This page includes links to the following subjects:-
- Key primary sources
- Business & Industry (including business support,
employment, retail and utilities) - Culture & Sport
- Education
- Environment & Energy
- Health
- Housing & Planning
- Justice
- Parliament & Government
- People & Communities
- Rural Affairs
- Social Security
- Transport & Travel
Key primary sources:
- Scottish Government hub for COVID-19 information including up to date statistics on Coronavirus test cases as well as links to statements made by the First Minister
- NHS Inform for the latest guidance about COVID-19 from NHS Scotland
- Glasgow City Council for information about council services
- UK Government hub for latest Coronavirus advice
- Ready Scotland have prepared a useful list of where to go to find additional support for you or someone you know, which is updated on a rolling basis
- World Health Organization provides a rolling global update
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides the latest data and analysis on Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK and its effect on the economy and society
- SPICe blog: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland – latest data. This blog is regularly updated and looks at the latest data from the Scottish Government on Coronavirus (COVID-19). It covers data on the number of positive tests for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and on deaths
Business & Industry (including business support, employment, retail and utilities )
Business Support
- SPICe FAQs on support for businesses, including Non-Domestic Rates relief and grants (15 April 2020)
- Scottish Government announces second phase of funding for businesses – including the recently self-employed. (15 April 2020)
- Find Business Support (FBS) is part of a joint response by Scotland’s Enterprise and Skills ‘system’ (Agencies, Local Authorities, Scottish Government and business/industry organisations) and provides a regularly updated one-stop-shop for business advice relating to COVID-19
- Scottish Government have introduced a helpline to handle urgent issues and more detailed questions that can’t be answered on the above FBS site (13 March 2020)
- Scottish Government support for coastal businesses (11 April 2020)
- Scottish Government new measures to protect business tenants ( 10 April 2020)
- Business Gateway provides regularly updated help for business owners and their to employees find information on how to deal with concerns about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace
- Scottish Government guidance for the construction industry (6 April 2020)
- European Commission has approved two separate UK State aid schemes to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of COVID-19 (25 March 2020)
- Federation of Small Businesses for regularly updated advice for small businesses
- ACAS guidance for employers
Employment
- SPICe blog on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and employment rights (27 March 2020)
- Money Advisory Service provides free and impartial advice on Coronavirus and looks at rights to sick pay, what benefits you can claim if you’re self-employed or not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Scottish Government Guidance on protecting workers during Coronavirus (COVID-19) (25 March 2020)
- Scottish Government Guidance for businesses in Scotland on social distancing, including the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises due to the COVID-19 outbreak (4 April 2020)
- Scottish Government workplace advice in non-healthcare settings, including tips that apply to people working in hotels and hospitality, leisure facilities, entertainment venues and premises used by community groups (23 March 2020)
- UK Government Guidance for Employees (7 April 2020)
- UK Government Guidance for Employers and businesses (7 April 2020)
- House of Commons blog on employment rights (17 March 2020)
- CIPD – the Professional Body for HR has produced regularly updated Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for employers
- Lantra Scotland for information on their skills matching service which will put rural and land-based businesses and potential employees with relevant skills in and experience in touch with each other during COVID-19 (announced 9 April 2020)
Retail
- Scottish Government Guidance for businesses in Scotland on social distancing, including the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises due to the COVID-19 outbreak (4 April 2020)
- UK Government guidance on the closure of all retailers that sell non-essential goods and other non-essential premises (27 March 2020)
- Supermarkets – please find a list of supermarkets below with links to information on their approach to dealing with Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Aldi – https://www.aldi.co.uk/covid19
- Asda – https://corporate.asda.com/20200309/steps-we-have-taken-in-response-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak
- Lidl – https://www.lidl.co.uk/about-us/customer-update
- Marks and Spencer – https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/help/covid-19
- Morrisons – https://www.morrisons-corporate.com/media-centre/corporate-news/morrisons-to-introduce-new-measures-for-colleagues-communities-and-vulnerable-people-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
- Sainsbury’s – https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/delivery-prioritisation
- Tesco COVID-19: A message to customers
- Waitrose – https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/help-information/customer-service/coronavirus
Utilities
