Chamber and committees

Eligibility for the grant scheme is based on the local authority records for property use and rateable value as at 17 March 2020, and the Scottish Government estimates that there are around 2,600 ratepayers in Aberdeen city that may be eligible for either the Small Business Grant, and/or the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant.

The grant support scheme available to businesses suffering hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic reflects relief eligibility and property valuations in 2020-21 and no hypothetical analysis has been performed for other years.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

On 3 January 2020, there were 8,159 people in custody, compared with 7,176 on 24 April 2020, a reduction of 983. Our population level is currently at the lowest it has been since the end December 2016 when the lowest level recorded was 7,185.

Scotland’s prison population is projected to continue to decline in the coming months through the applications of early release legislation and the relaxation of some restrictions in the HDC process. It is therefore not necessary for the SPS to expand the prison estate with additional cells as is happening in other jurisdictions.

It should be noted that whilst there may be capacity in establishments, SPS are following public health advise and all non-essential prison transfers have been suspended to minimise the spread of infection.

It is a matter for the Lord Advocate, as the head of the system of prosecution in Scotland, to consider whether it is appropriate or relevant to issue guidance on the enforcement of The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (“the Regulations”).

(a) However, I can advise you that the Lord Advocate has issued Guidelines to Police Scotland on the operation of the Fixed Penalty Notice Scheme under the Regulations. The Guidelines are published on the COPFS website.

Similarly, it is for the Chief Constable to determine the operational approach that police officers should take in exercising the new enforcement powers under the Regulations and to develop the operational guidance that he considers relevant and appropriate in the circumstances.

(b) Again, I can advise you that Police Scotland have produced operational guidance on the proportionate application of the enforcement powers under the Regulations for dissemination to officers, including proactive communications and social media highlighting that, even in these exceptional times, their approach to policing will remain governed by consent, with “soft enforcement” as the default setting. This guidance also sets out the four step operational strategy of Engage; Explain; Encourage; and Enforce. Enforcement is only used as a last resort.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The transfer of people between prison custody and court is undertaken by GEOAmey under the Scottish Court Custody and Prisoner Escorting Service contract. GEOAmey is responsible for the risk assessment and provision of PPE to their staff.

GEOAmey report that all members of their staff have access to supplies of appropriate PPE in accordance with operating guidelines and are working to ensure adequate levels of stock are maintained.

Police Scotland advises that officers can risk assess whether or not to use a surgical mask for routine policing activities where there are no symptoms or other indications of Covid-19 but where it may be difficult to apply social distancing measures. If there is a requirement for police support at an incident of suspected or confirmed COVID-19, wherever possible trained officers in full PPE kit will be deployed to attend. This kit comprises of:

• FFP3 Face Masks
• Disposable Suit EN14126 Standard
• Full Knee Length Boot Covers
• Indirect Vent Goggles
• Long cuff Nitrile Gloves
• Surgical masks

Procurement and distribution of PPE is an operational matter for the Chief Constable; however, Police Scotland has advised that 6,470 officers have been trained and face fitted in the use of PPE at 20 April 2020. All officers have to be 'face fitted' in the FFP3 to ensure manufacture compliance and health and safety principles.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

Table 1 provides a breakdown of all PPE items and quantities ordered by SPS, by date.

Table 2 provides a breakdown of all PPE items and quantities received by SPS, by date.

Table 1:

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days

The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20 million emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. The fund will support organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The primary intention of the fund is to help third sector organisations to stabilise and manage cash flows over this difficult period.
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‎The Fund is being delivered by Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and the Corra Foundation and will provide grants between £5,000-£100,000. In addition there will be up to a further £5 million available in fully flexible, 0% interest loans starting at £50,000. The fund will be complemented by specialist business advice from Just Enterprise to help grant recipients maximise the impact of the financial support.
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‎More information about Covid-19 related support available to third sector organisations, including the Third Sector Resilience Fund is available at: https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus .

The Scottish Parliament agreed that emergency prison release powers in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Act were necessary, and would reflect the powers of emergency release already available in England and Wales – and which the UK government have decided to apply. Since the passing of the Act, the SG has worked closely with the SPS to evaluate whether and how whether these powers should be used. As I advised the Parliament on 20 April, we have now agreed with the Chief Executive of the SPS that it will be necessary to release a limited number of prisoners to ensure the SPS can continue to manage the current situation effectively.

Prisoners will only be considered if they are sentenced to 18 months or less – and within 3 months of their scheduled release date. The new legislation rules out early release for certain groups of prisoners – including life sentence prisoners, those on supervision orders and those convicted of sexual offending or terrorism offences. The proposed regulations will further exclude prisoners sentenced for domestic abuse offences or aggravations, harassment offences, or certain Covid-related offences. The Act also enables Prison Governors to veto the release of any prisoner where such release would present a clear risk to a specific individual.

Under these measures, around 450 prisoners will be assessed for possible early release. The number who are eligible will depend on the actual prison population on the day the process begins, and the final number released will depend how many individuals will be subject the Governor veto. The scale of release was specifically agreed with the SPS Chief Executive, as a measured and proportionate action to provide sufficient capacity and flexibility to maintain safe and effective operating conditions.

NHS Grampian are working with Health Facilities Scotland on a final design assurance review before moving towards financial close. The design review will provide assurance that the management and design of the project has taken cognisance of patient safety and construction standards; act as a pathfinder project for projects currently at design stage and influence the reviews of the next phase of new build and major refurbishment projects. The projected start date for construction is May, but NHS Grampian are meeting with contractors later this week to discuss what the impact of the current situation regarding COVID-19 may have and what mitigation action could be taken if required.