Monica Lennon

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its Human Rights Bill to bring four international human rights treaties into law in Scotland and introduce a new right to a healthy environment.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In line with guidance covering Scottish Government announcements during the UK General Election 2024 pre-election period, we will provide an update to the Scottish Parliament on the proposed Human Rights Bill in due course.  

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to engage with people and families with experience of pre-eclampsia ahead of World Pre-eclampsia Day.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Engaging with people is an important way to ensure that the Scottish Government get a range of views when developing policies and we continue to engage with stakeholders and third sector organisations to progress the work on PLGF- based testing implementation…

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mark World Environment Day.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: I’ll be marking World Environment Day by visiting the Claypits Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention project which will change a 10 hectare derelict site into an accessible local nature reserve and will include a canal pedestrian bridge linking Maryhill…

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address any labour market barriers experienced by LGBTQ+ people.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government remains committed to advancing equality for LGBTQI+ people across all areas of life, including the labour market. We are providing over £1.1 million to organisations working to promote LGBTQI+ equality in Scotland in 2024-25, includin…

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who has ministerial responsibility for (a) planning and (b) the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

Answer · Ivan McKee: Ministerial responsibility for planning, which includes the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), sits with myself.

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on improving the training and skills of staff providing miscarriage care, in light of the Miscarriage Care and Facilities in Scotland: Scoping Report National Overview, which found variation across NHS boards.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government officials and professional advisors are working with NHS Education for Scotland to identify any gaps in training for health professionals working with those who have experienced miscarriage by end summer 2024. The findings from the Miscarr…

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on better defining and capturing data on miscarriage nationally, in light of the findings in the Lancet series, Miscarriage Matters.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government has commissioned Public Health Scotland to collect meaningful miscarriage data across all settings where patients experiencing miscarriage present. The initial phase of this work will focus on data from early pregnancy services and Public…

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason wellbeing economy has been removed from the title of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The appointment of a new ministerial team has presented an opportunity to simplify portfolio titles across all parts of government. This in no way changes our commitment to the principles of a Wellbeing Economy, as set out in the National Strategy for Economi…

10 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no longer a dedicated Minister for International Development, in light of there previously being one since 2012.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The recent appointment by the First Minister of his ministerial team has resulted in changes in the ministerial titles of certain Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers. A change in title does not necessarily equate to a change in ministerial responsibilities. Int…

9 May 2024 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it will mark Pride Month, which takes place between 1 and 30 June 2024.

Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has previously accepted requests to fly the Rainbow flag to mark Edinburgh Pride Day, which usually falls on the last Saturday of June. To date, the SPCB has not received a request to fly the Rainbow flag this year.…

9 May 2024 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it last reviewed its flag-flying policy.

Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body last reviewed its flag-flying policy at its meeting on Thursday 9th May. The SPCB discussed its policy on the flying of flags at Holyrood and how significant events and/or anniversaries were marked.  The SPCB confirm…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of women for whom it would be clinically helpful to access a placental growth factor (PlGF) based test can currently do so, and what targets it has set to increase this proportion, in light of reports that the equivalent figure in England is currently 90%.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to ensure the SHTG recommendations on PLGF-based testing published on 23 March 2023 are implemented effectively and consistently. However, NHS Boards have reported that there are some capacity and infrastructur…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21549 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, what progress NHS boards have made on implementing the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations, published on 23 March 2023, requiring access to placental growth factor (PlGF) based tests as p…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to continuous improvement in maternity safety across Scotland, in partnership with NHS Boards and clinicians and service users, to deliver the best and safest care for mothers and babies. The Scottish Government expects a…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what barriers there have been to the implementation of placental growth factor (PlGF)-based tests, and what action it is taking to resolve any such barriers.

Answer · Jenni Minto: While there are differences across Scotland, the results following the latest update on progress towards implementation of PlGF-based testing indicate that capacity and infrastructure pose challenges for NHS Boards striving to effectively implement their plan…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent domestic violence in Lanarkshire.

Answer · Angela Constance: Firstly, I would reiterate that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights and is totally unacceptable. It is also important to highlight that the Lanarkshire division within Police Scotland play an important local role in preventing d…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Sentencing Council regarding sentencing in cases where miscarriage or forced termination has occurred as a serious aggravation of domestic abuse.

