Parliamentary questions
Katy Clark
746 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17602 by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023, under the Fair Work First Framework on conditionality for public sector grants, which grant funders are subject to applying conditionality on (a) effective voice and (b) Real Living Wage under these rules, and whet…
Answer · Neil Gray: As part of the landmark Bute House Agreement between the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party, we are strengthening our approach to fair work conditionality in public sector grants. The conditionality will apply to grants awarded across the public se…
17 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17602 by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023, under the Fair Work First Framework on conditionality for public sector grants, whether any objections from trade unions will be accepted in relation to evidence submitted by employers on meeting conditions on (a) …
Answer · Neil Gray: Where trade unions are recognised, evidence of the collective element of effective voice will be their recognition agreement. We expect in such cases that employer organisations will work with their trade unions to evidence meeting the other aspects of the ne…
16 May 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to modernise the fire estate.
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent findings in the Manchester Arena Inquiry report, what specific actions it is taking to improve the safety of event-goers in Scotland, and to incorporate the recommendations of the report into policy.
Answer · Angela Constance: Counter-terrorism policy is Reserved. As such, the monitored recommendations within the Manchester Arena Inquiry fall to the UK Government for consideration. In response to the recommendations outlined in Volume 1 of the Manchester Arena Inquiry the UK Gover…
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the recent findings in the Manchester Arena Inquiry report, which highlighted deficiencies in the first aid cover provided by a private company that was not adequately prepared to respond to the types of injuries that it needed to treat.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18115 on 6 June 2023. 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/…
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are currently in place to ensure that private first aid companies comply with health and safety regulations at events in Scotland.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that an amendment in 2013 to the Health and safety (First – Aid) Regulations 1981 removed the responsibility of the HSE to approve first aid training providers and qualifications. The regulations now requi…
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered reviewing existing structures surrounding the regulation of private first aid companies, to ensure that there is sufficient oversight of all first aid providers in Scotland.
Answer · Jenni Minto: We agree that this is important and we want to make sure that the sector is as safe as possible and those providing first aid in Scotland are valued and appropriately trained. Officials will take this under active consideration as they undertake further work …
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11295 by Humza Yousaf on 14 November 2022, whether it will provide an update on its discussions with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) officials to ascertain whether there are any concerns in relation to the regulation of private first aid compa…
Answer · Jenni Minto: Further to the former Cabinet Secretary’s update, my officials continue to engage with HIS and other stakeholders and are undertaking scoping exercises to assess the extent of these issues and consider the most appropriate and proportionate next steps. Follow…
16 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish an official body tasked with carrying out regular audits and inspections of private first aid companies, such as those that exist in both England and Wales.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government officials are currently undertaking further work and engagement with stakeholders to scope the potential extent of this issue and consider the most appropriate and proportionate next steps.
5 May 2023 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the potential impact of the proposed timetable reductions by ScotRail on efforts to ensure a modal shift from car to train.
3 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in response to reports that police officers were called out 4,442 times to its hospitals and health centres in the past five years.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government officials have been assured by NHS Greater Glasgow and Cycle (NHS GGC) that they have the necessary controls, protocols and support in place to protect staff. We will continue to work closely with NHS GGC to monitor the safety and wellbein…
3 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a review of the effectiveness of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 in protecting NHS staff from physical and verbal assaults.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We have no plans to review the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005. No-one should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work and assaults on NHS staff are completely unacceptable. The courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with those who attac…
3 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that police officers have been called out almost 10,000 times to hospitals and health centres in the past five years.
