Foysol Choudhury

9 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that community facilities for the most vulnerable people in the Lothian region, such as Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre and Braid Health & Wellbeing, are under threat due to the most recent local government funding settlement.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Local authorities are independent corporate bodies with their own powers and responsibilities and are entirely separate from the Scottish Government. Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services…

8 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated to the No One Left Behind strategy in each year it has run.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Delivery under No One Left Behind commenced in April 2019. The annual allocations from this point are set out in the following table.  2019-20 (£m) 2020-21 (£m) 2021-22 (£m) 2022-23 (£m) No One Left Behind 7.078 7.078 7.078 15.643 Parental Emplo…

8 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much was allocated to each local authority for the Pupil Equity Fund, broken down by each year since the fund was introduced.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: A breakdown of Pupil Equity Funding allocations to each local authority is publicly available on the Scottish Government website - Pupil attainment: closing the gap - Schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

8 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what budget was allocated to the Employability Fund in each year that it has run.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The following table details SDS’ budget for Employability Fund for each year of the programme since its inception in 2013-14: Year Total Employability Fund Budget (£) 2013-14 30,900,000 2014-15 30,100,000 2015-16 25,150,000 2016-17 24,113,000 2017-…

8 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the Pupil Equity Fund in each year since it was introduced.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has spent £764,909,056 on Pupil Equity Funding since 2017-18 to 2022-23. This funding is allocated to all 32 local authorities, as well as Grant Maintained schools. The breakdown of funding by year is publicly available on the Scottish…

8 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider undertaking a public awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Migraine Trust and NHS boards, in order to improve understanding of the range of migraine symptoms and reduce the stigma associated with migraine.

Answer · Maree Todd: There are currently no plans to undertake a public awareness campaign regarding migraine. I held a positive meeting with the Migraine Trust in November 2021 to discuss current priorities regarding migraine care in Scotland and potential areas for future coll…

8 Jun 2022 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what support it has made available to ensure that the Scottish Parliament is a migraine-friendly workplace.

Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB provides support to staff who suffer from recurrent illnesses, including migraine.  The SPCB recognises that most people with migraine can manage their condition and work effectively, with the right information and support in place.  Managers and MSP…

7 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides for families of young people affected by blindness and sight loss to help purchase dedicated equipment for the home and school environment to assist with any additional needs that they might have.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Through the See Hear strategy, the Scottish Government and COSLA are committed to supporting children and young people who are affected by sight loss or blindness to access the services and social care they need. The strategy supports them to get direct assis…

7 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what framework it provides to local authorities for the delivery of services for young people affected by blindness and sight loss, to allow them to share (a) knowledge of best practice and (b) support for outsourcing services.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government/COSLA See Hear strategy expresses the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting children and adults who have sight loss/visual impairment, deafness and dual sensory loss to access the services and social care they need. The strate…

1 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many registered Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (QTVI) there are, and what action it is taking to encourage more people to train for this qualification.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Information on the qualifications of teachers is not collected centrally by the Scottish Government. A report commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by the Scottish Sensory Centre in 2016 showed that there were 65 teachers working with visual…

1 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that every person being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia has equal access to a clinical nurse specialist from the point of diagnosis so that they have the tailored support that they require.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are able access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the cent…

1 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the NHS has the suitable investment, training and resources in place to ensure that people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia have the tailored support required to maintain their mental and physical wellbeing.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are committed to supporting patients to deal with the emotional and physical effects of cancer. We are currently working in partnership with Macmillan to improve the service we offer cancer patients through the Transforming Cancer Care Programme (TCC). Thi…

30 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many eligible young people have received a travel card under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, and what action it is taking to ensure that applying for the travel card is made accessible to all.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As of close of business on 20 June 2022 a total of 410,721 cards had been issued under the Young Persons Scheme (YPS) through the National Entitlement Card scheme and Transport Scot Pass Collect mobile application. The Improvement Service is responsible for …

24 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support the so-called COVID generation of young people who have not received full assessments at school.

24 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to implementing a primary care community audiology service, and, if so, what steps it is taking to introduce this.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government remains fully committed to enhancing community audiology services. We are continuing to work closely with NHS Boards, Social Care and the Third Sector to develop fully integrated and sustainable audiology services located closer to loc…

24 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that the terms of reference of the review being carried out by the National Audiology Review Group are sufficiently broad to allow any lessons learned by it to be used to improve services for all people with hearing loss.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The National Audiology Review Group’s Membership reflects key stakeholders across the clinical pathway and the healthcare system. This is alongside interested third sector organisations who have stakeholder engagement experience with those with lived experien…

18 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05590 by Clare Haughey on 28 January 2022, what its position is on the issue of historical forced adoption in light of the responses received to its questionnaire that has now closed.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The questionnaire on the website closed on 20 April. The responses to the engagement activity are currently being analysed and considered carefully. This will help to determine the next steps and will also provide more understanding of what support is needed …

16 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of people facing eviction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

16 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made for the use of e-scooters on public roads in Scotland, and whether legislation will be required in order to regulate this.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: E-scooters are currently illegal to use in any public spaces in Scotland but they are legal to sell and own, resulting in an increasing number in illegal use in Scotland. E-scooters are covered by the same laws and regulations that apply to all motor vehicl…

16 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Department for Transport regarding the legalisation and regulation of the use of e-scooters in Scotland.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport officials have had one specific meeting on micro-mobility including e-Scooters at which the possibility of legislation and regulation was discussed. This was an information provision session and not a discussion. The Secretary of State for Transpor…

12 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to measure the success of its Super Sponsor scheme for Ukrainian refugees.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Super Sponsor scheme was set up to provide a quick and safe route for displaced people from Ukraine. It is a national response that has rapidly established a round-the-clock operation, supported by multi-agency teams, local authorities, CoSLA and the thir…

3 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timetable is for the Race Equality and Anti-Racism in Education Programme to report.

2 May 2022 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is putting in place to ensure that Ukrainian families understand the conditions of its Super Sponsor Scheme.

25 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Department for (a) International Trade and (b) Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regarding any impact on Scotland of the reported exclusion of investment protection for fossil fuel investments in the Energy Charter Treaty.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Scottish Government Officials are in contact with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about the current Energy Charter Treaty negotiations with a view to identifying any impact on Scotland . The Scottish Government’s annual report on …

25 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Department for International Trade regarding any investor-state dispute settlements in relation to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) that may impact on Scotland.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government’s annual report on our Vision for Trade recognised the widespread concerns about Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) in free trade agreements (FTAs). We have consistently called on the UK Government to ensure that any ISDS mechani…

25 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide patient support packages to people on waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with long-term conditions, including those waiting for orthopaedic surgery, are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that ar…

25 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking, beyond the NHS Recovery Plan, to specifically address waiting times for orthopaedic surgery.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We recognise the significant pressure on Orthopaedic Waiting Times, and actions to address this are being considered within the wider context of planned care recovery. We are working closely with Boards to finalise planned care activity plans, including for …

20 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that women are able to remove contraceptive implants and devices, such as Essure, through the NHS when they wish to do so.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08445 on 6 May 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/w…

19 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland, Network Rail, Winchburgh Developments Limited and West Lothian Council relating to the provision of a railway station at Winchburgh.

19 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to consider local health needs alongside population growth and infrastructure expansion, to ensure that growing towns and cities have adequate coverage by GP surgeries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Health Boards and Health & Social Care Partnerships are responsible for considering local health needs and taking population growth and infrastructure expansion into account when providing general medical services. The Scottish Government's NHS Capital Inves…