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On 22 June, the First Minister announced changes which will help benefit weddings. In particular, suppliers employed by the couple marrying or registering their civil partnership no longer count towards the numerical caps and live entertainment is now allowed at receptions.

The Scottish Government has also updated the Strategic Framework: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Scotland's Strategic Framework update - June 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . This update sets out that, subject to a review of the epidemic, on 19 July we hope that all of Scotland will be able to move to level 0, with physical distancing requirements outdoors removed and reduced indoors to 1 metre. On 9 August, conditional on over 40s being fully vaccinated and a review of the epidemic, we would hope to remove the levels restrictions and all physical distancing requirements.

We continue to regularly review the restrictions and guidance in place.

Performing arts activities and venues bring people together, sometimes from across a wide geographical area, in close proximity, often for an extended time period. These provide opportunities for transmission of COVID-19 as we know from, for example, SAGE evidence published in June 2020 S0824_SARS-CoV-2_Transmission_routes_and_environments.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk). High risk factors associated with transmission of the virus include indoor spaces, where ventilation and physical distancing may be less easy to maintain, and places where people come together to spend prolonged periods of time (more than 15 minutes) in close proximity, enabling the virus to spread from person to person, particularly from aerosol and droplet transmission. It is possible to have control of and to mitigate many of the risks in a venue. The Scottish Government guidance on performing arts and venues is, therefore, that organisers should take steps to avoid audiences needing to raise their voices to each other. Organisers of performing arts venues should also prevent other close contact activities such as communal dancing, singing or crowding. This guidance will be reviewed as decisions are taken on whether to reduce and remove remaining restrictions in the coming weeks.

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport has held a number of discussions with the UK Government about the benefits of HS2 to Scotland. The most recent discussions have focussed on the potential for a train manufacturing facility in Longannet and for a stabling and light maintenance depot for HS2 trains in Annandale, also highlighting that 25 Scottish based companies’ have won contracts for the construction of HS2.

In addition, the Feasibility Study completed by Transport Scotland in 2018 which identified the potential for a 3 hour journey time between Edinburgh and London in conjunction with the eastern leg of HS2 was discussed.

There is no order generally referred to as an emergency traffic regulation order in Scotland.

Traffic authorities may make temporary traffic regulation orders (which are known as TTROs), under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. These can prohibit or restrict the use of a road for a number of reasons, such as road works, damage to the road or danger to the public and generally can last for up to a maximum of 18 months. The Scottish Government issued guidance to local authorities on the use of TTROs and Notices in relation to the Covid-19 response in April 2020 which can be found at coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-temporary-traffic-regulation-orders-and-notices.pdf (transport.gov.scot)

There is no procedure for a TTRO to become a permanent order. A traffic authority can only make a permanent traffic regulation order in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic regulation Act 1984 and the relevant procedures as contained in the Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (for local roads) or the Secretary of State’s Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1987 (for trunk roads).

Now more than ever it is essential that we are well connected to the rest of Europe and the rest of the World and our ambition is to help airports restore 2019 levels of connectivity as quickly as possible. We are working with airports, including Glasgow Airport, on route recovery, to help rebuild connectivity for business and tourism once we are able to safely lift travel restrictions. This will help win back routes and employment opportunities. Transport Scotland, working in partnership with VisitScotland and SDI, has a well-established process in place to help Scotland’s airports recover routes lost as well as help secure new ones. We provide support to airlines in the form of attractive co-operative marketing packages, and also provide market intelligence and data to airlines on the potential of the Scottish market.

We have extended the 100% non-domestic rates relief for the aviation sector for another year with Glasgow Airport being one of the largest beneficiaries.

In 2020-21, the Scottish Government worked with Unite to support training for staff in the aviation sector which included support for Glasgow Airport ground staff through the National Transition Training Fund. Over 250 Glasgow staff benefitted from a range of training.

Scottish Ministers have now approved a continuation of support for this sector in 2021-22 and we are working with Unite again to agree what training will add most value to recovery of the sector and support the protection of jobs. Glasgow Airport staff will again benefit from this training offer.

Yes. This was considered for weddings, but is not supported, on the basis that ensuring that dancing is socially distanced would be very hard to control in practice and risks non-compliance with the current physical distancing requirements.

Feedback from the wedding sector themselves indicated that they did not believe it would be possible for them to ensure dancing only takes place between members of the same household or within the permitted numbers who are allowed to mix.

With the relaxation of physical distancing to 0 metres outdoors from 19 July, (indicative) dancing, mingling, standing drinks/canapés receptions, receiving lines etc. can resume at weddings from that date. With the removal of physical distancing from 9 August (indicative) indoors, the same will apply in indoor settings.

The Scottish Government recognises the severe impact that COVID-19 restrictions have on the events sector and on the ability of groups, including Pride organising groups, to organise large-scale gatherings and marches. The measures within the Strategic Framework , including physical distancing and limiting mass gatherings, have been crucial for controlling the virus, particularly as new and highly infectious strains emerge, and have been necessary and proportionate to protect lives and the NHS.

Since the start of the pandemic, Scotland’s LGBTI organisations have, where possible, arranged virtual alternatives to traditional Pride events, bringing people together to celebrate Scotland’s diverse and vibrant LGBT community. We are currently reviewing physical distancing measures, taking account of available and emerging evidence, including the ongoing rollout of the vaccination programme. Public events will be considered as part of this review.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have provided funding of over £74,000 to LGBTI organisations from the Immediate Priorities Fund. This includes:

• Funding to LGBT Health and Wellbeing to provide additional cover for the National LGBT Helpline, for an additional 2 days a week (which brings coverage from 2 days a week to overall 4 days a week) and to offer more tailored individual support for particularly isolated members of the community.
• Funding to Equality Network to increase access to Zoom for community groups, to maintain social connectivity.
• Funding to LGBT Youth Scotland, to fast track their digital youth work platform to ensure that young people are better supported during the pandemic and beyond.

A partnership of LGBTI organisations was also awarded short term funding of £87,700 from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund, delivered via the National Lottery, to support a community response to COVID-19. Outputs included the creation of a dedicated LGBTI micro-site to: support Pride organisers to put on events; support LGBTI groups to provide social and COVID-19 services; and provide LGBTI digital care packages to up to 50 isolated LGBTI people through local LGBTI community groups. Further details of this can be found online at: https://www.equality-network.org/funding-announcement/ .

The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing fares on Northern Isles ferry routes.

Following engagement with European Commission officials in 2019, Transport Scotland officials were developing proposals to introduce Road Equivalent Tariff. This work was rightly paused in early 2020, while resources were pivoted to deal with the Covid outbreak, however work has recently resumed.

Engagement between Transport Scotland officials and ferry operators has taken place and will continue as the work progresses.

Pentland Ferries have withdrawn, on commercial grounds, from discussions on the offer of the Time Charter of the MV Pentalina with CalMac.

No specific advice has been sought from, or provided by, the Ferry Industry Advisory Group regarding (a) chartering additional ferry capacity, and (b) time chartering the MV Pentalina from Pentland Ferries on the Clyde and Hebrides routes operation.

Transport Scotland officials have continued to engage closely with CalMac and CMAL as key stakeholders on issues including additional tonnage.