My Week 21st January – 27th January 2019

Brendan O’Hara MP

23 hours ago

The SNP has said millions of families face "a bitter winter" of rising unemployment and squeezed living standards - under Tory plans to scrap the furlough scheme and impose an extreme Brexit during a second wave of coronavirus.

Ian Blackford MP said the Tory government had "deliberately chosen" to let unemployment soar - by ending the furlough scheme prematurely and replacing it with inadequate half measures, which will cause thousands of people to lose their jobs unnecessarily.

The SNP Westminster Leader said the twin threats of ending the furlough scheme and imposing a 'low deal or no deal' Brexit at the end of the year showed Westminster could not be trusted to act in Scotland's interests - and the only way to protect Scotland's economy is to become an independent country.

The latest ONS labour force survey revealed UK unemployment has risen to 4.1% and the number of workers in employment has fallen by almost 700,000 since March. Separately, analysis from the Scottish Government shows extending the furlough scheme by eight months could save around 61,000 jobs in Scotland.

Experts have warned the significantly-less-generous replacement for the furlough scheme will not prevent mass redundancies. The Resolution Foundation warned it "will not significantly reduce the rise in unemployment", the IFS warned "it is clear that many jobs will be lost over the coming months", the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) described it as "woefully inadequate", and the Scottish Tourism Alliance warned "the reality we must all face now is that within the coming days and weeks, businesses owners will lose their livelihoods, thousands will lose their income and the effects on the economy and people’s lives will be nothing short of devastating." ... See MoreSee Less

Brendan O’Hara MP

2 days ago

This is the updated Scottish Government advice on what you can and can't do at the moment.
Please stay safe and do what you can to stop the spread of coronavirus in our communities.
As the First Minister said earlier this week, "the new restrictions taking effect this week are tough, but they are not a full scale lockdown – it is important to remember that. They are designed to try to avoid a lockdown of the type we had earlier in the year.
"We hope that by all of us abiding by these restrictions and helping to get COVID under control again, we will be able to keep schools open; we will be able to get non-COVID NHS services up and running again; protect care homes; and safeguard jobs and livelihoods.
"These are the things that matter to all of us and obviously they matter to society overall.
"But in the face of a pandemic – of a virus that, as yet, has no vaccine and with that virus on the rise again and winter ahead of us - if we are to achieve these priorities we have to make sacrifices elsewhere. No country right now is able to have 100 per cent normality.
"So the measures we announced yesterday are tough but they are absolutely essential.
"And they are targeted to deal with some very specific factors which we know are helping to drive transmission....
"Finally, remember, that although these times are hard, they will pass. And they will pass a bit more easily, and possibly a bit more quickly too, if we all continue to look out for each other.
"So let’s pull together in the same way that served us so well six months ago in March.
"Let’s stick with it, let’s stick together. If we keep on doing that – I am not going to tell you it will be easy over these next weeks and possibly months - but I am going to tell you with a great degree of confidence that if we stick with it and stick together we will get through this.
"My thanks again for everything you are doing."
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-can-and-cannot-do/ ... See MoreSee Less

Brendan O’Hara MP

3 days ago

The SNP has called on the Treasury to urgently heed industry warnings and introduce further measures to protect jobs, the economy and people's livelihoods - after the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) issued a stark warning of "mass redundancies" following the Chancellor's statement.

Marc Crothall, chief executive of STA, stated that "Employers cannot afford to pay staff when there is no work, so we can still expect to see mass redundancies."

He added that Rishi Sunak's plans fell "some way short" of what is needed and that the "reality we must all face now is that within the coming days and weeks, business owners will lose their livelihoods, thousands will lose their income and the effects on the economy and people's lives will be nothing short of devastating."

I am very worried about the impact of this lack of support across Argyll & Bute where our hugely important tourism and hospitality sector has been badly affected by the pandemic and many people, though no fault of their own, are still unable to work. Many self employed people are also now facing a tough time receiving just 20% of their income from the Treasury when others who are able to work could receive up to 77% of their income. This is very worrying indeed and the reason why my SNP colleagues and I have repeatedly called on the Chancellor to extend the furlough so no one is left behind.

Measures that protect jobs and sectors are to be welcomed, but it's clear that the plans set out by the Chancellor fall well short of what is required to deal with this crisis and to prevent mass job losses.

It's my view that extending the cut in VAT for the tourism sector does not go anywhere near enough in the steps needed to safeguard jobs and secure this vital industry and the benefits it would normally bring to our local economy.

The Tory government's refusal to heed the SNP's calls for an extension to the furlough scheme and for strengthened measures and investment will now leave many businesses with no choice but to pull down their shutters for good and to lay off thousands of workers.

The Treasury must urgently heed the warnings raised by industry leaders and go further in the support plans announced if it is serious in preventing a tidal wave of job losses. ... See MoreSee Less

Brendan O’Hara MP

4 days ago

The UK government's decision to abandon the Autumn budget, which allows Scotland to set its own spending and tax plans, has been criticised by the SNP.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes told the BBC that the Chancellor "didn't even have the courtesy" to tell her the budget was being called off, which threatens the Scottish Government’s ability to plan for its own budget.

It marks the second year in a row the Treasury has opted to cancel the Autumn budget

Tom Arthur MSP, who sits on Holyrood's Finance Committee, said:

“The move to scrap the UK budget without even having the courtesy to consult with the Scottish Government or the other devolved administrations shows how Scotland is treated with utter contempt by Tory ministers.

“The vast majority of Scotland's tax and spending decisions are still taken at Westminster. A UK budget is therefore essential to ensure transparency and certainty for the Scottish Parliament's budget setting process – and for the vital public services that depend on it.

