Parliamentary questions

Paul McLennan

158 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

16 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its plans for a bespoke model to address commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland.

Answer · Ash Regan: Over the last six months, a Short Life Working Group has been helping the Scottish Government to develop draft principles to underpin a framework (originally defined as a Model) for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostituti…

7 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the level of need for accessible housing in Scotland.

31 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to making the placental growth factor (PIGF) blood test, which can detect those at risk of pre-eclampsia, freely available on the NHS.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08845 on14 June 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…

30 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a response to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee report, Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We will respond fully to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee report, Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People , in line with the protocol to respond to the Committee two months from the date of publication.

24 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role local authority scrutiny will have in relation to the recently published consultation document on police complaints, investigations and misconduct legislation.

17 May 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its analysis is of the latest transmission charging forecasts from National Grid ESO, in light of Transmission Network Use of System charges reportedly increasing in Scotland by between 39% and 73% while charges are decreasing in the majority of zones in England.

16 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its proposed timetable is for delivering its commitment to establish a National Register of Ancient Woodlands.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We are working closely with NatureScot and Scottish Forestry in exploring the best approach to develop a new National Register of Ancient Woodlands. A new National Register of Ancient Woodlands is part of a suite of initiatives that will be underpinned by a n…

11 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role a COVID-19 booster vaccination programme this winter will play in its Covid Recovery Strategy.

19 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to support the pig farming industry in response to reported rises in the cost of feed, electricity, diesel, labour and haulage.

13 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that harms from drugs and alcohol, which were cited in the Budget 2022-23 as "twin public health emergencies", are being addressed with equal urgency and importance.

Answer · Maree Todd: Alcohol and drug-related harms are important public health issues in Scotland, which is why we established a national mission to improve and save lives. At the core of which is ensuring that every individual is able to access the treatment and recovery they c…

22 Mar 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation will be undertaken in preparing the Wellbeing Economy Monitor and the Wellbeing Economy Framework, recently highlighted in Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Wellbeing Economy Monitor and Framework are being developed as tools to help realise the Scottish Government’s vision to build a wellbeing economy in Scotland. The development of these tools has been informed by the consultations we conducted on the Nat…

16 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent levels of average Council Tax Band D in Scotland, and how that compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.

Answer · Kate Forbes: For 2022-23, the average Band D Council Tax bill in Scotland is £1,347 compared to £1,966 in England and £1,777 in Wales.

15 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to include multiple sclerosis (MS) in NHS Scotland’s, NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026, given reports of the high demand for services in Scotland where MS prevalence rates are higher than the rest of the UK.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred. While th…

15 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress that has been made on implementing the recommendations of the report Improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Answer · Shona Robison: We have convened a Scottish Government-led implementation and monitoring group to oversee the delivery of the recommendations within the report . This group will have its third meeting in May 2022. Members have agreed a work plan covering a two year period …

10 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent data for the number of affordable homes per head of the population in Scotland, and how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.

Answer · Shona Robison: Across the 4 year period to 2020-21, Scotland has seen an annual average of 15.6 affordable homes delivered per 10,000 population. This is 62% more than the 9.6 homes per 10,000 in England, and 71% more than the 9.1 homes per 10,000 in Wales. Over the same ti…

10 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on households in Scotland, particularly in rural areas, what (a) action it is taking to mitigate the effects of increases in the price of kerosene heating oil and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any consideration of a potential price ca…

Answer · Michael Matheson: I know that many rural households, living in off gas grid areas and reliant on heating oil, are likely to be facing difficulties as the price of kerosene has soared in recent months. We are doing all we can within our powers to assist those worst affected and…

2 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when people who are over the age for automatic inclusion in the breast screening programme will be able to make breast screening appointments at locally available screening units.

Answer · Maree Todd: In recognition of the anxiety the pause for those over the age of 71 to self-refer is causing, I asked for work to explore options that will accelerate the restart of self-referrals for women aged 71 and over. Any decision will be informed by clinical advice …

22 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the provisions in the UK Building Safety Bill that apply to Scotland will be enacted through a statutory instrument in the Scottish Parliament, and, if so, what it anticipates the potential impact will be on the built environment in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: The UK Building Safety Bill introduces fundamental changes to the Building and Fire Safety regime for high rise buildings in England. Part five of the Bill includes provision for a New Homes Ombudsman scheme, the aim of which is to drive up standards in house…

16 Feb 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been undertaken of the impact of Brexit on exports from Scotland to the European Union.

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding any labour shortages in Scotland.

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) report, Working Lives Scotland, stating that 19% of employees have no voice channel at all at work, what action it is taking to embed fair work practices across different industry sectors in Scotland.

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any skills mismatches in the labour market in Scotland, in light of reported data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) stating that the number of job vacancies is at a record high, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06210 on 22 February 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Employment and Mental Health Short Life Working Group.

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it can do to support businesses that are experiencing higher-than-average instances of long-term absences, in light of reported research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) stating that 26% of organisations list long COVID among their main causes of long…

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the UK Government to establish a mandatory licensing scheme for the construction industry that would aim to protect consumers from rogue traders.

Answer · Ivan McKee: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06205 on 4 March 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help raise standards within the construction industry.

9 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a mandatory licensing scheme for the construction industry that would aim to protect consumers in Scotland.

2 Feb 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to maximise the growth opportunities for the renewables sector in East Lothian.

31 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to embed fair work practices across different industry sectors, in light of the CIPD survey report, Working Lives Scotland 2021, which states that 19% of employees say they have no voice channel at work at all.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government believes effective voice is key to fair work and welcomes the CIPD’s contribution to highlighting the need for and the promotion of worker voice. We note their Working Lives Scotland report states that 19% of employees say they have no…

31 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the reported skills mismatch in the labour market, in light of the latest data from the ONS showing that the number of job vacancies is at a record high, and the CIPD survey report, Working Lives Scotland 2021, which states that 28% of employees feel ov…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government’s upskilling and retraining programmes, including Individual Training Accounts, the Flexible Workforce Development Fund and the Green Jobs Workforce Academy, are designed to equip workers with the skills that employers need now and wil…