Seòmar agus comataidhean

In designing the grant system Scottish Ministers had to balance helping as many businesses as possible against affordability. The decision to prioritise support on small and medium sized businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors was to ensure more efficient use of limited resources and support as many businesses as possible.

As part of phase 3 of Scotland’s route map, auction houses have been able to reopen from 22 July. Sectoral guidance was updated on 17 July and is available on the Scottish Government website.

The Scottish Government has welcomed the report and is giving careful consideration to the recommendations within it. For some time we have argued for reform of the assessment of medical device safety, so we completely agree that this area of reserved competence should be reviewed and strongly urge the UK Government to do so and act quickly.

I have indicated that there will be a government debate on the report as soon as practicable after the summer recess.

The Scottish Government’s guidance on how to travel safely during COVID-19 was updated as the country entered Phase 3 of the routemap to include advice on car sharing and confirms:-

“ You should only travel with members of your own, or extended, household. We recognise that there may be occasions when there is no alternative but to travel with people out with your household. On such occasions, you should:

• share the transport with the same people each time
• keep to small groups of people at any one time
• maintain good ventilation by keeping the car windows open if possible
• ask everyone to wear face-coverings
• clean your hands before and after your journey
• if the vehicle is your responsibility, clean the door handles and other areas that people touch”.

This is an operational matter for Abellio ScotRail.

The Decision Letter for Sandy Knowe Wind Farm was issued on 7 July 2020 which granted section 36 consent and deemed planning permission for the development, following consideration by Scottish Ministers. The material matters raised in the letter from the Upper Nithsdale Community Trust were taken into account together with the application, Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Additional Information, Additional Information 2, consultation responses, representations and all other material information to reach the decision. Given the application was in respect of a project in the parliamentary region of South Scotland, which it is my privilege to represent in the Scottish Parliament, I was not directly involved in the determination of the application.

As the member may already be aware, any community benefit proposed by an applicant is not a material consideration for Scottish Ministers to take into account in the determination of any application.

As part of phase 3 of Scotland’s route map, tattoo studios have been able to reopen from 22 July. Sectoral guidance was updated on 17 July and is available on the Scottish Government website.

The Scottish Government continues to support Scotland’s businesses by passing on every penny we receive from the UK Government and more. Our approach to supporting businesses is tailored to Scotland’s economic needs and we have developed a package of measures that reflects Scotland’s economy and consequentially we are providing support which is unavailable elsewhere in the UK.

The Bed & Breakfast Hardship Fund was set up to provide hardship relief to B&B/small serviced accommodation providers who were unable to access support through other schemes. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting as many businesses as we can through this critical period and will continue to consider what steps we can take to support those in need and the Scottish economy.

Our guidance on safe use of places of worship reflects evolving scientific and health advice and has been developed in close collaboration with our faith communities. On the 9 July, the First Minister announced that the reopening of places of worship would be brought forward to 15 July. As such, since that date, places of worship have been able to open for congregational services and life event ceremonies.

I recognise how difficult it has been for Scotland’s faith communities to be unable to come together in places of worship at this challenging time, and understand the important role of congregational worship in supporting spiritual wellbeing. We do not want any restrictions to this to last any longer than is necessary but must ensure that people who enter places of worship to undertake congregational activities will be safe.

We will continue to work closely with those communities as we move towards fully reopening places of worship as soon as it is safe to do so.

Following the announcement by the First Minister on the 9 th of July, it was confirmed that driving lessons will not resume before 31 st of July. An update will be made at the earliest opportunity to ensure driving instructors will be able to return to work when possible.