Scottish COVID Inquiry
The Scottish COVID inquiry convened yesterday for a preliminary session on the arrangements for the forthcoming hearings on education and certification (Portfolio 4) and business and welfare support (Portfolio 2). The inquiry heard about the extensive programme of investigations that had been undertaken across both workstreams including literature reviews, round table discussions, responses to consultations and interviews.
The hearings on education and certification will consider six investigative streams (early learning and childcare, primary and secondary education, additional support for learning, FE/FE, apprenticeships and youth work) and will start on 4 November.
Fourteen core participants have been given leave to appear: City of Edinburgh Council, College of Paramedics, COSLA, Long COVID Kids, PAMIS, Public Health Scotland, RCN, Scottish COVID Bereaved, Scottish Hazards, SQA, STUC, Care Inspectorate, Scottish Women’s Rights Organisation and Scottish Ministers.
The hearings on business and welfare support starting on 2 December will consider the impact of individuals of welfare assistance programmes (benefits, food etc), the impact on businesses and the self-employed and the impact on organisations delivering welfare assistance. including key workers in public agencies.
Fifteen core participants have been given leave to appear: Central Scotland Care Homes, City of Edinburgh Council, COSLA, Homelessness Network Scotland, Long COVID Kids, PAMIS, Refugees for Justice, Scottish Care, Scottish COVID Bereaved, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Hazards, Scottish Healthcare Workers Coalition, STUC, Scottish Women’s Rights Organisation and Scottish Ministers
The inquiry expects to sit four or five days a week between 4 November and 20 December. Witness timetables will be published in advance and witness statements will be sent to core participants one month in advance, starting on 7 October.
You can watch the 50-minute preliminary hearing on the inquiry website.
If you are interested in coverage from the hearings, Newsdirect will be offering a live reporting service. Contact us for more information.
