Questions and answers

Question reference: S5F-04792

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 08 February 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 February 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5O-05015

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 February 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the financial support available to self-catering establishments, bed and breakfasts and guest houses.

Question reference: S5F-04774

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 February 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 February 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-04753

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 25 January 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 January 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-04732

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 18 January 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 January 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-04704

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 11 January 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5W-33760

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 22 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting people with blood cancer to make informed choices during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it is supporting them to put their choices into practice.

We want to balance protection with empowering people to make their own decisions about what is right for them. We have introduced extra protection level advice (click here for table of extra advice )to protect people with the highest clinical risk, aligned to the 5 protection levels within the Strategic Framework. As the levels in a local area change, the protection advice for people on the shielding list in that area will change as well. People at highest risk should still follow the advice for the general public as a minimum, but these levels provide additional advice for areas like work, schools, shopping and contact with others.

We are encouraging people to adapt this advice to make it right for them. It is a personal decision how to balance the benefits of protection with quality of life. To support this and to assist those with specific health conditions, we sent (week commencing 7 December), everyone on the shielding list a booklet called Balancing the risks of daily activities during coronavirus ’. This will also be published on-line at mygov.scot.

Our aim is to provide the information, advice and tools to enable and empower those who are on the shielding list to make their own decisions about their day to day activities and interactions. This new advice and guidance will sit alongside a range of information and support including:

SMS Text Alert Service
PHS dashboard data on neighbourhood infection levels
Information on specific conditions
Individual workplace risk assessment tool
Information on how to shop safely
Online priority shopping slots
National Helpline (0800 111 4000)
Local Authority and Third Sector support
Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing support
Offer of Vitamin D over the winter months

Question reference: S5W-33759

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 22 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the financial support available to people with blood cancer who live in areas with high COVID-19 rates and who cannot work from home, and whether it is considering any changes to this.

The advice for people on the shielding list at all protection levels is to work from home where possible. If people cannot, there are several options. The occupational health advice is that the majority of workplaces can be made safe even at protection level 4 providing employers make the necessary adjustments to make the workplace safe. Individuals and employers can draw on advice from Occupational Health Services, Health and Safety representatives, trade unions and professional bodies.

At protection level 4, the Chief Medical Officer issues a shielding notification for those most clinically at risk. While this does not say that those who are at highest clinical risk must stop working if they cannot work from home, it means that they can stop working and access Statutory Sick Pay if, following discussions with employers or other advisors, their work place can’t be made safe, for the whole period that the area they live or work in remains at Level 4.

For those who have been on the shielding list and furloughed the Jobs Retention Scheme (furlough) remains the best way of providing financial support. The Job Retention Scheme has been extended until March 2021.

We are working together with Citizen’s Advice Scotland to help people understand what help is available if they find they are in financial hardship (including help with mortgage and council tax payments). To find out more visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you-s

Question reference: S5F-04682

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 21 December 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 December 2020

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5W-33467

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 16 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are working in Scotland on the Coronavirus (COVID-19): ONS Infection Survey, broken down by (a) role, (b) qualifications required and (c) level of pay; who they are employed by; how many survey teams there are, and how current staff numbers compare with forecasts.

Tell us your views

Seòmar agus comataidhean