Monica Lennon

20 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research by Carbon Tracker regarding the proposed power plant at Peterhead, including the findings illustrating alleged discrepancies in the environmental impact assessment.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: In February 2022, an application under section 36 of the Electricity Act seeking consent for construction and operation of the Peterhead Low Carbon Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Station was formally lodged with the Energy Consents Unit. This is currently b…

20 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider requesting a new environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the proposed power plant at Peterhead, in light of research published by Carbon Tracker regarding the submitted EIA.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: In February 2022, an application under section 36 of the Electricity Act seeking consent for construction and operation of the Peterhead Low Carbon Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Station was formally lodged with the Energy Consents Unit. This is currently b…

20 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on what an acceptable level of emissions would be for a gas-fired power plant to produce.

Answer · Gillian Martin: When considering any application for a proposed gas-fired power plant application, Scottish Ministers’ consideration of emissions would be considered within the accompanying environmental impact assessments (EIA), which would be carried out on a case-by…

20 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the relationship would be between any new gas-fired power plants and the advancement of the Acorn project.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The nature of the relationship between the Acorn Project and other members of the Scottish Cluster is a matter for the UK Government to determine as part of the cluster sequencing programme. This includes when, and which, emitter projects (which may include g…

18 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31060 by Alasdair Allan on 18 November 2024, whether it will list what specific steps are being taken to halt the decline of hedgehogs.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government is not taking specific steps to halt the decline of hedgehogs, however there are other initiatives that will benefit a range of species including hedgehogs.The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) sets out our approach to generating hi…

15 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, whether it can provide further detail on the progress of (a) a route map to 20% reduction in car kilometres, (b) a route map for the delivery of 24,000 additional charge points by 2030, (c) the d…

Answer · Gillian Martin: (A) The draft route map to achieving a 20% reduction in car use was published in 2022 and was followed by a period of engagement and consultation. Analysis and consideration of the consultation responses are shaping the updated route map which will be publish…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) regulations and (b) instruments have been introducedby the Scottish Ministers under the UK Withdrawal from the European Union(Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, broken down by the reason for each.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 is one means by which the Scottish Government implements its alignment policy. The section 1(1) power has been used once to introduce secondary legislation, in respect of The Public Wa…

13 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the (a) Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in Scotland: Annual Survey 2023/24 and (b) finding that only (i) 30% of alcohol and drug partnerships have an alcohol harms group and (ii) 27% have an alcohol death review group.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government is working closely with ADPs to ensure further roll-out of Alcohol Harms Groups and Alcohol Death Reviews across Scotland.The ADP Survey highlights that in addition to the 30% of ADPs with specific Alcohol Harms Groups in place a further t…

13 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that only 33% of alcohol and drug partnerships have pathways for the early detection of alcohol-related liver disease.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government is working in partnership with ADPs and local Health Boards to develop a nationwide model for the early detection of alcohol-related liver disease.This work will build on learning taken from the innovative intelligent Liver Function Testin…

13 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to support all alcohol and drug partnerships to establish (a) alcohol harms groups and (b) alcohol death review groups.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government is working closely with ADPs to ensure further roll-out of Alcohol Harms Groups and Alcohol Death Reviews across Scotland.We are working in partnership with Alcohol Focus Scotland is ensure that all ADPs in Scotland have structures in plac…

5 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering undertaking a national hedgehog census to ascertain the number of hedgehogs in Scotland, in light of recent Mammal Society research that estimates a 50% decline in Scotland's hedgehog population between 2000 and 2020.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has no plans to undertake a national hedgehog census in Scotland.Hedgehogs are protected in Scotland under the Wildlife and Countryside (Scotland) Act 1981. Alongside this legal protection, steps are being taken to halt the decline of …

4 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish a full update to the 2005 Guidance for Local Authorities and National Park Authorities on Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, and, if so, when. 

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has no current plans to update the 2005 Guidance for Local Authorities and National Park Authorities on Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

31 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the prevalence of (a) non-payment of taxi and private hire fares and (b) abusive and violence conduct towards taxi and private hire drivers by members of the public.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Taxis and private hire cars (PHCs) are a vital part of transport networks for citizens, businesses and visitors across Scotland, and all taxi and PHC drivers should be able to go about their work without the threat of any violence and abuse from their custome…

31 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the maximum punishment available to the courts on (a) summary conviction and (b) indictment under section 40 of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act, and whether it plans to review this.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Section 40 of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 introduces an offence of significant environmental harm and sets maximum penalties for convictions for this offence. As set out in the Scottish Government’s draft Annual Report on the Scottish Gove…

