Linda Fabiani

11 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is progressing the Distress Brief Intervention pilot.

4 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Young Women Lead report on sexual harassment in schools.

29 May 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will report on the consultation on its Review of the Regulation of Legal Services.

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether instances of (a) racial and (b) sexualised racial assault in schools are recorded centrally.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not collect data on instances of racial and sexualised racial assault in schools. The Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring Bullying in Schools will recommend improvements to SEEMiS to enable the recording of incide…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how (a) it and (b) education authorities ensure that the collection and analysis of data relating to prejudice-based bullying is robust for each school.

Answer · John Swinney: We acknowledge that the existing system for recording and monitoring needs to change. The Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring of Bullying Incidents in Schools was convened in December 2017 to recommend improvements to SEEMiS which will inform…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that prejudice-based bullying is recorded and monitored by education authorities.

Answer · John Swinney: Monitoring of bullying incidents is essential and helps organisations identify recurring patterns thereby ensuring early intervention and appropriate support. Following the publication of ‘Respect for All’ we have been working closely with local authority re…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on collecting national data regarding prejudice-based bullying, instead of collecting this on a local basis.

Answer · John Swinney: We recognise that monitoring of bullying incidents is essential and helps organisations identify recurring patterns thereby ensuring early intervention and support. In addition, the data can help identify numeric trends, specific issues around equality and di…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what structures and processes it will put in place to ensure that the longer-term recommendations of the Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring Bullying in Schools are progressed.

Answer · John Swinney: We recognise that it is important that the universal approach to recording and monitoring incidents of bullying in schools is implemented with as much support available to schools as possible. Members of the Short Life Working Group have agreed to continue to…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility education authorities have in training (a) teachers and (b) education administrators regarding (i) prejudiced-based bullying, (ii) sexualised racial assault and (iii) potential hate crimes.

Answer · John Swinney: As part of local authorities' role to support the implementation of positive relationship and behaviour approaches there is a need to ensure that all staff have access to high-quality Career–Long Professional Learning to help improve outcomes for children and…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that victims of sexualised racial assault in schools are assisted in reporting this as a crime.

Answer · John Swinney: The safety of children and young people in schools is of paramount importance, everyone who works in a school has a duty of care to ensure the welfare of all pupils. Child protection is vitally important and the Scottish Government agrees that everyone worki…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to incorporate a legal definition of prejudiced-based bullying in Scots law and, if so, how this is being progressed.

Answer · John Swinney: There is no legal definition of bullying in Scotland and there are currently no plans to define bullying including prejudice-based bullying in law. The Equality Act 2010 places an obligation on schools and other public authorities to ensure that bullying by …

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it issues guidance to education authorities regarding using data gathered from local recording and monitoring of prejudice-based bullying to inform policy development and practice.

Answer · John Swinney: It is crucial that anti-bullying approaches focus on prevention and early intervention and that at the centre of this is the recognition of children’s rights. Education Scotland, with local authorities, has a role to play to support the implementation of pos…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which third-sector organisations were represented on its advisory council for its anti-bullying strategy, and whether any have a specific remit of advocating for discriminated persons.

Answer · John Swinney: The working group that informed the development of ‘Respect for All’ included LGBT Youth Scotland; Stonewall Scotland; and ENABLE. All of these organisations have a specific remit for advocating for discriminated persons. LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall Sc…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its description of prejudice-based bullying in its strategy Respect for All: The National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People compares with the protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

Answer · John Swinney: The National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People, “Respect for All”, is underpinned by the values of fairness, respect, equality and inclusion to ensure that children and young people feel safe and secure and are able to build …

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines prejudice-based bullying in its work to tackle bullying in schools.

Answer · John Swinney: We published ‘Respect for all : The National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People’ in November 2017 which includes a definition of prejudice-based bullying. Prejudice-based bullying is when bullying behaviour is motivated by pre…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that education authorities meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 to work to (a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, (b) advance equality of opportunity and (c) foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteris…

Answer · John Swinney: Bullying of any form is entirely unacceptable and we must challenge and address all types of bullying behaviour in schools. We want all children and young people to learn tolerance, respect, equality and good citizenship to address and prevent prejudice. Edu…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation was carried out during the development phase of Respect for All: The National Approach to Anti-bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People.

Answer · John Swinney: The development of ‘Respect for All’ was informed by a number of engagement sessions with children and young people; parents and carers; and, practitioners. Questionnaires were also issued to children and young people, and parents and carers. In addition, in…

8 May 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what responsibilities (a) schools and (b) education authorities have regarding bullying incidents (i) on and (b) off school property where the victim and perpetrator are pupils at that school.

Answer · John Swinney: Children and young people should feel happy, safe, respected and included in their learning environment and all staff must be proactive in promoting positive relationships and behaviour in the classroom, playground, and wider learning community. In November …

5 Mar 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group regarding Cold Weather Payments.

12 Feb 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential economic impact on East Kilbride, what its response is to reports that HMRC has leased premises in Glasgow to progress the closure plans for Centre 1.

30 Jan 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet ScotRail.

24 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to local authority education departments regarding race equality.

Answer · Angela Constance: As part of our commitment to excellence and equity in education, we routinely consider the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders during the development of policy and guidance. We published the Race Equality Action Plan in December 2017 which includes a nu…

4 Dec 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet the UK Government to discuss matters relating to the constitution.

6 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the mandatory imposition of non-harassment orders on people convicted of domestic abuse.

30 Oct 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Migration Advisory Committee.

23 Oct 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the carbon-free economy.

9 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many judicial recusals there have been (a) overall and (b) in the Sheriffdom of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway in each year since 2011, broken down by (i) court and (ii) the proportion of total caseload that these represented.

Answer · Michael Matheson: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

9 Oct 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints against a sheriff (a) overall and (b) in the Sheriffdom of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway have been (i) lodged, (ii) concluded and (iii) upheld in each year since 2011, broken down by (A) court and (B) the proportion of total caseload that these represent, a…

Answer · Michael Matheson: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

25 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet NHS Lanarkshire.

4 Sep 2017 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent report, Fighting for Tax Jobs, Fighting for Tax Justice, by the PCS Union.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government welcomes the PCS's report, Fighting for Tax Jobs, Fighting for Tax Justice. The Scottish Government remains deeply concerned about HMRC's Building our Future transformation programme at what must be a worrying time for the more than 8…