Answer · Angela Constance: Instances where miscarriage or forced termination has taken place because of domestic violence reflects the most tragic of circumstances based on the cruel realities of domestic abuse. Just two weeks ago, this Parliament debated a Petition on the creation of…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26808 by Gillian Martin on 30 April 2024, what its position is on whether its Offshore Wind International Engagement Strategy is aligned with its policy relating to international development, as stated in its previous review of international develop…

Answer · Gillian Martin: Our Offshore Wind International Engagement Strategy is aligned with, and informed by, a number of Scottish Government strategies, including Scotland’s International Strategy (published in January 2024) and Scotland’s Vision for Trade. These strategies are in …

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26663 by Tom Arthur on 30 April 2024, whether any public bodies under the direct jurisdiction of the Scottish Ministers currently use physical record keeping as their only means of information storage.

Answer · Ivan McKee: None of the public bodies under the direct jurisdiction of the Scottish Ministers currently use physical record keeping as their only means of information storage.  

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26976 by Gillian Martin on 30 April 2024, how it will ensure that Green Volt honours its commitment.

Answer · Gillian Martin: All Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) projects are required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) to Crown Estate Scotland (CES) outlining the nature and location of supply chain activity across four different project stages. SCDSs…

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will report the findings of the peak fares removal pilot to the Parliament.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The ScotRail Peak Fares Removal Pilot has been extended to 28 June 2024. An interim evaluation is underway to examine the impacts on rail travel patterns and other modes as well as a formal value for money assessment. A final evaluation will be undertaken at …

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-03153 by Màiri McAllan on 6 March 2024, whether it will provide an update on its review, due to be published in spring 2024, of how to increase the number of co-operatives, social enterprises and employee-owned businesses as part of the move to a we…

Answer · Tom Arthur: The National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) announced a ‘.. review of how best to significantly increase the number of social enterprises, employee-owned businesses and co-operatives in Scotland, supporting regional regeneration and the wealth of…

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the situation regarding the number of specialist palliative care beds at Kilbryde Hospice.

Answer · Jenni Minto: South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has been clear that the temporary reduction of beds is due to clinical and operational reasons associated with current staffing challenges and are undertaking work to address this. South Lanarkshire…

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the short-life working group involved in addressing any issues at Kilbryde Hospice.

Answer · Jenni Minto: In December 2023, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) established a Short Life Working Group to consider and recommend a future model of clinical care within the Specialist Palliative Care service in Lanarkshire. This process concluded…

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is designing a successor to the Women's Health Plan 2021-2024.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Women’s Health Plan Foreword by the Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport - Women's health plan - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) sets out the Scottish Government’s ambition for Women’s Health which is that ‘women and girls enjoy the best possibl…

23 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an estimate of how many jobs in (a) wind turbine manufacturing and (b) the supply-chain based in Scotland will be provided by the recently announced Green Volt project.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Consenting of GreenVolt, one of the largest floating offshore wind farms in Europe, is a significant milestone which will secure Scotland’s place at the forefront of floating wind technology. Green Volt’s recently published Supply Chain Development Statement…

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26724 by Paul McLennan on 22 April 2024, whether it will publish its response regarding standardised approaches to bond calculations, inspections, and approvals in relation to housebuilding before July 2024.

Answer · Paul McLennan: Further to the response in S6W-26724 which noted that the Scottish Government is reviewing the Competition & Markets Authority’s ‘Housing Markets Study’ published on 28 February 2024, a full response to relevant recommendations and options put forward by the …

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders it plans to consult in relation to the development of a National Service Specification for alcohol services, and when the National Service Specification will be published.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: For the development of a national specification for alcohol and drug services, initial engagement has begun with representative groups covering service commissioners, service providers and people who use, have used or could use the services. We plan full pub…

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it considers the National Service Specification for alcohol services will address the public health emergency of alcohol harm in Scotland.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The national service specification will play a role in addressing the public health emergency of alcohol harm by providing clarity on the choices and services which must be available in every local area in Scotland. The specification will help ensure services…

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Public Health Scotland will report on its investigation into the reasons behind the reported 40% reduction in the number of people accessing specialist alcohol treatment.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Public Health Scotland is currently in the process of investigating the reasons behind the apparent 40% reduction in the number of people accessing specialist alcohol treatment services.

22 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to next update the Prevalence-Service Utilisation Ratio for people who are dependent on alcohol in Scotland, in light of the reported 40% reduction in the number of people accessing specialist alcohol treatment.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Scottish Government has no current plans to update the prevalence-service utilisation ratio for people who are dependent on alcohol in Scotland.