Parliamentary questions
Claire Baker
1,724 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has revised and improved the programme of substance use education and prevention in schools and broader settings to ensure it is good quality, impactful and in line with best practice, as included at action point 2 in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has produced an evaluation report of the nationally funded pathway from people leaving prison to residential rehab, as noted in relation to action point 8j in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has provided dedicated support to the implementation of quality improvement methodology across Scotland, as included at action point 8d in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a paper on improving operational practice to support better health outcomes for people with alcohol problems.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Alcohol remains a priority for Scottish Government and we are treating our policies to reduce alcohol and drug deaths as twin public health emergencies in Scotland. This is why we established a National Mission to improve and save lives, at the core of which…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish and evaluate tests of change to improve access to alcohol treatment through the justice system.
Answer · Elena Whitham: At present, we have no plans to establish and evaluate tests of change for alcohol treatment in the justice system. The Scottish Prison Service is currently refreshing its Alcohol and Drug Recovery Strategy, this will ensure alcohol intervention and support …
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has developed a comprehensive approach to early intervention amongst young people who are at risk, though deprivation, inequality or other factors of developing problem alcohol and drug use, as included at action point 4 in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan …
Answer · Elena Whitham: In 2021, the Scottish Government formed a working group to develop Action 4 from the Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan. The aim of the working group is to ensure that good quality early intervention support services are available across Scotland for yo…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to allowing bodies that receive funding from the alcohol industry to be involved in any programme of substance use education and prevention in schools and broader settings.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government will not work with the alcohol industry on provision of education in schools. Our wider approach to joint work with the industry will be based on the principles of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy to reduce the harmf…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has published an evaluation of National Development Project Fund investments in advocacy, as included at action point 9c in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The National Development Project Fund (NDPF) forms part of Scottish Government's investment in services to reduce problem drugs and alcohol use and reflects the priorities of the Rights, Respect and Recovery strategy. In January 2019, Ten projects were awarde…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve access to alcohol treatment and support, as included at action point 15a in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the action plan…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the drug and alcohol public health surveillance system for Scotland will go live, as referred to at action point 14a in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has developed and implemented guidance on assertive outreach specifically for alcohol use, targeting those at most risk, as included at action point 7a in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has developed an integrated response to the education, volunteering and employment needs of people recovering from alcohol and drug problems through the No One Left Behind strategy, as included at action point 11e in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-20…
Answer · Elena Whitham: No One Left Behind is the Scottish Government’s approach to transforming employment support in Scotland. This strategy is tailored and responsive to the needs of people of all ages and backgrounds who want help and support on their journey towards and into wo…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has produced a workforce development framework with an ongoing implementation plan, as included at action point 1c in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in December 2020, for (a) drugs and (b) alcohol.
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. In July 2022…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has identified pathways to recovery through (a) community support, (b) primary care, (c) treatment services, (d) hospital, (e) the justice system including prisons and (f) other settings as needed, as included at action point 15b in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Act…
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has developed and tested a quality assurance tool to support the implementation of The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care and support in Drug and Alcohol Services, as included at action point 8a in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, …
Answer · Elena Whitham: The launch of our National Mission on Drugs in January 2021 has meant that some of the commitments set out in the Rights, Respect, Recovery Strategy and the action plan for it, refreshed in December 2020, are being delivered in a different way. Many of the mi…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether effective protocols are in place between alcohol and drug services and mental health services to improve access and pathways for those who experience this co-morbidity, as included at action point 11b in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was pu…
Answer · Elena Whitham: Rights, Respect and Recovery sets a clear expectation that all people accessing services with a substance use condition should receive holistic, person-centred care. MAT standard 9 builds upon this, stating that ‘all people with co-occurring drug use and ment…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken a review of the evidence of trends, challenges and interventions for those young people at risk of developing problem drug and alcohol use, as included at action point 4a in the updated Rights, Respect and Recovery Action Plan 2019-2021, which was published in D…
