James Kelly

18 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what penalties can be issued against home owners who do not comply with the new fire safety standards due to be introduced in February 2021.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As this will be a minimum standard for safe houses as part of the Tolerable Standard, local authorities will be able to use their statutory powers to require owners to carry out work necessary to meet the standard, although we would expect any intervention to…

17 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the termination of the Abellio ScotRail franchise, and when the new ScotRail contract will be put out to tender.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland officials, with independent support, are carrying out a detailed analysis of all options available under UK legislation to deliver ScotRail services beyond March 2022, when the current Abellio ScotRail contract is expected to come to an end…

14 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines "regulated venue" as set out in its COVID-19 restrictions regarding weddings.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: A regulated venue is a venue that complies with the following guidance and restrictions: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations2020Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidanceCOVID-19: Guidance for small …

9 Sep 2020 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will publish the terms of reference and timeline of its review into the staff cost provision.

7 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason COVID-19 restrictions in Glasgow do not extend to the hospitality sector.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: There is no one clear driver to the outbreak in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. Instead there are some significant factors that were found to be common to many of the cases. It is important that local interventions are targeted to the nature and extent o…

3 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide guidance for the reopening of venues that are not explicitly sport or leisure facilities but previously accommodated dance classes, such as church or community halls, in order that teaching can resume as soon and as safely as possible.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The route map sets out when specific services and activities can be delivered with accompanying guidance for the safe operating of those services available on the Scottish Government’s website at: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ . The route map h…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will review the current ban on music in the hospitality industry.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: As announced by the First Minister on 14 August the current position of no background sound, including music, in hospitality is being kept under review. This work is currently being taken forward by an expert group comprising government, industry experts and …

24 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it plans to offer to mobile makeup artists, in light of its current guidance not permitting them to return to work.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: We recognise that this is a difficult time for mobile therapists, and that there are currently significant challenges facing self-employed professionals in this trade. However, our primary driver is safeguarding public health and wellbeing and preventing tran…

24 Aug 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to address concerns that the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill is an attack on free speech.

19 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to respond to the health inequalities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

17 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available for home schooling groups regarding social distancing and restrictions on the number of households able to meet up.

Answer · John Swinney: As announced on 20 August, indoor activities for children and young people (unregulated) can begin from 31 August, subject to adhering to the guidance for these activities. This guidance, for activities that are voluntary, third sector, parent or peer led, is…

4 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle fly-tipping.

31 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that it supports victims of historic child sex abuse in Scottish football and their families.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government unreservedly condemns the abhorrent crime of sexual abuse, and we are working closely with a range of organisations to ensure all children can enjoy playing football in a safe and secure environment. Through our Survivors of Childhood…

31 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that there is justice for victims of historic child sex abuse in Scottish football.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Any allegations are for Police Scotland to investigate, and sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the court – with life imprisonment the maximum penalty for the most serious offences involving the sexual abuse of children. The final version of the i…

29 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the updated COVID-19 guidance for makeup artists applies only to those working on their own premises, and when it expects to issue further guidance to those providing a mobile service.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Where close contact services are provided in a fixed premises it is possible for the service provider to maintain control of the environment, ensuring appropriate cleaning and other measures are in place to protect both workers and their customers. Work perfo…

28 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to help schools to support pupils who have to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government recognises that online learning is an important tool to support learning, especially where families may be required to shield as we all continue to work to suppress coronavirus and keep vulnerable people safe. That is why the Scottish…

28 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support teachers with the creation of online learning materials, and what role it considers digital learning will play when schools return in August.

Answer · John Swinney: Education Scotland have been supporting teachers to improve and support the delivery of online learning since before coronavirus came to Scotland. Since March 2020, Education Scotland provided 40 webinars in which over 3800 practitioners have engaged, focusin…

27 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to allow the safe reopening of gyms during Phase 3 of the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown, and by what date they will be allowed to reopen.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: In collaboration with the sector we have been developing robust guidance and protocols that will allow necessary preparation for facilities to provide confidence for members and staff to return safely. We hope to publish that shortly. As it stands the indica…

15 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to enforce the disclosure provisions under the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The changes to basic disclosure under Part 2 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019 Act ("the 2019 Act") require operational changes to the system of disclosure certificates issued by Disclosure Scotland. Disclosure Scotland activated their busin…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what PPE and safety measures will be introduced to ensure the safety of prisoner transport staff as the COVID-19 lockdown measures are eased.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: GEOAmey is responsible for the delivery of the Scottish Court Custody and Prisoner Escort Service (SCCPES) contract. All staf…

22 Jun 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to minimise the backlog of cases in the court system.

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been given to staff at the State Hospital regarding (a) infection prevention and control and (b) containing patients in their rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Novel coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance for secondary care by Health Protection Scotland was made available to all staff at The State Hospital. This included detailed guidance for the management of (a) infection prevention and control and (b) containing pat…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients at the State Hospital have been (a) self-isolating and (b) kept in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The State Hospital reported the first symptomatic patient on 16 March 2020. Therefore the relevant ward (which has capacity for 12 patients) was in isolation for 7 days. From 16 – 29 March any ward with symptomatic patients placed all patients in isolation fo…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many hours each day patients at the State Hospital have been permitted outside of their rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Clare Haughey: This pandemic has required the State Hospital to introduce measures to protect patient and staff safety and to reduce the spread and transmission of Covid-19, as far as possible, while balancing the need to ensure high quality care delivery and therapeutic en…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Prison Service regarding the reopening of prisons.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have has had regular discussions with the Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service during the COVID-19 emergency which has covered a range of operational maters including the plans for easing out of lockdown. Following their most recent discus…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what social distancing guidelines and other measures introduced in prisons at the start of lockdown remain in place. 

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows : Physical Distancing guidance has been issued to help SPS Staff and Partners understand the reasonable measures they must take…

18 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects physical visits to resume in prisons.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: It is not yet possible to confirm a date for when physical prison visits will resume. SPS has however now published its Operat…

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, other than that set out in the findings of the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland in 2018 and the responses to the 2019 hate crime consultation, what evidence it has to support the proposed extension of protected characteristics in the Hate Crime and Public Order (…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The published policy memorandum which accompanies the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill details the Scottish Government’s reasoning for the proposed extension of the characteristics protected by the Bill and the evidence which was taken into account…

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, other than that set out in the findings of the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland in 2018 and the responses to the 2019 hate crime consultation, what evidence it has to support the expansion of the "stirring up hatred" offences in the Hate Crime and Public Order (S…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The published policy memorandum which accompanies the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill details the Scottish Government’s reasoning for the proposed expansion of the "stirring up hatred “offences to cover all the listed characteristics covered by th…

8 Jun 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the SQA grading process is fair and transparent for all pupils.