Please find a list of utility companies below with links to information on their approach to dealing with Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- British Gas – https://www.britishgas.co.uk/business/coronavirus-update
- BT – https://www.bt.com/coronavirus
- EDF Energy – https://www.edfenergy.com/coronavirus-advice
- EOn – https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update.html
- Npower – https://www.npower.com/help-and-support/coronavirus/prepayment/
- Ofcom – https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/policies-and-guidelines/coronavirus-information
- Ofcom (Coronavirus scam calls and texts) – https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/coronavirus-scam-calls-and-texts
- Royal Mail – https://www.royalmail.com/coronavirus
- Scottish Power – https://community.scottishpower.co.uk/t5/Extra-Help/Coronavirus-COVID-19-information-for-ScottishPower-customers/ta-p/15029
- SSE – https://sse.co.uk/help/coronavirus-questions-and-answers
Culture & Sport
- sportscotland Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Sport FAQ (30 March 2020)
- Sporting Life: regularly updated list of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled sportsacross the world, including football, rugby, darts, cricket, tennis and golf
- Creative Scotland have developed an A-Z of funding and resources available to those in the creative community, who have been affected by Coronavirus
- Creative Scotland support available to the creative sector (17 March 2020)
Education
- NEW! Scottish Government announces 140,000 children and young people will be provided with free school meals (18 April 2020)
- NEW! Scottish Government issues new guidance to support the home learning of children and young people during the new term (20 April 2020)
- Scottish Government reassurance for students during coronavirus outbreak (14 April 2020)
- Scottish Government extra hardship payments for students (8 April 2020)
- Scottish Government guidance on key workers in relation to schools and childcare (24 March 2020)
- Scottish Government. Impact on education: Deputy First Minister speech (19 March 2020)
- SQA Scottish Qualifications Authority arrangements for quality assurance and the certification of National Courses and Awards (2 April 2020)
- UCAS Latest COVID-19 information and advice for prospective students
Environment & Energy
- Energy Saving Trust provides advice for home heating and energy use by people staying home to work or to avoid picking up COVID-19 (17 March 2020)
- SPICe blog on COVID-19 and green pathways to recovery (7 April 2020)
Health
- NEW! SPICe has produced a detailed, extended blogpost covers frequently asked healthquestions around coronavirus (COVID-19) (20 April 2020)
- NEW! UK Government announces a drive-through coronavirus testing facility has opened at Edinburgh Airport as part of the UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS and other key workers (16 April 2020)
- NEW! Scottish Government: The NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) is opened to treat patients during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (20 April 2020)
- Health Protection Scotland: Table of recommended PPE for healthcare workers by secondary care inpatient clinical setting, NHS and independent sector (9 April 2020)
- Scottish Government announces additional support to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing (14 April 2020)
- Scottish Government information on Immediate wage increase and sick pay provision for social care staff (12 April 2020)
- Scottish Government announces Wellbeing Fund open for bids. Third sector organisations across Scotland are being encouraged to apply for emergency funding to help cope with the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) (13 April 2020)
- Scottish Government has launched a phone line for vulnerable people, especially aimed at those with no internet access. (13 April 2020)
- Scottish Government information on using the transport community to help people attend medical appointments (12 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Protecting the social care workforce (9 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Guidance from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on treating patients with COVID-19 (3 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Tailored advice for those who live with specific medical conditions (3 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Ethical advice and support framework (3 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Changes to social care assessments (3 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Vitamin D: advice for all age groups (2 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Protecting our frontline staff (2 April 2020)
- Health Protection Scotland Guidance for secondary care (2 April 2020)
- Care Inspectorate provides registration and regulation of all care services (including childcare services) and has produced a regularly updated FAQs section on their website
- SSSC – Scottish Social Services Council is the regulator and register of social care staff. IT has produced information on how regulation will continue in light of novel coronavirus(3 March 2020)
- British Dental Association live updates: Coronavirus and dentistry
- The Royal College of Nursing for regularly updated information for nursing and midwifery staff Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- British Medical Association provides regularly updated information about the impact of COVID-19 on work, training, education, and wellbeing as a medical professional.
