MP demands extension of furlough

Alan Brown MP demands chancellor extend furlough scheme.

The representative from Kilmarnock and Loudoun has called on chancellor Rishi Sunak and the UK government to extend the furlough scheme after latest figures show a huge rise in Universal Credit claims.

Figures from the House of Commons Library has found more than a 44% increase in claimants from Kilmarnock and Loudoun since the beginning of lockdown. As of this week, there are 5,040 claimants in the constituency (an increase of 2,230 since March). The data details Kilmarnock and Loudoun is being hit harder than other parts of the country as 8.3% of the constituency is currently claiming, compared to the 6.5% UK average.

The figures also showed more than a 50% increase for the 18-24 demographic, with a total of 1,065 young people claiming – up 535 since March.

Commenting, Alan Brown MP said:

“I am concerned at the increase in unemployment in Kilmarnock and Loudoun. It shows that the chancellor must extend the furlough scheme or things will be even worse. A figure of 8.3% is worrying enough.

“What makes this worse

“I am also upset that the numbers of unemployed in the 18-24 age group has doubled in a six-month period.

“We cannot have another lost generation.

I welcome the Scottish Government’s guarantee job scheme for those in this age group. Scottish Government funding for youth work is being increased by more than 30% to recognise the vital role the sector will play in making up any ground lost in learning during the pandemic.

“A newly created £3 million Youth Work Education Recovery Fund will be targeted at those communities and young people who need the most support, bringing Government spending in the youth work sector this year to at least £12.5 million.

“The UK Government’s Kickstart scheme is also good news. However, they need to do more -extend the furlough and provide additional targeted support to sectors hit hard.

“Additionally, they still need to provide support for those excluded from the support schemes to date. I have conveyed my support for this in the chamber and online, I have also written to the chancellor on several occasions pleading with him to extend the furlough scheme.

“Supporting these people will also provide additional money for the local economy.”

Video: MP asks UK Gov for apology over "Trumpian language"

@AlanBrownSNP: I asked the UK Government to apologise after the Home Office published a video attacking "activist lawyers" for trying to protect asylum seekers. This Trumpian language will only further fuel the tensions of the hostile environment this government has created.

View video here

Alan Brown MP writes to UK Gov over food standards

The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun joined the recent Which? campaign demanding the government makes commitments to protect the UK's high food standards.

Tweeting, Mr Brown said: “I've joined @WhichUK in writing to the UK government to ask for urgent clarification on their commitments on food standards. For trade deals to earn public support it's vital food standards are upheld. #SaveFoodStandards”

Along with several other cross-party MPs, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun added his name to the letter to Liz Truss, Secretary of State for trade, and George Eustice, Secretary of State for DEFRA.

Back in June, Alan Brown MP received a number of constituent emails regarding the protection of food standards.

Facemask donation to Loudoun Academy

MP teams up with local company to deliver facemasks to secondary school  

 This week, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun visited his old school where he handed over facemasks on behalf of local company Jiffy Ltd.  

 The company based in Galston kindly donated 30 washable and reusable facemasks to pupils at Loudoun Academy.  

 Jiffy Ltd. is a new start-up company who provide face masks and sanitiser holders in line with the so called ‘new normal’ – i.e. life under Coronavirus.  

 Mr Brown was asked by the creator of Jiffy Ltd., Will Harding, to donate the masks on their behalf after the MP purchased his own personal masks from the company.  

 Commenting, the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said: “Jiffy, a new start-up company, kindly donated a box of 30 washable and reusable facemasks to Loudoun Academy and I was delighted to hand it in on their behalf. 

“The new guidelines issued by the Scottish Government state that teachers and students at secondary school must wear masks in corridors and communal areas. Therefore, the timing of the delivery couldn’t have been more perfect. The pupils, teachers and staff are all working hard to ensure everyone is following the guidelines and I have no doubt these masks will be put to good use.   

