Coronavirus and Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 12 May 2020 Closed: 1 Feb 2021 Parliament page
The Committee will be inquiring into the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on: the four-nation approach intergovernmental communication scientific advice policy divergence the impact of coronavirus on various sectors in Scotland Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry
11 Recommendations
11 Conclusions
2 Reports
10 Oral sessions
5 Letters
11 Events
Activity timeline 30 events
1 Feb
2021
Report published
1 Feb
2021
Report published
4 Nov
2020
Correspondence
22 Oct
2020
Report published
15 Oct
2020
Correspondence
8 Oct
2020
Correspondence
17 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
17 Sep
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
10 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
10 Sep
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
3 Sep
2020
Oral evidence
3 Sep
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 10 sessions
17 Sep 2020
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Gillian McGregor CBE · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Iain Stewart MP · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Rt Hon Alister Jack MP · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
10 Sep 2020
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Dr Donald Macaskill · Scottish Care Theresa Fyffe · Royal College of Nursing Scotland Wilma Brown · NHS Fife
3 Sep 2020
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Elspeth Macdonald · Scottish Fishermen's Federation Jimmy Buchan · Scottish Seafood Association John Anderson · Scottish Fishermen's Organisation
9 Jul 2020
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Colette Cohen · Oil and Gas Technology Company Deirdre Michie · Oil and Gas UK Professor John Underhill · Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering
2 Jul 2020
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David Phillips · Institute for Fiscal Studies Professor Alasdair Smith · Scottish Fiscal Commission
25 Jun 2020
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James Withers · Scotland Food and Drink Jonnie Hall · National Farmers Union of Scotland Karen Betts · Food and Drink Federation
18 Jun 2020
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Akash Paun · Institute for Government Professor David Bell · University of Stirling Professor Linda Bauld · University of Edinburgh Professor Nicola McEwen · University of Glasgow
11 Jun 2020
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Jeane Freeman OBE · Scottish Government Professor Jason Leitch · Scottish Government
21 May 2020
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Dr Gregor Smith, Interim Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Professor Andrew Morris · Scottish Government’s Covid-19 Advisory Group Professor Sheila Rowan, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland
14 May 2020
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Douglas Ross · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Gillian McGregor · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Rt Hon Alister Jack · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Recommendations & Conclusions
22 results
2 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
The UK Government has failed to make clear when its messaging applies only to England,...
The UK Government has failed to make clear when its messaging applies only to England, causing unnecessary confusion in the devolved nations. There should be messaging clarity to minimise confusion across national boundaries, and this must begin to happen with … Read more
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3 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
We are concerned to hear that Ministerial Implementation Groups (MIGs) and COBRA have ceased to...
We are concerned to hear that Ministerial Implementation Groups (MIGs) and COBRA have ceased to meet in the context of the pandemic. From what we have heard about how communication standards currently stand, decision-makers in devolved nations have come to … Read more
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4 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
Looking to the future, Ministers must outline, in response to this report, their plans for...
Looking to the future, Ministers must outline, in response to this report, their plans for the coronavirus Cabinet Committees, [Covid-19 Operations Committee and COVID-19 Strategy Committee] and how those Committees will incorporate the priorities of the devolved nations. In view … Read more
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5 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
We have also noted that the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) has not been used as...
We have also noted that the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) has not been used as a method of intergovernmental communication throughout the pandemic, although we have heard suggestions that it would not have been fit for purpose in the COVID-19 … Read more
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6 Conclusion
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
We also recommend that the Government explain to us how it will incorporate concerns about...
We also recommend that the Government explain to us how it will incorporate concerns about the resilience and suitability of current IGR structures (particularly the JMC) into its ongoing review of Intergovernmental Relations.
Government Response
The response will be produced in the coming weeks.
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7 Conclusion
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
Evidence heard on the role of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland...
Evidence heard on the role of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland (Scotland Office) echoes the findings of the previous Committee, which found that Scottish and UK Ministerial counterparts preferred to communicate directly, rather than via the … Read more
Government Response
We note the findings of the Committee. The UK Government is carefully considering the findings of the Pilot to date and we hope to say more on this in due course.
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8 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
The Government must specify and define a clear role for the Office of the Secretary...
The Government must specify and define a clear role for the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland in the context of COVID-19 and similar UK-wide emergencies. We understand that the Department is committed to being Scotland’s voice in … Read more
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9 Conclusion
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
Communication on a scientific level appears to have been regular and consistent between the four...
Communication on a scientific level appears to have been regular and consistent between the four nations. Transparency around SAGE has improved with the publication of its membership and minutes. However, it is unclear whether the advice given by SAGE and … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government’s Department for International Trade has launched a UK Trade Hub, based in Edinburgh’s Queen Elizabeth House, to support Scottish businesses. This new Trade Hub will be dedicated … Read more
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10 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
We call on the UK and Scottish Governments to provide details of the procedures and...
We call on the UK and Scottish Governments to provide details of the procedures and processes used by their advisory groups for providing scientific advice. A commitment to transparency around scientific advice would provide the public and Parliament with the … Read more
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11 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
In addition, we recommend that both the UK and Scottish Governments should consider increasing the...
In addition, we recommend that both the UK and Scottish Governments should consider increasing the number of ‘on the ground’ public health officials in key advisory roles to complement the expertise of academics.
