Parliamentary questions
Gordon MacDonald
269 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Jul 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to launch the Young Person’s Free Bus Travel Scheme for residents of Scotland aged five to 18, provided for by the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Order 2021.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Following agreement with the Improvement Service, the National Entitlement Card Programme Office and Young Scot, who are responsible for handling applications for and issuing the National Entitlement Cards on which the national concessionary travel schemes de…
15 Jul 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the coronavirus legislation in place.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Regulations amending the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 were made today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (S…
7 Jul 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · Maree Todd: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels…
7 Jul 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · Maree Todd: Regulations amending the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 will be made today and will take effect on 8 July 2021. The regulations will reduce the required physical distances to be main…
29 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels)…
29 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the coronavirus legislation in place.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: We will be removing the travel restrictions which are currently in place in relation to travel between Scotland and Manchester, Bolton and Salford. These restrictions are being removed due to changes in the epidemiological position for those areas. Regulation…
24 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · John Swinney: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels)…
22 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to ensure that hospitality premises in COVID-19 Level 2 and 1 areas showing live Euro 2020 matches during the knockout stages of the tournament can continue to stay open in the event of extra time and penalties where this would exceed current closing ti…
Answer · Ivan McKee: We are putting in place a temporary arrangement to deal with such a scenario between 26 June and 11 July. In the event of extended play, and limited only to match days and the games where this occurs, closing time for hospitality premises showing the game wil…
22 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to NHS Lothian’s Strategic Review of Ophthalmology Services.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to replacing the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion to ensure that future services are of a high quality and sustainable. NHS Lothian submitted its review to the Scottish Government on 21 May 2021 and we have since accepted …
18 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding calls for a reopening of the 2020 exams appeals process, in light of the 2021 exams appeals process being announced.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I understand that some learners continue to feel dissatisfied with the result of the 2020 national qualifications appeals process. Teachers exercised their best professional judgement in deciding grades for learners in the very challenging circumstances resu…
17 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · John Swinney: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels)…
14 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will protect those who have been identified as not having any COVID-19 antibodies, despite having had both doses of the vaccination.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: If an individual has specific concerns arising from the results of a test they have taken, including related to their immunological response following vaccination, they should consult their primary clinician, who can determine whether further investigation is…
10 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels)…
8 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether COVID-19 funding for bus operators will be extended beyond 27 June 2021.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Today I am announcing up to £35.4 million in further funding to support bus operators maintain services between 28 June and 3 October. This is in addition to up to £61.4 million that the Scottish Government has already made available in 2021-22, and up to £19…
3 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the coronavirus legislation in place.
Answer · John Swinney: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels)…
27 May 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · John Swinney: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels)…
21 May 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.
Answer · John Swinney: Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today. These Regulations move Moray to Level 2 from Saturday, 22 May. The Regulations also add the areas of Bedfo…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total savings for patients in Scotland, compared with those in England, will be in 2021-22 as a result of free prescriptions, which are not age-exempt from charging in England, for medications to treat (a) asthma, (b) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and…
Answer · Jeane Freeman: It is not possible to provide an answer to the question as presented. The numbers of items dispensed in Scotland for BNF chapters 2 - cardiovascular system and 3 - respiratory system for 2019-20 will take in a range of drugs not related to the conditions in …
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many GPs there are per head of population in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: There are more GPs per 100,000 population in Scotland than the rest of the UK, with 94 for every 100,000 people (Sept-20), compared with 76 per 100,000 people in England (Dec-20), 71 in Wales (June-20) and 72 in Northern Ireland (Mar-20).
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much bursary is available to nursing and midwifery students for the 2021-22 academic year in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Scottish domiciled students receive a non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary of £10,000 per year to eligible students. Eligible students may also be entitled to additional allowances for dependents, single parents and childcare …
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by (a) how many and (b) what percentage the number of (i) NHS staff, (ii) qualified nurses and midwives, (iii) consultants, (iv) CAMHS staff and (v) adult mental health staff has changed since September 2006.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Health and Social Care Analysis: Workforce, Pay and Resources: As at 31 December 2020: (i) There were 148,636.7 WTE staff employed by NHS Boards. This is an increase of 21,574.8 WTE (17.0%) from 127,061.9 WTE in September 2006. (ii) There were 45,896 WTE Qu…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, excluding COVID-19 funding, what the fiscal resource budget of the health portfolio (a) is for 2021-22 and (b) would be had it increased by inflation only in each year since 2016-17.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The 2021-22 Scottish Budget takes our total health portfolio funding in excess of £16 billion. For resource funding this represents an increase of £1.8 billion in real terms since 2016-17 – more than tripling the commitment to increase health funding by £500 …
10 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: NHS Lothian have now received the final validation reports for the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People remedial works and they are all satisfactory. I am therefore pleased to confirm that NHS Lothian will proceed with the migration of outpatients in…
26 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average spend per person has been on enterprise and economic development in each year since 2016-17, and what information it has regarding how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.
Answer · Ivan McKee: In each year since 2016-17, Scottish spending per person on enterprise and economic development has been higher than that in England and Wales. The following table the latest figures, taken from HM Treasury's Country and Regional Analysis publication. Spend …
26 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes have been built in each year since 2016-17, and what information it has regarding how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Official statistics on the delivery of affordable homes can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-scotland-quarterly-update/ The following is a link to the Affordable Housing excel tables: https://www.gov.scot/publications/hous…
26 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) council and (b) housing association homes have been delivered in each local authority area in each year since 2007.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The table showing (a) the number of council homes delivered from April 2009 to end September 2020 by local authority area, has been placed in SPICe under BIB number 62289. The current council house delivery programme did not begin until 2009-10. Published fi…
26 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes for (a) social rent, (b) affordable rent and (c) affordable ownership have been delivered in each local authority area in each year since 2007.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The table showing the number of homes for social rent, other affordable rent and affordable home ownership delivered from April 2007 to end September 2020 by local authority area has been placed in SPICe under BIB number 62269. The next set of quarterly affo…
4 Feb 2021 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Heat in Buildings Strategy.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has today published its Draft Heat in Buildings Strategy for consultation. The consultation will run until 30 April and can be accessed at https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/heat-in-buildings-strategy/ Thi…
8 Dec 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to each local authority to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government have committed an additional £791.9 million in COVID related funding to support local authority services, including the estimated consequentials of £90 million for a lost income scheme. The following table includes £607.1 million of th…
6 Nov 2020 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with year two delivery of Fair Start Scotland.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Fair Start Scotland (FSS) is Scotland’s flagship devolved employability support service, which helps those further removed from the labour market to find and stay in work. Today we have published the second Fair Start Scotland Annual Report. It gives an over…