 “I initially ordered my own masks online and was delighted to find out Jiffy were based locally. Their service was top-class, and the quality of the facemasks are second to none of course they are all in line with current PPE regulations. I purchased some Scotland themed masks for myself, but on their website there is a wide selection of masks for all tastes.” 

 You can contact Jiffy via their website, email, telephone, and twitter: 

Jiffyltd.com 

Info@jiffyltd.com  

07770443355 

@jiffyltd  

Opeanreach deliver fibre broadband after MP pressure

Back in 2018, Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun opened talks with BT bosses and the local authority over the prospect of fibre broadband in his hometown of Newmilns.   

 The SNP MP was contacted by a host of constituents and local businesses regarding poor connectivity in the area which resulted in Mr Brown raising the issue in parliament.   

 After initially being told a fibre broadband cabinet was out of the question, the MP made a series of enquiries to Openreach and Ayrshire Roads Alliance before taking it to Westminster where he raised it during a House of Commons Committee meeting.   

 Now, after two-years, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun’s persistence has paid off. BT Openreach has now installed a new fibre broadband cabinet in the heart of Newmilns.   

 Commenting, Mr Brown said:   

“Having been contacted by several local residents, businesses, and tourist premises in the village frustrated by the poor service, I was told the cabinet was considered "not commercially viable".  However, as a former civil engineer, I was keen to understand exactly what the underlying issue was, especially as this cabinet was on Main Street in Newmilns and several adjacent streets in the village already received full fibre broadband.    

“It turns out the initial work to install the cabinet was aborted by BT Openreach due to the failure to agree a suitable location between BT, the Council and Ayrshire Roads Alliance - with issues around underground utility services being cited as the main problem.  

“This was not a satisfactory position as far as I was concerned and I struggled to accept that some form of practical solution to deal with the underground utility constraints - or a more suitable alternative location - could not be found in this instance.  

“That is why during an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee hearing with the Openreach UK Strategic Managing Director I was able to use this unresolved cabinet matter as an example of how businesses, community groups and individuals linked to this particular cabinet were receiving an inferior service.   

“Obviously, as MP I want to do my utmost to ensure that all viable options are considered and that any disparity in service is resolved for my constituents.    

 “I understand that it is not always easy to find suitable practical and commercial solutions, however I was very pleased to hear that the Openreach Strategic Director agreed to have this cabinet location investigated further and a proper solution has now been completed.”  

One local business which will benefit greatly with the new installation will be Lamlash House in Newmilns.  

Commenting, Johnathan Muirhead, joint owner of Lamlash House said:  

“Despite being told by our service provider some time ago that an improved broadband service was not feasible in a part of Newmilns, Alan Brown MP has worked hard to convince them to get the project back on track.  

“The enhanced service will mean that businesses like Lamlash House will be able to enjoy a broadband quality which is essential for us to operate effectively in today’s business environment.” 

Exiting Phase Three

Today the First Minister has announced that gyms and contact sport training is to be permitted as of Monday 31st of August.

Again, this is extremely welcome news, but we must continue to be vigilant with the virus and stick to the current guidelines to ensure these restrictions are lifted.

Details below:

24th August

Reopening of:

• Amusement Arcades

• Bingo Halls

• Casinos

• Funfairs

• Snooker Halls

• Driving lessons can resume

Return of non-contact sport for all ages.

Live events (concerts etc.) are permitted outdoors with restricted numbers, physical distance and hygiene measures in place.

 31st August

Reopening of:

• Gyms

• Swimming Pools

• Indoor Sports

•  Indicative Dates

 14th September

Reopening of:

• Soft Plays

• Theatres

• Indoor Live Music

Sports stadia set to open with restricted numbers, physical distance and hygiene measures in place.

More people will be permitted to attend wedding receptions and funeral wakes, however there will still be a restriction on numbers.

These measures will be reviewed on Thursday 10th September. Also note, the proposed reopening of live music events does not include nightclubs.  

