Parliamentary questions

Sue Webber

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

29 Aug 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an estimate of the number of households whose council tax bills have risen this year.

18 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding the Corra Foundation has distributed to third sector organisations since 1 June 2023.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Corra Foundation has distributed £8,821,977 of Scottish Government funding since 1 June 2023.

18 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to the Corra Foundation for 2023-24.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has provided a total of £36,504,332.56 in 2023-24 to the Corra Foundation across a range of funds. This includes administrative costs to support the management of the funds identified.

4 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated for drug and alcohol third sector organisations in 2023-24.

Answer · Elena Whitham: Third sector organisations are vital in delivering services to those affected by drugs and alcohol, and their families. The majority of available National Mission funding is allocated to alcohol and drugs partnerships who have local arrangements to support th…

4 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether third sector organisations are still able to receive funding through the National Drugs Mission.

Answer · Elena Whitham: Yes, third sector organisations are still able to receive funding through the National Drugs Mission. This might be direct funding from the Scottish Government, via Corra, or as a result of local commissioning by ADPs.

4 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering primary care services to enable the implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standard 7.

Answer · Elena Whitham: The Scottish Government is providing support to primary care services in their implementation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standard 7 through three routes: The first is through our ringfencing £30m as set out in our Cross Government Plan, over the …

4 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the amended implementation timeline for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standard 7 has been developed in consultation with primary care staff to reflect progress across GP practices.

Answer · Elena Whitham: The timeline for MAT standard 7 ‘Primary Care’ has not been amended this year – it remains at full implementation to be completed by April 2025 as per the 2022 National Benchmarking report published by Public Health Scotland. The MAT Implementation Support T…

4 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much additional funding will be allocated specifically to provide training on problem drug use for healthcare professionals working in primary care settings.

Answer · Elena Whitham: Healthcare professionals working in primary care settings play a vital role in the delivery of the national mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives. The Scottish Government encourages these professionals to engage with the range of training opportunit…

4 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the level of awareness of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standard 7 among healthcare professionals working in primary care settings, and what steps are being taken to raise awareness among this group.

Answer · Elena Whitham: The Scottish Government has not fully assessed the level of awareness of MAT standard 7 among healthcare professionals working in primary care settings. Local services are being supported to implement the MAT standards by the MAT Implementation Support Team (…

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has begun, or plans to begin, any testing for the drug, xylazine, in light of the first death from the drug having been reported in the UK in May 2023.

Answer · Elena Whitham: The Scottish Government is aware of this drug, to date there have been two detections in Scotland that we have been made aware of through the Welsh WEDINOS programme. Public Health Scotland, through their Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) program…

18 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a moratorium on the creation of bus stop bypasses, also known as "floating" bus stops.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: No consideration has been given to a moratorium on the creation of bus stop bypasses. Local authorities are responsible for management of local roads and paths and the Scottish Government has no authority to make such a mandate.

18 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it provided any support to local authorities, including technical assistance or funding, to introduce existing bus stop bypasses, also known as "floating" bus stops, such as those in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has provided funding and technical assistance to local authorities to design and deliver projects through the Spaces for People, Places for Everyone and National Cycle Network programmes that are delivered by Sustrans Scotland, and a s…

18 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any guidance is being developed for local authorities on the implementation of bus stop bypasses, also known as "floating" bus stops, and, if not, whether it plans to initiate any such work.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The updated ‘Cycling by Design’ document was published in 2021 and provides guidance for cycling infrastructure design on all roads, streets and paths in Scotland. It includes design guidance for incorporating cycle facilities past bus stops, with bus stop by…

18 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement work has been undertaken to understand the impact of bus stop bypasses, also known as "floating" bus stops, on pedestrians, particularly (a) people with visual impairments, (b) wheelchair users and (c) older people.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Consultation was undertaken prior to publishing design guidance on bus stop bypasses in the updated ‘Cycling by Design’ document in 2021, and considered impacts on those walking and wheeling as they interact with cycling infrastructure. The consultation inclu…

18 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work has been carried out to review the safety implications of bus stop bypasses, also known as "floating" bus stops, and whether it will confirm when any such work took place.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Transport Scotland commissioned Living Streets in 2021 to investigate issues of inclusion where bus stop bypasses are introduced, primarily to accommodate cycle facilities. The study has visited sites across the UK, photographing, measuring and recording beha…

25 Apr 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to determine how much funding should be spent on active travel projects.

25 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the development and implementation of training that is based on the NICE 2021 guideline on myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), in light of its commitment to implement the guideline.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Our Neurological Care and Support Framework 2020-25 sets out our vision to ensure everyone with a neurological condition, including ME/CFS, can access the care and support they need to live well. Through the Framework we have funded Action for ME and partner…

19 Apr 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Historic Environment Scotland sites that remain closed.