The UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announced a further package of UK Government support to help businesses, individuals and public services through the Covid-19 crisis.
Measures in reserved areas that will apply in Scotland include:
- Support for jobs:
- Job retention scheme bonus – employers will receive a one-off bonus of £1,000 for each furloughed employee who is still employed as of 31 January 2021, to provide additional support to firms to keep employees as demand returns. Further details will be available at the end of the month.
- Kickstart Scheme – a £2bn fund to create hundreds of thousands of new, high quality, fully subsidised jobs for young people aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment.
- Expansion of work search support – including a new online one-to-one Job Finding Support offer for the recently unemployed, additional funding for the Flexible Support Fund (including boosting DWP’s Rapid Response Service), doubling the number of work coaches and additional intensive support for those who have been unemployed for more than three months; as well as an expansion of support offered to young job seekers.
- Construction Talent Retention Scheme – an online job-matching platform, minimising redundancies in the construction sector by supporting the retention and redeployment of workers across the UK.
- Support for the tourism and hospitality sectors:
- Temporary VAT reduction – the UK government will cut the rate of VAT applied across the UK to hospitality, accommodation and attractions from 20% to 5%, for a period of six months. The reduced rate will apply from 15 July 2020 and guidance will be published tomorrow.
- Eat Out to Help Out – a 50% discount on eat in meals and non-alcoholic drinks at participating restaurants, cafes or other food services establishments across the UK. This scheme will be valid Monday-Wednesday during August with the discount capped at £10/head/meal. Participating establishments will be fully reimbursed and registration guidance will be published tomorrow.
- Green/R+D Investment:
- Social Housing Decarbonisation Demonstrator – a £50m demonstrator project to start the decarbonisation of social housing over 20/21, focussing on innovative approaches to retrofitting social housing at scale.
- Decarbonising Public Sector Buildings – investment to upgrade public sector buildings, making them fit to help meet net zero with energy efficiency and low carbon heat measures. This measure is in a devolved area of policy but will apply to the UKG estate across the UK.
- Direct Air Capture – up to £100m to support DAC technologies, as announced by the PM last week.
- UKRI world class labs – A £300m investment in 20/21 to boost equipment and infrastructure across universities and institutes across the UK
Accompanying documents have been published here.
Many of the COVID-19 support schemes announced by Scottish Government and administered by Highland Council will be closing on 10 July, so if you are eligible to apply for support and have not yet done so, this is your last opportunity.
We have laid out key details below along with links to the Highland Council website for each scheme.
COVID-19 Bed and Breakfast Grant
Key eligibility criteria:
- B&B business operating with either a personal or a business bank account
- Must gain at least 35% of your income from the affected business
- Cannot have previously received a grant from other schemes
Full details on the Highland Council website.
COVID-19 Newly self-employed hardship fund
Key eligibility criteria:
- Became self-employed on or after 6 April 2019
- Over 50% of income is from self-employment
- Trading below £50,000 in 2019-2020 financial year
Full details on the Highland Council website.
COVID-19 Self-Catering Business Grant
Key eligibility criteria:
- Premises registered as a self-catering unit on 17 March 2020
- Must currently be on the non-domestic rates register
Full details on the Highland Council website.
COVID-19 Small Business Grant
Key eligibility criteria:
- Business premises must have been occupied on 17 March 2020
- Must currently be on the non-domestic rates register and;
- in receipt of Small Business Bonus Scheme or Rural Relief (or eligible for SBBS but in receipt of one of various other reliefs such as Nursery Relief)
Full details on the Highland Council website.
COVID-19 Tenant/Occupier Small Business Grant
Key eligibility criteria:
- Tenant or occupier of premises such as shared office space, business incubator, industrial unit for which landlord is registered ratepayer
- Registered business or partnership, employing at least one person, with business bank account
- Have a lease signed before 17 March 2020
Full details on the Highland Council website.
