MSPs call for action to tackle ‘institutional racism’ in public sector employment
MSPs have called for public bodies to be compelled to publish employee ethnicity pay data to address “institutional racism” and tackle the “unacceptable” levels of unemployment and in-work poverty among minority ethnic communities in Scotland.
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee, which has been investigating what actions are being taken to make sure minority ethnic communities have parity of employment and career progression, urged public authorities to produce an action plan to increase the number of people they employ from minority ethnic communities and reduce the ethnicity pay gap in their organisations.
The focus of the Committee’s inquiry was employers covered by the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010, which includes large employers like local authorities, health boards as well as other public bodies.
Removal of the barriers faced by black and minority ethnic groups in accessing employment opportunities is key to addressing inequalities in housing, health, education, and participation in public life.
The Committee heard evidence that, despite various initiatives, recruitment, retention and progression of minority ethnic groups in the workplace had regressed over the last two decades and that there was a resistance on the part of employers to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism and its effects.
MSPs made a series of recommendations to address the issues highlighted by the inquiry. In a report published today, the Committee called for more use of “positive actions” to address under-representation of minority ethnic communities in the public sector workforce, and new regulations to require public bodies to publish their ethnicity pay gap, with an action plan to deliver identified outcomes with associated timescales.
Committee Convener, Ruth Maguire MSP, said:“The inquiry heard evidence that unemployment and in-work poverty remains disproportionately higher for people from minority ethnic communities than it is in the majority of the population. We are seriously concerned by the lack of progress in tackling this issue.
“It is extremely disappointing and frustrating that we regularly have to revisit this issue, and it’s little wonder that during our inquiry we heard many witnesses and representatives of black and minority ethnic communities refer to ‘consultation fatigue’.
“From the evidence we heard, there is a sense that many employers prefer to look outwards rather than inwards; as though the issue lies with the minority ethnic communities, when the reality is that the issue lies with the public authorities themselves.
“It is evident that a key factor within this is the failure of the leaders of public authorities to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism and, in so doing, failing to act to deliver a culture shift within their organisations.
“The Committee is unanimously of the view that, despite all the mechanisms at the disposal of public authorities, including their equality duties and responsibilities, the ethnicity employment gap remains unacceptable and much more needs to be done to reduce the ethnicity pay gap, so we see more minority ethnic people in senior positions.”
Ms Maguire added: “Leaders of public authorities need to be accountable for their organisations’ record on employment of ethnic minority people. They must demonstrate leadership in this area. Now is the time for them to take concerted, definitive action.
“To address the lack of progress to date and decades of damage, our report recommends that public sector employers prioritise employment from minority ethnic communities within their strategic plans. We also recommend the Scottish Government regulates to ensure public authorities publish their ethnicity pay gap figures and set out actions to deliver improvements within an agreed timeframe.
“We sincerely hope that our successor committee will not have to revisit this subject, unless it is to reflect on the result of positive action, accountability, and eradication of institutional racism in Scotland.”
A summary of written evidence in response to the Committee’s call for views has been published on its webpage. The committee also held oral evidence sessions throughout September 2020.
The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has today published its interim report on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the economy in Scotland.
Over the summer, the Committee sought written evidence on four key strands of their inquiry:
• Impact on businesses and workers • Role of the enterprise agencies and SNIB • Plans for economic recovery (including scrutiny of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery (AGER) report) • Impact on young people.
The report published today is the result of focus groups and evidence sessions where the Committee heard about struggles that are being faced due to COVID-19.
Commenting, Committee Convener Gordon Lindhurst MSP said: “This is an extremely difficult time for many businesses and workers. They play a central role to life in Scotland, providing vital services and the revenue to fund public services.
The Committee would like to thank Scotland’s businesses and workers for their resilience and hard work throughout the pandemic and to acknowledge the trying times that many are facing.”
“More than ever our economy needs to be understood and given a helping hand and the work the Committee has been doing has had the aim of reaching out to those that need help and provide them a voice.”
While the Committee has published its report today, it is still welcoming evidence from stakeholders who have been affected by COVID-19.
Gordon Lindhurst MSP added: “The Committee is particularly concerned about the impact on the pandemic on young people; for example, there has been a severe drop in the number of young people starting Modern Apprenticeships for the period April to June 2020 (which fell by 80% over the year). ”
“Every effort must be made to support young people at this time; the Scottish Government must invite young people to participate in developing policies to help them at this critical time in their lives”
The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has published its report into legislation proposed by Labour MSP Neil Bibby to govern the relationship between tied pub tenants and pub-owning businesses.
The Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill is being backed by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, which is calling on the Scottish Government and all parties in the Scottish Parliament to vote for the legislation when it is debated later this month.
Licensees in Scotland are currently exempt from regulations that are in place across the rest of Great Britain which stop large pub companies from taking more than is fair or sustainable from pub profits by forcing licensees to buy their beer from them rather than on the open market.
Responding to the publication of the Scottish Parliament Committee’s report, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “CAMRA is calling on Business Minister Jamie Hepburn and the Scottish Government to do the right thing and give their backing to the Tied Pubs Bill when it is debated later this month.
“This Bill will create, in law, a powerful pubs code to guarantee tied pub tenants are treated fairly and can earn a decent living.
“Scottish Government support for this legislation would be very warmly welcomed by both consumers and the licenced trade as a positive move to help pubs, publicans and pub-goers, after weeks and months of harsh restrictions which are devastating the industry.
“Just a few weeks ago Heineken’s pub arm, Star Pubs and Bars, were fined £2 million by England and Wales’ Pubs Code Adjudicator for serious and repeated breaches of the pubs code. But despite being headquartered in Edinburgh, their Scottish tenants don’t have similar protections to stop pub companies taking more than is fair or sustainable from tied licensees’ profits or make it harder to sell a range of locally-brewed products in their pubs.
“The Scottish Government must now take this opportunity to change the law so that tied pub tenants here have the same protections as those south of the border.”
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on home care has been revealed following an online survey by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee.
Published yesterday, the survey found that 54% of recipients of home care saw their care either reduced or stopped completely. In one instance, a respondent reported having their care stopped for more than six months. Reduction in care was a recurring theme from respondents with families feeling that they were “left to get on with it”.
The survey, which ran during August and September, sought to hear the experiences of both carers and care recipients during the pandemic. Key concerns raised include:
In the event of a second wave, the most important issue for those surveyed was safety. They told us it was vital to have access to appropriate PPE as well as frequent testing, and that carers should receive adequate training in both infection control and social distancing.
Additional pressures and a loss of routine led to increased anxiety for unpaid carers, who stressed the need for respite. Respondents felt “mentally exhausted” and “frightened to let staff back into their homes”.
It was agreed that there needs to be greater recognition of unpaid carers who were often “left to pick up the slack”. There were calls for more support and financial help as well as a ‘professionalisation’ of the system, with a move towards a professional career model.
A fear of services shutting down again left respondents feeling determined to “not be forgotten about” or “left to manage entirely on [their] own”. They called for the continuity of care services and care packages to remain in place in the event of future outbreaks.
Speaking as the findings of the survey were published, Committee Convener Lewis Macdonald MSP said:“The first wave of Covid-19 had a devastating impact on the social care sector in Scotland.
“Now that we’re in the midst of a second wave, and continuing national restrictions, it is vital that we hear the voices of home care workers and those receiving care at home across the country. These findings are deeply concerning suggesting over 50% of those receiving care at home saw their care reduced or stopped completely during the pandemic.
“Other concerns raised around mental health, safety, and the prospect of care shutting down again, make it clear that things must improve.
“The Committee recognises the hard work of carers, paid and unpaid, who have gone above and beyond during this unprecedented challenge and we also want to thank all those who took part in the survey for sharing their experiences in what are still very difficult times.”
The Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee has called on the Government to measure the consequences of cancelling all non-urgent care at the height of the pandemic. They say this must be done as a matter of urgency with the pandemic continuing to impact every aspect of the health service.
In the Committee’s pre-budget report, they looked into the wider impact of Covid-19 upon individuals’ health and their use of the health service, with the pandemic causing a huge reduction in those seeking use of these services.
Figures suggest just under 60,000 planned operations took place in Scottish hospitals from March to August of this year, compared to 168,000 over the same period in 2019. The Committee has said detail must be provided on when the backlog of NHS work caused by the pandemic will be resolved.
The Committee express concern about the large degree of uncertainty over budgeting for current and future years caused by Covid-19 and are seeking more detail on the implications for longer term funding plans.
In a wide-ranging pre-budget report, the Committee highlight that health and social care spend accounts for over 50% of the Scottish budget, but there is currently no coherent attempt to identify the outcomes of this spending. The Committee say this makes it difficult to tell whether the taxpayer is receiving value for money.
The Committee also criticise the current budget process whereby Integration Authorities, who account for £9billion of health and social care spending, do not provide basic budget details until six months into the financial year to which the budget relates.
