The second stage of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) worth up to £6750 has opened for applications. Those eligible will now be able to receive a second and final grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, with the money set to land in their bank accounts within six working days of making a claim. Anyone whose self-employed business has been adversely affected by coronavirus since 14th July is eligible for the scheme.
FLOODING: Willie spent a few hours with flooded out residents in Strathmiglo’s Skene Street, Freuchie Mill and Freuchie. They are still in a state of shock at the volume of the water which has ruined their homes. Some had just completed home refurbishments.
He has offered practical support and advice.
TESTING FOR EDUCATIONAL WORKERS
Teachers, nursery and school staff can now be tested on demand if they are concerned they have been at risk from infection, even if they show no symptoms.
VISITORS
Willie has been liaising with the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust about the management of visitors to beauty spots like Kingsbarns beach, West Sands and Ruby Bay. Steps have been taken to manage traffic, the toilets will be open soon at Kingsbarns Beach and the Bruce Embankment (delayed because of the lockdown) and advice has been issued to visitors on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. We welcome visitors but to help stop the spread of the virus please turn back if somewhere has too many people.
BENEFIT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
A new benefit to support 16 to 24-year olds into work if they have been unemployed for six months is available. Job Start Payment is a one off £250 payment to help with the costs of starting a new job. The upper age limit rises to 25 for care leavers and the payment rises to £400 if the person has a child.
SQA RESULTS: Pupils whose results were downgraded by the SQA are to receive new grades based solely on teacher estimates. This was a result of pressure from students, parents, carers and teachers. Where a teacher estimate was adjusted down by the SQA, candidates will receive the grade the teacher awarded. Candidates whose entries were adjusted up by the SQA will retain the higher grade.
The SQA will inform schools of the revised results by Friday 21 August.
Willie worked to find a solution, writing to the First Minister and asking for Education Scotland and Audit Scotland to conduct inquiries. Willie also believed that the Education Secretary’s position was untenable.
RECYCLING CENTRES
It is now possible to book multiple visits to recycling centres (up to three in seven days). White goods and small electrical appliances are now accepted too but still not TVs or monitors. One person per car- need to dispose unaided. Keep two metre distance from other users.
HOSPITALITY RULES
It is now mandatory for hospitality settings to collect the contact details of visitors in support of Test and Protect. The new regulations apply to restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels in which food or drink are sold for consumption on the premises.
Settings where face coverings must be legally worn in Scotland has been expanded to include indoor public places such as cinemas, galleries, museums and banks.
VISITS: Wendy has been visiting businesses and charities to check how they are managing with the new arrangements. She is seen here at the Criterion Bar in St. Andrews.
CARE HOME VISITING
Care home residents can now receive more outdoor visitors. They will be able to have up to three outdoor visitors from no more than two households.
UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL SAFETY: Willie has spoken up in favour of testing the thousands of international students due to arrive at St. Andrews and other universities. Willie is impressed with the package of measures that St. Andrews has put in place including a 14-day quarantine but he wants testing as an extra safety measure to keep the students and the community safe.
Willie also spoke up about the protection for schools.
MORE PEOPLE TO GET FREE FLU JAB
Social care workers, people over 55 and household members of those who are shielding will all be eligible for the free seasonal flu vaccine. Those aged 50-54 may also be entitled if vaccine supplies allow.
Groups who will continue to be eligible for the free flu vaccine include: those aged 65 and over, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, children aged between two and five, primary school children, health care workers and young and unpaid carers.
WENDY CHAMBERALIN IS SPEAKING UP FOR NORTH EAST FIFE
The House of Commons has produced a new interactive dashboard that can be used to look into what your MP is doing in Parliament. As well as tracking when MPs speak, you can also look at Early Day Motions, All Party Parliamentary Group memberships and Written Parliamentary Questions.
One interesting feature is the word cloud produced highlighting words most used. During 2020, MPs spoke in an average of 28 debates. Wendy's word cloud shows she has spoken over twice as much as the average MP.
LOWER MELVILLE WOODS LANDFILL
Willie has formally objected to the planning proposal by Fife Resource Solutions for 45,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash (IBA) imported into a new processing plant at Lower Melville Landfill site, with six to seven lorry loads brought in per day.. The application is redundant and unnecessary as there is still years of capacity at the Peterden IBA facility north of Dundee. He added there should be no further development on the Fife site until the existing smell has been eliminated.
COMMUNITY MUTUAL AID
These are the links to their Facebook groups and websites. If you need help with groceries, medicine collection etc please contact them.
Please do let me know whether you are running a group in your community.
SUPPORT AND ADVICE
This is an anxious and uncertain time but we wanted you to know that Wendy Chamberlain MP, Willie Rennie MSP our local councillors are ready to help in whatever way that we can.