We know that many businesses are facing additional costs as they look to reopen in line with Scottish Government guidance, and these grants could go some way to helping with these costs. We encourage any business which is eligible but has not yet applied to do so before the deadline of 5pm on 10 July.
Stagecoach Highlands has welcomed the first of their new-look vehicles to Inverness.
In January Stagecoach unveiled a brand new look for its buses, shaped by the needs of customers it proudly serves across the UK, every day.
The new look is part of a wider commitment from Stagecoach to simplify, modernise and enhance its customer experience, whilst reaffirming the customer-first approach that runs through everything it does – from its drivers and buses, to its customer service and technology solutions.
The new look is being rolled out across the fleet of 200 buses and coaches in the Highlands over a three-year period, with customers seeing the first buses on the road in the Highlands this week.
Stagecoach’s instantly recognisable ‘roundel’ icon, a familiar sight on the British road for two decades, has been rejuvenated, modernised and simplified and will be universally adopted across everything that the bus operator offers, representing the three different types of journey. These include:
- Local buses – these are everyday community buses with strong local connections that take people to work, education, hospitals, leisure activities with friends and family and life’s important moments.
- Longer distance – buses with added comfort and value for customers that need to take a bus beyond the place they live.
- Specialist – these are specialist services built for purpose – for drivers who need to park their car outside of town and use park and ride services, university students who need a lift to class and tourists who want to go sightseeing around the country
Three buses in the new ‘longer distance’ paintwork joined the Highlands fleet in early March and will initially be operating on the X99 route between Inverness and Caithness.
The previous coaches that have operated on the route for almost 2 years remain in the Caithness fleet.
David Beaton, managing director at Stagecoach Highlands said: “The last few months have been an extremely challenging time within the business. We are pleased to have been in a position to be able to increase bus services in the Highlands from Monday 29th June as well as get these coaches out on the road. In line with social distancing implemented on board our buses and coaches, we have made a series of changes to the routes our vehicles operate on to provide the highest capacity where there is the highest demand. We hope as lockdown continues to ease we will start to welcome more customers on board all of our services across the Highlands once again.”
Trudy Morris, Chief Executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce said: “As we begin to move out of lockdown, bus services will play a key role in connecting our communities and providing us with links to opportunities and services in Inverness and beyond.
“We are delighted to see Stagecoach investing in their fleet in the area, and we very much welcome the introduction of these new vehicles to key routes in the North Highlands. This is a clear demonstration of Stagecoach’s ongoing commitment to the region.”
Passenger journeys have fallen by over 80% on service X99 since lockdown began on 23 March.
The capacity on board an X99 coach is now 14 customers (full capacity is 59 plus one wheelchair user) and customers are reminded that they can book their seat in advance at citylink.co.uk. If unable to book in advance, customers can also check how busy the bus is using the Stagecoach mobile app using the new busy bus indicator. More information is available at stagecoachbus.com.
The local bus operator is also reminding customers to follow the latest government advice regarding mandatory face coverings on public transport as well as the restrictions on travel distance, to protect others against coronavirus.
More information on staying safe travelling by bus is available here – https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/travelling-safely-in-scotland
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech today (30th June) in which he announced a ‘New Deal for Britain’, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The Scottish Chambers of Commerce agree that we must not let this crisis go to waste. Plans to rebuild our economy must be backed with both intent, collaboration and investment of a scale not seen since the last century.
“The Prime Minister set out a compelling case for investing in infrastructure and we urge both the Scottish & UK Government to work together to put shovel-ready projects on the table and deliver investment to ensure the economy is supported in the immediate, medium and long term.
“Boosting consumer confidence by announcing VAT cuts, providing further job security by extending the furlough scheme for the hardest-hit sectors and providing guaranteed opportunities for our young people are just some of the immediate steps both Governments should collaborate on and deliver for business. The Scottish Government must ensure all consequential funding is allocated towards rehabilitating the economy and creating jobs.”
