Iain Gray

6 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills formally or informally signed off the SQA 2020 moderation model and, if so, when.

Answer · John Swinney: I asked the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to develop an alternative approach to certification in the absence of the 2020 exam diet, consistent with their role as an independent awarding body. I was informed of the moderation outcome on 30 July.  

5 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the suggestion by Who Cares? Scotland of introducing a tutoring scheme to help the learning of pupils in care recover after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Answer · Maree Todd: COVID-19 has put us all in an unprecedented, challenging situation. We know that the closure of schools and the pandemic will have had a significant impact on children and young people’s wellbeing and consequently our return to schools guidance has prioritise…

5 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding the finance secretary will allocate to supporting workers in the longer-term once the furlough scheme ends.

4 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its planned date is for the commencement of the Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020, and whether it will provide an update on progress towards this following Royal Assent.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2020 passed its final Stage in the Scottish Parliament on 23 June 2020, and received Royal Assent on 28 July 2020. The Scottish Government is currently developing its approach to implementation of the Act. There are a num…

30 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether consortia travel arrangements, which allow pupils to travel to other schools to sit senior phase qualifications, will be permitted in the 2020-21 term.

Answer · John Swinney: Scientific advice published by the Covid-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues stated that dedicated school transport should be treated as an extension of the school estate. While the provision of school transport to enable pupils to travel…

29 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce an active travel commissioner watchdog, similar to that proposed for England.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no plans to introduce a similar body in Scotland. Delivery of our key active travel infrastructure investment programme, Places for Everyone, is managed by Sustrans. All bids to the programme are assessed in accordance with published criteria drafte…

28 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which World Health Organization (WHO) document stated that," globally, no outbreak of the disease (covid 19) could be attributed to schools", as noted in the minutes of the COVID-19 advisory sub group on children's issues meeting of 21 July 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: Unfortunately, there was a slight error in the published minutes of the meeting of the Covid-19 advisory sub-group on education and children's issues on 21 July. The minutes should say that "the WHO had indicated that, globally, no outbreak of the disease cou…

28 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the paper on lessons for Scotland looking at evidence from schools in Australia, South Korea and Israel that was referred to in the minutes of the COVID-19 advisory sub group on children's issues meeting of 21 July 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: The paper was provided to aid the group's discussion on the advisory note on Physical Distancing in Early Learning and Childcare Settings, and its contents were reflected in the document which was published on 30 July 2020. The paper will, along with any new …

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans are in place in the event that schools cannot fully reopen as planned on 11 August 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: We are working with partners towards full reopening of schools at the start of term in August and a final decision will be regarding this will be taken by Cabinet on 29 July and set out to Parliament on 30 July. However, the plans for blended learning remain …

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the scientific evidence that informed its decision to fully reopen schools on 11 August 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: We have set out clear, robust criteria for the return of schools full-time in August including our commitment to publishing the scientific evidence and public health advice that underpins our planning. An initial summary of key scientific and public health a…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance will be in place for (a) local authorities and (b) schools after 11 August 2020 in the event of potential future local and/or national lockdowns.

Answer · John Swinney: In reopening Scotland’s schools, our overriding priority is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. A final decision regarding whether we are in a position to reopen schools full-time and for all pupils will be taken by Cabinet on 29 July a…

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the education outcomes for looked-after children report for 2018-19.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Education Outcomes for Looked After Children, 2018-19 publication will be released on 1 September 2020.  

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when households in East Lothian that are without access to superfast broadband can expect to be offered this under the R100 programme.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Survey and design work has been undertaken in the period since contracts for the Central and South lots were signed at the turn of the year. I am pleased to confirm that work on the ground has now begun in the South lot, which includes the Lammermuir area, wi…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that (a) users and (b) parents are made aware of (i) suspected and (ii) confirmed data breaches of the Glow platform.

Answer · John Swinney: Education Scotland acts as the Data Processor for Glow (except for Education Scotland’s own staff and data). Organisations using Glow do so under a contract (the Glow Agreement) and are Data Controllers for their own staff, pupils and data. Local authorities …

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many suspected data breaches under the Glow platform it has been informed of since January 2020, also broken down by how many (a) have been confirmed and (b) remain under investigation.

Answer · John Swinney: Education Scotland acts as the Data Processor for Glow (except for Education Scotland’s own staff and data for which it is also Data Controller). Organisations using Glow do so under a contract (the Glow Agreement) and are Data Controllers for their own staff…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that every non-pupil who has access to the Glow platform has a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) certificate.

