Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-29761

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 23 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had place with (a) the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, (b) the Scottish Tourism Alliance and (c) holiday and caravan park representatives regarding when it will be safe to restart businesses.

The Sottish Government has worked in partnership with the tourism industry and with unions to develop guidance for the safe reopening of the tourism and hospitality sector. This has been done through the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group, which includes the Association of Scotland’s Self-caterers and the Scottish Tourism Alliance, which in turn also represents the interests of the caravan and holiday parks sector.

I have also had numerous calls with sectoral bodies and businesses throughout the Covid 19 crisis, including those mentioned above, in which these issues have been regularly discussed.

Question reference: S5W-29763

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it distinguishes between accommodation providers that have shared facilities and those that do not in terms of its COVID-19 route map, and, if so, whether they will be considered at different phases.

In line with the Route-map 'through and out of the crisis' published on 21 May, it has been assessed that restrictions on all accommodation providers will be eased in phase 3. We understand some sectors, such as self-catering, may be able to operate social distancing more easily than others, however safe reopening of the sector is dependent on other factors besides the facilities they provide, such as the lifting of travel restrictions, and this must be done in a holistic way to ensure it is safe and compliant with wider efforts to protect public health.

Question reference: S5W-29767

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it will provide to businesses and tourist attractions that are allowed to reopen at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map.

Question reference: S5W-29762

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to a phased approach to reopening accommodation providers.

In line with the Route-map 'through and out of the crisis' published on 21 May, it has been assessed that restrictions on all accommodation providers will be eased in phase 3. We understand some sectors, such as self-catering, may be able to operate social distancing more easily than others, however safe reopening of the sector is dependent on other factors besides the facilities they provide, such as the lifting of travel restrictions, and this must be done in a holistic way to ensure it is safe and compliant with wider efforts to protect public health.

Question reference: S5W-29760

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government which tourist attractions it considers will not be allowed to reopen at phase 3 of its COVID-19 route map.

As announced on 10 June, it is hoped the tourism and hospitality sector, including visitor attractions and accommodation providers , can start to reopen on 15 July, subject to the criteria being met for phase 3 of the route map to commence. Businesses must implement a risk based approach to ensure they are compliant with guidance, which will be kept under regular review. This will determine the readiness of businesses across the sector to be able to open safely in phase 3. M ore detail on the lifting of restrictions will be given at each review point.

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-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-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.

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Chamber and committees