Today The Independent publishes its annual Happy List, which this year honours 50 remarkable heroes in a crisis who have helped others during the Covid-19 pandemic. These are some of Britain’s most inspirational individuals, whose kindness, ingenuity and dedication prove that the worst of times can bring out our best. The List includes:
- Charandeep Singh, founder of The Sikh Food Bank which has distributed over 50,000 meals to people in need across Scotland. Charandeep is also the deputy chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce
- Captain Sir Tom Moore who raised more than £32 million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday
- Olivia Strong who created the Run for Heroes 5km challenge which has now raised over £5m for NHS charities
Charandeep Singh, founder of The Sikh Food Bank, said:
“To be recognised in the ‘Heroes in a Crisis’ List with so many inspiring individuals from across the UK is truly overwhelming. We have made it our mission to make sure families in need don’t go hungry during this crisis and since starting in March we have delivered over 50,000 meals. This recognition is dedicated to all our volunteers who stepped up to serve the most vulnerable in our communities across Scotland.”
Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“I have witnessed the immense acts of charity carried out by members of the Chambers of Commerce Network and I applaud the vital efforts of the business community to supporting people in need throughout this crisis. As well as our members, I have also been humbled by the volunteer efforts of Chambers of Commerce employees. Today’s publication is a resounding testament to Charandeep’s commitment to supporting and serving communities across Scotland which he has carried out on top of his day job. Congratulations to Charandeep and to all the inspirational individuals across the UK who are making a difference.”
Christian Broughton, editor of The Independent, said:
“In this time of such extraordinary turmoil, extraordinary characters have stepped up to make a difference. This year’s Happy List is devoted entirely to exactly these people – from carers who have risked their lives to save others, to fundraisers who have brought hope and comfort. We can’t possibly celebrate everyone who deserves credit, but those on this list deserve our recognition and our gratitude. Our thanks to them all – and to those who nominated such a broad and uplifting crowd.”
- Local bus links and Citylink coach services to increase across Scotland from 29 June
- Step up follows easing of lockdown restrictions and government restart funding for buses
- Extra measures to help customers plan journeys include new smartphone “busy bus” tool
- Customers urged to follow mandatory face coverings rule on all public transport
- Updated timetables and key information available at stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus
Stagecoach has today confirmed it will start to gradually increase bus service levels in Scotland from next week in line with the Scottish Government’s plans to re-open more parts of daily life.
From Monday 29 June, the company will be providing around double the number of services that have been running as part of the emergency timetables in place since March. Bus services will then be gradually increased, with plans to resume full timetables later in the summer. As well as local bus links, it includes Citylink and megabus coach services within Scotland.
The step up plans follow the announcement by the Scottish Government of new restart funding for the country’s bus network. It will help buses play a full part in connecting people with workplaces, the high street and other key services as they start to gradually re-open.
Stagecoach has a range of measures in place to help customers travel safely and easily. It includes the launch of a new smartphone “busy bus” indicator, which uses extensive data and artificial intelligence to provide a traffic light indicator to help customers choose quieter services and maintain physical distancing.
Face coverings are mandatory on all public transport across Scotland. Stagecoach is using social media and information on its buses to remind people of the importance of following the new rules to help themselves and their fellow passengers.
Sam Greer, Regional Director Scotland for Stagecoach, said: “We remain extremely proud of the fantastic efforts of all of our employees across the country in recent months. Our people have made a huge contribution to the national effort and we’d like to thank every one of them and our customers for their support.
“Buses will continue to play a crucial role in the country’s recovery ahead. As well as helping to restart our economy, they are vital in bringing normality back to many areas of our daily lives. They keep people connected and have a major role in delivering safer, cleaner and healthier communities.
“We are pleased to be starting to step up our services to support the gradual re-opening of aspects of daily life across Scotland. We have a number of extra measures in place to make sure that our services are Covid-19 secure and to help people plan their journeys and use our services safely.