Alan Brown MP Supports ‘Eat Out to Help Out Scheme’.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun welcomes the new initiative from the UK Government which aims to get locals out supporting bars and restaurants.

Starting this Monday (3rd August) you can get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks, with up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner.

The Scheme will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 31st August There is no limit to the number of times customers can use the offer during the period of the scheme. Your customers cannot get a discount for someone who is not eating or drinking.

 The discount will be automatically available to customers at participating establishments. The restaurants and bars will then claim a reimbursement from the Government for the discount provided.

 Commenting, Alan Brown MP said:

“This is a welcome step from the UK Government and I fully support this initiative.

“It is imperative we support the hospitality industry and this scheme will certainly assist with getting the industry back up and running.

 “It has been a difficult time for the entire country, that should go without saying, but the hospitality industry has severely struggled not being able to operate and trade during this time. The last thing any of us want to see is businesses closing its doors due to this pandemic and bars and restaurants are no different.

 “My staff delivered letters to around 40 bars and restaurants across Kilmarnock and Loudoun last week to give details of the scheme and how to register for it.“Prior to this announcement, the UK Government cut VAT from 20 percent to five percent in the hospitality trade excluding sales of alcohol. This lasts from 15th July until 12th January 2021.

 “It is a welcome step in the right direction, although I have campaigned for a zero rating and will lobby the Chancellor to extend this beyond January 2021. The last thing we need is prices going back up post-Christmas.

 “I hope to see as many bars and restaurants utilise this scheme as possible in order to get business up and running again.”

Phase Three Update

Today the First Minister revealed the remainder of Scotland’s routemap out of lockdown.

At this moment we will remain in Phase Three, but some notable changes are on the horizon. I am delighted schools are set to fully open as of 11th August, along with driving lessons set to resume on 24th August, this is a massive step in the right direction.

I am sure I speak for everyone when I say I look forward to gyms reopening and the return of live sporting events, however we must ensure we continue to follow the measures already in place before these are set to return on 14th September.

Please find more details of the First Minister’s key dates below:

1st of August

• Pause Shielding 

3rd of August

• Relax certain restrictions on some support groups and services and for sports coaches – once relevant guidance is implemented

• Routine eye care services can be provided within community optometry practices and in patients' own homes

11th of August 

• Children to be able to return to school full time. Expect a phased return over the week with all children back by 18 of August.

17th of August

• Urgent dental care involving aerosols may begin to be provided in practices for NHS patients 

Indicative date: Monday 24th of August

• Live events (outdoor) – with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene, and restricted numbers – following guidance.

• Organised contact sports (outdoors) – all ages – following the guidance of relevant sports bodies

• Bingo halls (with physical distancing and following guidance)

• Funfairs – static and travelling – following guidance

• Amusement arcades and casinos – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene)

• Snooker/pool halls, indoor bowling – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene)

• Driving lessons can resume – following guidance

 Indicative date: Monday 14th of September 

• Gyms (indoor) – following guidance (incl. physical distancing and enhanced hygiene). Will keep under review to consider whether an earlier re-opening date is feasible

• Swimming pools (indoor) – following guidance. Will keep under review to consider whether an earlier re-opening date is feasible

• Soft play (indoor) – following guidance (incl. enhanced hygiene)

• Live events (indoor) – following guidance (e.g. with physical distancing and restricted numbers)

• Other indoor entertainment venues (e.g. theatres, live music/concert venues) following guidance such as physical distancing requirements. (Does not include nightclubs)

• Indoor sports courts – with physical distancing – following guidance (incl. skating, dance studios). Will review whether indoor classes for children can resume earlier or an earlier re-opening date is feasible

• Stadia (limited re-opening) – following guidance (e.g. physical distancing, restricted numbers) – with option for testing on earlier dates where agreed

 Not before 11th of September – Await further review

• Non-essential offices and call centres can re-open following implementation of relevant guidance (including on physical distancing). Working from home and working flexibly remain the default

