Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh on 7 October 2020 Presiding Officer, I will update the chamber today on the current position in relation to Covid. I will give an assessment of the current course of the pandemic; propose difficult but important temporary measures to stem the increase in cases; set out how we will support businesses affected by them; and update the chamber on the longer term work we are doing to further improve our ability to live with Covid.
Plans have been announced for Higher and Advanced Higher exams to go ahead in 2021, while National 5 exams will be replaced by a system where grades are awarded based on coursework and teacher judgement. It means the volume of exams that will take place will be reduced by half, lowering public health risks and allowing plans for Higher and Advanced Highers to proceed.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (October, 6th) sold 12 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (2) averaged 220.4p (+8.9p) and sold to 222.0p per kg and £1,281.15 gross.
The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) has published a plan for the sector's recovery from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). The plan, which has been created following extensive consultation, focusses on the joint action required between the industry and the public sector to respond to the pandemic.
Linked statements from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Finance Ministers from across the devolved nations have joined forces to call for flexibility, fairness and clarity from the UK Government.
Hundreds of thousands of job seekers are set to benefit from a new employment programme launching today (Monday 5 October 2020). JETS (Job Entry Targeted Support) is backed by a £238 million investment and is dedicated to supporting those left jobless due to Covid-19.
A new national support service will help children and adults diagnosed with autism to understand and embrace their identity. The service will provide online support on a range of issues, offer practical help and connect autistic people and their families with peers.
Innovative new health technology is being adapted by Scotland's NHS to improve patient care and meet demand for services that had to be paused due to COVID-19. The Cytosponge is one example of this, offering a faster, simpler alternative to endoscopy procedures for diagnosing conditions such as Barrett's Oesophagus, which is a known risk factor for oesophageal cancer.
A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation underlines that poverty in Scotland is not improving and indeed in many cases is getting worse. The pressures of Covid are adding to the problems.
The number of adults allowed to attend parent and baby groups has been increased, subject to certain conditions, following the publication of updated public health advice. When all children in a group are less than 12 months old, and other health and safety criteria are met, groups will now allow up to ten adults to be present at one time.
Several government departments are starting a new initiative today to make it easier for veterans to secure employment in the Civil Service. The initiative, known as the ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans', delivers on a manifesto commitment and is the most recent step in a wider commitment from the government to make the Civil Service a more welcoming place for veterans.
Overhaul to improve children's rights. New national standards for secure care have been developed for the first time setting out what support children should expect from professionals when in the community or secure care.
Police and courts will gain powers to remove suspected abusers from victims' homes and ban them from re‑entering under new legislation published today. The Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill, if passed by Parliament, will also allow social landlords to end or transfer a tenancy of a perpetrator of domestic abuse to prevent a victim becoming homeless and enabling them to remain in the family home.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock updated Parliament on the government's response to coronavirus. Mr Speaker, with permission, I would like to make a statement on coronavirus.
HMRC has written to universities, through Universities UK, asking them to help ensure their students know how to spot a scam. Students starting university this year are being warned by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they could be targeted by a fresh wave of tax scams.
The numbers for Covid cases announced on 3rd October 2020 for Scotland show that the spread of the disease goes on. 764 new cases of COVID-19 reported; this is 12.1% of newly tested individuals.
Self Assessment customers can apply online for additional support to help spread the cost of their tax bill into monthly payments from today (1 October), without the need to call HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The online payment plan service can already be used to set up instalment arrangements for paying tax liabilities up to £10,000.
The by-election for The Highland Council's Ward 12 - Aird and Loch Ness has been postponed for public safety due to the coronavirus pandemic. Returning Officer, Donna Manson is implementing clause 70 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 that allows Returning Officers to postpone Local Authority Elections in Scotland and will set a new by-election date for 2021 once all available dates have been considered.
The Prime Minister confirms that 40 hospitals will be built in England by 2030 as part of a package worth £3.7 billion. Funding confirmed for 40 hospitals, with a further 8 schemes invited to bid for future funding to deliver 48 hospitals by 2030.
A Royal Navy task group has prevented drugs worth more than £160 million from potentially reaching the UK on two daring operations in the Caribbean. RFA Argus, alongside her Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, Royal Marines and US Coast Guard teams, worked with Dutch Navy ship HNLMS Groningen to seize 1.7 tonnes of cocaine and 28kg of amphetamines.