“In line with government regulations, face coverings are now mandatory on all bus services, and this will be enforced by Police Scotland. We are reminding people that they need to wear a face covering when travelling on our services, and we are confident the vast majority of people will do the right thing to ensure the safety of themselves, our employees and other customers.”
A number of additional safety steps have also been taken by Stagecoach to make bus services Covid-19 secure including:
- Vital preparations carried out by a team of engineers to ensure the bus fleet is ready for the ramp up in services. Buses which have been parked up during recent weeks will all be deep-cleaned and will undergo stringent checks in advance of going into service.
- Continued enhanced cleaning regime which includes at least daily cleaning of all buses with a government-recommended sanitiser, with a particular focus on key touch points, and additional in service cleaning where possible.
- All buses will continue to have a protective screen to provide a physical barrier between the driver and passenger. In line with government advice, as drivers are behind a protective screen, they do not need to wear a face covering. However, should the driver need to leave their cab to assist a customer, they will wear a face covering.
- Physical distancing measures will be in place on all bus services, which means that each individual bus has around 20% of normal passenger capacity.
Bus planners have worked hard to ensure that the new timetables meet the needs of local communities and Stagecoach is continuing to work with local authorities to ensure the bus fleet is deployed where it is needed most.
For more information on mandatory face coverings on public transport, including how to wear/make one and guidance on exemptions, please visit the Transport Scotland website. Stagecoach’s free journey assistance card is available to download at stagecoachbus.com and customers can use this as an easy way of showing they are exempt from wearing a face covering.
Detailed timetable information will be made available at stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus
“We’re Good To Go” is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
Apply now to confirm your business has taken the necessary measures and is operating in line with the Government guidelines and Public Health guidance (relating to Scottish businesses) clearly set out in your COVID-19 Risk Assessment.
Upon successful completion of the application, you will be sent a secure link to download your certificate, mark and a toolkit with practical steps for telling your customers that your business is Good to Go.
The application will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you need to make sure you have read the relevant Government and Public Health guidance for your country before you begin. Please also make sure you have read the Terms & Conditions.
For more information on reopening your business, including links to sector specific guidance, please visit the Business Advice Hub. If you have any further questions, please call 0345 873 8050.
Click here to find out more.
Scotland’s arts links with Japan are being supported by over £100,000 from a partnership between British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland. Following an open call for proposals, which drew 24 responses from individuals and organisations working across the Scottish arts sector, North Lands Creative was selected to receive a share of the funding. The successful bid covers several art forms including glass, film and cross-disciplinary practices.
UK in Japan is a major bilateral campaign that started in September 2019 at the same time as the Rugby World Cup. It will be extended into 2021 with the culmination of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The British Council will lead on cultural activities in Japan, bringing in work from
across the UK in collaboration with a range of partners. At the same time the Japanese government will lead on reciprocal activity in the UK.
Highly motivated by the encouragement of the whole glass community, North Lands Creative team has decided to rebound in the face of the adversity caused by COVID-19 and the postponement of our event at the Toyama Glass Art Museum in Japan and launch the inaugural edition of the Glass, Meet the Future festival online.
“The British Council/ Creative Scotland Partnership is delighted to see the Glass, Meet the Future Festival come to life, as part of North Lands Creative project with Japanese partners Toyama Institute of Glass. In a time when creative sectors across the world are enduring enormous challenges and are reimagining their work within a very different world, this digital festival spotlighting glass artists’ intersection, does exactly that. The initiative also demonstrates that the strength and vitality of Scotland’s creative links with their Japanese counterparts remains very much alive, giving us much hope for what’s to come when we come out of the current pandemic context.”
The festival launches on the 3rd July and runs for two weeks showcasing a cross section of international diverse and engaging series of short films curated and directed by 26 female artists using glass as the predominant feature. ‘The Soul of a Statute’, a film on the work of Martin Janecký by filmmaker Thomas Hogben featuring their collaborative time at North Lands Creative in 2019 will also premiere during the festival run with a focus on the emergence of glass art film.
