News Archive
14/4/2020
Support For Those At High Covid-19 Risk
National helpline established for those who do not have family or community support. A new national helpline is being set up to provide essential assistance to those who don't have a network of support but who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19.14/4/2020
Wellbeing Fund Open For Bids
Charities invited to apply for cash help. Third sector organisations across Scotland are being encouraged to apply for emergency funding to help cope with the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19).14/4/2020
Pay Rise For Social Care Staff - Immediate wage increase and sick pay provision
Social care staff are to receive an immediate 3.3% pay increase backdated from 1 April 2020. The move, agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA, means staff will not need to wait for the pay to be backdated at a point later in the year following negotiations, as has happened in previous years.14/4/2020
Serco NorthLink Ferries cracks down on non-essential travel
Serco NorthLink Ferries continues to request that travellers stay at home and help to save lives as the company was forced to refuse travel to 23 passengers since 22 March. As part of the national effort to deal with the current public health crisis, NorthLink Ferries has been monitoring passengers' reasons for travelling, which are captured during the booking process, and denying travel to or from the Northern Isles to those who disclose non-essential reasons.14/4/2020
New Mental Health Support
Additional support to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing during and after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The support includes an investment of more than £1 million towards the expansion of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme to help people in distress, and the launch of a new mental health marketing campaign across television, radio, print and online.14/4/2020
Office Of Budget Responsibility - A Scenario on Government Deficit
Coronavirus lockdown to deliver large (but hopefully temporary) shock to the economy and public finances. In addition to its impact on public health, the coronavirus outbreak will substantially raise public sector net borrowing and debt, primarily reflecting economic disruption.
14/4/2020
Criminal Trials During Covid-19 Outbreak
Discussion paper published ahead of talks and update to Parliament. Potential options for progressing serious criminal cases during the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency and its aftermath have been published by the Scottish Government.14/4/2020
Transport community to help COVID-19 efforts
Plans to help people attend medical appointments. New arrangements are being put in place to tap into the groundswell of support from the transport community to help people with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms attend urgent but non-emergency medical appointments.14/4/2020
Support For Coastal Businesses
Scottish Crown Estate revenue available for COVID-19 pressures. Coastal businesses and third sector organisations affected by COVID-19 can now benefit from a £7.2 million Scottish Crown Estate fund which is devolved to councils.14/4/2020
Reassurance For Students During Coronavirus Outbreak
Extra time for prospective students to decide. Prospective university and college students are being reassured that they will receive their results on time, and universities and colleges will assess qualifications as part of the admissions process.14/4/2020
New Measures To Protect Business Tenants
Notice period for commercial leases extended from 14 days to 14 weeks. The notice period before a commercial lease can be terminated for non-payment of rent has been extended, as part of new measures to help businesses introduced in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act.11/4/2020
Bank Of England - Financial Policy Committee Statement
The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) met on Thursday 9 April to review developments in the financial system related to the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus). The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) met on Thursday 9 April to review developments in the financial system related to the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).11/4/2020
Highland business grants start flowing
Businesses across Highland are starting to receive their grants from the COVID-19 Business Grant Scheme. The grant scheme, which now includes self-catering premises, will bring over £94million emergency funding to around 10,000 Highland businesses.11/4/2020
Coronavirus - Scottish Businesses Urged To Join Protective Equipment Battle
The CBI have urged businesses in Scotland to join the ‘battle' to produce protective equipment for the NHS and front-line workers. The organisation has organised a webinar for companies and CBI Scotland Director Tracy Black has urged all those interested to sign-up.11/4/2020
Oceaneering Secures Seabed Clearing Contract For Scottish Wind Farm
Oceaneering International Services Ltd (OISL), a subsidiary of Oceaneering International, Inc. (Oceaneering), has been awarded a contract from Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (MOWEL) to complete seabed route and debris clearance for the Moray East Wind Farm project in the Moray Firth, Scotland.
10/4/2020
Ventilator Manufacture
Scots firms at the forefront of COVID-19 effort. Two companies with facilities in Scotland, are part of an effort led by Babcock international Group, to design and produce more ventilators to ensure the NHS and social care sector has the support and equipment it needs to tackle COVID-19.10/4/2020
GP Practices And Pharmacies Open For Easter
Extended opening hours to ensure services available. General practices and community pharmacies will remain open on Good Friday and Easter Monday to help relieve pressure on out-of-hours services this weekend.10/4/2020
Skills Matching Service To Help Rural Business
Workers connected to farming and animal welfare sector. A new service is being launched to match rural businesses with potential employees and volunteers during the response to coronavirus (COVID-19).10/4/2020
Protecting the social care workforce
Joint statement on PPE guidance. The Scottish Government with COSLA and the SJC Unions have agreed today that the guidance jointly published by the Department of Health and Social Care, Health Protection Scotland (HPS), Public Health Wales, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England on 2 April 2020 is the official and fully comprehensive guidance on the matter of the use of PPE in the context of COVID19.10/4/2020
