Parliamentary questions
Pam Gosal
490 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to develop a Scottish Institute for Women’s Health.
Answer · Jenni Minto: A Final Report will be published in the Autumn setting out the progress that has been made since publication of the Women’s Health Plan in 2021.The Women’s Health Plan has brought about positive change, driving changes to policy, guidance and trai…
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop the next phase of the Women’s Health Plan 2021-24 to include further focus on the intersectionality of women’s health inequalities, sexual health services, pain, chronic conditions and mental health.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The next phase of the Women’s Health Plan is in the early stages of development.The ambition of the Women’s Health Plan is that women and girls enjoy the best possible health, throughout their lives. This remains the ambition of the Scottish Gover…
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to create a permanent national "fund to leave" for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government received the final evaluation of the fund to leave pilot from Scottish Women’s Aid in August. This has fed into a wider assessment of the pilot looking at how it delivered against its objectives; how it improved outcomes for wome…
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation to embed gender analysis that recognises women-led growth sectors, including the care economy.
Answer · Kate Forbes: Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) is a ten-year strategy, and we stand by its vision to grow a sustainable and inclusive wellbeing economy. Two and a half years into that ten-year strategy, significant progress has already …
21 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reform the public sector equality duty by producing regulations that aim to improve outcomes for people with protected characteristics.
Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Scottish Government is taking forward a phased approach to improvement, which will include efforts to enhance the regulatory regime in Scotland, within the limits of devolved competence. We intend on progressing key initiatives, including our approach to …
15 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated towards the Fair Start Scotland (FSS) employability service in each of the last five financial years.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The following table outlines the last five financial years of allocations for Fair Start Scotland:YEARBUDGET (£ million)2019-2020£16.602020-2021£21.482021-2022£27.002022-2023£23.602023-2024£23.50
15 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently employed directly or indirectly by the Scottish Government to deliver the Fair Start Scotland (FSS) employability service.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Fair Start Scotland employability service was procured, and national contracts awarded to public, private and third sector Service Providers across Scotland. The Scottish Government does not have any staff directly employed to deliver the service. There a…
15 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans on re-opening the Fair Start Scotland (FSS) employability service to new referrals.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Fair Start Scotland launched in April 2018 with an initial referral period of 3 years. Contracts were subsequently extended for an additional 3 years.New referrals to the service ended on 31 March 2024, with the delivery of Scotland’s devolved employabi…
12 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to Home Energy Scotland's Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme since its inception.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: For financial years 2020-21 to 2023-24, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17940 on 30 May 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.…
12 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many landlords have been granted funding through Home Energy Scotland's Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan scheme in each year of its operation.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan Scheme was launched in April 2020 to support landlords with the cost of installation of energy efficiency improvements, renewable systems and energy storage systems. It is a demand-led scheme open to landlords who choos…
6 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any stigma associated with symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, such as facial hair growth and male pattern baldness.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier, has highlighted the impact of polycystic ovarian syndrome and its effect on women as one of her priorities.Given the impact PCOS can have on women’s lives, and in particular the way in which sym…
6 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent studies have been carried out to assess the potential effects of polycystic ovary syndrome in the workplace in Scotland.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The health and wellbeing of women at work is an important element of fair work. Our policy approach is informed by evidence and findings from a range of expert stakeholders. This includes the 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development…
1 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans on undertaking a Health Inequalities Impact Assessment on the revised payment system for NHS dentistry, which was rolled out on 1 November 2023.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government undertook and published an Equality Impacts Assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment, as part of the amendment regulations made as payment reform. Further detail can be found at:Supporting documents - NHS dental payment reform: e…
1 Aug 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans on undertaking a (a) quantitative and (b) qualitative evaluation of the revised payment system for NHS dentistry, which was rolled out on 1 November 2023.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Jenni Minto: Quantitative evaluation is ongoing through data analysis by Practitioner Services Division of NSS and is published by Public Health Scotland quarterly. This data can be found at the following link:https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/nh…
30 Jul 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to boost the cancer diagnostic workforce.
Answer · Neil Gray: Over the past 10 years, there has been a 50% increase in consultant oncologists, from 94.8 WTE (whole time equivalent) in March 2014, to 142.6 WTE in March 2024. We have also increased consultant radiologists by 31.9%, from 288.2 WTE ten years ago (March 2014…
30 Jul 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific measures are being implemented to enhance investment in equipment aimed at ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment for cancer patients.