• Public Services continue to scale up and re-open safely including NHS Mobilisation Plan

• Public transport continues to scale up to full services during Phase 3 with a move to 1 metre physical distancing, subject to appropriate risk mitigations, releasing further capacity in vehicles and vessels

NEW REPORT: UK GOVERNMENT ADVICE "CONFUSING, INCONSISTENT AND LACKING IN COMPASSION" WHILE Kilmarnock and Loudoun RESIDENTS TRAPPED ABROAD

In a new report, the cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee has slammed the Foreign Office’s repatriation initiative to bring UK citizens home at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it slow and poorly co-ordinated.

Years of budget cuts and lack of leadership has left the UK unable to match its European neighbours, such as Denmark, Germany or Ireland, and repatriate its citizens trapped abroad during a deadly pandemic.

The Tory Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee said that many people had received advice which was "confusing, inconsistent and lacking in compassion".  Many Kilmarnock and Loudoun residents will recognise this – if not from their own experience, then from that of their friends or family.  This was reflected in the report’s findings that over 85% of respondents were either ‘very unhappy’ or ‘somewhat unhappy’ with the UK Government’s response.

Commenting, Alan Brown MP said:

“As soon the scale of the impact of the virus became clear, SNP MPs lobbied the UK Government to follow our neighbours – like Germany and the Netherlands – and actively organise flights to repatriate UK citizens trapped abroad.

“The lack of action in response shows the UK Government in a position it seems to be repeatedly found in these days: asleep at the wheel.  There was an absence of leadership and direction from the very top of this rudderless Tory Government which impacted my constituents when they most needed help.

“Years of cuts have hollowed out the Foreign Office and left it unable to protect its citizens in their times of need.  The UK Government needs to face up to this reality and commit now to reversing the cuts they have made to this country’s services.

“Despite the herculean efforts of individual Foreign Office staff around the world, it is painfully clear to anyone watching that years of sustained funding cuts have left the UK Government unable to fulfil its basic obligations to its citizens.  The pandemic has shown this to be as true abroad as it is at home.”

Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

By simply following this link and typing in your postcode you can find all the restaurants and bars who are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.

Starting on Monday 3rd August you can get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks, with up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner.

The Scheme will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 31st August.

The discount will be automatically available to you at participating establishments. Establishments will then claim a reimbursement from the government for the discount they’ve given you.

It is imperative we support the hospitality industry as much as we can now they are back open for business.

Phase Three: Route Map Out of Lockdown

Today the First Minister confirmed we will now be entering Phase Three of Scotland’s route map out of lockdown.

Although this is welcome news and conveys that the spread of the virus is reducing, we still must be vigilant and continue to adhere to the guidance issued by the Scottish Government.

From Friday 10th July:

• Face coverings will become mandatory in shops (exemptions for certain medical conditions)

• Some shops and modes of public transport will be exempt from the two-metre distance and it can be reduced to one-metre

• Up to eight people from three different households can meet indoors with hygiene and distancing measures in place (includes overnight stays)

• Up to 15 people from five different households can meet outdoors whilst adhering to social distancing and hygiene measures

• Children under-12 do not need to physical distance from members of other households both indoors and outdoors

• Those who are shielding no longer have to distance from others in the same household 

Monday 13th July:

• Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can reopen

• Children can play organised outdoor contact sports

• Dentists can see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care

• Optometrists can begin to expand their service throughout communities

Wednesday 15th July:

• Indoor pubs, restaurants and cafes can reopen in accordance with safety measures

• Hairdressers and barbers can reopen with enhanced hygiene measures

• All holiday accommodation can reopen along with, cinemas, libraries and museums

• Places of worship can reopen for communal prayer and congregational services, although with limited numbers and reduced singing

• Restrictions on attendances at funerals, weddings and civil partnerships will be eased

• The childcare sector can fully reopen

Wednesday 22nd July:

• Nail and beauty salons can reopen with enhanced hygiene measures

• Universities and colleges can begin phased return to on-campus learning as part of blended model with remote teaching

Other planned phase three activities which have not yet got a date attached to them, but will not restart before 31st July:

• The reopening of non-essential offices and call centres

• The resumption of outdoor live events

• The reopening of indoor entertainment venues such as theatres & bingo halls

• The reopening of indoor gyms and resumption of non-professional adult contact sports.