Lewis Macdonald MSP, Convener of the Health and Sport Committee, said:“Covid-19 has caused a huge disruption to many NHS patients and treatments with Public Health Scotland data revealing hospital admissions, attendances at A&E departments, and people attending out of hours services all falling to around half the average levels seen in 2018-19.
“As the pandemic continues to impact every aspect of our health service, the consequences of cancelling all non-urgent care must be measured and the backlog of treatments and waiting lists resolved as quickly and safely as possible.
“The pandemic has created a huge degree of uncertainty over current and future health and social care budgets and we are keen to be given more detail on the long-term implications of this uncertainty.
“We are also surprised at the lack of information available on potential NHS savings caused by the large number of services which ceased operating during lockdown.
“Since the arrival of the pandemic we have seen a remarkable reduction in delayed discharge numbers and there have been welcome innovations across the health service to help respond to this crisis, but the challenge now is to continue these successes and to ensure we do not revert to the old way of working.”
The report also looks into the impact of the pandemic on GP practices. Concerns are raised by the Committee about evidence received which suggested some GPs were refusing to see patients as a result of the pandemic.
The Committee has said there must be consistency in service delivery and accessibility across all GP practices.
The Committee also calls on the Scottish Government to provide detail on how GP workload has been affected by the pandemic, saying the introduction of community hubs inevitably leads to questions of what GPs have been doing during the coronavirus crisis. Similar questions are asked about non-emergency NHS staff.
The Covid-19 international travel and quarantine regulations were also scrutinised by the Committee and they have recommended that all passengers arriving into Scotland should be tested for the virus as a health protection measure and to potentially shorten the length of quarantine periods.
MSPs on the Committee have said identifying, checking and tracing those persons subject to quarantine should be given the highest priority and the numbers being followed up must be substantially increased beyond current target figures.
The creation of a comprehensive route-map to a green recovery from Covid-19, with policy and budgetary coherence at its heart, must be a key priority for the Scottish Government, according to Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.
In its Green Recovery report published today, alongside its pre-Budget Scrutiny 2021/22 report, the Committee states that we need an integrated, bold approach to recovery that is based on community cohesion, wellbeing and equality and transcends sectoral boundaries.
The Committee recommends a green recovery route-map is needed to signpost the way: with clear timelines, clear responsibilities for delivery across all parts of the public sector and clear delivery plans for each sector.
Budgetary alignment with the responsibilities is vital, as is regular reporting (to the Parliament, and to the people) and the route-map should enable a shared understanding of where we want to be – the vision.
Importantly, the reports also call for an increased commitment and front-loaded financial resourcing of efforts aimed at the recovery from Covid-19.
The Committee goes further to recommend that new policies, proposals and public spend must meet certain tests to ensure that they are aligned to the delivery of strategic goals. It says that to date there has been a lack of policy coherence, which has undermined objectives and the delivery of outcomes.
To this end, the reports lay out substantive recommendations for action which are “often interlinked and overlapping – and to maximise their benefits, need to be delivered together, and with urgency”.
Speaking as the reports were launched, Committee Convener, Gillian Martin MSP, said: “The cross-cutting nature of the challenges presented by Covid-19 and the climate and ecological crisis represents a whole system challenge never witnessed before.
“Yet through Covid, Scotland has seen first-hand how a coherent route-map approach, combined with strong leadership, can affect the necessary change in our policies and behaviour and with the urgency needed.
“Scotland must use this impetus, and the opportunities presented in both the Budget 2021-22 and the Climate Change Plan update, to create a net-zero emissions economy.
“So much needs to be done and done now. We need to capture and lock in positive behaviours, front-load investment in low-carbon solutions and build resilience through valuing nature more.
“We need to tackle the implementation gap, where solutions have already been identified but not applied, and deal with policy incoherence, where parts of Government, and the wider public sector, are not working collaboratively.
“Underpinning this, we must focus on people, innovation, skills and jobs. Financial support for a green recovery must also be significantly increased, front loaded and be conditional on delivering national outcomes around the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
“Our Committee took onboard extensive evidence during the inquiry and our recommendations should provide a solid springboard for the swift action needed to deliver a truly green recovery for Scotland – a recovery where no-one is left behind.”
Amongst its key recommendations, the Committee has called on the Scottish Government to:
Repurpose the Inter-Ministerial Group on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development and the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Change, as a green recovery group to drive the Green Recovery across the public and private sector – to be chaired by the First Minister.
Implement a communication and reporting plan to include regular addresses on roles, expectations, progress and next steps (to Parliament and the Nation) by the First Minister, Cabinet colleagues and those providing the evidence and advice.
