Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon tells her daily briefing that one of the biggest risk factors is "importation" of the virus from other countries

  • The first minister says international travel is vital so Scotland is lifting quarantine restrictions for many countries

  • People travelling from all countries rated Green will no longer need to quarantine on entry to Scotland. Some on the Amber list, including Spain, will still have to quarantine

  • From Friday, people who are "shielding" no longer have to physically distance from the people they live with. Other changes to shielding included "extended households"

  • Rishi Sunak announces "Kickstart scheme" to directly pay employers to create new jobs for any 16 to 24-year-old at risk of long-term unemployment

  • The chancellor also announces a temporary cut to VAT on food, accommodation and attractions from 20% to 5%

  1. Good nightpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Media caption,

    Travellers from Spain to quarantine in Scotland, says Nicola Sturgeon

    That's all from the live page today, here's a reminder of the headlines:

    Media caption,

    Rishi Sunak: 'We cannot lose this generation'

  2. Minister says UK government has now provided £160bn in supportpublished at 17:50 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Scotland Office Minister Iain StewartImage source, HOUSE OF COMMONS
    Image caption,

    Scotland Office Minister Iain Stewart

    Scotland Office Minister Iain Stewart says the measures announced today by Rishi Sunak take the total support from the UK government to £160bn.

    Mr Stewart says: "As the chancellor made clear this is just the next step in our recovery programme."

    Further measures will be brought in at the right point he says and the £30bn announced today comes on top of all the other measures the UK government has announced already, he says.

    The UK government minister encourages the first minister now to do all she can to make sure the tourism and hospitality sectors don't suffer a "three winter period" in Scotland.

    Mr Stewart argues that the "eat out to help out" discount will help the sector return.

    On the Scottish government announcement on air bridges, he says he has not seen any evidence to suggest Spain as a whole is not safe to travel to.

  3. Coronavirus: Evening updatepublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this evening.

    Read More
  4. 'Today’s announcement bypasses devolution completely'published at 17:40 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Kate Forbes MSPImage source, Getty Images

    Finance Secretary Kate Forbes says today's package of measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak gives the Scottish government "neither the powers nor the funding to tailor our response to the Scottish economy”.

    "Whilst there are elements we welcome, particularly the focus on jobs, and the temporary cut to VAT, my hopes have certainly been dashed because it would appear a lot of the substantial decisions have been delayed until the autumn," she tells BBC Radio Scotland.

    Of the £30bn announced, the Scottish government will only receive £21m, she says, which is "less than 0.1%".

    Ms Forbes and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had called for an £80bn package equivalent to 4% of GDP, as is happening in Germany.

    "The £30bn today doesn’t even come to half of that," points out the finance secretary, who said she - along with counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland - has asked the Treasury on Tuesday for "minor fiscal flexibilities" to allow the devolved nations to respond individually.

    "Essentially today’s announcement bypasses devolution completely and doesn’t provide that funding or the powers,” Ms Forbes added.

  5. 4,173 deaths in Scotland now linked to Covid-19published at 17:36 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    A total of 4,173 Scots deaths have been linked to Covid-19 as of 5 July, official figures show.

    The National Records of Scotland (NRS) figures, external indicate that is an increase of 17 deaths from the previous week.

    From 29 June to 5 July, 40 fewer deaths from all causes were registered compared with the average number for this time of year.

    New analysis of deaths registered up to 14 June shows that deaths among people from the South Asian ethnic group were almost twice as likely to involve Covid-19 than deaths in the White ethnic group, after accounting for age group, sex, area deprivation and urban/rural classification.

    The NRS weekly figures are higher than the daily figure announced by Nicola Sturgeon because they include all cases where Covid-19 is mentioned on a death certificate, even if the patient had not been tested.

  6. Watch: Changes for people shielding come in on Fridaypublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

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  7. How much cash will Scotland get?published at 17:25 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

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  8. What does Chancellor Rishi Sunak's statement mean for Scotland?published at 17:18 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Douglas Fraser
    Scotland business & economy editor

    Chancellor Rishi SunakImage source, SIMON WALKER HM TREASURY

    UK government Chancellor Rishi Sunak has made a Summer statement mini-budget announcementaimed at minimising the economic impact in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Some of the measures directly affect Scotland while others will result in about £800m more for the Scottish government to distribute as they choose.