“We have spent a great deal of time considering curating programmes that reflect the diverse interests of our audiences,” said Karen Phillips, Director of North Lands Creative.
This project emphasizes identity, community, and the variety in the cross disciplinary approach emerging from the field of international contemporary glass in the last few years.
‘The British Council Scotland – UK in Japan 2019-20 campaign has had a vital and valuable impact on North Lands Creative and our relationship with Japan. While we have postponed our exchange trip and festival at the Toyama Glass Art Museum until 2021, the film residency and dig-ital programme has enhanced and accelerated the project immensely.
Adding a new strand with our online festival has made the experience far more powerful. The relationship with Toyama Institute of Glass Art has given North Lands Creative a starting point for conversations with the wider Japanese glass community and audiences and has inspired far deeper and more fruitful conversations.’
Participating in the project, Martin Janecký, considered being one of the best glass sculptors working today. Among his most recognized strengths is an ability to master the glass moulding technology of so-called blowing and sculpting “inside the bubble”, a technique used to create startling original works.
“First of all I am very thankful for this opportunity. I like the international aspect of the project because my aim has always been to promote glass craftsmanship and glass art worldwide. Working with Thomas was great. He is very talented and our cooperation continues. During the residency at North Lands Creative I made two art pieces. A portrait of a man with a hand underlying his head in a gesture of being immersed in deep thoughts and a portrait of an old man. It’s essential for me not only to embody my ideas into glass but moreover express some emotions through my work so that it communicates with the audience.”
Thomas Hogben, filmmaker was delighted to be afforded the unique glass/ film residency at the Alastair Pilkington Studio in Caithness. “Having the opportunity to collaborate with North Lands Creative, and one of the worlds leading glass artists, as part of the residency is a fantastic chance to capture something truly unique in one of the most inspiring landscapes Scotland has to offer. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the studio in the North of Scotland and working with Martin Janecký. I look forward to sharing the final results with an international audience in Japan next year.”
Jin Hongo, Head Professor, Toyama Institute of Glass Art “We are very pleased to collaborate with North Lands Creative on the special project, Glass, Meet the Future. Glass is not only a traditional craft material steeped in rich history, but is also a continually evolving, cuttingedge medium for contemporary artistic expression. In recent years, applications of glass as an expressive medium have diversified concurrently with the development of technologies and new materials. Collaborations with other fields of research and cross-platform applications within the art are expected. Glass, Meet the Future recognizes this trajectory and signals the coming era of diverse new creations and creators”
The British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland partnership is a longstanding agreement between the organizations to develop international relationships in order to ensure Scotland’s creativity is recognized internationally.
The GMTF Festival launches from Friday July 3rd and continues until July 17th. All the screenings are free by visiting northlandscreative.co.uk website.
Considering the world situation, the fact that we received so many open call submissions, we are very proud to be screening many powerful and never-before-seen films with glass artists and filmmakers from around the world.
The Festival is dedicated to presenting a selection of new films pivoting around the medium of glass and to highlight the global glass community during this unprecedented time. The films include narratives, documentaries, experimental, and hybrid genres – telling stories about how art is made,
Commenting on the decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to keep interest rates on hold and expand quantitative easing, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The Bank of England’s decision to significantly expand quantitative easing reflects the unprecedented impact of coronavirus on the UK economy. It is vital that the Bank works with financial institutions to ensure that it translates into on-the-ground support for businesses.
“The further loosening of monetary policy is welcome, but focus should remain on efforts that will help kickstart an economic recovery. This should include taking steps to close the remaining gaps in government support, including giving businesses direct incentives to invest, train and hire. Both the Scottish and UK Government need to pause any initiatives that add to the cost of doing business and review any policies that can reduce the cost of doing business. This is essential if businesses are to start building up much needed confidence.”