Review the founding legislation for all public bodies to ensure that responding to the climate and ecological crises is at the centre of statutory requirements placed on all those receiving public sector funding.
Carry out a skills audit and produce a skills action plan which offers upskilling and reskilling to those who need it, so people transition into low carbon, green jobs with no gap in employment.
Work with the UK Government to co-ordinate and finance a sufficiently large investment stimulus.
Ensure low carbon capital investments are delivered through green jobs to support recovery – by front-loading spend in the Budget 2021-22 and through multi-year spending plans such as the Infrastructure Investment Plan and Capital Spending Review.
Bring forward a Natural Capital Plan for Scotland, establish a natural capital baseline with monitoring reports to check progress and align plans for job creation with the need for nature-based solutions/natural capital enhancement.
Set out a green investment strategy and increase the level of assets available to the Scottish National Investment Bank for lending.
Establish an enterprise fund to provide financial support including grants and low-cost loans, to support business models that have emerged as a result of innovation during lock-down.
Support capacity building in communities and prioritise and fund the creation of community work hubs attached to childcare facilities and community spaces.
The Scottish Parliament has released a podcast which provides detail about the Green Recovery & Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2021/22 inquiry process along with commentary from Committee Convener, Gillian Martin MSP on the specific recommendations being made in the reports (15m/55 secs into podcast) – https://scottishparliament.podbean.com/
A Holyrood Committee has called on the Scottish Government to set out how it intends to address the disproportionately negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on protected groups, such as women and young people as well as disabled people and black and minority ethnic communities, in its post-Covid economic recovery plan.
As part of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee pre-budget scrutiny, MSPs heard evidence from a range of organisations on the financial implications of Covid-19 on local authorities and third sector equalities organisations and how health and social inequalities exacerbated by Covid-19 can be addressed in Scotland’s economic recovery.
In a letter to the Minister for Older People and Equalities, Christina McKelvie MSP, the Committee called for human rights-based approach to budgeting, with more effective targeting of resources.
Committee Convener, Ruth Maguire MSP said: “The Committee is acutely aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing health and social inequalities, increasing the demand on third sector support services and, as the crisis continues, placing increased pressure on public services.
“We are therefore asking the Scottish Government to commit to providing further financial support for the third sector in the longer-term to take pressure away from public services, over and above the emergency funding provided.
“An equality and human rights-based approach to public spending, grounded in high quality evidence and placed at the heart of decision-making, should be the cornerstone of this year’s budget. This would give the Committee confidence that already disadvantaged people would not be forgotten, that there would not be unintended consequences, and equalities impacts could be properly addressed.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to clearly set out the specific actions it intends to take in its Economic Implementation Recovery Plan to address the gendered impact of the pandemic, as well as for other protected groups such as disabled, BME and young people.
“The Committee is also seeking assurance that childcare will be treated as an economic issue and that the role of unpaid carers more generally will be translated into actions in the Recovery Plan.”
MSPs acknowledged that the Scottish Government had introduced new measures to monitor the impact of spending decisions on sex, race, disability and socio‑economic disadvantage, but heard evidence that Scotland was falling behind compared with international comparators.
The letter states: “The Committee very much hopes the new measures put in place by the Scottish Government will have the desired impact, however, we recognise we are coming to the end of the Parliamentary session and so it will be for another committee to continue to scrutinise whether these measures have worked.
“For this reason, the Committee intends in its legacy report to emphasise in the strongest terms to the future committee that if there has not been significant change on mainstreaming, the new committee should consider whether legislating is a viable option to promote change more quickly.”
An expert group that includes police, fire and animal welfare representatives has called for the introduction of no fireworks zones and tighter restrictions on the purchase and use of fireworks.
The independent Firework Review Group has submitted its final report to Ministers, urging a fundamental shift in the way fireworks are bought and used.
The call comes following widespread public support across Scotland to reduce the negative impact of fireworks.
The group, chaired by former Chief Fire Officer Alasdair Hay, has recommended a number of measures be taken forward, including:
the introduction of mandatory conditions when fireworks are purchased from retailers
restricting the times of day fireworks can be sold and volume of fireworks that can be purchased at any one time
restricting the days and times fireworks can be set off
the introduction of no firework areas or zones
the creation of a proxy purchasing offence to prevent adults from buying fireworks on behalf of those under the age of 18
Responding to the report, Community Safety Minister Ash Denham told Parliament: “I welcome and fully endorse these recommendations and thank Alasdair Hay and the members of the Review Group for their diligent work, especially in recent months during the pandemic.