• It is the ambition and the intention of the Scottish Government for schools to return full time in August. This is dependent upon the continued suppression of coronavirus in Scotland

Food Standards Commission Petition

A petition presented to the House on behalf of constituents regarding the Food Standards Commission.

Video and Transcript below:

18th June 2020

Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun

I rise on behalf of the constituents of the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun who have sent this petition in the consideration of a food standards commission. They are rightly concerned about food quality in the UK post Brexit. They understand that, despite assurances of the UK Government about keeping out the likes of chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef, proof of the UK’s intent was evidenced by the refusal to accept a cross-party amendment to the Agriculture Bill. They know that all bets are off when it comes to a trade deal with the US. They understand that trading under WTO rules in a no-deal Brexit crash-out means that these products cannot be banned; that is the position under most-favoured nation rules. They know that, with the number of free marketeers within the Tory Cabinet, there needs to be an independent food standards commission to protect the standards of food and drink on our shelves and to protect the Scottish farmers, who produce such high-quality goods.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that the UK Government has not put proper safeguards in place to protect food standards post the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; notes that the Government has rejected cross party amendments to the Agricultural Bill that aimed to protect standards of imports and ensure that any imports would not be able to undercut UK producers; further notes that leaving the European Union without a deal on 31 December 2020 will mean trading on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms, and that the most favoured nation status will mean that the UK cannot prevent the import of hormone injected beef or chlorinated chicken from the US; further notes that the consumer group Which? has stated that a US trade deal poses the biggest risk to food standards since the BSE crisis and notes that the current deals struck by the EU provide the necessary protections; further declares that an extension to the transition period would create a short term protection against low standard imports, and that a Food Standards Commission with the remit of ensuring quality and welfare standards of food and drink imports in any trade deals could provide longer term protections for our farmers and growers in Scotland and the wider UK.​

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider the establishment of a Food Standards Commission to monitor any trade deals involving food and drink products and to protect UK welfare standards and value our farmers and growers who produce in Scotland and the wider UK.

Remainder of Phase Two and Early Phase Three

Today (Wednesday 24th June) the First Minister has announced a further update on Scotland’s route map out of lockdown.

The latest guidance confirms that the travel restriction will be relaxed (3rd July), we will be able to meet with up to two households indoors (10th July), as well as indoor hospitality and hairdressers to reopen (15th July).

This is welcome news and will stand us in good stead in our journey back to reality. However, this will only achieved if we continue to keep doing what we are doing and adhere to the current guidelines in place.

Please find below the First Minister’s plans in more detail and other key dates to look out for:

Monday 29 June

Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented.

Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.

Excludes: indoor workplaces due to open in Phase 3 (e.g. non-essential offices and call-centres).

Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres/malls remain closed for non-essential shops until Phase 3.

Outdoor markets can re-open once guidance is implemented.

Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.

Outdoor sports courts can re-open.

Playgrounds can re-open.

Registration offices open for high priority tasks.

Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees - outdoors only.

Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (broadly within 5 miles) in this phase

Phase 2 - Indicative Dates

• Travel distance restriction relaxed - 3 July

• Self-catering accommodation and second homes (without shared facilities) permitted - 3 July

• Outdoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) - 6 July

Phase 3 - Indicative Dates

• People can meet in extended groups outdoors (with physical distancing) - 10 July

• Households can meet indoors with up to a maximum of two other households (with physical distancing) - 10 July

• Organised outdoor contact sports can resume for children and young people (subject to guidance) - 13 July

• All dental practices begin to see registered patients for non-aerosol routine care. Work will begin to return aerosol generating procedures to practice safely - 13 July

• Increasing capacity within community optometry practices for emergency and essential eye care - 13 July

• Non-essential shops inside shopping centres can re-open (following guidance and with physical distancing) - 13 July

• All holiday accommodation permitted (following relevant guidance) - 15 July

• Indoor hospitality (subject to physical distancing rules and public health advice) - 15 July

• Hairdressers and barbers - with enhanced hygiene measures - 15 July

• Museums, galleries, cinemas, monuments, libraries - with physical distancing and other measures (e.g. ticketing in advance) - 15 July

• All childcare providers can open subject to individual provider arrangements - 15 July

Phase 3 - Advice on dates at 9 July Review (unlikely to be before 23 July)

• Non-essential offices and call centres can re-open following implementation of relevant guidance (including on physical distancing). Working from home and working flexibly remain the default

• Universities and colleges - phased return with blended model of remote learning and limited on campus learning where a priority. Public health measures (including physical distancing) in place.

• Places of worship can re-open for congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers

• Easing of restrictions on attendance at funerals, marriages, civil partnerships, with physical distancing (limited numbers).

Following will be subject to further public health advice:

• Live events (outdoors) - with physical distancing and restricted numbers.

• Live events (indoors) - with physical distancing and restricted numbers.

• Indoor gyms - with physical distancing.

• Other personal retail services - with enhanced hygiene measures.

• Other indoor entertainment venues (e.g. nightclubs, bingo, theatres, music venues).

• Public services continue to scale up and re-open safely

Schools: 11 August: Schools should be preparing for children to be able to return to school full time in August (conditional upon ongoing scientific and health advice). This date may fall in Phase 3 or Phase 4, depending on broader progress. The blended model of schooling remains a contingency plan.

Shielding: The changes set out here do not apply to people who have been advised to shield. Their advice is to continue to shield until 31 July, although outdoor exercise and meeting people from another household in groups of up to 8 people is allowed, provided people follow strict physical distancing. We will continue to review the evidence leading up to 31 July and will continue to refine the advice as and when clinicians recommend it. By 31 July we will have put in place a new approach to shielding that will support people to make more individual decisions based on an understanding of their own risk profile and what matters to them, rather than blanket advice for the whole population.

Phase Two: Route Map out of Lockdown

Today the First Minister has revealed welcome measures which will ensure Scotland comes out of lockdown in the safest way possible.

As always we must adhere to these guidelines in order for us to progress into the next part of the Scottish Government’s four phase plan to exit lockdown.

It is essential we must continue to stay two-metres apart when meeting with members from other households, wash our hands thoroughly when we get back in our own homes (20 seconds) and cover our faces when on public transport and in supermarkets.

So what has changed as of today?

Friday 19 June

People who are shielding are able to leave their home for exercise (from 18th June) and to meet with 1 other household outdoors (max 8 people in total) with physical distancing. People who are shielding can take part in non-contact outdoor activities such as golf, hiking, fishing etc.

• People who are not shielding can now meet with more households outside. Limit increased from meeting 1 other household to meeting 2 households; 8 person overall limit and need for physical distancing remains.

• They can also use toilets indoors while visiting the outdoors of another household. (Hygiene measures are essential.)

• Certain household types can now meet others indoors in an ‘extended household’.

• People should continue to stay in their local area (broadly within five miles) as much as possible and should not travel further for leisure or recreation.

Monday 22 June

• Face coverings are mandatory on public transport.

• Places of worship can re-open for individual prayer or contemplation.

• Professional sport can resume – with public health restrictions remaining in place.

• Dental practices can re-open to see patients with urgent care needs.

• Construction sector can implement remaining phases of sectoral plan.

• College and university staff can return to make essential preparations for restart in Phase 3.

