Political Insider – Friday 27th March 2020
I hope this edition of Political Insider finds you and your family well and you’re coping with everything going on in the world right now.
The House of Commons had been due to break for Easter on 31 March but shut down yesterday to combat the spread of the virus. However, Boris Johnson should take questions from a group of senior MPs twice a week while Parliament is shut, one Conservative MP has said. Ex-Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood says this would ensure “partial scrutiny” can continue. Some MPs have expressed concern that the early closure will prevent the government from being held to account for its decisions.
Yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told journalists that there has been a further three deaths due to Covid-19 in Scotland, taking the total to 25 as we move into a fourth day of lockdown to try and curtail the spread of the virus.
NHS field hospital sites in Scotland will be identified this week ahead of a predicted rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, the chief medical officer has said. Dr Catherine Calderwod said she agreed with a senior medic who expects a coronavirus "tsunami" in coming weeks. She said Scotland was looking to set up temporary hospitals similar to one currently being built in London. Dr Calderwood also revealed that new distribution systems for PPE were being set up to support frontline NHS staff in Scotland.
Many of our clients will have been keeping a close eye on the Construction updates coming from both the UK and Scottish Government this week. Nicola Sturgeon has said this week that all building sites in the country should be closed to prevent unnecessary deaths.
While the First Minister’s instructions are not legally binding, she did say she would soon have powers to compel businesses across a range of sectors to stop operating if they were flouting official advice. The stern warning came amid concerns and confusion about who should still be going to work during the lockdown. Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that she hopes the financial support made available to businesses will mean that employers do “not lay staff off unnecessarily”.
There was also some confusion over the weekend when it was incorrectly reported that property sales were to stop as a result of the current crisis. We were pleased to help Homes for Scotland correct this story which in fact related only to those in bankruptcy. Still on home property sales, this week Registers of Scotland halted processing of documents relating to transactions. We understand discussions are underway to ease this situation so that homes sales can proceed.
At Perceptive Communicators, we are always keen to support our clients and the economy, but even more so in this tricky time. But how do you communicate effectively with your employees, customers and the wider world in this ever-changing world right now? As mentioned last week, we are launching a series of free webinars starting next week, we will be sharing hints and tips on how communications can help us cope now and come out the other side of this stronger. Our first webinar, on Thursday 2nd April at 1pm will share hints and tips or effective communications, including a Q&A with a panel of experts.
If you’re interested in joining the webinar, please sign up here:
www.perceptivecommunicators.co.uk/webinar
And finally… in these tricky times we were pleased to hear many examples of community spirit, from members of the Perceptive team volunteering to help elderly neighbours with shopping and prescription collection to clients donating to everything from PPE to foodbank contributions. And while we are all seeking refuge in our homes, our long-standing charity partner, Simon Community Scotland has launched a #GiveHope appeal to protect those who are homeless, so do not have a home in which to self isolate. If you would like to make any donation, even a £1, here is the link https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/SCSCOVID19
If you or your organisation would benefit from our political insight and specialist knowledge and contacts at all political levels, please get in touch with Julie Moulsdale on 07734 932578 or julie.moulsdale@perceptivecommunicators.co.uk