“We are determined to keep all of Scotland’s communities safe from the harmful use of fireworks and the group’s findings will help us achieve that.
“I will now explore how these recommendations can be implemented, within the powers available to Parliament, and bring forward legislation to make these a reality.
“With Bonfire Night approaching, it is vital the public continues to adhere to the rules on meeting up with other households to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“If someone does plan on using fireworks I would urge them to please do so responsibly and safely and to be mindful of their neighbours.
“I would also ask them to consider the various harmful impacts the noise of fireworks can have, including on our veterans, those with sensory issues and on our pets and livestock. Adapting alternative celebrations and sticking to the rules in place can go a huge way to ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Chair of the Review Group Alasdair Hay said: “I am pleased to set out the recommendations from the Firework Review Group. We have carefully considered the available evidence, and believe a step change is needed in how fireworks are accessed and used by the general public.
“This is not to prevent adults using fireworks sensibly and safely – rather, to ensure all safety requirements are fully understood and adhered to, and the impact on others has been fully considered.”
The Scottish Parliament is today announcing its first virtual Festival of Politics, with events moving online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taking place from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st November, the entire Festival is free to attend.
The Festival programme – in partnership with the Scottish Parliament’s think tank, Scotland’s Futures Forum – puts the spotlight on the key issues facing society, with COVID-19 and our recovery from the pandemic being a core theme throughout. In addition to COVID-19 and its impact, topics covered include climate change, the American Presidential election, Brexit, and the type of country Scotland is likely to be in ten years’ time.
Speaking as the Festival programme was launched, the Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, said:“We are delighted to launch this year’s Festival of Politics which for the first time will be held online and will be free to watch.
“The Parliament has always prided itself on being open and accessible to all and moving the festival online provides us with another method by which we can engage with people of all ages and backgrounds from across Scotland and beyond.
“The challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic have affected every aspect of our lives and it has never been more important for panellists and audience members to come together to discuss and share ideas on the best way forward for society.
“But we are not just focused on the pandemic. With sessions devoted to climate change, race, Brexit and the American elections, we will be taking on all the major issues of our time.
“I’d encourage everyone to get online from November 19th, watch for free and join the debate for Festival of Politics 2020.”
Offering people a unique chance to engage with MSPs, journalists, academics and commentators, attendees can take part in the Festival at www.parliament.scot/festival
Opening statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in yesterday’s debate (Tuesday 27 October):
Presiding Officer, I will begin by moving the motion in my name and also confirm that we will also consider each opposition amendment carefully.
While we don’t necessarily agree with all of them in their entirety, there are good suggestions in each of them and so, regardless of how the votes go this evening, we will seek to take these forward constructively.
The Scottish Government published our new strategic approach to tackling COVID on Friday. This included the proposed 5 levels of intervention.
I will not repeat all of the detail today. But I will set out some changes we are proposing as a result of our considerations since Friday. And I will give a very preliminary indication of the levels that we think might apply to different parts of Scotland from next Monday.
I would draw members’ attention to a technical paper that we have published today giving more detail of the data and wider factors that will guide these decisions.
Firstly, though, I will just briefly summarise today’s statistics, which were published a short time ago.
The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 1,327. The total number of confirmed cases in Scotland is now 59,201. The number of positive tests reported yesterday was 8.7% of the total.
1,100 people are currently in hospital – an increase of 48 from yesterday. I think it is worth noting Presiding Officer that for those who think we are being too tough with the restrictions right now.
The number in hospital right now is just 400 short of the number of hospitalisations at the April peak.
82 people are in intensive care, which is 8 fewer than yesterday. And in the last 24 hours, I’m sorry to report that 25 additional deaths have been registered.
Which takes the total number of deaths, under this measurement, to 2,726.
I want to send, again, my deepest condolences to all those who are grieving a loved one.
The rise in cases that we are seeing in Scotland is part of an international pattern.
It is reflected elsewhere in the UK, Europe, and around the world. Indeed, many countries across Europe in particular face a much more severe situation than we do currently.
However, it is to try to avoid that kind of deterioration and to try to avoid mounting pressure on our National Health Service that we are acting firmly at this stage.
It is why we acted back in September to stop household gatherings, and then took further action earlier this month to restrict hospitality.
The positive news is that we believe the restriction on household gatherings may already be having an effect.
The number of new cases is growing more slowly than at the start of the month, and we have not seen the 9 day doubling of cases that was predicted earlier this month.
We hope that the effect of the difficult, and I know unwelcome, restrictions on hospitality, which have been in force now for just over 2 weeks, will soon start to be seen as well.
