over the virus.”

The current restrictions will be reviewed every seven days in discussion with local partners. The Scottish Government has not ruled out extending restrictions if necessary to protect public health.

Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:

  • F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)
  • A – Avoid crowded places
  • C – Clean your hands frequently, using water & soap whenever possible
  • T – Two metres – observe physical distancing
  • S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms

Further guidance will be published on the Scottish Government website.