Total cost of the daily media briefings by the Scottish government: FOI release

Information requested

1. How much does it cost the Scottish government to use the BBC as a broadcaster for the daily briefing for the first minister could you break the cost down to category

2. Could you tell me the legislation that was used to implement the coronavirus legislation and the legislation used to implement the travel restrictions and of the travel restrictions a law or legislation or guidance.

3. All scientific information and data that was used to implement and continue with the coronavirus legislation and travel restrictions and local tier levels

Response

1. The daily media briefings are hosted by the Scottish Government in one of our buildings and are facilitated by Scottish Government staff. The only cost incurred is for the British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. The total cost invoiced and processed for payment for BSL interpreters up to 20 November is £18,831.47.

2. The information you have requested is available from government websites (please see below). Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the websites listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

The UK Coronavirus Act 2020 and Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts 2020 provide new powers and measures to help protect the public, maintain essential public services and support the economy during the current outbreak of coronavirus.

The text of the UK Act is available at: Coronavirus Act 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)

The Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts can be found here: Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) and here: Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)

The UK Act received Royal Assent on 25 March 2020. The Scottish Parliament gave its consent to the provisions of the Act as far as they relate to devolved matters on 24 March 2020. The First Scottish Act (the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020) received Royal Assent on 6 April 2020, and the second Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 26 May 2020.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, as amended, set out legal restrictions on travel. This includes a non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses for travel, which includes travel for work where it is not possible for work to be done from home. The relevant legislation can be found at:The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)

Travel guidance is available at the following link: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on travel and transport - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) This explains the restrictions set out in the regulations, and provides additional advice on how to travel safely.

3. The information you have requested is available from government websites (please see below). Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the websites listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Scientific advice is provided to Ministers by the Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory Group, details of which can be found at Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). The evidence papers that have informed Scottish Ministers’ decisions are available at: Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory Group: evidence papers - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Scottish Government is also informed by the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and its sub groups. Details can be found at:List of participants of SAGE and related sub-groups - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The latest publicly available evidence from SAGE is here: Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The evidence is under continual review.

 

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