Apprentices
Skills Development Scotland are providing the following Covid-19 FAQs for Apprentices: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/pupils-learners-and-apprentices/
Businesses
Scottish Government Advice: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice
Scottish Government Business Helpline:
https://www.gov.scot/news/covid-19-helpline-for-scottish-businesses/
Scottish Government Business Support:
https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-1-billion-business-support-fund-opens
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses#support-for-businesses-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Help with non-domestic rates in Scotland during coronavirus (COVID-19): https://www.mygov.scot/non-domestic-rates-coronavirus/
Business Gateway provide the following advice: https://www.bgateway.com/news/guidance-for-business-owners-in-scotland-on-coronavirus-covid-19
Scottish Enterprise Business Continuity Advice : https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/learning-zone/business-guides/components-folder/business-guides-listing/covid-19-advice-for-businesses-in-scotland
City Council
GCC Updates: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/coronavirus
Council Tax
Funding available for councils to meet increase in applications for the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme: https://www.gov.scot/news/helping-communities-affected-by-covid-19/
Citizens Advice Scotland – Council Tax Reduction Scheme: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction-s/council-tax-reduction-making-an-application-s/council-tax-reduction-are-you-eligible-s/
Creative Sector
Creative Scotland Advice: https://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/latest-news/archive/2020/02/coronavirus-advice
Debtors
Supporting those affected by debt: https://www.gov.scot/news/supporting-those-affected-by-debt/
Dentistry
British Dental Association Guidance: https://bda.org/advice/Coronavirus/Pages/latest-updates.aspx
Domestic abuse
Scotland’s National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: https://sdafmh.org.uk/
Rape Crisis Covid-19 textline and helpline: https://twitter.com/rapecrisisscot/status/1242768405981208578
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre: https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/news/covid-19coronavirus-info/covid-19-support-available-for-women-experiencing-abuse/
Schools
Guidance for parents and families: https://news.gov.scot/news/supporting-parents-and-families
Childcare provision for key workers: https://news.gov.scot/news/childcare-provision-for-key-workers
Update on School Closures and Exams: https://news.gov.scot/news/update-on-school-closures-and-exams
Energy
Energy Saving Trust: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/home-energy-scotland/news/home-energy-scotland-%E2%80%93-covid-19-update-customers
Emergency Powers
New emergency powers adopted by MSPs are outlined here: https://news.gov.scot/news/emergency-coronavirus-powers
Financial support:
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice can provide advice on issues such as debt management and welfare benefits, housing, immigration and asylum, employment, consumer complaints and landlord-tenant disputes. Most local Citizens Advice aren’t giving face to face advice to reduce the spread of coronavirus. They will still be able to help by phone, email or online chat.
Call: 03444 111 444
Visit: citizensadvice.org.uk
Consumer Advice
Consumeradvice.scot has prepared comprehensive advice and information for consumers who have been affected by the coronavirus crisis. This covers: travel, cancellations of concerts, events & entertainment, deliveries & online orders, planning for shortages / price increases.
Call: 0808 800 9060
Visit: http://www.consumeradvice.scot
Shelter Scotland
Shelter offers advice on housing rights and changes to government legislation.
Call: 0808 800 4444
Visit: http://www.scotland.shelter.org.uk/
NHS Inform – Coping with money worries
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/coping-with-money-worries
Stepchange
Stepchange is a charity which offers free financial advice and practical budgeting and money advice. They operate a free helpline, and free online chat service.
Call: 0800 138 1111
Visit: http://www.stepchange.org/
Money Advice Service
Money Advice Service offers free advice on the implications of COVID-19 on work, benefits and travel plans. They have published a guide which looks at rights to sick pay, benefits claims, and what to do if you’re self-employed or not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Call: 0800 138 7777
Visit: moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Health
The latest NHS updates to the public are available on NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
Health Protection Scotland outline the latest advice to professionals and organisations: https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19/
Mental health support:
Breathing Space
Breathing Space offers a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Call: 0800 83 85 87
Visit: breathingspace.scot
Samaritans
Samaritans offers 24-hour emotional support for anyone struggling to cope.
The Samaritans also provide information on the effects of coronavirus on mental health – https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
Call: 116 123
Visit: samaritans.org
Shout
Shout is volunteer-run and is the UK’s first 24/7 crises text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.
Text: 85258
Visit: giveusashout.org
SAMH (Scottish Association of Mental Health)
SAMH has a lot of resources and information on coronavirus and your mental wellbeing. It includes help with anxiety, OCD, issues for older people and young people, benefits, and coping with distressing news coverage.
The SAMH helpline is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on Bank Holidays.
Call: 0344 800 0550
Email: info@samh.org.uk
Age Scotland
The Age Scotland helpline is a free, confidential phone service for older people, their carers and families in Scotland. The helpline provides information, friendship and advice, is free to call, and available Monday-Friday 9-5pm.
Call: 0800 12 44 222
Email: helpline@agesscotland.org.uk
ChildLine Scotland
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine anytime and in these ways; You can phone, send an email, have a 1-2-1 chat, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards.
Call: 0800 11 11
Visit: http://www.childline.org.uk
Young Scot
Young Scot provides relevant and accessible daily digital information on Coronavirus to help ensure young people have all the information they need to make informed decisions and choices during these unsettling times.
Visit: http://www.young.scot
Scottish Women’s Aid
Scottish Women’s Aid has a specific COVID-19 page with resources for women experiencing abuse, children and young people who might feel unsafe at home, Women’s Aid workers, journalists and other frontline staff who have questions about their practice just now.
Visit: https://womensaid.scot/covid-19/
Rape Crisis Scotland
In response to COVID-19, Rape Crisis Scotland is exploring how they can make support more accessible. Anyone affected by sexual violence can contact Rape Crisis Scotland by phone, by email, or by text.
