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Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill

This Bill would change the law so that health boards will have the option to provide compensation for people they ask to self-isolate. However, they will not be obliged to do so, to anyone they ask to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

This is a Government bill

The Bill became an Act on 23 March 2022

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, health boards were required to compensate people who they asked to self-isolate due to an infectious disease. This was required by the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008

The Coronavirus Act 2020 changed this. The 2020 Act let health boards decide whether people who are self-isolating because of COVID-19 received compensation under the 2008 Act. The relevant provision of the 2020 Act will expire in March 2022.

This Bill would change the law so that health boards will still have the option to provide compensation. However, they will not be obliged to do so, to anyone they ask to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

The law will apply until 31 October 2022. The Bill allows for the Scottish Government to reduce or extend that period if required.

Why the Bill was created

When the relevant provision of the Coronavirus Act 2020 expires, health boards will be required to fully compensate people they ask to self-isolate with COVID-19. This Bill will allow health boards to have a choice over whether they do this.

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (117KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Policy Memorandum (187KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Financial Memorandum (185KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Delegated Powers Memorandum (144KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Statements on legislative competence (88KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021 

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

Explanatory Notes (130KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Policy Memorandum (197KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Financial Memorandum (180KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Delegated Powers Memorandum (159KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Statements on legislative competence  (144KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021

Financial Resolution

The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

Research briefing on the Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill


The Bill was introduced on 15 November 2021

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the COVID-19 Recovery Committee.

Call for views (closed)

The COVID-19 Recovery Committee held a call for views to help inform its examination of the Bill.

Read the call for views

The call for views closed on 10 December 2021.

Meetings of the lead committee

Correspondence: lead committee

Self Isolation Changes

Letter from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for COVID Recovery, Scottish Government to the Convener, 5 January 2022

Self Isolation Exemptions

Letter from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for COVID Recovery, Scottish Government to the Convener on 23 December 2021

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

The COVID-19 Recovery Committee published its report on 13 January 2022.

Stage 1 Report on the Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill

The Committee received the following response to its report:

Scottish Government response to the Stage 1 Report

Work by other committees

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meetings


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 20 January 2022 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
  • Motion title: Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill.
  • Submitted by: John Swinney
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 13 January 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-02792
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 20 January 2022

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 20 January 2022

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

First meeting on amendments

Documents with the amendments to be considered at the meeting held on 27 January:

Marshalled list of amendments at Stage 2 (134KB, pdf) posted 25 January 2022

Groupings of amendments at Stage 2 (148KB, pdf) posted 25 January 2022

Revised Documents

Revised Explanatory Notes (108KB, pdf) posted 31 January 2022

Revised Delegated Powers Memorandum (134KB, pdf) posted 31 January 2022

Revised Documents (print versions)

Revised Explanatory Notes (136KB, pdf) posted 28 January 2022

Revised Delegated Powers Memorandum (152KB, pdf) posted 28 January 2022

Work by other committees

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meetings


The Bill ended Stage 2 on 27 January 2022

Stage 3: final changes and vote

At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them.  There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law. 

Final version of the bill

There were no amendments at Stage 3. The Bill as amended at Stage 2 is the final version of the Bill

Final debate on the Bill

Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
  • Motion title: Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: John Swinney
  • Date lodged: Monday, 07 February 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-03080
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 09 February 2022

Result 122 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 7 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 9 February 2022

Bill becomes an Act

The Bill was passed on 9 February 2022 and became an Act on 23 March 2022.

Read the Act

Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Act 2022