Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-29765

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 19 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the "resumption of professional sport in line with public health advice" in its COVID-19 route map means for (a) training, (b) competition and (c) non-participants, including fans and observers.

On 18 June 2020, the First Minister announced professional sport in line with public health advice can resume from 22 June 2020.

Training is currently permitted in line with restrictions for the general population, and we are considering proposals from football and rugby on how this training – supported by enhanced public health measures – would intensify as competition nears.

Subject to Ministerial approval and in line with public health advice, competition behind closed doors with only essential participants and attendees is permitted in phase 2. Some restricted attendance of supporters may be permitted in phase 3 in line with the physical distancing protocols and other appropriate public health measures.

Question reference: S5W-29766

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what restrictions will be put in place at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map in respect of "live events permitted with restricted numbers and physical distancing restrictions".

The events sector provides a significant contribution to Scotland's cultural life and to our economy. We are determined that it will rebound strongly from the current crisis and a return for live events with restrictions in place during phase 3 will support this.

The restrictions that will be in place during phase 3 are being developed, informed by public health advice and views of the sector. Details of these restrictions will be published when this process is complete.

The Scottish Government is currently engaging with event organisers, their supply chain, trade unions, local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive and others with an interest on development of sectoral guidance for events. This will help to ensure that events can restart safely.

Question reference: S5O-04426

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 June 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what support is being provided to the theatre sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5W-29228

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to raise awareness of the (a) Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund and (b) Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Fund.

The Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund and Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Fund provide support to our businesses not available elsewhere in the UK. They were both heavily promoted through multiple statements to the media, including numerous Scottish Government Ministerial statements. This was amplified by our delivery partners across a wide range of communication channels owned by the enterprise agencies, VisitScotland, Creative Scotland, and Business Gateway. This included social media campaigns and extensive stakeholder communications, which reached out to elected members and key affected industries.

In addition the key business support website FindBusinessSupport.gov was regularly updated to promote the funds and make available key information about the application process. Our approach resulted in significant volumes of applications.

As of 2 June, our targeted support funds to the creative, tourism and hospitality sector, along with support to SMEs who are vulnerable but vital to their local economies, and the newly self-employed have resulted in awards totalling £104m; that is grant offers to over 2500 businesses and 4160 self-employed people to date. Both funds are now closed.

Question reference: S5W-29227

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for support from the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Fund it has received; what the total value of funding requested was; how many applications were approved, and what the total value of the awards made was, also broken down by the (a) creative and cultural, (b) tourism and (c) hospitality sector.

The Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund (CTHEHF) provides support, unavailable elsewhere in the UK, for small creative, tourism and hospitality companies who have experienced at least 50% loss of current or projected revenue as a result of COVID-19 and are experiencing hardship. Due to significant demand we have increased the fund from £20m to £30m. The fund is administered by our enterprise agencies, which are currently progressing applications. The fund is now closed.

Each enterprise agency administers the fund in its respective area. The performance data are compiled by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of all three agencies. As applications are still being processed the fund’s performance data are incomplete. I have asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise to write to you this month as soon as the data you have requested can be reported.

Once all applications have been appraised and funding distributed, the intention is to publish information relating to the demand for CTHEHF and our other business support funds, including volume and value of applications.

As of 2 June, our targeted support funds to the creative, tourism and hospitality sector, along with support to SMEs who are vulnerable but vital to their local economies, and the newly self-employed have resulted in awards totalling £104m; that is grant offers to over 2500 businesses and 4160 self-employed people to date.

Question reference: S5W-29226

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has received from people in the cultural sector for support from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund; what the total value of the funding requested was; how many of those applications were approved, and what the total value of the awards made was.

The Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund (PERF) provides grants for businesses, unavailable elsewhere in the UK, which:

support Scotland’s productive capacity,
are of local or national economic importance,
impact the wider business community,
are a supplier or potential supplier to NHS or other COVID-19 vital services,
are a supplier to other essential businesses, or
demonstrate a need to rapidly scale up or diversify due to COVID-19.

Due to significant demand, we doubled the PERF to £90m and have further increased it to £120m. The fund has now closed.

Each enterprise agency administers the fund in its respective area. The performance data are compiled by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of all three agencies, consulting and working together with Creative Scotland and Visit Scotland. As applications are still being processed the fund’s performance data are incomplete. I have asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise to write to you this month as soon as the data you have requested can be reported.

Once all applications have been appraised and funding distributed, the intention is to publish information relating to the demand for PERF and our other business support funds, including volume and value of applications.

As of 2nd June, our targeted support funds to the creative, tourism and hospitality sector, along with support to SMEs who are vulnerable but vital to their local economies, and the newly self-employed have resulted in awards totalling £104m; that is grant offers to over 2500 businesses and 4160 self-employed people to date.

Question reference: S5W-28959

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on NHS operations and procedures undertaken in the private healthcare sector during the COVID-19 outbreak, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S5W-28960

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) NHS cancer operations and (b) other NHS procedures have taken place in private healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

During the COVID19 pandemic our strategy for utilising the private sector capacity in Scotland is to support NHS activity by providing a COVID free environment for urgent procedures to be undertaken, specifically urgent cancer surgery.

As of the 24 May 2020, there has been 1542 outpatient appointments and 1132 surgical procedures delivered have been undertaken in a private sector facility. This additionally has supported 9 NHS Health Boards.

The Golden Jubilee National Hospital is also supporting territorial Health Boards around more complex cancer surgery.

Question reference: S5W-29335

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with outdoor education providers, including residential providers, regarding the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Scottish Government officials met a number of outdoor learning stakeholders on 29 May including: Girlguiding Scotland; The Boys’ Brigade; Scouts Scotland; the Outward Bound Trust; Scottish Outdoor Education Centres and the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, all of which are involved in the running of outdoor residential centres.

Discussions focused on the support that can be provided to the outdoor learning sector at this time. This included keeping the sector informed of education recovery work in an effort to ensure providers can adapt their offer appropriately and ultimately support the re-opening of schools and other education establishments.

Question reference: S5W-28961

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 11 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements have been made with private healthcare providers regarding the provision of services to the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Chamber and committees