“The UK Government's approach demonstrates yet again that Scotland remains, at best, an afterthought for UK ministers. It also underlines the urgent case for Holyrood having complete control of all economic decisions.

“In the middle of a pandemic and with the threat of a No-deal Brexit looming, Scotland simply cannot afford any longer to be subject to the whims of an irresponsible, incompetent Tory government.

“Polls show that people across Scotland increasingly believe the country will be better off economically with the full financial powers that come with independence – the Tories’ reckless move to scrap the budget will only convince even more people of that.” ... See MoreSee Less

Brendan O’Hara MP

5 days ago

With 100 days to go till the end of the Brexit transition period, the SNP has criticised the Tory government's "reckless refusal" to extend the transition period at the same time as further coronavirus restrictions are introduced and warnings over the economic impact grow.

Responding to the UK government's statement in Westminster on preparations for the end of the transition period, my colleague SNP MP Pete Wishart stated that the UK Government’s extreme Brexit plans demonstrated beyond all doubt that decisions about Scotland’s future should be taken by the people who live in Scotland and not Boris Johnson.

It comes after the UK government's very own analysis outlined UK hauliers facing up to 7,000-truck queues and two-day delays for cargo leaving the UK to the EU. And that only 20-40% of small and medium enterprises would be ready for the UK's new relationship with the EU.

Meanwhile, a report published by the UK in a Changing Europe group today concluded that a potential no-deal outcome could lead to "risks of queues and shortages of food", and that in the "long run Brexit is likely to be more significant than Covid-19." ... See MoreSee Less

Brendan O’Hara MP

6 days ago

Further measures to protect the population from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) were announced by the First Minister today as Scotland faces an upsurge in cases. This is a lengthy post but please read it all if you can.

The new restrictions focus on no household visits and a 10pm closing time for all hospitality settings.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today that this action is necessary in order to prevent a resurgence in community transmission of the virus and the potential for a rapid return to the pressures the NHS experienced earlier in the year.
Measures include:

Inside people’s homes (from tomorrow, Wednesday 23 2020)
• Do not meet people from any other households in your home or another person’s home socially, unless they are in your extended household
• These rules also apply to children
• Children whose parents do not live in the same household can move between homes, as can non-cohabiting couples
• Very limited exemptions apply for childcare, and for tradespeople

Private gardens or public outdoors spaces (from tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September 2020)
• A maximum of six people from two households can meet in outdoor spaces
• You should limit as far as possible the total number of households you meet in a day
• Under-12s do not count towards the maximum number of households or number of people who can meet outdoors. Under-12s do not have to physically distance
• A maximum of six 12 to 17 year olds can meet in outdoor spaces, with no household limit. Physical distancing is still required

Indoors in public spaces (from tomorrow, Wednesday September 23 2020)
• A maximum of six people from two households can meet in public indoor spaces such as cafes, pubs and restaurants
• Children under 12 from those two households do not count towards the limits

Hospitality (from 00:01 Friday 25 September 2020)
• Pubs, restaurants and all hospitality settings will be required to close at 10pm
• Table service will continue to be required in all hospitality premises

Car sharing
• You should only car share with members of your own, or extended, household, and follow guidance when there is no alternative

Working
• You must continue to work from home where practicable

These restrictions will be reviewed within three weeks and further guidance will made available where necessary.

Action - and adherence to restrictions - is needed now to safeguard lives, protect from infection and bring the R number down below one.

The First Minister said:
“It is worth stressing that because of the collective sacrifices we all made to drive infection levels down over the summer, the growth in cases is from a low base and – at this stage – far less rapid than in March. I want to thank the people of Scotland for their cooperation, forbearance and the sacrifices they have made – but these measures are essential in ensuring we do not let this virus get out of control again.

“While these measures are tough, we believe they can make a significant difference while keeping our schools, public services and as many businesses open as far as possible.

“Early data suggests that restrictions currently in place in west central Scotland are starting to slow the increase of cases. So by extending household restrictions nationwide now, in an early and preventative way, we hope it will help to bring the R number down and the virus back under control.

On hospitality measures, the First Minister said:
“I want to thank those businesses that are making huge efforts to ensure compliance. However, I want to be clear with the hospitality trade about this. Notwithstanding the economic implications, further restrictions - including possible closure - will be unavoidable if the rules within pubs and restaurants on hygiene, face coverings, maximum numbers in groups, and the distance between them are not fully complied with.” ... See MoreSee Less

Brendan O’Hara MP

1 week ago

Patients and clinicians have welcomed the expansion of virtual medical and mental health appointments following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to a survey.
The Near Me video system, originally designed to serve rural communities, was scaled up from March to ensure patient and staff safety during the pandemic.
Of 5,400 responses to the survey, 87 per cent of the public backed video consultations while 94 per cent of clinicians favoured a digital first approach.
It comes weeks after the 2020 Programme for Government included a commitment to make Near Me a default option for all healthcare consultations. While face to face appointments will always be an option, video consultations will give patients greater choice, reduce the need for unnecessary travel and ensure the right care, in the right place.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:
“During this first phase of the pandemic people followed our guidance closely, using their local pharmacy, GP practice, local minor injuries unit or calling NHS 24 when they needed medical and mental health advice and help. While the NHS has remained open during the pandemic, we need people to continue to access the right care in the right place.
“I am pleased patients and clinicians recognise the benefits of the Near Me service which offers people more choice over how they access health and care services and more flexibility in their day to day lives. As we look ahead to winter we will better support people to ensure they have the information they need to get the right care, closer to home.” ... See MoreSee Less