Questions · Foysol Choudhury

19 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support has been given to GP practices in the transition away from strict COVID-19 regulations to ensure that patients are not adversely affected by any problems associated with understaffing, overcrowding and a lack of in-person appointments.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We published our NHS Recovery Plan last August and continue to work with Public Health Scotland on updating guidance for Primary Care settings, covering key issues such as the removal of mandatory physical distancing requirements, access for patients and infe…

19 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the creation of a new hate crime strategy as outlined in its Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Plan.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government has committed to developing a new hate crime strategy, for publication later this year, to help guide how we successfully tackle hatred and prejudice in Scotland. On 28 April 2022, I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Hate Crime Str…

13 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing a national student homelessness duty as part of its planned student accommodation strategy.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08079 on 4 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…

13 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent student homelessness, including for care experienced students.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Local authorities are obliged by law to offer the minimum of temporary accommodation, advice and assistance to anyone at risk of homelessness. Anyone who is threatened with or experiencing homelessness should contact their local authority in the first instanc…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that Ukrainian refugees seeking to come to Scotland and who apply for a visa through the Ukraine Family Scheme can access up-to-date information about the status of their visa application.

Answer · Neil Gray: We have repeatedly called for the UK Government to waive all visa requirements but, in the absence of this, what we now need is for the Home Office to give people visas quickly and efficiently. I have held several meetings with Lord Harrington, Minister for…

1 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that the application process for Ukrainian refugees seeking to come to Scotland, and who apply for a visa through the Ukraine Family Scheme, proceeds in a timely manner.

Answer · Neil Gray: We have repeatedly called for the UK Government to waive all visa requirements but, in the absence of this, what we now need is for the Home Office to grant people visas quickly and efficiently. I have held several meetings with Lord Harrington, Minister fo…

29 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support women who have long COVID and who are struggling to balance maintaining their employment with existing caring duties.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is determined everyone with long COVID gets the care and support that is most appropriate for them - regardless of their gender. NHS Scotland is already providing support and care across the full range of NHS services…

24 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential for using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to enforce School Streets.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to monitor and fine moving traffic would require local authorities to have the powers to enforce moving traffic violation. Local authorities currently do not have the powers for such enforcement. This would requ…

24 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will offer to people who experience a decrease in income as a result of the upcoming increase to National Insurance contributions.

Answer · Kate Forbes: As National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and most taxation levers are reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government does not have the range of options to provide support that are available to the UK Government. This is why I wrote to the Chancellor prior…

24 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what financial support it will offer to people who are detrimentally affected by the upcoming increase to the energy price cap.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Through our £290 million Cost of Living support package, we will give 1.85 million (73%) of Scottish households £150 of extra support via the Council Tax. We have also allocated a further £10 million to continue our Fuel Insecurity Fund, which is aimed at tho…

21 Mar 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that people are able to register with NHS dental practices and receive NHS dental treatments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

15 Mar 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the possible resettlement in Scotland of refugees who may be fleeing conflict or persecution, including in relation to Afghans, Syrians, Iranians and Uyghurs, as well as Ukrainians.

Answer · Neil Gray: All 32 Scottish local authorities welcomed refugees under the Syrian resettlement scheme. Local authorities have also re-affirmed their continuing support for resettlement with all 32 Scottish local authorities committing to participate in the Afghanistan res…

10 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect people in self-funded places in care homes from any unaffordable rises in the costs of their care.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: In Scotland, all adults who have been assessed as requiring personal care do not pay for this service, regardless of their condition or means. Nursing care is also free at the point of delivery. For individuals self-funding their own care, the local authorit…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that the process for requesting a paper copy of Scotland's Census 2022 is easy for people who (a) do not have, or are not confident using, online technology and (b) are uncomfortable with using, or unable to use, an interactive voice system.

Answer · Angus Robertson: Everyone living in Scotland is included in the census and we understand that not everyone will be able to, or wish to, complete their census online. That is why paper copies are available upon request by anyone who needs them either by calling our Freephone h…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle online bullying and harassment and help people to stay safe online.

Answer · Keith Brown: There is a range of action supported by the Scottish Government to deal with insidious behaviour amounting to online bullying and harassment. Ensuring the criminal law can deal effectively with conduct amounting to threatening or abusive behaviour led to th…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the available financial support to help tackle the rising cost of living is visible to and accessible for people in minority ethnic communities.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The £150 cost of living support payments are administered by local authorities who are responsible for ensuring this support, and indeed all the other services they deliver, are visible and accessible for people in minority ethnic communities. Local Authoriti…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address any lack of awareness among health professionals and GPs of the reported potential impact of Essure contraceptive implants on women's health.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06890 on 9 March 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…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-14658 and S5W-24160 by Shona Robison on 6 March 2018 and Jeane Freeman on 22 July 2019 respectively, what steps it is taking to raise public awareness of the reported potential impact of Essure contraceptive implants on women's health.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06890 on 9 March 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…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of women in Scotland who had an Essure contraceptive implant have had to subsequently undergo (a) a hysterectomy and (b) any other surgery as a result of the implant.

Answer · Maree Todd: The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government. This would be a matter for individual Health Boards.

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place to improve the health of any women who may have experienced reported side effects such as chronic pain, nickel poisoning, perforated organs and autoimmune reactions as a result of having an Essure contraceptive implant.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06890 on 9 March 2022. It is important that anyone who experiences complications receives appropriate and timely care, and so I would encourage any woman with concerns to speak to her GP in the first instance.…

2 Mar 2022 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what progress has been made on re-opening the Scottish Parliament creche.

22 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to facilitate the further development of onshore wind power.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises, and will continue to champion, onshore wind as a key part of Scotland’s energy mix. Continued growth in onshore wind will be a vital component in meeting our net zero ambitions. The Onshore Wind Policy Statement consultati…

22 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role of onshore wind power in maintaining energy security.

Answer · Michael Matheson: This is a reserved policy area. Responsibility for security of supply sits with National Grid ESO (the GB electricity system operator). The UK government has now included renewables in the Capacity Market to recognise their “measurable contribution” to secur…