Answer · Neil Gray: Since 2021, Scottish Government has provided three permanent CT scanners to support core diagnostic imaging capacity within Boards, including a mobile CT pod which is deployed flexibly to Boards that require additional capacity. One further mobile CT and seve…
16 Jul 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide any additional funding through the Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund.
Answer · Paul McLennan: Given the significant numbers of arrivals and visas issued we need to continue to find creative ways to boost the supply of longer term housing. On 22 September 2022, the Scottish Government launched the Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund (ULTRF) to bring …
16 Jul 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many displaced people from Ukraine are currently residing in temporary welcome accommodation.
Answer · Kaukab Stewart: Latest data published by the Scottish Government on 25 April 2024, show that as at 25 March 2024, an estimated 2,150 guests were in welcome accommodation in Scotland. This represents a reduction of 70% from the peak of just over 7,200 people in November 2022 …
16 Jul 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is it taking to help displaced people from Ukraine to enter the private rented sector.
Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to helping displaced Ukrainians access sustainable accommodation, including in the PRS. The Housing (Scotland) Bill includes a package of PRS reforms that provide additional rights and protections for tenants, including d…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the voluntary sector to ensure that the aims of greater fiscal transparency are realised.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Scottish Government recognises the value engagement to evaluate the impact of the measures we are progressing with respect to Fairer Funding. Officials in the Third Sector Unit are in regular contact with organisations like SCVO and the network of Third Secto…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish annually its total direct investment in voluntary organisations, broken down by (a) grants and (b) contracts.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to the answer to S6W-28419 on 22 July 2024. 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/written-…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) collect funding information across all Scottish Government departments and (b) produce a breakdown of its funding to the (i) voluntary, (ii) private and (iii) public sector by (A) department and (B) budget line.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Reporting covering monthly spend over £25k are published on the Scottish Government website Government spend over £25,000: monthly reports - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . In addition, annual budget documentation setting out spending plans by portfolio and progr…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) include all third sector spending in its monthly reports and (b) improve categories to ensure that data are accessible and useful.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to the answer to S6W-28419 on 22 July 2024. 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/written-…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to adopt the 360 Giving Standard by publishing awards to the 360 Giving data standard, such as recipient name, organisation and charity number.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: There are no plans for the Scottish Government to publish open data on grant funding using the non-governmental 360 Giving Standard database. Existing reporting covering monthly spend over £25k is published on the Scottish Government website, providing detail…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish transparent (a) delivery goals, (b) timelines and (c) accountability mechanisms to ensure that progress on fairer funding can be scrutinised by the (i) voluntary sector and (ii) Scottish Parliament.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In the 2023/24 Programme for Government we committed, as part of developing an approach to fairer funding for the third sector, to deliver improvements in grant-making arrangements, including providing greater clarity and consistency of practice. Expanding o…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it plans to introduce multi-year funding for the voluntary sector across all Scottish Government departments.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I provided an update on our plans to introduce multi-year funding for the third sector in my letter to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on 20th May. As noted in that letter, we remain committed to embedding a multi-year grant approach on third…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) review and (b) upgrade grant funding systems for third sector organisations, including whether it plans to create a framework for regular re-evaluation that would ensure (i) timely decision-making communication and (ii) payments by no later than the end of the fin…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: As I set out in a recent letter to the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, issued on 20 May, work is underway to improve the transparency and consistency of our grant-making practices with the third sector. Consideration is being given to how we ca…
28 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to align its fair funding principles with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) definition of fair funding, which is defined as "a long-term, flexible, sustainable, and accessible approach to funding".
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is committed to progressing a Fairer Funding approach for the third sector to improve the transparency and consistency of our funding relationships. Improving grant-making practices across the Scottish Government is a significant unde…
25 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on repair works on the A83 in each financial year since 2016-17.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland has invested £86,956,343 on maintenance and improvement of the A83 between financial years 2016-17 and 2023-24. This figure is up to March 2024. This is broken down in the following table. Year Spend 2016-17 £5,313,575 2017-18 £7,532…
24 Jun 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend funding for the Homelessness Prevention Fund, administered by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.
Answer · Paul McLennan: Between 2020 and 2023 the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations worked in partnership with the Scottish Government to administer the Homelessness Prevention Fund. The time-limited fund, which ended in December 2023, provided a total of £1.5 million to …