• Consistent with Phase 2, accommodation can be provided for those required to stay away from home for work purposes

Monday 29 June

Indoor (non-office) workplaces resume once relevant guidance is implemented.

• Includes: factories, warehouses, labs and research facilities.

• Excludes: indoor workplaces due to open in Phase 3 (e.g. non-essential offices and call-centres).

• Street-access retail can re-open once guidance is implemented. Interiors of shopping centres / malls remain closed for non-essential shops until Phase 3.

• Outdoor markets can re-open once guidance is implemented.

• Relaxation on restrictions on housing moves.

• Outdoor sports courts can re-open.

• Playgrounds can re-open.

• Registration offices open for high priority tasks.

• Marriages & civil partnerships allowed with minimal attendees – outdoors only.

• Zoos and garden attractions can open for local access only (broadly within 5 miles) in this phase.

• Update on remaining Phase 2 changes on Thursday 2 July

Key Public Services Scaling-up and Resuming across Phase 2

Public services will continue to resume and scale-up during Phase 2, continuing those set out in Phase 1. In addition to the services set out above, resuming activity such as visiting support to Housing First Tenants and the resumption of area-based energy efficiency schemes.

Public transport services will increase over the phase, including increased ferry services and capacity. All phase changes apply to islands. Public transport capacity will remain constrained due to physical distancing requirements – and active travel remains the preferred mode of travel.

A wide range of health and social care services are resuming and scaling-up during this phase, consistent with our NHS Mobilisation Plan – including the examples below. See the plan for more details.

• Continue phased resumption of any suspended or postponed GP services supported by digital consultation.

• Reintroducing some chronic disease management.

• Phased resumption of some screening services.

• Continued GP support for shielded patients, including home visits where clinically necessary.

• Increasing health care provision for pent-up demand, urgent referrals and triage of routine services.

• Priority referrals to secondary care.

• Consideration to be given to a phased resumption of visiting care homes starting with outdoor visiting where it is clinically safe to do so.

• Community optometry practices re-open for face-to-face emergency and essential eye care.

• Plan with COSLA and partners to support and (where needed) review social care and care home services.

For more info visit:

Scottish Government

SNP

Black Lives Matter

Alan Brown MP stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matters.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun is calling on the UK Government to ban the sale of arms to the US and condemned Donald Trump and his administration for their handling of protests. 

Mr Brown has signed two Early Day Motions and has pledged to write to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office over the ugly scenes we are seeing across the Atlantic.

However, the SNP MP recognises this is not just an American problem, but one which affects the whole world.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“The scenes we are witnessing at the moment are terrifying. This is not just the murder of one innocent man, it is generations of systemic racism throughout the US police force and western society in general. 

“The amount of emails I have received on this issue from constituents emphasises this. This is not just a problem for American society to deal with, we cannot turn our backs and turn a blind eye. We have a duty as human beings to not stand for this and the best way to do this is get our own house in order, as we also must do more to eradicate racism from our society.

“This week I have signed EDM 525 which calls for the UK Government to support the Black Lives Matter movement. I have also signed EDM 520 calls on the Government to ensure the immediate suspension of sales of teargas, riot shields and rubber bullets to the United States. Additionally, I will write to the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) to investigate whether UK defence equipment has been used for internal repression in the United States.

“The protests we are seeing are really becoming ugly and this is being fuelled by the response of Donald Trump’s administration. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are fundamental rights that every government must respect, including the United States.  

“We expect the United States security forces to exercise maximum restraint in handling the protests and for protestors to be able to demonstrate peacefully. Any violence is unacceptable and the rights to freedom of expression and assembly must be guaranteed and protected by the government.

“As well attacks on protestors, I have to categorically stand up against violence directed at journalists and the media.

“Freedom of the press and freedom of expression and fundamental pillars of our democratic society and there must be no hold-up from the UK Government in condemning the arrest and assault of journalists and media for simply doing their job.”

Tweet

Petition