Answer · John Swinney: Use of Glow is only permitted for organisations that have signed a contract with Education Scotland as the platform provider – the Glow Agreement. A requirement of this legal contract is that non-pupil accounts must only be provided to people with a valid dis…

9 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions regarding the data security of the Glow platform it has had with (a) the Scottish Information Commissioner and (b) Disclosure Scotland since January 2020, including concerning (i) suspected and (ii) confirmed breaches.

Answer · John Swinney: Education Scotland is responsible for the delivery of the Glow platform, including Information Security. In June 2020, Education Scotland officials had a general discussion with the Information Commissioner. This covered the actions taken during lockdown by …

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish the results of the SQA equality impact assessment of the alternative certification model, including the changes to the estimation process.

Answer · John Swinney: We have been clear that fairness has to be delivered for all learners in the absence of the 2020 exam diet, and the Chief Examining Officer has set out that it is one of the three core principles upon which the Scottish Qualifications Authority is approaching…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of evolving evidence and revised guidance on the opening of schools, when it will revise the guidance on early learning and childcare of 15 June 2020.

Answer · Maree Todd: The reopening of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) services guidance, that was published on 15 June, will continue to apply when settings reopen from 15 July. The recent announcements on physical distancing in social settings does not affect guidance for ELC…

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with NHS Lothian regarding testing for COVID-19 between 1 November 2019 and 29 February 2020.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Ministers and Scottish Government officials hold regular discussions with Health Boards, including NHS Lothian, on matters of importance including on their planning and preparations relating to the response to COVID-19. Discussions with NHS Boards, including…

24 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many tests for COVID-19 were carried out by each NHS board in each month between November 2019 and February 2020, also broken down by the number of positive test results.

Answer · Jeane Freeman:   Covid-19 Testing by Board (Nov 19-Feb 20)  Dec Jan Feb Total Includes positive (Feb) NHS Ayrshire and Arran   30 30  NHS Borders   27 27  NHS Dumfries and Galloway   26 26  NHS Fife  2 68 70  NHS Forth Valley   69 69  NHS Grampian   …

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to ensure that all pupils have access to a school counsellor, even when studying at home.

Answer · John Swinney: From September 2020, school counselling services will be available to all primary, secondary and special school pupils age 10 and over; and is part of a range of services that schools may have in place to support the mental, emotional and social wellbeing of …

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 350 additional school counsellors, anticipated to be in place by September 2020, will be in place on (a) 11 August and (b) 1 September.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29615 on 15 June 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/parliamentarybusiness/2…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary full-time equivalent school counsellors will be available to pupils when schools return on 11 August.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29615 on 15 June 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/parliamentarybusiness/2…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to address an increased need for mental health provision for pupils, as a result of COVID-19 and school closures, when schools return on 11 August.

Answer · John Swinney: The COVID-19 Education Recovery Group recently published guidance to support continuity in learning to support education authorities and schools plan and prepare for pupils returning to school. This guidance offers high-level advice to local authorities as t…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it is next scheduled to review the Student Awards Agency Scotland bursary and loan payment and threshold limits and, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it is considering increasing these.  

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Following recommendations made by the independent review of student support, from 2019-20, we increased and expanded access to further (FE) and higher education (HE) bursaries for students from the lowest incomes. As part of that, we raised the HE bursary inc…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether restrictions have been placed on the Individual Training Account scheme for 2020-21 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and, if so, in what sectors. 

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Our revised approach to Individual Training Accounts and the manner in which they will be delivered, are based on updated labour market intelligence identifying sectors likely to have skills gaps and job openings, and restrictions necessarily placed on areas …

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, what consultation it had with colleges and private training providers to support the implementation of the 2020-21 Individual Training Account scheme.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: To address current labour market challenges, it was important that any delay in our ability to re-open in 2020-21 as a result of the pandemic was minimised, and wherever possible, learners are not negatively impacted in the long term. Both SDS and my officia…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will review the Individual Training Account (a) scheme and (b) grant, and whether it will consider increasing the level of grant in 2020-21, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We are developing a responsive, flexible and coherent package of employability and skills interventions to address the emerging labour market challenges resulting from the Covid-19 crisis. The recommendations of the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board on ho…

10 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29548 by Jamie Hepburn on 9 June 2020, how the availability of career advice will be publicised to young people who have completed school earlier than planned due to school closures.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Skills Development Scotland (SDS) advisers are continuing to proactively engage with school leavers, reaching out via telephone, SMS and email offering dedicated 1-2-1 transition support and planning for their next steps. SDS is continuing to work with school…