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The Family Friendly Working Scotland partnership ceased operations on 31 March 2020 and is no longer funded by the Scottish Government and we do not hold the information requested.

Further to the COVID-19 Strategic Framework, and in keeping with the move to a levels based approach, Regulation 6 of the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 provides a power of entry for all “relevant persons”, along with detailed conditions as to how and when that power may be exercised.

The Scottish Government has informally consulted with public bodies and other relevant stakeholders affected by the levels-based approach, which the Regulations implement, including Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and Local Authorities.

As with the other measures taken to tackle the public health emergency, Regulation 6 will be in place for no longer than is justified and, like the other Regulations currently in force, will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Police Scotland continue to apply the 4Es approach of Engagement, Explanation, Encouragement with Enforcement only as a last resort, and has reported that, to date, compliance with the Regulations has generally been good.

We are providing support both as a result of the brake restrictions and the Strategic Framework.

For between 9 October and 2 November, the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund will now provide one-off grants of up to £4,310 to businesses required to close by regulations. For businesses that may remain open but are directly impacted by the restrictions, the maximum hardship fund grant will increase to £2,155. Additionally, grants of £1,650 will help those firms that are required to close to help meet the 20% employer’s contribution that they required to pay under the current UK Government furlough scheme.

From 2 November, grants will be available for every 4 week period of restrictions. As outlined in the Strategic Framework, announced 23 October, grants of £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on rateable value) will be available for business required to close by law. A hardship grant of £1,400 or £2,100 (depending on rateable value) for businesses that remain open but are directly impacted by restrictions.

Although the Scottish Government recognises that this has been a particularly difficult year for hospitality businesses, the Scottish Government cannot compensate businesses for all loss. This is emergency, lifeline funding for businesses and builds on our already substantial package of over £2.3 billion which has been awarded so far.

We know more support will be needed into the future however the Scottish Government’s resources are limited – we do not have the borrowing powers required to fully support industries affected by the impact of covid. Along with other Devolved Administrations we have consistently pressed the UK Government for increased powers to enable us to tailor our response and we will continue to make that case.

The terms of the lease would be a commercial matter between Highlands & Islands Enterprise and the BiFab Board of Directors. Further details of how to obtain a copy of the lease can be found on the Registers of Scotland website - https://www.ros.gov.uk/services/order-documents#registerofdeeds

This is an operational and management matter and would therefore be for the BiFab Board of Directors to consider.

Backwards contact tracing is regularly undertaken by Test and Protect’s contact tracers, going back 7 days prior to symptom onset in positive cases to establish where infections may have occurred.

The evidence paper on infection trends, published on 7 October 2020, shows the percentage of individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 that reported having visited a venue or taken part in a recreational activity within 7 days of their symptoms developing or receiving a positive test.

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-evidence-paper-october-2020/ .

The Maternity Rights Advice Lines of Maternity Action is an independent advice service, not operated or funded by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government is making a £30 million package available to local authorities to support people facing financial insecurity as a result of COVID-19.

£10 million from this funding package will be used to enable local authorities to provide free school meals, or an alternative provision to free school meals, to eligible families during the forthcoming Christmas and February mid-term holidays. Funding will also be provided to local authorities to cover the Easter holidays in 2021.

Local authorities which continued to make provision available to eligible families during the recent October mid-term holidays will also be reimbursed through this funding package.

An evidence paper on infection trends has been produced by the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director and was published on 7 October 2020 - www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-evidence-paper-october-2020/ .

The aviation industry has been profoundly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with passenger numbers across the world far below previous levels. In order to secure their businesses for the long term airlines are making adjustments to schedules across their networks to better match capacity to demand. It is neither economically nor environmentally desirable for aircraft to be flying empty.

Transport Scotland officials have met regularly with stakeholders about air services from Wick, including the Chamber of Commerce. We are considering carefully the business case submitted by the Caithness Chamber of Commerce for the direct subsidy of air services to Wick and will respond as soon as possible. We have been clear that any intervention would require multiple funding partners to restore scheduled services at Wick.