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12 Conclusion
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
The concept of the Joint Biosecurity Centre has been broadly welcomed by the witnesses we...
The concept of the Joint Biosecurity Centre has been broadly welcomed by the witnesses we heard from, particularly the opportunity for the sharing and development of data sets. However, some questions around the role of the Centre remain, particularly how … Read more
Government Response
It is because viruses have no regard for jurisdictional boundaries that the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) was established to operate across the UK - we all need to work together … Read more
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13 Recommendation
First Report: Coronavirus and Scot…
The Government must answer a range of outstanding questions in relation to the Joint Biosecurity...
The Government must answer a range of outstanding questions in relation to the Joint Biosecurity Centre, including: the Government’s assessment of the benefits of establishing such a Centre for all four nations, how the devolved administrations will contribute and who … Read more
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1 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
We agree with Professor Nicola McEwen that trust is an essential ingredient for intergovernmental relations,...
We agree with Professor Nicola McEwen that trust is an essential ingredient for intergovernmental relations, and it is clear that trust needs to develop between the UK and Scottish Governments. This takes effort from both sides. Holding regular, formal, structured, … Read more
Government Response
and recommend that a timetable of regular intergovernmental meetings should be set up, both during the rest of this pandemic, especially if there is a second wave, but also for … Read more
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2 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
We welcome the review of intergovernmental working and look forward to seeing the results of...
We welcome the review of intergovernmental working and look forward to seeing the results of the report. We intend to return to this issue later in the Parliament.
Government Response
The UK Government remains committed to concluding the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) review, working closely with the DAs to agree a finalised product. In August and September, Ministers from all administrations … Read more
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3 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
The evidence we received covering the general role of the Office of the Secretary of...
The evidence we received covering the general role of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland has been helpful. We look forward to hearing a response to the recommendation in the interim report about the specific role of … Read more
Government Response
Interim report recommendations: (7) Evidence heard on the role of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland (Scotland Office) echoes the findings of the previous Committee, which found … Read more
Scotland Office
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4 Recommendation
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
We recommend that the lessons learned from Exercise Cygnus in relation to intergovernmental working, specifically...
We recommend that the lessons learned from Exercise Cygnus in relation to intergovernmental working, specifically inviting devolved administrations to smaller meetings, are revisited. This should feed into the public inquiry of Covid-19, as committed to by the Prime Minister. A … Read more
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5 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
The evidence we have received suggests that the economic support packages provided by both the...
The evidence we have received suggests that the economic support packages provided by both the UK and Scottish Governments have been effective. Nonetheless, we believe that there is a case for conducting a review of the impacts of these packages, … Read more
Government Response
HM Treasury (HMT) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have committed to undertaking a detailed evaluation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). … Read more
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6 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
The Government response to our predecessor Committee’s report on Immigration and Scotland is now more...
The Government response to our predecessor Committee’s report on Immigration and Scotland is now more than two years overdue. While we acknowledge the exceptional pressures on the Government in recent years, a delay of this length is wholly unacceptable. The … Read more
Government Response
The response will be produced in the coming weeks.
Scotland Office
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7 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
The Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme is vital for the Scottish food sector, the pandemic highlighted...
The Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme is vital for the Scottish food sector, the pandemic highlighted that there is not the local take-up for these seasonal roles. We believe that not having enough people to harvest Scottish food puts an important … Read more
Government Response
We note the findings of the Committee. The UK Government is carefully considering the findings of the Pilot to date and we hope to say more on this in due course.
Scotland Office
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8 Recommendation
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
We acknowledge there are staffing issues for the health and social care sector and that...
We acknowledge there are staffing issues for the health and social care sector and that the Migration Advisory Committee did not have enough information when making the decisions about the Shortage Occupation List for Scotland. We welcome the recent development … Read more
Scotland Office
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9 Conclusion
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
Scottish exports make a major contribution to the Scottish economy and the risks to those...
Scottish exports make a major contribution to the Scottish economy and the risks to those key export sectors ought to be a major concern of both the UK and Scottish Governments. We have heard about the huge reduction in exports … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government’s Department for International Trade has launched a UK Trade Hub, based in Edinburgh’s Queen Elizabeth House, to support Scottish businesses. This new Trade Hub will be dedicated … Read more
Scotland Office
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10 Recommendation
Second Report - Coronavirus and Sc…
We recommend that when the UK Government plans for future pandemics it considers all three...
We recommend that when the UK Government plans for future pandemics it considers all three areas—immigration, supply chain and exports—as part of the whole picture. Where responsibility is devolved to Scotland, the UK Government and Scottish Government should work closely … Read more
Scotland Office
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Correspondence 5 letters
4 Nov 2020 Follow-up email from the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, relating to current priorities and calling for a clear timetable for implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act, 25 September 2020
Parliament page
15 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from Gillian McGregor, Director, Scotland Office, re: Coronavirus and Scotland: Interim Report on Intergovernmental Working, 7-10-20
Parliament page
8 Oct 2020 Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Scotland, follow-up to evidence session of 17 September, 24-09-20 and 5-10-20
Parliament page
22 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the interim Chief Medical Officer for Scotland providing additional information on Coronavirus and Scottish Care Homes, 16-06-20
Parliament page
22 Jun 2020 From committee Letter to the interim Chief Medical Officer for Scotland requesting additional information in relation to Coronavirus and Scottish Care Homes, 3-06-20
Parliament page