Our hope is that the rate of increase in new cases will slow even further and we will then see a decline in the number of new cases.
And if we do see that progress, it is important to stress that that will be down to a reduction in our interactions with each other as a result of the restrictions in place.
It’s important to bear that in mind as I run through some of the detail of the new levels because, while this is difficult for all of us and it is difficult for many businesses, it is by reducing our interactions with people – in other households, and in environments with higher risks of transmission – that we will continue to make progress.
All of that said our position just now is still fragile, and it is too early to draw firm conclusions. Cases are still rising, and that is not a stable position to be in.
And given that we are entering winter, COVID is likely to present a significant, continued challenge for us – with higher numbers of cases than we would want to see – for some time to come.
In addition, given the lag effect associated with the incubation period of the virus and how it affects people over time, we know that we are also likely to see hospital and ICU admissions and unfortunately deaths rise for some time yet, even as we hope the rate of increase in cases continue to slow.
So all of this means we must continue to be very cautious – and we must take the action necessary to suppress the virus to the lowest possible levels.
But given that we are likely to be living with this virus for a while, it also means that we must try be as proportionate and as targeted as possible in the actions that we take.
As I was saying the virus, we know, does direct harm to human life and health and that must be minimised. But we also know that the actions we take to do this also cause harm – to the economy and living standards and to wider health and wellbeing.
So the difficult task that all countries have is to balance all of that and minimise the overall harm of the pandemic.
The strategic framework – and the 5 levels – are designed to help us do that.
Having 5 levels does not prevent us from applying restrictions consistently across the country if that is deemed necessary.
But it means we can avoid a one size fits all approach if it is not. It will enable a part of the country with relatively low transmission to live with fewer restrictions than an area with much higher transmission.
Such an approach is more proportionate but the downside is that it makes the messages we communicate more complex.
To help with that, we will be launching a new postcode checker to allow people to know what restrictions are in place in their area at any given time.
The detail within each level is intended to give people greater certainty of what to expect at different rates of transmission.
But it is important that we retain some flexibility.
I want to be clear that we will keep the detail of each level under review as the situation develops.
And that’s a point that may be particularly relevant to the hospitality industry.
Let me, Presiding Officer try to make some progress, I just want to summarise for parliament today the levels we are proposing. Members should note that levels 1, 2 & 3 of the 5 levels are intended to be broadly comparable, albeit not identical, to the 3 levels deployed in England.
I explained on Friday that the baseline level – zero – is the lowest level of restrictions.
It is similar to the state of affairs that applied in August when we had suppressed the virus to very low levels.
We consider this to be the closest to normality we can get to without better treatment or a vaccine for COVID.
Of course, we remain hopeful about the prospects of both these scientific developments over the next few months.
Level 1 is similar to the restrictions we had in mid-September, as cases started to rise again but prevalence remained very low.
Our objective, of course, is to get all parts of the country to level 0 or level 1 and remain there if we can.
The restrictions we propose for level 2 are similar to those that currently apply across Scotland outside the central belt.
Level 3 resembles the tougher restrictions which currently apply in the central belt.
And finally, level 4 – which we hope not to have to use – envisages something closer to a full lockdown. For example non-essential shops would close at that level.
However even in level 4, up to 6 people from up to 2 households could still meet outdoors; and manufacturing and construction businesses would stay open.
Levels 2 and 3 are intended to apply for short periods of time and level 4 will be deployed only if absolutely necessary as a short, sharp intervention to address extremely high transmission rates.
Under all 5 levels, we would expect schools and childcare to remain open if at all possible.
Since publishing our proposed levels on Friday, we have consulted with various stakeholders.
And as I said those consultations included discussion with opposition leaders.
Of course it is not possible to accommodate all the asks of different sectors and still suppress the virus.
But I can confirm that we have decided on some changes that will hopefully be welcomed. These relate to childcare, shared parenting and child contact centres; outdoor retail; bingo; and numbers allowed at weddings at level 4.
Full details are on the revised table circulated to MSPs earlier and will be made available on the Scottish Government website.
Before turning to hospitality in a bit of detail – because that is one of the sectors bearing the biggest impact of current restrictions – let me mention one other, hopefully temporary, change.
The table published on Friday envisaged that at level 1 we would be able to meet with 6 people from 2 households in our own homes. But it also made it clear that this might change in some circumstances.
The public health advice to Ministers is that if a decision is taken this week to move any area to level 1, the current prohibition on meeting anyone from other households in our own homes should remain in place for a period as an extra precaution.
We intend to accept this advice. But, that position will be reviewed weekly.
