Claire Baker

10 Feb 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in resuming jury trials in Mid Scotland and Fife.

4 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what mental health advice and support is being offered to children and young people, and their families and carers, as part of the remote learning provision.

Answer · John Swinney: Throughout this crisis, the impact on children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing has been at the forefront of our minds. We have worked closely with Education Scotland to ensure that advice and guidance including sources of quality support from …

4 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the (a) mental and (b) physical health of children and young people.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We know that the COVID-19 pandemic will have, and has had, had a substantial impact on the population. In November 2020, we published an evidence summary of the impact COVID-19 has had on children, young people and families. This includes the mental and phy…

4 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to monitor and track requests for mental health support for children and young people arising from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Public Health Scotland publish referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The most recent publication in December 2020 covers data for the quarter ending 30 September 2020. These statistics continue to inform actions under the Scottis…

4 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what mental health support it has offered to children and young people in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Clare Haughey: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) continue to support children and young people in need of specialist mental health support, although there will be adjustments in how that is delivered to accommodate coronavirus restrictions. Throughout the …

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise the vaccination of teachers as part of the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The JCVI’s initial advice is focussed on preventing severe illness and loss of life, first and foremost and this is why it focusses on older people and health and social care workers. As we roll out vaccinations in Scotland, initially, there will be a limite…

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to vaccination by occupational risk as part of the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme, as referenced in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice on priority groups dated 30 December 2020.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35051 on 11 March 2021. 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 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the Supreme Court judgement on the FCA business interruption insurance test case will impact on businesses and insurance policies in Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is pleased that a final judgement has been reached by the Supreme Court in the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Business Interruption test case . The judgement was good news for many small businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority h…

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources it is providing to address littering related to single-use face coverings.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As outlined in the answer to S5W-34910 on 12 February 2021, as part of the wider Managing Our Waste national communication campaign we have partnered with Zero Waste Scotland to encourage the appropriate disposal of disposable face coverings and gloves. We a…

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that single-use face coverings are being disposed of correctly and safely.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): public use of face coverings guidance includes information on the appropriate disposal of face coverings. Additionally, messaging on correct disposal of face coverings is available on the Zero Waste Scotland we…

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the use of reusable face coverings and reduce the percentage of people in Scotland using single-use face coverings.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As part of the wider Managing Our Waste national campaign, we partnered with Zero Waste Scotland to create communication material encouraging the use of reusable face coverings and appropriate disposal of disposable face coverings and gloves. This includes in…

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has made available through the National Voluntary Youth Organisations Support Fund in each year since the Fund was established.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Each Year, The Scottish Government provides half a million pounds direct to voluntary youth work organisations through the National Voluntary Organisations Support Fund. This funding is used to help build capacity throughout the voluntary youth work sector. T…

2 Feb 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve flooding resilience in Mid Scotland and Fife.

14 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce support bubbles for families with new babies and children under the age of one.

Answer · Maree Todd: We recognise that this remains an exceptionally challenging time for many families, including those with young children, and we are working across the public and third sector to ensure that support is there for anyone who needs it. For households with caring …

13 Jan 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to reduce the impact of any closures of the Queensferry Crossing.

6 Jan 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce levels of littering and fly-tipping.

9 Dec 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, The Picture of Anti-Social Behaviour in Scotland.

17 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31498 by Humza Yousaf on 14 September 2020, whether it will provide a further update on the progress of the Sheku Bayoh inquiry.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I am pleased to confirm that the Inquiry will formally begin its work on 30 November 2020. The Inquiry setting up date marks the point at which I hand over full responsibility of the Inquiry to Lord Bracadale and the work of the Inquiry will commence. One of…

17 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to the findings of the Independent Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Dame Elish’s very significant and substantial report contains a wealth of evidence and recommendations, covering many aspects of complaints, investigations and misconduct issues. It is right that we now take time to digest this carefully and engage with the p…

17 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32371 by Jenny Gilruth on 3 November 2020, who was invited to participate in the roundtable with academics from partner countries and the UK on approaches to international development; whether it will publish a list of those individuals who attended…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As detailed in the PQ you highlight here, all the academic institutions represented at the academics roundtable on 1 October, together with a summary note of the discussions can be found on this webpage: https://www.gov.scot/policies/international-developmen…

17 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32368 by Jenny Gilruth on 3 November 2020, whether it will accept written submissions to its review of its approach to international development, and what opportunity there is for engagement in the process beyond the events listed on its website.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: As I outlined in the PQ you reference in your question, we are not running a formal written consultation in the way that we did in 2016, where at that time we were aiming to arrive at a new Scottish Government international development policy. Within this 202…

16 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its estimates on the impact of COVID-19 on fuel poverty rates will be reviewed and updated.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We have no plans to update the experimental analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on Fuel Poverty Rates, which we published in September. The report provided estimates of the likely effects on fuel poverty rates under a wide range of scenarios. These considered …

9 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 guidance it has published regarding the delivery of in-person private music tuition for woodwind and brass instruments outside school hours, and what plans it has to update this.

Answer · Maree Todd: In light of the publication of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scotland's Strategic Framework on 23 October 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19): organised activities for children guidance for organised activities and services for children was updated on 12 Novemb…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether small seated indoor events that are permitted under Level 1 restrictions in its COVID-19 Strategic Framework include live music events.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Following the introduction of Scotland’s Strategic Framework, The Scottish Government published updated events sector guidance and updated guidance for performing arts and venues on 5 November setting out the steps that must be taken by venues and event org…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when a decision will be announced regarding the permitting of background music in hospitality and similar settings.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: An expert advisory group consisting of industry acoustic experts, trade representatives, local authority environmental health officials and independent acoustic experts is looking at how guidance can be developed to safely manage low level background sound, i…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made since March 2020 to ensure that all school learning can be delivered on a remote basis if required.

Answer · John Swinney: In order to support online remote learning, Education Scotland supports the Glow platform, which provides free access to a range of online tools and services for all school aged learners and teachers in Scotland. The National e-Learning Offer, launched in Jun…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available regarding the operation of small-seated indoor events with restricted numbers under Level 1 restrictions in its COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33052 on 16 November 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/parliamentarybusine…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on operating schools on a reduced capacity basis under Level 4 restrictions in its COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · John Swinney: Our updated guidance on reducing risks in schools is intended to keep schools safe, open and welcoming for staff and pupils. It has been updated to align with the levels under the Covid-19 Strategic Framework, and to keep schools as safe as possible. The mea…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to cinemas operating in areas subject to Level 3 restrictions in its COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is making available business support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund. Grants of £2,000 or £3,000, depending on rateable value, will be available for businesses required by law to close. Cinemas in Scotland will be able to…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what flexibility there is within the Business Contingency Fund for local authorities to choose which types of businesses are eligible for support.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The first phase of the Contingency Fund was announced on 27 October and will provide grants of up to £50,000 to nightclubs and pay to play soft play centres in recognition of the fact that, prior to the introduction of the Strategic Framework, they have been …