Katy Clark

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing the post of an Older People’s Commissioner.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: We do not have plans to introduce legislation to establish an Older People’s Commissioner. There are existing commissions that protect the rights of older people. The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHR…

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde following the publication of the Primary Care Out of Hours Workforce Survey 2022 by Public Health Scotland on 14 February 2023, which found that the NHS board has reported a 27% decrease in the number of GPs working in out-of-…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has continuous contact with Health Boards and has recently engaged with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on the provision of their Out of Hours services. Despite the system wide pressures, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde continue to deliver …

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the 2022 Scottish teacher census, which showed that there had been a reduction in teacher numbers in East Dunbartonshire, compared with 2021.  

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that numbers of teachers and support staff are protected. We will provide local government with £145.5 million in next year's budget, which is conditional on the successful delivery of the following objectives:…

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will develop a strategy to tackle so-called pensioner poverty that includes statutory targets.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government does not plan to develop a strategy to tackle pensioner poverty. We already work closely with partners, including through the Older People’s Strategic Forum on a range of issues related to age equality. This includes the Strategic Acti…

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Primary Care Out of Hours Workforce Survey 2022, published by Public Health Scotland on 14 February 2023, which found that most NHS boards have reported decreases in the number of GPs working in out-of-hours services since 2019.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Despite the system wide pressures, health boards continue to deliver a primary care out of hours service for the provision of urgent care when GP Practices are closed. Although the 2022 OOH workforce survey showed a decrease of around 97 whole time equivalent…

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve awareness of the Scottish Welfare Fund’s Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants among pensioner households.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Statutory Guidance for the Scottish Welfare Fund sets out the responsibilities for Local Authorities in their administration of the Fund, including promotion and raising awareness across all potentially eligible individuals. This includes providing inform…

22 Feb 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards fulfilling its commitment to introduce a national system of rent controls by the end of 2025.

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current average length of time is for which agreed interim care placements are in place, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information regarding the length of time agreed interim care placements are in place.

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of interim care placements that are currently beyond their agreed end date, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information regarding interim care placements beyond their agreed end date.

10 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of patients there currently are who have (a) been offered and (b) agreed to an interim care placement without the relevant Health and Social Care Partnership having put an interim care plan in place, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government does not hold the requested information regarding interim care plans.

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the employment conditions of Scotland-domiciled seafarers who work on ferry services operated from ports in Scotland by (a) P&O Ferries, (b) Stena Line, (c) Pentland Ferries and (d) Western Ferries.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There have been no recent discussions with the UK Government on these specific issues, which are matters for the operators to consider. However, I have been in correspondence with the UK Government regarding wider seafarer employment conditions, including wri…

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with CalMac regarding employment conditions on its vessels, chartered from CMAL, which are operating on routes on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: This is a matter for CalMac Ferries Limited, Scottish Ministers do not have a role to play and have not been involved in any discussions.  

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to ensure that the time chartering of ferries, to provide additional passenger and freight capacity on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, is compliant with the Fair Work Action Plan.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Time charter crew are employed by the vessel owner and therefore the onus is on them to ensure Compliance with the Fair Work action plan. CalMac Ferries Limited would only be responsible if the charter is on a bareboat basis or the vessel is owned by Caledoni…

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the procurement of replacement vessels for the Oban-Craignure route on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Oban Craignure project is currently at the initiation stage where service and operator requirements are being developed for the new vessel project. Simultaneously options are being investigated for an interim option to replace MV Isle of Mull.

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings (a) CMAL and (b) Transport Scotland officials have had with representatives of Pentland Ferries, from 1 October 2022 to date, regarding vessel chartering on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There have been no such meetings with Pentland Ferries on this matter. Any discussions regarding the chartering of vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract would be a matter for the operator CalMac Ferries Limited. However, the Minister for T…

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions ministers have met with representatives of the Clyde Catamaran Group from 1 October 2022 to date, and what the outcomes were of any meetings.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: No meetings between Ministers and the Clyde Catamaran Group have taken place in that time period. However, a meeting with the CCG has been arranged and I look forward to hearing the Group’s proposals.

