Parliamentary questions
Elaine Smith
1,153 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what procurement guidance is in place to require local authorities to take into account any benefits of using local suppliers and producers for the supply of ingredients for school meals.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not issue guidance to local authorities about using local suppliers and producers for the supply of ingredients for school meals, since they operate independently from Scottish Ministers for their procurement activities. They are …
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many additional staff it projects would be needed in order to provide free school meals for all primary school children.
Answer · John Swinney: School food services across Scotland are designed to meet the local circumstances of all children and young people in attendance. Local authorities are responsible for staff resourcing requirements within school kitchens. In preparing for the extension of uni…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what nutritional standards apply to meals for primary school children when provided off-site at locations such as community centres running holiday clubs.
Answer · John Swinney: There are currently no nutritional regulations which apply to food delivered to school age children in settings other than school. The Nutritional Requirements for food and drink in schools (Scotland) Regulations 2008 sets strict nutritional standards that a…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what changes would be required to school transport provision in order to allow more children to attend an increased provision of breakfast clubs, particularly in rural areas.
Answer · John Swinney: Local Authorities have a responsibility in law under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make the arrangements they consider necessary for the transport of school pupils between home and school. They have discretion about how such services are provided and w…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to mitigate the impact of a reported sharp decline in Modern Apprenticeship starters in Q2 of 2020 when compared with the same period last year.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Modern Apprenticeship Quarter 2 statistics, published on 10 November 2020 provided more evidence of the continued impact of COVID-19 restrictions on all parts of the Scottish economy. The latest statistics, covering July-September, showed a slight increas…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to enable teachers to continue to work when they are advised to stay at home by medical professionals due to underlying medical conditions.
Answer · John Swinney: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools sets out the considerations that education and authorities should take to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for those who are asked to shield (at protection level 4). This is availa…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that teachers with underlying medical conditions who are advised by medical professionals to stay at home do not face discrimination.
Answer · John Swinney: All our teachers are entitled to feel safe at work and we expect local authorities to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place for them. The Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools was developed with input from members of the…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to engage with young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, who may not have engaged with learning during the initial lockdown and who may not have returned when schools reopened.
Answer · John Swinney: Schools and local authorities are responsible for supporting children's learning. We have taken a range of steps to support them in this role: Guidance: Our “Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for continuity in learning guidance” (published July 2020, updated O…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to teachers who may be asked to take unpaid leave if their own children are required to self-isolate.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government, along with public, private and third sector partners and the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) issued a joint statement outlining fair work expectations in July to support the transition out of lockdown and a principle of no detri…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to enable more frequent reporting of reliable data on deaths by suicide, in order to better understand the impact of COVID-19 measures on mental health and to inform suicide prevention campaigns.
Answer · Clare Haughey: In partnership with the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group, we have been working closely with Public Health Scotland and Police Scotland to establish protocols that will provide more timely local data on possible suicides. This approach will enable …
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that employers are asking staff to take unpaid leave to look after their children when they are advised to self-isolate, and whether it considers that such action is a breach of the Equality Act 2010 by primarily indirectly discriminating against women.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Supporting people to self-isolate is critical in controlling the spread of the virus and although employment law is reserved to the UK Government we are using all of the levers available to us to encourage and promote the adoption of fair work practices to em…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is reports of teachers being asked to take unpaid leave if their children have to self-isolate, and whether it believes this will disproportionately affect women.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government, along with public, private and third sector partners and the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) issued a joint statement outlining fair work expectations in July to support the transition out of lockdown and a principle of no detri…
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish updated figures showing deaths by suicide.
Answer · Clare Haughey: Data on deaths by suicide is published annually by National Records of Scotland and Public Health Scotland. The most recent data, that for 2019, was published on 24 November 2020. The data for 2020 is scheduled to be published in June 2021.
