Pauline McNeill

15 Feb 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding the lifting of all COVID-19-related restrictions in prisons.

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to monitor the delivery of recommendations 1-9 in the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Mental health support in Scotland’s prisons 2021: under-served and under-resourced, which was published in April 2022, and what actions it has taken to work with t…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We are committed to supporting our prisons to be health promoting opportunities where the healthcare provided is at least equal to that offered in the community. We have been working with the Scottish Prison Service and NHS Boards, through the National Priso…

30 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of investment levels on the status of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, including how this compares to similar city regions across the UK.

24 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings it has had with Universities Scotland to discuss gender-based violence in higher education.

20 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with the leaders of the unsuccessful Freeport bids.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14081 on 30 January 2023. 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-committ…

20 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the potential economic impact will be for areas that unsuccessfully bid for Freeports. 

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14081 on 30 January 2023. 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-committ…

20 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether both of Scotland's Freeports should be based in the east of the country.  

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish and UK governments received five strong bids for Green Freeport status from across Scotland. Each of the bids demonstrated strengths and ambition, however only two could be selected. The bids were jointly assessed by both Governments, and the win…

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out on young people's use of vapes.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has undertaken the following analysis on young people’s use of vapes:The Scottish Government is currently funding a longitudinal study carried out by ScotCen Social Research called Growing Up in Scotland (GUS). Two reports have been pu…

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on the use of vaping products.

Answer · Maree Todd: Vapes and other nicotine products are part of a range of possible cessation tools available to existing smokers to help stop tobacco use. They are not a lifestyle accessory for children or adult non-smokers.

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on the use of vaping products by under-16s.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government publishes survey data on the use of vaping products by under 16s collected through the Growing Up in Scotland (GUS) study and via the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey (SALSUS), which ran between 2002 and 2…

21 Dec 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding support for businesses that are worried about the combined impact of the cost of living crisis and proposed policies from the Council.

13 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people since arriving in Scotland from Ukraine through the (a) Super Sponsor Scheme and (b) Homes for Ukraine scheme have been (i) assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness, (ii) living in temporary accommodation and (iii) on a housing waiting list in each month since…

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not currently have the information you have requested as we do not link the visa routes and homelessness status of displaced individuals from Ukraine. However, the Scottish Government has agreed with Local Authorities to amend th…

29 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10663 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, which railway stations are included in the group of 18 high priority stations to have tactile paving installed in phase 1 of the current Rail Regulatory Control Period 6.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Network Rail advise that the list of 18 high priority stations to have tactile paving installed is as follows: Ardrossan Town Argyle Street Bargeddie Carmyle Coatbridge Blairhill Dalry Glasgow Exhibition Centre Glasgow Queen Street Lower Level He…

29 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which railway stations across Scotland have access to Passenger Assist services.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The ScotRail Passenger Assist Service is available at all stations in Scotland, whether stations are staffed or unstaffed for all or part of the day. The ScotRail website provides details on how Passenger Assist can be requested and obtained. Details can be …

29 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10663 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, which railway stations across Scotland currently have tactile paving.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Network Rail advise that of the 359 operational railway stations, 214 currently have platform edge tactiles installed. As the second phase of the installation programme is underway some stations where work has been completed may not yet have been captured in …

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support will be available for off-gas-grid homeowners and businesses who will be required to replace a direct emissions heating system when undertaking conversion works after 1 April 2024.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our New Build Heat Standard will apply to all new buildings seeking building warrant approval from 1 April 2024, as well as major conversions of existing buildings where certain criteria are met. The criteria will be outlined in due course, drawing from the c…

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cost of living crisis, whether it will give consideration to delaying the introduction of the New Build Heat Standard proposals regarding conversions for off-gas-grid homes and businesses, in order to protect consumers from the costs associated with installing a new zero…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11865 on 17 November 2022. Our New Build Heat Standard will apply to all new buildings seeking building warrant approval from 1 April 2024, as well as conversions of existing buildings – however, only where cer…

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the affordability of replacing a direct emissions heating system, including installation and retrofit costs, for older and hard-to-treat off-gas-grid properties.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Heat in Building Strategy shows that including fabric upgrades the estimated average building-level cost of installing a zero emission system, such as an air source heat pump, is just over £12,000. The cost for an individual dwelling can vary depending on…

9 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government for how long it plans to house refugees from Ukraine on the ship docked on the Clyde, MS Ambition.

2 Nov 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that all fire and rescue officers have the appropriate decontamination facilities available to them.

1 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the delivery of digital pathology services across Scotland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Digital pathology services have traditionally been the responsibility of individual Health Boards. Recognising the potential for a national approach, a Digital Diagnostics Group was established in April 2022 by the Scottish Government. This group is providing…

1 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how many additional haematologists are required in response to the projected rise in demand for blood cancer services.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: NHS Scotland Health Boards determine consultant requirements locally, based on their service provision responsibilities and service configuration needs. Scottish Government workforce planning guidance requires Boards to take a demand-led approach by determini…

1 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10639 by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2022, whether it will include reference to haematological cancers in the next cancer strategy for Scotland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are developing a new 10 year cancer strategy to launch in Spring 2023, which will take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care. Blood cancer charities have been enga…

27 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what new steps it has taken to tackle NHS waiting lists.

26 Sep 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that police officer numbers dropped to 16,610 at the end of June, below Police Scotland’s “full officer establishment” of 17,234.

7 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it is developing to address child-on-child abuse.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children who grow up in Scotland feel safe and protected. We recognise that where children and young people demonstrate harmful behaviour, the victims of their actions are often children themselves. I…

5 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of energy price and inflation increases on businesses and jobs.

5 Sep 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government plans to take in light of reported figures showing that sexual and violent crime in Scotland has risen significantly over the last five years.

26 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to implement tactile paving in all train stations to help disabled passengers to travel safely using trains.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I can confirm that, Network Rail Scotland, has developed a plan for installing platform edge tactile paving at all Scottish stations by the end of the current Rail Regulatory Control Period 6 (end of March 2024). The work is being completed over two phases. P…

24 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the experiences of people living with blood cancer will be reflected in its new cancer strategy.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: A public consultation was held early in the process of developing the new strategy. Over 250 responses were received, which are being independently analysed and will be reported in the Autumn. We are also holding a series of workshops with people with lived e…