Parliamentary questions
Miles Briggs
4,209 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to adding blood cancer to the list of cancer types included in Public Health Scotland's data publications, to help facilitate comparison between blood cancers and solid tumours.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Public Health Scotland (PHS) publishes incidence and mortality data on leukaemias, Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma annually. PHS previously published survival data on these same cancers. However in the 2023 release, a different ap…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of centres that can provide CAR T-cell therapy.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Following National Services Division (NSD)’s national review of CAR-T services, NHS Scotland Health Board Chief Executives have recently endorsed a regional service model for CAR-T cell therapy to be delivered across three centres within NHS Greater Glasgow a…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by Public Health Scotland towards publishing cancer diagnoses from accident and emergency departments.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Cancer Registry does not capture whether a cancer was detected following presentation at an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. The details in the Scottish Cancer Registry and the lack of clinical information included in the A&E attendance dat…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Scotland about establishing a Scottish cancer trials register to increase awareness of clinical trials among clinicians and patients.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government published the independently produced Improving Equity of Access to Cancer Clinical Trials in Scotland report in February 2023, which includes a recommendation for the establishment of a national register for cancer clinical trials in S…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of (a) the use and (b) any potential fire risks of spray insulation in buildings.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The building regulations in Scotland require that the materials used must be durable, and fit for their intended purpose. The regulations and supporting guidance also restrict the use of highly combustible materials depending on where the products are used in…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to whether the introduction of a Building Safety Levy would be an obstacle to investment in the construction sector.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The primary objective of a devolved Building Safety Levy is to raise revenue to support the funding of cladding remediation for multi residential properties where cladding may present a risk to life. This will also ensure that homeowners and residents do not …
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what modelling it has undertaken of any wider economic impact of the introduction of a Building Safety Levy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Revenues from the UK Government’s Building Safety Levy in England will be small in relation to UK GDP and so the Levy is not expected to have any significant macroeconomic impact. As set out in the 2023-24 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government int…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many payments have been made from the Fuel Insecurity Fund in each financial year since it was established, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Since being established in the winter of 2020 as part of the wider Winter Support Fund, the Scottish Government has made available a total of £48.47 million to date, to our third sector partners to deliver the Fuel Insecurity Fund. We have agreed a flexible a…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many patients have participated in clinical trials for haematological conditions in each year since 2017.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Data from the NHS Research Scotland Haematology Specialty Group and Cancer Research Network presented in the table below show the number of patients who have been recruited to clinical studies, including clinical trials, for non-malignant and malignant haemat…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a register of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete held and inspected by all public sector bodies.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce such a register. We are working with Local Authorities, Health Boards and other public sector partners to understand the extent to which RAAC is present in buildings and any actions necessary in resp…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve access to clinical trials for blood cancer patients living in rural and remote areas.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office has established an Implementation Board to prioritise and take forward the recommendations of an independent report on Improving Equity of Access to Cancer Clinical Trials in Scotland that was published in Febr…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are being developed to help increase the uptake of the flu vaccine within different minority ethnic communities.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government is committed to improving health and tackling inequalities, working together with partners to ensure that inclusion strategies strengthen efforts to reach those at higher risk or from under-served communities. The national flu Programme a…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to undertake a review of legislation relating to the Home Report.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government’s Home Report Review is expected later in the current parliamentary term. The review will take account of the recommendations outlined in the five-year review published in 2015 and be informed by work on wider housing considerations in…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people providing personal care for a family member.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As set out in the Policy Memorandum, accompanying the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, the policy intention is that a local authority can establish exemptions to a visitor levy scheme in its area as it believes are appropriate. The Bill therefore provides for a …
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people attending a funeral.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As set out in the Policy Memorandum, accompanying the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, the policy intention is that a local authority can establish exemptions to a visitor levy scheme in its area as it believes are appropriate. The Bill therefore provides for a …
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to estimate the costs required for cladding remediation of so-called "orphan" buildings.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government has published a Financial Memorandum for the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill which includes information on the range of costs linked to the assessment and remediation of buildings in scope of the Cladding Remediation Pro…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its proposals for a Building Safety Levy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government intends to consult on the policy design of a devolved Building Safety Levy once an agreement has been reached with the UK Government on the transfer of legislative competence. In line with our New Deal for Business and Framework for T…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans have been developed with NHS Scotland and local authorities for mobility aids to be collected and provided to medical charities operating in war zones.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government currently has no specific plans to provide mobility aids to medical charities operating in war zones. However, we will work with NHS Scotland and local authorities to respond to such requests from recognised partners, including WHO and…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people visiting family members in prison.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As set out in the Policy Memorandum, accompanying the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, the policy intention is that a local authority can establish exemptions to a visitor levy scheme in its area as it believes are appropriate. The Bill therefore provides for a …
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what formula it plans to use to calculate its proposed Building Safety Levy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government will set out options for calculation of a devolved Building Safety Levy as part of the consultation on the policy design of the Levy. The consultation process will commence once an agreement has been reached with the UK Government on t…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for artists and technicians working at festivals.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As set out in the Policy Memorandum, accompanying the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, the policy intention is that a local authority can establish exemptions to a visitor levy scheme in its area as it believes are appropriate. The Bill therefore provides for a …
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the transfer of powers required to implement its proposed Building Safety Levy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance (DFM) has written to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and other UK Government Ministers to formally request the devolution of the requisite power under section 80B of the Scotland Act 1998 (“P…
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place regarding the development of an infrastructure levy.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Programme for Government 2023-24 committed to the implementation of an infrastructure levy by spring 2026. Preliminary work to inform the preparation of regulations under Part 5 of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 will commence later this financial year. …
31 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, what work has been undertaken to provide for exemption schemes for people visiting family members in hospital.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As set out in the Policy Memorandum, accompanying the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, the policy intention is that a local authority can establish exemptions to a visitor levy scheme in its area as it believes are appropriate. The Bill therefore provides for a …
24 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on any work it has undertaken to ensure that all energy companies in Scotland are signed up to Energy UK’s Vulnerability Commitment.
Answer · Gillian Martin: While the Scottish Government has not sought confirmation from energy companies relating explicitly to Energy UK’s vulnerability commitment, I have written to all major suppliers raising concerns regarding consumer protection and fuel poverty levels. With ene…
24 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of people in energy arrears who are undergoing high energy use intensity NHS treatment at home.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.
24 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Kidney Care UK publication, Home Dialysis Energy Reimbursement in Scotland, whether it will undertake an assessment of the equity of patient access to home dialysis reimbursement schemes for chronic kidney disease across NHS boards.
Answer · Jenni Minto: We are acutely aware that energy consumers, and especially consumers that receive treatment at home, are feeling the impacts of recent price hikes in the cost of electricity. We are aware of a variation in practice surrounding reimbursement policies for elect…
24 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the feasibility of introducing a special tariff for high energy use intensity for patients, such as those on dialysis, who receive treatment in their home.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I recently chaired a series of meetings of a Priority (previously known as Vulnerable) Energy Consumers Working Group to consider the key principles and practicalities of delivering a social energy tariff. The work of the group has informed the Scottish Gover…
24 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to guarantee that the energy costs of NHS treatments provided within the home, such as home dialysis, do not fall to patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care budget is facing unprecedented pressures as we address the backlog in care and deliver the recovery and renewal of NHS services. We are also facing the most difficult financial situation since devolution, with …
6 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the national code of conduct for local government employees.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government has no responsibility for any code of conduct for employees of local government. Any review of a code of conduct for local government workers would be a matter for individual councils. The Scottish Government is not aware of any plans…