3 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make more money available to local authorities to improve ventilation in public buildings, in line with international best practice in many countries, including Germany.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The safety of all staff and building users is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government, that is why we have been working with a range of sectors and specialist organisations to develop sector specific guidance on ventilation. This guidance includes…
25 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that young women are not disproportionally affected by the economic consequences of COVID-19, and what its response is to analysis by the Women’s Budget Group, which suggests that young women are disproportionately employed in the economic sectors that …
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Improving women’s position in the labour market is a priority for the Scottish Government and a key part of delivering inclusive economic growth. We are aware of the disproportionate affects COVID-19 is having on women, in particular young women. We are takin…
25 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which suggests that it is not on course to meet its target of having no more than 18% of children living in relative poverty by the end of 2023-24 and 10% by 2030-31.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: We are determined to meet our child poverty targets. Our first Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, covering the period 2018-22 outlines comprehensive action to tackle child poverty, including the Scottish Child Payment - worth £10 per child per week. This P…
25 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that its emergency COVID-19 legislation does not enhance inequalities.
Answer · Michael Russell: In developing the various measures set out in Scotland’s Route Map and Scotland's Strategic Framework, the Scottish Government has taken a 4 harms approach, which includes consideration of the impacts on Scottish society and on inequalities. A range of suppo…
25 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported link between digital exclusion and deprivation, what action it is taking to improve access to digital devices and the internet for less well-off and older people.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government has worked in partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations to support digital participation for all and so far funding totalling around £1.5 million has supported 189 projects, 77 self-identifying as supporting old…
25 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to pursue a rights-based approach to tackling the effects of poverty and to ensure that everyone has their right to food, heat and shelter fulfilled.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government is clear that, in a prosperous country like Scotland, everyone should have a roof over their head and no-one should be forced to choose between heating and eating. We have integrated human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals i…
19 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04769 by Jenny Gilruth on 19 November 2020 (Official Report, c.26), whether, in the discussions with the economic and commercial counsellor from the Cuban embassy, the issue of the United States' sanctions was raised and, if so, whether it indicated…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The impact of US sanctions on the Cuban Economy was highlighted during the meeting but there was no discussion regarding calls for the removal of the sanctions. We consider the US embargo against Cuba to be a counterproductive measure that serves no useful pu…
11 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding the RMT’s consultation of its members on industrial action in response to the breakdown of annual pay negotiations earlier in November 2020.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33197 on 2 December 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…
11 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) Transport Scotland officials have had with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding pay negotiations with recognised trade unions for 2021-22.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Pay negotiations are a matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd. CalMac only provide Transport Scotland officials with updates on process and timing where appropriate. There have been no formal discussions between Ministers or officials with CalMac regarding pay negotia…
11 Nov 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of (a) passengers and (b) ferry staff who travelled from local authorities outside Argyll and Bute to use CalMac ferry services since 29 October 2020 (i) from Oban and (ii) between Oban and Castlebay, and how many in each category travelled from …
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has not undertaken an assessment on this level of information and does not expect CalMac to ask where customers are travelling to and from. This is similar to in line with other travel operators. It is for individual travellers to ensu…
10 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Cuban Government.
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, what discussions it had prior to its decision with NHS Lothian regarding the possible development of a partnership support service for new parents.
Answer · Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered to ente…
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what financial penalty it faces as a result of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Sandra White (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB are liable to pay redundancy costs as part of bringing this contract to an end. The redundancy costs are off-set by the financial savings for not continuing the contact, and therefore there is no financial penalty for the SPCB.
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what information it has regarding how many people will lose their jobs as a result of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: The SPCB are liable to pay redundancy costs as part of bringing this contract to an end. The redundancy costs are off-set by the financial savings for not continuing the contact, and therefore there is no financial penalty for the SPCB.
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, what action it took to make all (a) staff and (b) contractors aware that the service was able to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: A full risk assessment and Covid-19 operating policy were provided by the contractor and reviewed by the Facilities Management Office prior to reopening the service in September 2020. As a result of this risk assessment and in line with the Scottish Govern…
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session, whether it considered, in consultation with the City of Edinburgh Council social work department, the contribution that the service could make to support isolated you…
Answer · Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered to consult…
3 Nov 2020 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding its plans to end its crèche services' contract early in the current parliamentary session.
Answer · Sandra White MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo: Under section 21 of the Scotland Act 1998, the SPCB is empowered to provide the Parliament, or ensure that the Parliament is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Parliament’s purposes. The SPCB is therefore not empowered or require…