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the operational status of the MV Isle of Mull.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: CalMac Ferries have confirmed MV Isle of Mull is currently operating as the relief vessel on the Oban/Lochboisdale/Castlebay service.

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on time chartering vessels, including catamarans, to provide additional capacity on the current Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to improving ferry services for our island and remote communities and I am open-minded to all practical and affordable proposals from our ferry operators to address current operational challenges. I have previously approv…

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the research carried out by the Labour Research Department for the TUC, STUC and the UK All-party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health, which found that (a) 695 premises owned by NHS Scotland and (b) 100% of premises for which NHS Greater Glasgow …

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Surveys have shown us the extent of asbestos in the NHS estate. The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance states that it is safe for asbestos to remain in place if it is in good condition, well-protected and unlikely to be disturbed. Health boards carry out …

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to remove any asbestos from NHS Scotland premises.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We recognise the hazard of asbestos and the risks to health it poses. However, asbestos is only dangerous when it is disturbed or in poor condition. The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance states that it is safe for asbestos to remain in place if it is in …

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reports that 1,027 new patients had to wait more than 18 months for a hospital outpatient appointment in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran area.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is working with all NHS Boards, including NHS Ayrshire and Arran, to clear long waits, which have been exacerbated by the impacts of the global pandemic, and more recently the disruption caused by a very difficult winter. Recent stati…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that there is an adequate provision of diabetes and endocrinology services in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Answer · Maree Todd: In February 2021, we published the refresh of our Diabetes Improvement Plan (DIP), which sets out our aims and priorities to deliver safe, effective and person-centred healthcare, treatment and support for people living with diabetes. Implementation of the Pl…

8 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support NHS Ayrshire and Arran in meeting its target that no new patient will wait more than a year for an outpatient appointment by March 2023.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: In July 2022, I announced ambitious targets to eradicate long waits in planned care. This included a target to clear waits of over a year for an outpatient appointment in most specialities by the end of March 2023. Significant work has already been progresse…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose any updates to the Prudential Code in relation to local authorities' financing of costs incurred under public private partnerships (PPPs), including any requirements regarding transparency.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities is produced by CIPFA. The Prudential Code requires a local authority to ensure that the financing of capital expenditure is prudent, affordable and sustainable and refers specifically to the require…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support local authorities in efforts to repair older public buildings for continued use.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has provided local government with an additional £147.1 million capital funding in 2023-24. The maintenance of buildings and assets is the responsibility of individual local authorities and it is up to councils to manage their own budg…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to ensure that the National Planning Framework and its plans for net zero are supported by implementing an alternative to public private partnership (PPP) arrangements across sectors.

Answer · Tom Arthur: National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was adopted on 13 February 2023. Delivery of NPF4 is not the sole responsibility of one organisation or sector and implementation of the proposed actions will support leadership and collaborative working across the public …

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what strategies it has put in place to ensure that local authorities have the in-house capability and capacity to identify current and future community needs and infrastructure requirements.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Assessing the future needs of places, in collaboration with communities, is a core part of the local development plan process and infrastructure needs should be considered early in the process as part of an evidence based approach. We continue to engage clos…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking on each of the headline recommendations made in Audit Scotland’s 2020 review, Privately financed infrastructure investment: The Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) and hub models.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government welcomed Audit Scotland’s report, which provided useful lessons which we are already implementing through successor schemes to the NPD and hub models which the report considered. These schemes allowed us to deliver much needed new scho…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with the UK Government regarding any changes to the fiscal framework that would enable Scotland to use alternative funding arrangements to the public private partnership (PPP) model for infrastructure projects.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government as part of the forthcoming Fiscal Framework Review. The scope and timings of the review are subject to agreement with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. The review must ensure the Scottish…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to redirect resources from the Scottish Futures Trust to any national infrastructure company.

Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14838 on 9 March 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…