- Age Scotland provides regularly updated advice for older people and their families on how to avoid exposure to the virus
Death certification and burial
- Scottish Government Guidance to Medical Practitioners for Death Certification during the COVID-19 Pandemic (24 March 2020)
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): transfer of medical certificates of cause of death – guidance for doctors (6 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funeral services (13 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funeral directors (13 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for burial and cremation authorities(13 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on preparation for burial or cremation for religious organisations, faith and cultural groups (6 April 2020)
Housing and Planning
- SPICe blog on buying and selling property during the Coronavirus pandemic (31 March 2020)
- SPICe blog that looks at the effect of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the housing sector in Scotland and the emergency measures put in place (2 April 2020)
- The Scottish Housing Regulator regulates to protect the interests of people who receive the services of social landlords as well as protect the interests of tenants, people who are homeless, and others who use social landlords’ services. It has made changes to its regulatory approach in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)(18 March 2020)
- Scottish Government regularly updated advice on COVID-19 and Social housing
- Money Advice Service provides regularly updated information on how mortgage payment holidays work and the circumstances in which you might be granted one
- Shelter Scotland provides housing information for advice on your rights and the latest legislation
Justice
- NEW! Scottish Government. Following the suspension of prison visits, the Scottish Government and Scottish Prisons Service announce plans for mobile phones to be used to support those in custody (17 April 2020)
- Scottish Government: Paper setting out options for progressing the most serious criminal cases during COVID-19 (April 2020)
- Police Scotland Chief Constable participates in coronavirus briefing information on the use of police powers to uphold social distancing rules (10 April)
- Police Scotland Human rights lawyer to lead scrutiny of emergency police powers plans for independent scrutiny of how the police have used their powers (9 April)
- Scottish Government Ensuring continuity of justice during COVID-19 (1 April 2020)
- SPICe blog on Human Rights (8 April 2020)
- Scottish Government Support for victims of domestic violence during COVID-19 outbreak (31 March 2020)
- Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service latest advice on business changes
- Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service Information for those due to attend court
- Families Outside Suspension of prison visiting (24 March 2020)
Parliament & Government
- SPICe Briefing: Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill (31 March 2020)
- UK Parliament information on the Coronavirus Act (Royal Assent 25 March 2020)
People & Communities (including charities, third sector and volunteering)
- NEW! Scottish Government announce a further 18 schemes will share £400,000 from the £70 million Scottish Food Fund to provide emergency food through a range of projects working with minority ethnic households, family support groups or mental health teams.
- SPICe blog Coronavirus (COVID-19) – social distancing. This blog outlines restrictions placed on the general public in Scotland with the aim of limiting the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) through social distancing. It does not deal with restrictions on businesses (3 April 2020)
- Scottish Government information on financial support from the £50 million Wellbeing Fund, which has been established to assist third sector organisations working with people impacted by the pandemic. (13 April 2020)
- Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20m emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland
- UK Government advice on running your charity during the COVID-19 outbreak (7 April 2020)
- Volunteer Scotland lists ways to volunteer during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has produced a Third Sector Information Hub which is updated regularly with practical guidance and answers to common questions about how organisations can manage during the coronavirus crisis.
Rural Affairs
- NEW! Scottish Government announces a further £3.5 million to help large sea fishing vessels. This brings the total made available to the seafood industry by the Scottish Government from new and existing funds to £22.5 million (17 April 2020)
- Scottish Government statement by Scottish Ministers on what exercising rights of access responsibly under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 means during the COVID-19 (9 April 2020)
- Scottish Natural Heritage guidance on access to the outdoors during the coronavirus outbreak (for both the public and land managers):
- NFUS guidance for land managers as well as a downloadable poster for land managers to inform the public about responsible access during COVID-19
- Scottish Government announces new £10 million fund for seafood processors in Scotland (13 April 2020)
- Scottish Government information on support for the fishing industry (25 March 2020)
- National Farmers Union for Scotland has set up a page to recruit farm workers ahead of the harvest season for soft fruits and vegetables.
- Scottish Government announces extra financial support for Scottish farmers (8 April 2020)
- National Farmers Union provides up-to-date support and intelligence for farm based businesses
- Lantra Scotland for information on their skills matching service which will put rural and land-based businesses and potential employees with relevant skills in and experience in touch with each other during COVID-19 (9 April 2020)
- Scottish Government has provided advice for animal owners (28 March 2020)
- Scottish Government has produced Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for beekeepers (28 March 2020)
- Scottish Government Latest updates from the Rural Payments and Inspections Division regarding Covid-19
- Farmers Guardian are covering Coronavirus (COVID-19 impacts on UK agriculture
- Farm Advisory Service have produced guidance on ensuring Farmers have an emergency plan in place should they become ill.
- Farm Advisory Service Regulatory Guidance on uncollected raw milk (1 April 2020)
- Farm Advisory Service has outlined some key messages for farmers from the feed industry(30 March 2020)
- Scottish Land Commission has produced advice for tenant farmers regarding on-farm meetings in relation to rent reviews and the waygo amnesty (30 March 2020)
Social Security
- Scottish Government – update on devolved benefits: Cabinet Secretary speech (1 April 2020)
- Department of Work and Pensions regularly updated advice on Coronavirus and claiming benefits
- Entitledto is a regularly updated site which contains information on what help is available from benefits if you are affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Turn2us information onBenefits and Coronavirus
- Child Poverty Action Group Information on how social security is changing
- LASA rightsnet Welfare rights in response to Coronavirus(LASA is a social welfare law charity)
Transport & travel
- Transport Scotland information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on transport
- SPICe blog Coronavirus (COVID-19): remaking our streets looking at temporary changes to the layout of streets during the pandemic (14 April 2020)
- UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- National Travel Health Network and CentreGeneral advice on preparing for foreign travel and how everyone can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
- NHS Fit for Travel Information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad
- Traveline Scotland information on public transport in Scotland
- UK Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020