Useful Contacts & Information Sources

Further Information

Here are some useful links with more information and advice.

This page will be updated as often as possible, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact me by e-mail ([email protected]) or call my regional office (01563 544399).

Scottish Government / Parliament

The latest information from the Scottish Government about Coronavirus in Scotland can be found by clicking here

The Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe) has written a blog with lots of useful links.

Health

For the most up to date health information and advice, visit NHS Inform

Please only call your GP or NHS 111 if your symptoms worsen.

If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Mental Health

SAMH have created a dedicated webpage with advice about how to look after your mental health as we deal with added stress and anxiety.

Councils

South Ayrshire

East Ayrshire

South Lanarkshire

Business 

Advice on both Scottish and UK Government support can be found on Scottish Government’s new business helpline number: 0300 303 0660.

The helpline should be open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm. Callers should select option one to speak to the COVID-19 team.

Alternatively, you can visit their website, 

Federation of Small Businesses

Visit Scotland

Utilities

E.ON 

Scottish Power

Welfare & Benefits

A range of extra support and measures is being put in place to help workers, benefit claimants and businesses affected by coronavirus.

Department for Work & Pensions

Parents / Carers

Help and advice is available for parents/carers concerned about impact of COVID19 and today's announcement of school closures from Children 1st’s Parentline service. It offers online and telephone support (08000 28 22 33) for children and families, and its website has lots of useful information 

Older People

The Age Scotland Helpline is a great resource for older people, their families and carers as Scotland responds to the Coronavirus. You can call them for reassurance, information, advice and friendship. 0800 12 44 222 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or visit their website.

Travel

Scotrail

Banks

Royal Bank of Scotland

Bank of Scotland

Santander

Lloyds Bank 

Clydesdale Bank (Personal Banking)

Clydesdale Bank (Business Banking)

Barclays Bank

HMRC

If you run a business or are self-employed and are concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, you can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice: 0800 0159 559.

 

News

MSP Update - 2nd April 2020 - Experiencing Coronavirus Symptoms

Brian Whittle MSP writes about his experience having coronavirus symptoms: “For the last week, I have been self-isolating with a suspected case of the coronavirus, and let me tell you, it’s not something I would wish on anyone. It started with a bit of a sore throat and a cough one evening.

MSP Update - 20th March 2020 - Coronavirus

A message from Brian Whittle MSP: "We are living in unprecedented times. Politics as we know it has quite rightly been suspended as we pull together to tackle the COVID 19 threat.