Drew Smith

Answer · Michael Matheson · 25 Feb 2016

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:
“The consultation process has now concluded and an options paper is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet Secretary.
The Cabinet Secretary’s response will inform the action plan and timescales for the introduction of smoke-free prisons.”

Answer · Alex Neil · 19 Jan 2016

The UK Government is responsible for providing the state party report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Scottish Government provided an update to the UK Government in relation to the race equality work being carried out. It did not formally consult on this update. However the input was informed by its on-going work around race equality, including dialogue with communities, and drew on the relevant available data and information. The Scottish Government has no plans to publish its contribution to the UK report.
The Scottish Government has focused on an extensive programme of engagement throughout 2015 as part of developing a new race equality framework for Scotland. The race equality framework document will be published in 2016.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham · 18 Dec 2015

The Scottish Government takes the issue of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace very seriously. That is one of the reasons that the independent Fair Work Convention was set up in April 2015 bringing together trade unions, the private sector and the wider public sector. Part of the convention's remit is to encourage progressive workforce policies which encourage innovation, higher productivity and better workforce engagement.
The convention has been tasked with developing a Fair Work Framework by March 2016. The convention is aware of the GMB Scotland Young Members' Network report and will be discussing this at its next meeting.