    Our Economy and Business Editor Douglas Fraser explains all here.

  9. Are you afraid of wearing a face covering?published at 17:15 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    A man wears a face covering on a busImage source, EPA

    A woman who says she experiences feelings of "claustrophobia" and "suffocation" when wearing a face covering is concerned she won't be be able to fly to Portugal to be reunited with her family later this month.

    Ryanair's terms state that if you suffer from a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a face mask, you are exempted "on provision of a medical certificate attesting your condition.”

    But her doctor is currently refusing to provide her with one, based on Scottish government guidance that an exemption letter is not required.

    "I thought I would get into the habit because I would be wearing one for five to six hours, but when I tried one on in the shop, it just made me feel very panicky," the woman told BBC Scotland's Drivetime.

    "I have felt claustrophobic before, but have never had a panic attack. This was just awful. Now the thought of putting it on makes me feel so anxious."

    She says he has already experienced "funny stares" from people when travelling by train without a face mask and worries she will feel similarly "alienated" if she gets permission to fly.

  10. Postpublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

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  11. Scottish government briefing: Air bridges and shielding changespublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    • People travelling from all 39 countries rated Green on the UK government's list, external will no longer need to quarantine on entry to Scotland from 10 July.
    • Some on the Amber list, including Spain and Serbia, will still have to quarantine, at least until the next review scheduled for 20 July.
    • From Friday, people who are "shielding" no longer have to physically distance from the people they live with. Other changes to shielding include "extended households"
    • Latest National Records of Scotland figures show there were 17 Covid-linked deaths last week, taking the total to 4,173
    Nicola Sturgeon
    • One more person who tested positive died in the last 24 hours, taking the total by that measure to 2,490.
    • Scotland has made “real and sustained progress” in eliminating the virus, says Nicola Sturgeon, after a 10th consecutive week in which the number of deaths has fallen.
    • The first minister hopes to confirm on Thursday that Scotland can move to phase three in its route-map out of lockdown.
    • New analysis shows deaths among people from the South Asian ethnic group were almost twice as likely to involve Covid-19 than deaths in the White ethnic group.
  12. Travel agencies 'will be whooping and shouting with joy'published at 17:05 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    A passenger at Edinburgh AirportImage source, PA Media

    The move to ease quarantine rules from Friday means Scots can travel to a number of countries without having to self-isolate for two weeks on their return, although Spain is not included on the list.

    Ken McNabb, managing director of the Travel Company Edinburgh says it is a "major step forward" for those in the travel industry.

    "I appreciate Spain has had a surge in coronavirus cases, as has Serbia, so there is just cause to leave these out," he told BBC Radio Scotland

    "Moving people into these countries [on the approved list] is fine, we've got a lot of people we can cover.

    "I'm quite sure the majority of travel agencies around the country will be whooping and shouting with joy. We've got this door opened to get people away."

  13. Concerns about 'glaring omission' of Spain from 'air bridge' listpublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    An empty Glasgow AirportImage source, Getty Images

    So people travelling to and from Spain will still have to go into quarantine when arriving in Scotland.

    However the Scottish government has approved almost all of the "air bridge" travel destinations set out by UK ministers.

    Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports which owns and manages Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said: “Today’s announcement means airlines can now start making decisions on what flights they will operate, however, the glaring omission is Spain which accounts for 60% of our leisure flights.

    “We’ve requested a meeting with the Scottish government to discuss what further measures could be put in place that would allow the lifting of restrictions and prevent airlines from cancelling routes to what is one of Scotland’s most popular and important tourism destinations.”

  14. Where can I go without quarantining on return?published at 16:58 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    From Friday, travellers are exempt from quarantine rules when they arrive in Scotland from:

    Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan

    The Vatican City made the list but Spain and Serbia did notImage source, Robert Aichinger
    Image caption,

    The Vatican City made the list but Spain and Serbia did not

    Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Réunion, San Marino, Seychelles, South Korea, St Barthélemy, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Vatican City, Vietnam.