I want to turn, Presiding Officer, now to hospitality. I will describe the restrictions that will apply in each level and outline any changes from the current situation.
I hope the changes will be welcome but I know that the sector will have wanted to see even fewer restrictions, especially at level 3.
I will explain why that is not possible at this stage. However, I want to be clear that we will continue dialogue with the sector on the proposals it has put forward.
We also intend to establish an expert advisory group on reintroducing safe low level music and background noise.
At level 0, hospitality will operate almost normally – subject to rules on physical distancing, limits on numbers and other mitigations, such as table service only.
Level 1 will be similar but with a curfew closing time. However, that will be 10.30 rather than 10pm.
Level 2 is broadly comparable to the restrictions currently in place outside the central belt.
Currently, in these areas, hospitality can operate normally outdoors with an early closing time. I know this will get more difficult in winter. That will continue to be the case under level 2 – but the closing time will be extended to 10.30pm.
Just now premises in these areas can open indoors until 6pm for the service of food and non-alcoholic drinks only. At level 2, that will be extended to 8pm and alcohol will be permitted with main meals.
In the central belt areas under tougher restrictions just now, only cafes can open, until 6pm and for food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Level 3 is broadly similar but all hospitality premises will be subject to the same rules – so cafes, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open until 6pm for food and non-alcoholic drinks.
At level 4, hospitality will be closed.
I know the sector wants to see more activity allowed, especially at level 3 and will continue to discuss that with them.
But I must stress that areas at level 3 are the areas with the highest levels of infection.
Our judgment is that to ease up anymore at this stage – particularly as our progress remains so fragile – could risk tipping these levels closer to level 4, rather than have them make the progress we want to see towards level 2.
Assuming Parliament agrees the overall framework today Presiding officer, I will confirm on Thursday what level each local authority will be placed into initially. This will be with effect from Monday and it will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
These decisions will be based on advice from the government’s advisers and the national incident management team. We are also consulting with local authorities.
While we will initially apply levels to whole local authority areas, we will look in future at any situation where it might make sense to be more targeted – for example, a different approach for the Argyll islands than for the rest of the Argyll & Bute council area.
As I said earlier, we have published a technical paper detailing the factors and data that will guide these decisions.
We will look at actual and projected cases per 100,000 of population, test positivity rates, and projections for hospital and ICU capacity. And different thresholds for these will apply at different levels.
It is important to stress though that these decisions will not involve the automatic application of a single statistic or even basket of statistics. These will inform and guide the decisions but judgment will required to be applied to them.
As we migrate initially to this new system, we will be deliberately cautious.
As I said earlier, we are seeing signs of progress but the situation is very fragile and could go in the wrong direction – so we must take care.
I hope that over the next couple of weeks – if progress in slowing the rate of new cases continues – we will see more local authorities dropping down a level.
But initially, most are likely to stay in broadly the same category as now.
Now final decisions have not yet been taken but I want to give parliament a broad indication today of what that means.
The central belt areas currently under the toughest restrictions, are likely to be in level 3 initially. And most of the rest of the country is likely to start in level 2.
There are however some exceptions under consideration.
Firstly, it is hoped that the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Moray might go to level 1.
Less positively, we believe that the escalating situation in Dundee City makes it possible it will go to level 3.
And, as has been reported, we are considering whether the very high rate of transmission and hospital admissions in North and South Lanarkshire may necessitate a move for them to level 4. These are the only areas currently being considered for level 4.
There have however been some encouraging signs in the last few days that the situation in Lanarkshire may have stabilised slightly.
So we will only take this decision if it is deemed absolutely necessary and I hope we can avoid it.
As I say, I hope to confirm these decisions to Parliament ahead of FMQs on Thursday.
For all of Scotland Presiding officer, our aim is to get to level 1, and then to level 0 of the framework as quickly as it is possible to do.
We know this is possible because over the summer, we got to the very low levels of transmission that would be needed for that.
If we can do it once, we can do it again. But it will not be easy. It will take action from the government to support the wider efforts.
That’s why our strategic approach doesn’t simply set out restrictions.
It also explains how we will expand testing, and the steps we will take to better support people to comply with the rules, especially on self-isolation.
We set out details of our testing expansion in the paper we published last week.
And finally Presiding officer,
We know that while government must lead, success against this virus will depend on all of us.
It is difficult and frustrating, and getting more so by the day, especially as we head towards Christmas.
But if we dig in now and get Covid under more control, we perhaps open the door – not to 100% normality at Christmas – but hopefully to more than we have right now.
We all want that.
So please stick with it.
