Chamber and committees

We are working to ensure everyone is fully informed regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. A national door drop arrived with households on the week starting January 4th, as well as our digital and social media campaigns, which went live on this date.

Our outdoors advertising campaign Started from 11th of January and a TV and radio campaign began on January the 21st.

The Scottish COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline (0800 030 8013) is now open, to make sure those who are called forward for the vaccine can get the information they need.

Health Boards have set out in their vaccination delivery plans the services that they will provide to meet the needs of their local communities. COVID-19 vaccinations may not take place at all GP practices, however, NHS Scotland will confirm local arrangements. NHS Scotland will invite those on the priority list by phone or letter for an appointment. The Coronavirus Vaccination Helpline on 0800 0308013 is now open to answer any questions, or provide further information about the coronavirus vaccine and its delivery. Website can be accessed at NHS Inform .

We recognise the importance of providing vaccinators with the training and support they require to undertake their role effectively.

Our approach builds on the Green Book on immunisation against infectious disease and aligns with the approach taken by Public Health England.

For individuals who are experienced active vaccinators, training need only cover the specific characteristics of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Where an individual is returning to vaccinations after being inactive for a period of time, their training requirements will be informed by a short self-assessment.

Individuals with no experience as vaccinators will be required to undertake core vaccination training and will require clinical supervision when administering vaccine until confident and competent.

There has been a significant cut of 66.5% to the total Scottish Government Financial Transactions budget in 2021-22 arising from the UK Government’s Spending Review in late November. This amounts to a reduction of £412 million. The Scottish Government has mitigated this as far as possible by agreeing with the UK Government that £41.5 million Financial Transactions, that came as late consequentials in 2020-21, could be spent in 2021-22, and drawing down £200 million from the Scottish Reserve. However, the funding cut from UK Government led to difficult choices about use of the allocation in 2021-22, and resulted in a reduction in the First Home Fund budget.

The First Home Fund has not yet reopened and we do not know how quickly we will receive applications. It is a demand-led scheme and uptake is influenced by many factors. The Fund will remain open until the budget is fully committed.

There has been a significant cut of 66.5% to the total Scottish Government Financial Transactions budget in 2021-22 arising from the UK Government’s Spending Review in late November. This amounts to a reduction of £412 million. The Scottish Government has mitigated this as far as possible by agreeing with the UK Government that £41.5 million Financial Transactions, that came as late consequentials in 2020-21, could be spent in 2021-22, and drawing down £200 million from the Scottish Reserve. However, the funding cut from UK Government led to difficult choices about use of the allocation in 2021-22, and resulted in a reduction in the First Home Fund budget and the need to close the main Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme.

The Open Market Shared Equity scheme will continue in 2021-22. Open Market Shared Equity is targeted at buyers on low to moderate incomes and social tenants are a priority group for access.

There has been a significant cut of 66.5% to the total Scottish Government Financial Transactions budget in 2021-22 arising from the UK Government’s Spending Review in late November. This amounts to a reduction of £412 million. The Scottish Government has mitigated this as far as possible by agreeing with the UK Government that £41.5 million Financial Transactions, that came as late consequentials in 2020-21, could be spent in 2021-22, and drawing down £200 million from the Scottish Reserve.

The considerable reduction in Financial Transactions available to the Scottish Government has resulted in some difficult choices about use of the allocation in 2021-22. The Financial Transactions available have been shared across the Scottish National Investment Bank, low carbon initiatives and housing, reflecting the Scottish Government’s strategic priorities.

There has been a significant cut of 66.5% to the total Scottish Government Financial Transactions budget in 2021-22 arising from the UK Government’s Spending Review in late November. This amounts to a reduction of £412 million. The Scottish Government has mitigated this as far as possible by agreeing with the UK Government that £41.5 million Financial Transactions, that came as late consequentials in 2020-21, could be spent in 2021-22, and drawing down £200 million from the Scottish Reserve. However, the funding cut from UK Government led to difficult choices about use of the allocation in 2021-22, and resulted in a reduction in the First Home Fund budget.

The latest data shows that the Scottish housing market is performing strongly, with transaction volumes increasing by 10.7% year-on-year in January 2021 (Revenue Scotland data). House prices rose by 8.4% in December 2020 (ONS House Price Index data).

The evaluation of the First Home Fund considers the impact of the scheme on the wider housing market First Home Fund Evaluation Synthesis of Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Following the 66.5% reduction in Financial Transactions from the UK Government in 2021-22, the Scottish Government has prioritised support for first-time buyer support schemes, including the First Home Fund and Open Market Shared Equity. These schemes have higher additionality than Help to Buy (Scotland). We will continue to support small and medium-sized developers next year through our Help to Buy Smaller Developers Scheme.

Evaluations of the First Home Fund and the other shared equity schemes can be found at First Home Fund Evaluation Synthesis of Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) & Shared equity schemes: evaluation reports - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

There has been a significant cut of 66.5% to the total Scottish Government Financial Transactions budget in 2021-22 arising from the UK Government’s Spending Review in late November. This amounts to a reduction of £412 million. The Scottish Government has mitigated this as far as possible by agreeing with the UK Government that £41.5 million Financial Transactions, that came as late consequentials in 2020-21, could be spent in 2021-22, and drawing down £200 million from the Scottish Reserve. However, the funding cut from UK Government led to difficult choices about use of the allocation in 2021-22, and resulted in a reduction in the First Home Fund budget.

We estimate that the First Home Fund will help over 2,500 households into home ownership in 2021-22, based on a budget of £60m. We expect it to support over 8,000 households into homeownership in 2020-21.

The First Home Fund will reopen on 1 April 2020 with a budget of £60 million. If more Financial Transactions become available as a result of the UK Budget, the Scottish Government will consider how to best deploy these, given all of the pressures and priorities across Government.