Skimmia disease

I'm back again with another question!

My Skimmia has this on its stems. It seems almost like a fungus. Is it doing any harm?

 

Looks like it could be scale insects

 

@wren1
They look like scale insects, rather than fungus to me. Possibly Brown scale see here for info Brown scale / RHS Gardening

 

Urgh! I did have a go at just wiping them off with my hand (gloves on obvs)! Is the only way to use to pesticides?