Parliamentary questions
Rhoda Grant
2,396 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a national food emergency, what steps it is taking to address any such emergency and ensure that people in Scotland have urgent access to good food.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government acknowledges that the STUC have declared a cost-of-living emergency and are calling for a national food summit. We know that inflation is having the biggest impact on those with the lowest incomes. The UK Government holds most of the …
20 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a national food emergency, whether it will participate in a national summit to assist in the delivery of a plan to help feed people and ensure that their basic needs are met.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09352 on 12 July 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…
17 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s announcement regarding roll-out of the cost of living payment from 14 July 2022, whether it can confirm if it will be responsible for handling the additional £300 cost of living payments for pensioners who are in receipt of winter fuel payments, and, if t…
Answer · Ben Macpherson: While Winter Fuel Payment is one of the benefits that will be devolved to the Scottish Government, we have not yet taken over responsibility for its administration. This means that the current rules governing the rate of payment, who is eligible to receive, a…
17 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the avian flu outbreak, what consideration it has given to the culling of wild geese.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is not currently considering culling wild birds where Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is detected, as this would not be a practical or proportionate method of impact mitigation. Current advice to all keepers of poultry and ot…
17 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the avian flu outbreak, what measures it is putting in place to manage wild geese.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Expert advice from virologists and epidemiologists within Scottish Government and the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA), shows that avian influenza is circulating widely in wild bird populations. There are very few effective interventions that will preven…
14 Jun 2022 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to improve ferry services to the islands.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As I confirmed in the chamber last week, the second strategic transport projects review recommendations include continued investment in ferry replacements and port upgrades to improve their resilience and reliability. This is backed by our commitment in the …
13 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the planned replacement ferry services for when Uig Harbour is closed for redevelopment, and what plans there are to ensure that freight capacity is not reduced during that period.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The infrastructure works currently being undertaken at Uig harbour are being led by Highland Council. I fully appreciate that concerns remain around the impact of the berth closure on local communities and businesses. I have not yet given approval to the wor…
8 Jun 2022 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is strengthening transport links to rural areas.
6 Jun 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who qualifies for the spring COVID-19 booster, and whether all immunosuppressed people will be offered it.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: From the outset, the Scottish Government’s decision-making on the COVID-19 vaccination programme has been guided by the expert advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and senior clinicians. Spring 2022 Booster On 21 Feb…
1 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the marine environment is protected.
30 May 2022 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect communities from off-market land sales by so-called green lairds.
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of applications for the Islands Bond that it has approved up to and including May 2022 are for people (a) needing assistance to remain on islands and (b) wanting to move to islands.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08761 on 8 June 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/…
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of applications for the Islands Bond that it has received up to and including May 2022 are from people (a) needing assistance to remain on islands and (b) wanting to move to islands.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08761 on 8 June 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/…
23 May 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to end sexual exploitation in Scotland.
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for the Islands Bond it has approved up to and including May 2022.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08761 on ? 8 June 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-committee…
23 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications it has received for the Islands Bond up to and including May 2022.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: No applications have been received to date because the Islands Bond has not been launched.
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to reduce the demand from sex buyers, which is reportedly putting Ukrainian women who are fleeing war at risk of commercial sexual exploitation.
Answer · Ash Regan: Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a model for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution. The Scottish Government funds a range of services aimed to address commercial sexual exploitation and to su…
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has the power to introduce legislation that prohibits so-called pimping websites, which profit from advertising individuals for prostitution, from operating in Scotland.
Answer · Ash Regan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08695 on 7 June 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/…
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent so-called pimping websites, which profit from advertising individuals for prostitution, from operating in Scotland.
Answer · Ash Regan: There are a range of factors which must be considered as part of our developing model for Scotland to effectively tackle and challenge men’s demand for prostitution, including online aspects, such as “online pimping”. The regulation of internet and online se…
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in fulfilling the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to consider how aspects of international approaches, which seek to challenge men’s demand for prostitution, would be best applied in Scotland.
Answer · Ash Regan: An evidence review on international approaches to challenging demand is being carried out by Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Services, and will be published later this year as an official social research report. This analysis will support the develo…
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation to fulfil the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to tackle prostitution as a form of violence against women.
Answer · Ash Regan: Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a model for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution. This model will aim to reduce stigma and criminalisation experienced by women and encourage better access t…
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the fundamental principles of a new model to challenge men’s demand for prostitution.
Answer · Ash Regan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08691 on 7 June 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/…
18 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the short life working group, which it has tasked with helping to design the fundamental principles of a new model to challenge men’s demand for prostitution.
Answer · Ash Regan: The final formal meeting of the short life working group was held on 19 April 2022. The insights from the group and it’s reference group are being taken into account in the drafting of the fundamental principles, with further targeted stakeholder engagement p…
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what training and support has been given to (a) clinicians, (b) nurses and (c) healthcare support workers, under the neurological care and support strategy, to increase and broaden knowledge and specialisms to ensure that adequate treatment and care is provided.
Answer · Maree Todd: We recognise the importance of increasing knowledge to ensure that adequate treatment and care is provided for people with neurological conditions. Over 5 years of implementing the Neurological Care and Support – National Framework for Action 2020-25 we wi…
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many nursing roles have been affected by the Scottish Government’s neurological care and support strategy.
Answer · Maree Todd: This information regarding nursing roles is not held centrally.
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many new nursing roles have been created through the neurological care and support strategy.
Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08462 on 23 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/…
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that (a) the required specialist and condition-specific support is delivered and (b) clinical standards are met for MS patients throughout the Western Isles, and whether it will outline its plans to support healthcare workers to cope with their caseload of MS patients …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Whilst Scottish Ministers set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, responsibility for service delivery rests locally with Health Boards. Scottish Ministers expect satisfactory specialist and condition-specific support and care to be delivered for the…
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many MS specialist nurses were in post in each of the last five years.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Information on the number of MS specialist nurses were in post in each of the last five years is not centrally held. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) data by NHS Board from 2009 to the most recent data published in September 2018, can be found at: https://tu…
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many nursing roles have been amalgamated under the neurological care and support strategy.
Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-08462 on 23 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/…
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that the pyramid of support, as outlined in its neurological care and support framework, is effectively implemented for MS patients throughout the Western Isles, in light of reports that such patients often require complex tailored packages of care and support, which m…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Board is ensuring the pyramid of support for patients with MS by working in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Neurology Service who provide a specialist neurology service through a Service Level Agreement. The NHS Western Isles Neurology Te…