First Minister comments on UK Commission on Covid Commemoration report response

The UK Government has published its response to the final report from the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration. This summarises activity across the UK to mark the impact of the pandemic and outlines further details of a programme of commemorative activity.

Welcoming the response, First Minister John Swinney said:

“The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound impact on all of us. We must never forget those who tragically lost their lives during the pandemic, the suffering of the bereaved, and the sacrifices of frontline workers who worked tirelessly to keep us safe. Coming together in remembrance is crucial to honouring their loss and sacrifice during a dark time in our country's history.

“To support commemoration in Scotland, the Scottish Government provided more than £4.1 million through the Remembering Together programme to support communities in all local authority areas to develop their own grassroots activity. We also provided funding to support the creation of a national Covid memorial garden in Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, providing a peaceful space for people to come together and remember loved ones.

“We will continue to work closely across all four nations of the UK to pay tribute to those impacted by the pandemic and remember the mark it left on all our lives.”