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Universities which are only part-funded from the public purse, and which will lose some or all income from other sources as a result of the impact of Coronavirus, can consider furloughing staff and claiming a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) grant from HMRC. However, the decision on whether to apply to the CJRS is for individual institutions, as autonomous bodies, to take themselves. I understand that, under the current guidance, the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has decided it will not be applying to the CJRS for any of its staff.

I further understand that UWS has established an Emergency Hardship Fund, to which UWS students on zero-hours UWS contracts may apply.

The Scottish Government’s decisions have been guided by the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). SAGE provides COBRA and the four UK Governments with advice and recommendations based on scientific evidence. The publication of SAGE advice is not a matter for the Scottish Government.

The SAGE advice has informed consideration by the Chief Medical Officers of the four nations and the public health advice Health Protection Scotland has issued in the form of guidance for specific sectors. In essence, the policy of social distancing underpins all of the Government’s actions to date and the First Minister published Coronavirus (COVID-19): Framework for Decision Making on 23 April which outlines the approach and principles that will guide the Scottish Government as it makes decisions about transitioning out of the current lockdown arrangements. As that document sets out, the Chief Medical Officer of Scotland’s Advisory Group will provide scientific advice specific to Scotland in considering future options, augmenting the advice received from SAGE.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the Scottish Government’s decisions have been guided by the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). SAGE provides COBRA and the four UK Governments with advice and recommendations based on scientific evidence. Their scientific advice and the views of the Chief Medical Officer and other partners informed Ministers’ decision to close schools, with the exception of certain critical provision, from 20 March. This decision was based, firstly, on the scientific advice that closing schools would help to suppress the spread of Coronavirus and, secondly, that it was increasingly difficult to sustain education provision that was compliant with the UK Government advice on social distancing.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the Scottish Government’s decisions have been guided by the advice of the Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE). SAGE provides COBRA and the four UK Governments with advice and recommendations based on scientific evidence. Their scientific advice and the views of the Chief Medical Officer and other partners informed Ministers’ decision to close schools, with the exception of certain critical provision, from 20 March. This decision was based, firstly, on the scientific advice that closing schools would help to suppress the spread of Coronavirus and, secondly, that it was increasingly difficult to sustain education provision that was compliant with the UK Government advice on social distancing.

Our prisons are facing an unprecedented operational and public health challenge. The wellbeing and safety of the wider community as well as all those who live and work in our prisons, is a priority for both this government and the Scottish Prison Service. In line with the existing guidance, prison healthcare centre staff should inform their local health protection team if they suspect that someone has COVID-19 in the prison. Health protection teams can then arrange testing if necessary. The tests that we have available are effective at identifying people who have COVID-19, but only when they are symptomatic. In addition some health boards are also using their discretion to conduct sample testing for those in custody where there has been a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Malcolm Wright, Chief Executive NHS Scotland and Director General (DG) Health & Social Care is the line manager for the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr Gregor Smith, who was the Deputy CMO has been appointed to the role on an interim basis to provide continuity during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was made by DG Health & Social Care in consultation with the Permanent Secretary, and given consideration by the Civil Service Commission and the First Minister. A decision on when to run the recruitment process to appoint a permanent CMO will be made by DG Health & Social Care in due course. It is not possible to set a timescale for that at present as key individuals, including DG Health & Social Care, who would normally be involved in the selection process are unable to devote time to it given the critical nature of their own work. The process will be undertaken in line with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and will be chaired by a Civil Service Commissioner.

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the key worker definition was developed to support the delivery of critical childcare and learning provision. It aims to ensure that children of key workers can still get learning and childcare if their parents or carers absolutely must work away from home, or cannot carry out their critical functions whilst working from home and caring for their children. The Scottish Government has stated within its guidance that we cannot designate whole workforces or entire groups of staff key workers. The number of key workers in each local authority area is not held centrally. The data that has been provided by local authorities indicates that around 1% of the relevant school and early year’s population have been attending local authority hubs since schools were asked to close.

On 1 April 2020 the COP26 UN climate change conference was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19.

We welcome this common sense decision. Given the global health and economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that hosting an international conference in November would be difficult if not impossible. The decision also means that much needed resources can be focussed on the immediate task of saving lives and protecting the economy. The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting Glasgow as host of COP26. When the time is right, we look forward to welcoming delegates to a successful COP26 in Glasgow, that sets the world on course to net-zero in a way that is fair and just.

The Scottish Government is delivering an information campaign aimed at ensuring people experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic know that financial support is available, including help with council tax. In addition annual council tax bills have recently been issued, with contact telephone numbers for local authorities and information on the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Anyone whose income or earnings are impacted by the pandemic and who may now struggle to meet their next council tax payment should discuss this as soon as possible with their council.

Annual statistics on the number of local authority housing eviction actions are published on the Housing Statistics section of the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-management-of-local-authority-housing/ .

The statistics are sourced from annual housing statistics forms collected from local authorities, which includes information on the number of cases resulting in an eviction order, for each year between 2001-02 and 2018-19.