Call: 08088 01 03 02
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Text: 07537 410027
Visit: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Call: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdadfmh@org.uk
Visit: sdafmh.org.uk
Relationship Helpline
Free support line providing a safe and confidential space for anyone struggling with their relationship. They provide free relationship counselling if you feel you’d benefit from a bit of extra support. This will either be online or over the phone.
Call: 0808 802 2088
The Helpline is open from 9.00am to 9.00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.00am to 4.00pm on Friday.
Scottish Autism Helpline
Call: 01259 222 022
The Helpline is open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
Scottish Government – Clear Your Head campaign
Highlights practical ways to look after mental health and wellbeing while continuing to stay at home – and signposts sources of help and advice.
Visit: http://www.clearyourhead.scot
Mental Health Foundation:
The Mental Health Foundation recommends some tips on looking after your mental health during lockdown, which can be found on their website.
Visit: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Housing
Shelter Scotland Advice: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/scottish_housing_advice_coronavirus_COVID_19
On homelessness, the Cabinet Secretary has released a Statement on Response on Homelessness, and a £350 million fund has been announced to support welfare and wellbeing, including homelessness.
Volunteering
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are currently recruiting volunteers, you can help out at: https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/working-with-us/volunteering/
Scottish voluntary organisations have created a directory where you can seek further information on giving and receiving support – find out more at the SCVO Coronavirus Community Assistance Directory: https://coronavirus.scvo.org/
Ready Scotland: https://www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/helping-in-your-community/
Homeowners
The Money Advice Service has details on Mortgage Holidays: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/mortgage-payment-holidays
Tenants
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations have confirmed there will be no evictions as a result of Covid-19 related financial difficulties: https://www.sfha.co.uk/news/news-category/sfha-news/news-article/sfha-no-housing-association-tenant-will-be-evicted-due-to-coronavirus
18th March: Cabinet Secretary announces that the notice period required for evictions for rent arrears would increase from 3 to 6 months.
25th March: Cabinet Secretary announces the Scottish Government are taking action on “the extension of the notice period for the majority of grounds [for eviction] to six months is in order to give effect to our desire for no one to lose their house over the actions that are being taken in our attempts to cope with the pandemic.”
Insurance
First Minster’s response to FMQ on Business Insurance, 19th March: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12591&i=113830&c=2251718#ScotParlOR
Statement from Association of British Insurers on Covid-19 insurance: https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2020/03/statement-on-business-insurance-and-coronavirus/
ABI Covid-19 Q+A: https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-hub/
Justice
Statement from Chief Constable: https://www.scotland.police.uk/whats-happening/news/2020/march/chief-constable-statement-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus
Scottish Courts & Tribunals advice on business changes: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/
Crown Office and Proculator Fiscal Service advice to those due to attend court: https://www.copfs.gov.uk/media-site-news-from-copfs/1875-coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-those-due-to-attend-court
Suspension on prison visiting: https://www.familiesoutside.org.uk/families/visiting-prison/
Key Workers
Criteria provided to local authorities to determine local need: https://news.gov.scot/news/childcare-provision-for-key-workers
School and ELC closures – guidance for key workers: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus—school-and-elc-closures-guidance-on-critical-childcare-provision-for-key-workers/
Nurses and Midwifes
Royal College of Nursing Updates: https://www.rcn.org.uk/get-help/rcn-advice/covid-19
Motorists
UK Government MOT advice: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020
Older People
Age Scotland advice: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice/health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus/
Personal Protective Equipment
First Minister’s FMQ Response on PPE, 19th March
Religious groups
Social distancing advice to “minimise social contact by avoiding crowded areas and large gatherings, including religious congregations”.
Specific announcements :
Church of Scotland
Catholic church in Scotland
Scottish Episcopal Church
Muslim Council of Britain
Board of Deputies of British Jews
Rural
NFUS advice to farmers: https://www.nfus.org.uk/coronavirus.aspx
Seafood industry advice from Seafish: https://www.seafish.org/article/coronavirus-updates-for-the-seafood-industry
Self employed
Scottish Government’s call for more action to help self-employed: https://news.gov.scot/news/call-for-action-to-help-self-employed
HMRC Helpline for self-employed people and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19
UK Government release on DWP support, including for the self-employed: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
Citizens Advice Scotland advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
Small Businesses
Details of support for businesses including “one-off £10,000 grant to ratepayers of small businesses”: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-1-billion-business-support-fund-opens
FSB advice: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html
Social Security
Universal Credit advice on social security for those with Covid-19: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Entitledto advice: https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/coronavirus_help
Turn2us advice: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-new
Travel
Domestic: Transport Scotland: https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/coronavirus-covid-19/
International: FCO: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Testing
COVID-19 testing to get key workers back to work: https://news.gov.scot/news/covid-19-testing-to-get-key-workers-back-to-work
First Minster’s FMQ response on testing, 25th March
Third Sector
SCVO advice: https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus
£20 million allocated to a Third Sector Resilience Fund, to help ensure the health and continued viability of the third sector organisations affected by cash flow and other problems, which have a key role to play in our national response.
Workers
Protecting workers during coronavirus outbreak: https://www.gov.scot/news/protecting-workers-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
UK Government Guidance for Employees: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees
House of Commons blog on Employment Rights: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/social-policy/health/coronavirus-employment-rights-and-sick-pay/
Scottish Parliament Research
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre are also providing the following policy briefings across a wide range of sectors and devolved policy theme areas which you may find useful: https://spice-spotlight.scot/2020/03/25/coronavirus-covid-19-constituency-support-updated-19-march-2020/