  15. Measures from Rishi Sunak on VAT and vouchers welcomedpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Barry McCulloch, the senior policy advisor for the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, thinks overall he got what he wanted from Rishi Sunak.

    Mr McCulloch tells Drivetime: "I think overall it struck the right chord and provided some good news that has been in short supply for three months."

    The chancellor announced an "eat out to help out" scheme which offers a 50% discount for every diner, up to £10 a head, from Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

    DinersImage source, Getty Images

    Gino Stornaiuolo, who owns a couple of Italian restaurants in Edinburgh which will participate in the scheme says: "This is going to further encourage people to hopefully come out and dine."

    Mr Stornaiuolo says if his restaurants can do a bit more business from Monday to Wednesday that will be a great help.

    In response to the six-month VAT cut for restaurants, hotels and attractions, the restaurateur says: "I'll take any VAT cut."

  16. 'It's a real shot in the arm'published at 16:43 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Pint

    So what has the reaction been to the chancellor's announcements around Scotland?

    Alan Henderson, who owns several pubs, restaurants and a hotel in Aberdeen. tells Drivetime: "Clearly it's great news for the hospitality sector.

    "We're probably the sector that's suffered as much as anyone."

    Mr Henderson says: "It's a real shot in the arm and I totally endorse the chancellor's comments, the hospitality sector employs a lot of young people."

    He applauds the chancellor's efforts to create and keep jobs for the young.

  17. Rishi Sunak says new economic measures 'vital' for Scotlandpublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Rishi SunakImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Rishi Sunak

    The Chancellor has said his package of measures aimed at limiting the economic impact of coronavirus are "absolutely vital" for Scotland.

    Rishi Sunak said many rural areas of Scotland would particularly benefit from a cut to VAT for the hospitality and tourism sector.

    And he said Scotland would now receive a total of £4.6bn in additional Barnett funding from the UK government.

    The figure had been put at £3.6bn by the UK government before his statement.

    The Scottish government welcomed parts of Mr Sunak's announcement, but accused him of showing a lack of ambition by not introducing the £80bn stimulus package it had called for.

    Many of the measures unveiled by Mr Sunak will apply in Scotland, including the "job retention bonus" that will pay firms a £1,000 bonus for every staff member kept on for at least three months when the furlough scheme ends in October.

  18. 'There are lots of questions around quarantine'published at 16:34 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    Drivetime with John Beattie
    BBC Radio Scotland

    "At least we have clarity," says travel agent Shona Thorne on the Scottish government's publication of countries from where travellers will be exempt from quarantine rules.

    She does express surprise at Spain not being included, telling BBC Radio Scotland: "That caught most of us out."

    Ms Thorne believes airlines will avoid any knee-jerk reaction since the list is to be reviewed again on 20 July and flights will not resume in earnest until 15 July.

    "There are lots of questions around quarantine," she explains. "We're asking customers to be patient in the short term."

    It is also important to remember that there are several nations on the list that UK residents cannot enter presently - or will be subject to testing or quarantine on arrival, she stresses.

  19. People returning from Spain will still have to quarantinepublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

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  20. Second wave could be 'cataclysmic' for retail in Scotlandpublished at 16:21 British Summer Time 8 July 2020

    BBC Radio Scotland

    Staff members wear face coverings in a shopImage source, Getty Images

    The outlook remains grim for many Scottish retailers according to an industry spokesman, despite a wide-ranging package of measures unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak designed to help the UK recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

    The measures include a £2bn jobs programme for young people, a VAT cut for the hospitality sector and cash bonuses for businesses that retain staff when the furlough scheme ends.

    But Ewan Macdonald Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium told BBC Radio Scotland: "Some jobs will go in retail. We won't have as many shops open - we know that from the pressures on the industry.

    "If we get a second wave of this virus and see shops having to close down, especially during the golden trading period of October-November, at that point the government is going to have to look again at what support it might need. That could be cataclysmic for the industry."