31 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide extra funding for pulmonary rehabilitation services in light of the Barnett consequentials arising from the UK Budget and, if so, how much.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We recognise that pulmonary rehabilitation is an important element in managing respiratory disease and it is already a key recommendation for all appropriate patients in NICE clinical guidelines which we expect all NHS Boards to follow.The funding announced i…

28 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding reports of ongoing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication shortages, and what support it is providing to (a) NHS boards and (b) patients in relation to this.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is aware that supplies of various ADHD medicines continue to be intermittent. The supply of medicines and associated legislation are a reserved matter for the UK Government and the Scottish Government continues to engage with them on a…

28 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) NHS Lanarkshire and (b) any other NHS board has closed its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment waiting lists to adult patients.

Answer · Maree Todd: This is not data that we hold centrally. There is no national collection of waiting times for adult diagnosis of ADHD. Accordingly, we cannot confirm whether any NHS board has closed its ADHD assessment waiting list to adult patients.I can advise that The Sco…

27 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm when the 2021 NICE guideline on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) will be implemented. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, it is NHS Boards and healthcare professionals locally who have responsibility for both service delivery and ensuring people receive the right care for them, taking into account r…

27 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any barriers that patients face in accessing ME specialist services for an initial assessment, care plan and ongoing support as required, and whether this varies in different NHS boards. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: In May 2023 the Scottish Government published an analysis of survey data of health boards’ arrangements: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Services in Scotland: Findings from an analysis of surveys issued to NHS Boards in Autumn 2022 (w…

25 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made regarding the length of time that it takes to be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Answer · Jenni Minto: We are committed to ensuring that people living in Scotland with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred.Significant additional ac…

18 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what is its response to research published by NASUWT, which suggests that 21% of teachers are using money from Pupil Equity Fund to buy school meals for children coming to school hungry.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There is a package of national and local support available to assist schools in planning how to use their Pupil Equity Funding (PEF). Local authorities issue specific complementary guidance and headteachers can use their professional judgement to identify chi…

18 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on its commitment to establish a pilot scheme in secondary schools for the delivery of universal free school meals, in light of research research published by NASUWT, which suggested that 21% of secondary school teachers are using money from the Pupil Equ…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling the child-poverty related attainment gap and is already ensuring eligible pupils in Secondary 1 to Secondary 6 can receive free school meals.Local authorities issue specific complementary guidance about ho…

17 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28801 by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2024, whether it considered including the (a) University of West of Scotland and (b) Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland as members of the Environmental Health Policy Co-ordination Group,

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Environmental Health Policy Co-ordination Group consists of representatives from across Scottish Government, Food Standards Scotland, COSLA, the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland and SOLACE.Should matters arise concerning educa…

16 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific steps it is taking to enhance education on menstrual health in (a) male-dominated coaching environments and (b) school physical education settings, as part of its broader strategy to support women and girls in sport.

Answer · Maree Todd: sportscotland’s Institute of Sport delivers tailored support services for athletes. Their Female Athlete Performance Working Group have developed a range of resources specifically for female athletes, designed to support anyone working with girls and wo…

11 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the use of steroid drugs within prisons is reportedly increasing.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS have no specific evidence as to why the use of steroids is reportedly increasing within prisons. However, in collaboration with our …

11 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the study undertaken by researchers at the University of Dundee's Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, in collaboration with Scottish Prison Service, which found an increase from 1% to 10% in four years of steroid compounds detected within prisons, inc…

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS continue to work collaboratively with its partners and stakeholders to utilise new technologies such as DeDrone, X-ray body scanners…

10 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-03822 by Angela Constance on 9 October 2024, whether it will provide details of the list of partners involved in intelligence gathering in relation to food crime.

Answer · Angela Constance: Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is the competent authority in Scotland and has a statutory objective to protect the public from risks to health which may arise in connection with the consumption of food. Partnership arrangements for operations will depend on th…

7 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Scotland plans to undertake modelling of the blood cancer care workforce and develop national standards for staffing and facilities. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS Scotland health care workers supporting those with blood cancer are from a wide range of professions, often supporting patients with other conditions too. There are no plans to model a blood cancer care workforce specifically.National standards for staffi…

3 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the impact of migraine on the (a) economy and (b) NHS workforce.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not hold specific information on these issues, however information regarding the impact of migraine on workplaces and the economy have been published by organisations such as the Migraine Trust.

3 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will address migraine as part of the consultation for the next Women’s Health Plan.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government's ambition is that women and girls enjoy the best possible health, throughout their lives and this will continue to be our guiding principle as we develop the next phase of the Women’s Health Plan.Any future topics or priorities for …