Answer · Elena Whitham: Yes, on 8 November 2021 the Scottish Government published A Review of the Existing Literature and Evidence on Young People Experiencing Harms from Alcohol and Drugs in Scotland. The review can be found here: A Review of the Existing Literature and Evidence …
17 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government following its announcement of £77 million in new investment as part of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Creative Industries Sector Vision, and whether it will receive any Barnett consequential funding as a result of the a…
Answer · Christina McKelvie: I met with the UK Government’s Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries on 13 June 2023, to discuss the imminent publication of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Creative Industries Sector Vision. The UK Government have no…
17 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government's announcement of additional funding of £5 million to expand Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music Venues Fund, whether it has considered making a similar investment in Scotland.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government’s ability to respond to the current financial context is limited due to overall UK Government cuts and by the financial restrictions of devolution, requiring extremely hard funding decisions to be made across the budget. The Scottish G…
28 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time has been for processing SME Loan Scheme applications, broken down by application type in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The following table shows the average amount of time it has taken from a loan application being received to either a loan offer or rejection being sent. Applications processed are not dependent on measure types and there is a single application form for the S…
28 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the decision to close the SME Loan Scheme for new solar PV applications, (a) when and (b) on what basis the decision was taken; on what date the decision came into effect, and whether the decision is permanent.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The decision to close the SME Loan Scheme to new Solar PV was taken on 20 June 2023 and was implemented on 27 June. Solar is a key part of our energy transition and is recognised as such in our draft strategy. Solar PV is also an increasingly established tec…
28 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the SME Loan Scheme for new solar PV applications have been rejected for the reason that the scheme is no longer open for such applications.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Since the changes to SME Loan eligibility regarding Solar PV measures went live on 27 June 2023 on the Scottish Government’s SME Loan Scheme, there have been 18 rejected applications on this basis.
21 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered any financial impact on patients of having to travel long distances to receive magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring all people living in Scotland with neurological conditions, such as Essential Tremor, are able to access the best possible care, support and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put peo…
20 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any meetings that it has had with stakeholders regarding the legal age of marriage.
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Adoption UK report, The Adoption Barometer: A stocktake of adoption in the UK, which was published in May 2023, whether it has any plans to introduce long-term funding support for parents adopting children.
Answer · Natalie Don: In 2023-24, the Scottish Government has allocated over £480,000 directly to organisations delivering support for adoptive families, including parents. This funding supports a range of initiatives, including: a national helpline; services for practitioners; an…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Adoption UK report, The Adoption Barometer: A stocktake of adoption in the UK, which was published in May 2023, whether it has any plans to improve support for adoptees through the training of education and health professionals in early childhood t…
Answer · Natalie Don: The National Trauma Training Programme (NTTP) provides freely available and evidence based trauma training resources for the whole workforce, including education and health professionals, supported by over £8 million investment since 2018. This is key to ensu…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Adoption UK report, The Adoption Barometer: A stocktake of adoption in the UK, which was published in May 2023, whether there are any plans to improve awareness among primary and secondary school teachers of the needs of care experienced and adopte…
Answer · Natalie Don: The Scottish Government’s Care Experienced Children and Young People’s Fund (CECYPF) has provided over £50 million to local authorities since 2018 to support children and young people’s attainment and wellbeing. The Fund is for care experienced children and y…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Adoption UK report, The Adoption Barometer: A stocktake of adoption in the UK, which was published in May 2023, whether it has any plans to improve adoption support services for children and young people up to at least age 26.
Answer · Natalie Don: Under The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007, local authorities have a duty to assess someone’s needs for adoption support services and then provide that support. This applies to a wide range of people affected by adoption, including all adoptees irres…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Adoption UK report, The Adoption Barometer: A stocktake of adoption in the UK, which was published in May 2023, what plans it has to improve support for parents adopting children, and specifically whether it plans to (a) introduce preparation cours…
Answer · Natalie Don: Under the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007, local authorities have a duty to assess someone’s need for adoption support services and then provide that support. This may include counselling and guidance for parents who have adopted or may adopt a chil…
20 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations in the Adoption UK report, The Adoption Barometer: A stocktake of adoption in the UK, which was published in May 2023, whether it has any plans to improve diversity amongst adoption and matching panels.
Answer · Natalie Don: Under the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Scotland) 2009, each local authority or adoption agency which is carrying out functions such as the assessment of prospective adopters must appoint an adoption panel. The Scottish Government’s 2011 Guidance on the Loo…