Answer · Michael Matheson: No-one should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work and assaults on NHS staff are completely unacceptable. The courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with those who attack emergency workers and we strongly encourage staff to report all inst…
3 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS Ayrshire and Arran in response to reports that police officers were called out 1,103 times to its hospitals and health centres in the past five years.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government officials have been assured by NHS Ayrshire and Arran (NHS A&A) that they have the necessary controls, protocols and support in place to protect staff. We will continue to work closely with NHS A&A to monitor the safety and wellbeing of al…
28 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking (a) in general and (b) through its Fair Work agenda, to encourage trade union (i) membership and (ii) recognition, across the economy.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17602 on 12 May 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at the questions and answers page on the Scottish Parl…
28 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) on identifying sectors of the economy with low levels of trade union (a) recognition and (b) membership.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government provided funding to the STUC for research into collective bargaining coverage in Scotland. This research was published in a report for the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) by the Labour Research Group in July 2021. It included rec…
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review tiers of local democracy and whether reform is needed.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Local Governance Review is being taken forward jointly with COSLA to examine how power and resources should be shared between national and local government and with communities. We remain committed to concluding the review and taking forward the findings …
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA about incorporating community wealth building into its vision and priorities for local government and communities across Scotland.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Representatives of The Convention Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) participate in the Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill Steering Group, which I chair. This Group has met three times. In addition, I met with Cllr Gail McGregor, COSLA Environment and Econ…
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review or amend the law to ensure that local authorities are prohibited from closing or selling public libraries unless alternative premises have been identified for their replacement.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government does not plan to amend the current legislation on matters around public libraries. Under section 163(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, public library services in Scotland are devolved to local authorities who have a stat…
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any summaries of its findings from piloting implementation of community wealth building in Clackmannanshire, Fife, the Glasgow City Region, the South of Scotland and the Western Isles.
Answer · Tom Arthur: In collaboration with local and regional partners, the Scottish Government supported the development of Community Wealth Building (CWB) action plans for each area that set out practical actions to maximise the economic benefit realised for local communities, …
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review or amend the law to ensure that local authorities are prohibited from closing or selling public museums unless alternative premises have been identified for their replacement.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: There are currently no plans to review or amend the law in this area. Responsibility for local authority museums rightly rests with each local authority. Local authorities must use resources as efficiently as possible and deliver services effectively to ens…
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to revise its air quality strategy to include specific timescales that local authorities must comply with.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government's position on this is set out in the improvement plan which was produced in response to the recommendations set out in Environmental Standards Scotland's improvement report following its investigation into air quality. The improvement …
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to explore introducing a bespoke monitoring body for air quality in Scotland.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government's position on this is set out in the improvement plan which was produced in response to the recommendations set out in Environmental Standards Scotland's improvement report following its investigation into air quality. The improvement …
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported proposal by Common Weal regarding the creation of Development Councils, a new tier of democracy beneath current local democratic structures.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The proposal which Common Weal submitted on Development Councils as part of the first phase of the Democracy Matters engagement process made a valuable contribution to the debate about the future of local democracy in Scotland. Further involvement from Common…
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to set out guidance for local authorities on the implementation of community wealth building in the context of economic development.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has consulted and sought views on Community Wealth Building (CWB) legislation, and as part of this, sought views on a duty and need for statutory or non-statutory guidance. Analysis of this consultation will take place over Summer 2023…
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what targets it has set for (a) collective bargaining coverage and (b) trade union membership in Scotland, and whether these targets were met in each of the last five years.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17602 on 12 May 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at the questions and answers page on the Scottish Parl…
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any progress it has made towards its targets for collective bargaining coverage and trade union membership in Scotland.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17602 on 12 May 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at the questions and answers page on the Scottish Parl…
25 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on course to meet any targets for (a) collective bargaining coverage and (b) trade union membership in Scotland.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has made a clear commitment to promote collective bargaining through the inclusion of an employee voice indicator, measured by collective bargaining coverage, within the National Performance Framework. Our National Strategy for Econom…
11 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported shortage of social workers, including any specific shortage of criminal justice social workers who, according to Social Work Scotland, have on average one of the highest caseloads.
Answer · Angela Constance: We are aware that there are ongoing challenges around staff recruitment and retention in the social work sector. These issues have been exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19, which has had a significant impact on capacity over the last few years. The Scotti…
11 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the reasons for the reportedly high rates of community payback order absences.
Answer · Angela Constance: Once a Community Payback Order (CPO) has been imposed, its management – including with regard to compliance and attendance – is a matter for the courts and local authority justice social work services. The Scottish Government therefore does not collect or col…