Further update - for Friday 1st May – from Councillor Fraser Macpherson (West End) and Councillor Craig Duncan (Broughty Ferry)
ADDITIONAL GRANT SUPPORT FUND OPENS
Additional grant support from the Scottish Government for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people will boost hard-pressed Dundee firms. The three separate funds announced yesterday will be administered by Dundee City Council and Scotland’s enterprise agencies and will begin to pay out grants in the coming days.
Nationally the backing includes a £34 million hardship fund for the newly self-employed, a £20 million fund for small and micro enterprises in the creative, tourism and hospitality sectors and £45 million for vulnerable viable SMEs crucial to the Scottish economy.
Advice for local businesses, including ways of accessing financial support, is available at www.dundeecity.gov.uk/adviceforbusiness
FREE TRAINING COURSES
People who have been furloughed or made redundant can now access thousands of free-to-access online learning materials made available by Skills Development Scotland. The flexible and convenient online learning is from 12 different providers across a range of subject areas, such as digital, languages, business and technology.
PPE FOR UNPAID CARERS
PPE is now available to unpaid carers who eligible for it. The advice is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-unpaid-carers-providing-personal-care/pages/overview/
If the carers’ centres are unavailable, you can call the Social Care PPE Support Centre on 0300 303 3020.
FACIAL COVERINGS
If you are in situations where it is not always possible to maintain a 2-metre distance e.g. essential travel on public transport or essential food shopping, it is now recommended that you wear a facial covering.
As some people can have the virus but experience no symptoms, wearing a face covering in these situations may provide some level of protection against transmission to other people in close proximity.
A facial covering is not a surgical or other medical grade mask but a covering of the mouth and nose, that is made of cloth or other textiles and through which you can breathe, for example a scarf. Children under two should not wear facial coverings. All facial coverings should be washed or disposed of carefully.
Please remember that the social distancing, hygiene and staying at home guidance is very important.
WHO CAN BE TESTED?
People critical to the sustained functioning of the economy and public services have access to testing that enables them to continue their vital work. All symptomatic people categorised as key workers and members of their household can be tested.
• Priority Group 1: Health and social care workers; staff working in residential institutions and essential roles where service resilience is at risk.
• Priority Group 2: Essential workers in critical national infrastructure fundamental for safety and security, and life-line services.
• Priority Group 3: Staff directly involved in delivering other essential services.
• Priority Group 4: Staff involved in volunteering, or in nationally or locally significant industry important to economic sustainability and growth.
All NHS and social care staff will be tested through the NHS. Contact your line manager for more information.
For everyone else listed above eligible employers can get a login by emailing portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk You must supply two email addresses that will primarily be used to load key worker contact details.
Workers can self-refer at https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/
Employers and those self-referring can also email opshub@dhsc.gov.uk
You will either be sent to a test centre or receive a postal test.
SAINSBURY
Sainsbury have increased their Groceries Online and Click & Collect capacity by redeploying staff and employing more pickers and delivery drivers. Even with the additional capacity delivery slots are still difficult to get so you should try the click and collect facility.
They have also introduced a new Volunteer Shopping Card to enable friends and helpers to shop on behalf of someone else. www.sainsburysgiftcard.co.uk
8am and 9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday is dedicated for serving elderly, vulnerable, disabled customers and their carers.
They are working WHSmith stores in hospitals, supplying them with groceries to serve NHS workers. 7.30-8am, Monday to Saturday is dedicated for NHS and social care workers.
MORRISONS
Morrisons have created a range of different food boxes to meet the needs of customers who are self-isolating. These boxes can be ordered online through https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/ and are delivered by courier, usually the next day.
MAY PUBLIC HOLIDAYS HEALTH SERVICES
GP services and community pharmacies will remain open on the May public holidays, with NHS 24 operating with an increased number of call handlers.
PARENTAL LEAVE
Furloughed workers planning to take paid parental or adoption leave will be entitled to pay based on their usual earnings rather than a furloughed pay rate.
SME BOUNCE BACK LOANS
Small and medium enterprises can now apply for UK Government backed loans of up to £50,000.
DOMESTIC ABUSE
There is concern that domestic abuse may increase during the lockdown. You can access help here:
INFORMATION
UK Government news: www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications
Scottish Government Updates: www.gov.scot/news
Dundee City Council updates: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Covid community helpline for food, shopping, prescriptions, finances, personal care: People in Dundee on the shielded list only - 0300 123 1403. People in Dundee who are vulnerable but not on the shielded list - 0800 111 4000
NHS Inform - https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
NHS Tayside website: www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
Helpline for those who do not have symptoms but are looking for general health advice Tel: 0800 028 2816.
Health Protection Scotland Guidance - www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19
Federation of Small Businesses: www.fsb.org.uk/coronavirus
Helpline for small businesses, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm. Tel: 0300 303 0660.
Ready Scotland Information - www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus
Tayside Cares - www.taysidecares.co.uk
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we want you to know that we are here to try to help constituents in whatever way that we can.
CONTACT DETAILS
WEST END WARD – Bailie Fraser Macpherson
Phone – Dundee 459378 (home)
E-mail – fraser.macpherson@dundeecity.gov.uk
Facebook updates : www.facebook.com/dundeewestend