As of Monday, make sure you check what restrictions apply in your area.
Please stay out of other people’s houses, except for the limited reasons allowed.
Follow the rules on:
Face coverings.
Avoiding crowded areas.
Cleaning hands and hard surfaces.
2 m distancing.
And self-isolate, and book a test, if you have symptoms.
And all of us must try to be as patient as possible at not being able to go to the football or for a pint or out for a meal with friends.
These are hard sacrifices – but they will protect you and your loved ones. They will help protect the NHS. And they will save lives.
And right now, Presiding officer, that is what we must all pull together to do.
Expansion of hospitality provisions
Changes to current restrictions
The new levels framework will increase the opportunity for hospitality businesses to operate during different levels of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
Under the new system set out by the Scottish Government, hospitality premises may sell alcohol indoors with a main meal up to 8pm at level two, enabling the service of an early evening meal. At present, hospitality premises outside the central belt cannot serve alcohol indoors and must close indoors at 6pm.
At level three – equivalent to the current restrictions in the central belt – the definition of cafes will be removed, enabling all hospitality premises to operate in the daytime, up to 6pm, without the sale of alcohol.
Hotels and other accommodation will continue to be able to serve evening meals to residents.
The expansion of the hospitality provisions within the new levels system takes effect from Monday 2nd November and will be kept under review as the spread of the virus hopefully stabilises.
The Scottish Government has also committed to taking forward a range of additional mitigations suggested by the industry with the sector, as well as continuing to consider how low level background sound in hospitality premises can be safely managed.
The changes follow close engagement with the sector, since Friday, including ministerial discussions on Saturday, and discussions are continuing on the content of the relevant regulations.
Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing said:“I understand that any restrictions are hard for business and I know that many will want us to go further, however this is a proportionate relaxation of the current rules that will enable premises to serve evening meals and alcohol in level two, in addition to removing the distinction between cafés and other licensed premises at level three.
“We need to be very cautious at level three, to ensure that the restrictions in place contribute to reducing the spread of the virus, so that they can be lifted as soon as possible.
“I want to thank the sector for its constructive engagement over the weekend and commit to continuing these discussions as we go forward.”
Scotland’s licensed hospitality sector presented the Scottish Government with an alternative workable Strategic Framework ahead of yesterday’s debate in the Scottish Parliament.
Industry Groups wrote ahead of the scheduled debate on the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework that will set the course of hospitality for the next six months.
While emphasising that hospitality in Scotland is not to blame for the spread of the virus, the trade bodies have sought clarification on a number of issues and made proposals designed to support a sector that has been devastated by the COVID-19 crisis.
Higher levels of restrictions will require higher levels of support for businesses. These must be at least in line with levels in England.
The economic support made available in the form of grants will not be sufficient. There must be information from the Scottish Government as soon as possible on how it intends to use its share of the £700 million funding allocated recently by the Chancellor to the devolved governments.
Urgent confirmation of how the Job Support Scheme will work for Scottish businesses to save up to 70,000 jobs.
Support must be provided for sub-sectors including music and entertainment venues, nightclubs and conference centres, that are unable to open.
Anomalies regarding the serving of meals in cafes but not pubs or restaurants, or hotels unable to serve alcohol to residents, must be reviewed immediately.
The letter also urged the Scottish Government to ensure it does not impose any restrictions longer than is necessary, with any measures regularly reviewed.
There also needs to be a clear roadmap for how areas facing tighter restrictions can work towards exiting those restrictions, with comprehensive guidance for businesses, based on consultation, issued in advance of any new measures.
The sector has confirmed it is prepared to make additional concessions to assuage concerns of the MSPs and the Scottish Government.
In a joint statement, the trade bodies said:
Today the Scottish Parliament will debate the Scottish Government’s proposed Strategic Framework for dealing with COVID. The framework, as it was announced last week, will clearly have an enormous impact on the lives of people and businesses. No other sector has been as heavily disrupted as hospitality and the planned framework looks set to provide further restrictions which may destroy businesses and wipe out jobs.
Clearly the objective for everyone must be to contain the spread of the virus. It must, however, be done in a way which gives the incredibly valuable businesses in our sector the best possible chance of survival and a more equal shouldering of the burden at this time. If we are not careful, businesses will be closed for good and jobs permanently lost.
We are now calling on the Scottish Government, and all MSPs, to acknowledge that our sector stands to lose the most if the framework is not absolutely right. They must take on board our points and ensure that any legislation, that is designed to keep communities safe and businesses intact, does not have the unintended consequence of delivering the final blow.”
