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The governments of Wales and Scotland responded to the “unfair” extension of the licensing scheme during England’s second lockdown, weeks after decentralized nations called for the measure to back their own stricter restrictions.
The dispute comes as Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross insisted that the UK government “should treat Scotland in the same way as England.”
Ross asked No. 10 to commit to restarting the permit if a Scottish national shutdown is necessary, ahead of a keynote address on Policy Exchange on Monday, saying that the guarantee “must be done immediately.”
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland, Scottish Deputy Prime Minister John Swinney said Westminster had ignored the problems Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were facing when decentralized nations called for a similar extension several weeks ago.
He added that the Scottish government was now seeking “urgent clarity” on the circumstances in which license payments would be available. “Will they only be available when England has a problem, or will they be available at all times in all parts of the UK when we all, at different stages, are facing difficulties and have to apply restrictions?”
Echoing the Scottish government’s concerns, Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford said extending the permit to half of his country’s “firewall” measures “was not fair at all”. Drakeford told BBC Radio Cymru that UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak had rejected his requests to increase wage subsidies when Wales returned to the lockdown.
“I received a quick reply to say that it was not possible for a number of technical reasons and therefore no. Now when things change in England, they change their minds about the licensing scheme. And that’s not fair “.
The latest criticism reflects the ongoing tensions between Westminster and decentralized nations, with the prime ministers of Wales and Scotland earlier this fall accusing Boris Johnson of not speaking directly to them about the possibility of a new national lockdown on England.
Responding to the announcement on Saturday night, Scotland’s Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “A crucial point for us is whether support on the scale advertised for English companies is available to Scottish companies now, or if we need impose more restrictions later. or if it’s only available if Scotland has a full lockdown at the same time as a lockdown on England, ”he said.
A Treasury spokesman said Douglas Ross was “right that this crisis has underscored the importance of the union.”
“Our extension of the license plan until December is just one part of our £ 200 billion support package, which has protected jobs and helped millions of people across the UK to continue to support their families.
“As we have done throughout this crisis, we will continue to listen and respond to people’s concerns as the situation requires.”
Sturgeon went on to ask people not to travel to England, or from England to Scotland unless it is absolutely essential.
Speaking on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show, Labor leader Keir Starmer said he would have preferred to see a four-nation approach to a second lockdown.
While Johnson has faced strong criticism for his delay in introducing a second lockdown, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have tightened their own restrictions in recent weeks.
Wales introduced a two-week firewall, coinciding with the school semester, and under which shops, pubs and hotels were closed and citizens were asked to stay home, from October 23 to November 9.
Two weeks earlier, Scotland introduced a similar two-week “breaker” during the school semester. Sturgeon announced a national ban on indoor drinking in pubs, bars and restaurants across Scotland, and the complete closure of all licensed facilities in the central belt, where infection rates are accelerating most rapidly. Schools and daycare centers remain open and a new five-tier system of Covid controls goes into effect on Monday.
Level 0
Entry into force on November 2: light controls on socialization with possible time limits in authorized facilities; a maximum of eight people from three households gathered indoors and 15 people from five households outdoors. Indoor worship, weddings, and funerals are limited to 50 people; Vehicle sharing and the use of mandatory face coverings in public transport should be avoided.
Level 1
As stated above, but only six people from two households can meet indoors or outdoors; numbers at weddings and funerals are limited to 20 and indoor contact sports are not allowed for those over 18; Work in offices restricted to essentials.
Level 2
As above, but no indoor socializing and only six people from two outdoor households; better protection measures for schools; outdoor events are prohibited, stadiums closed to spectators but drive-ins and cinemas are allowed; prohibition of the sale of alcohol indoors, except served with meals; soft games, pool halls, nightclubs and closed casinos.
Level 3
Do not socialize indoors; six people from two households were allowed to gather in the open air; no non-essential travel; no indoor or outdoor alcohol sales; hotels, B & Bs and camps restricted to essential premises or workers only; all stadiums and events closed; colleges and universities would have greater restrictions on mixing; outdoor contact sports for amateurs are prohibited; all entertainment venues closed; essential public services only.
Level 4
Like level 3, but hotels and B & Bs closed except for essential workers; You can enforce “stay at home” rules or limit travel distances; only essential trips by public transport; all non-essential stores are closed; hairdressers, beauticians and prohibited driving classes; worship limited to 20 people; only five people are allowed at weddings; closed gyms; all entertainment venues, pubs, restaurants, visitor attractions and closed cinemas; Only essential indoor workplaces, outdoor construction and manufacturing are allowed.
Severin Carrell, Scotland Editor
In Northern Ireland, pubs and restaurants were closed for four weeks starting October 16, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries. Schools were closed for two weeks starting October 19.
Speaking to Scotland’s BBC, Swinney said that while he could not categorically rule out a national lockdown in the future, the Scottish government was confident in its own tier system, which will see the majority of Scots living below Tier 3 , which prohibits indoor socializing and drinking in pubs and restaurants along with trips between local authorities.
Swinney also said that while there are significant differences in coronavirus levels in Scotland overall compared to England, there are also significant differences within the country, for example between the Highlands and Islands and west-central Scotland.
