Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Rape Crisis Scotland campaign, Survivors Can’t Wait, which calls for emergency waiting list funding to be extended beyond March 2024 to save 28 jobs, and for long-term sustainable funding for Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: Rape Crisis Scotland and other frontline services are crucial, that is why we are investing record levels of funding to support them. This includes over £5 million for the Rape Crisis network through our annual £19 million Delivering Equally Safe fund. Rape C…
27 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on compulsory redundancies being implemented by public bodies.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Strategy sets out our commitment to No Compulsory Redundancies.
27 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of any Barnett consequential funding arising from the UK Government's policy of 75% rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure premises for 2023-24 has been discussed at the weekly meetings between the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and se…
Answer · Shona Robison: The consequentials associated with 75% non-domestic rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure premises in England in 2023-24 were confirmed in the Autumn Statement on 17 November 2022. All Barnett consequentials received as a result of the Autumn Stat…
23 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Food Standards Scotland report, Our Food 2022.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government welcomes Food Standards Scotland’s Our Food 2022 report and the wide ranging recommendations. We are aware of workforce shortages, such as veterinarians and environmental health officers, and the fundamental role these have to safegua…
23 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent the closure of Turning Point 218 due to a lack of funding from Glasgow City Council, with the loss of eight residential beds for women with a criminal justice background and complex needs, including substance use, in light of reported concerns that thi…
Answer · Angela Constance: Decisions about the provision and commissioning of individual community justice services, including any re-tendering exercises, are a matter for local authorities based on local needs. The Scottish Government has continued to invest around £134 million in com…
23 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is taking action to reduce the use of single-use nappy products.
Answer · Lorna Slater: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19840 on 18 July 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
23 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reusable nappy and period product manufacturer, Tots Bots, going into liquidation, and how it plans to support other small sustainable businesses experiencing challenging trading conditions.
Answer · Neil Gray: I was concerned to hear of the situation at Tots Bots Ltd and the people affected by this announcement are our immediate priority. The Scottish Government is providing support through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action …
23 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the supply of reusable nappies for the Baby Box, in light of reports that the current supplier, Tots Bots, has ceased trading.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government understands the benefits of reusable nappy use in relation to reducing household costs in addition to reducing the impact on the environment. Following the concerning news regarding the liquidation of TotsBots Ltd, our Baby Box Managi…
22 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the use of so-called fire and rehire practices by employers.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government opposes the inappropriate use of fire and rehire practices and we are clear that the practice does not represent Fair Work. In cases where contractual changes are necessary, there should always be appropriate and meaningful consultatio…
22 Nov 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for COP28.
20 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22388 by Mairi McAllan on 6 November 2023, whether it will publish the responses to the consultation on its Report into the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance Arrangements before the end of 2023.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The consultation on the Report on the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance was open for responses for 19 weeks, closing on? 13 October. The Scottish Government will publish the responses to the consultation on Citizen Space, at the same time as providing…
17 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on its commitment to (a) facilitate a process to co-design high-quality, high-performing household recycling and reuse services by the end of 2023, working with service operators and users, and (b) undertake further consultation on the separate kerbside collecti…
Answer · Lorna Slater: Through the Circular Economy Bill, the Scottish Government is committed to a co-design process to develop a new Household Recycling Code of Practice with local authorities and other stakeholders to provide a clear strategic direction for recycling in Scotland…
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Kidney Care UK publication, Home Dialysis Energy Reimbursement in Scotland, what evaluation it has made of the rate of reimbursement associated with home dialysis for people with chronic kidney disease.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22410 on 7 November 2023, as outlined in the answer we are aware of a variation in practice surrounding reimbursement policies for electricity costs relating to home dialysis, both around the level of reimburse…
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing national guidelines for the reimbursement of the additional energy costs for those on home dialysis, taking into consideration Kidney Care UK’s recommendations in its publication, Home Dialysis Energy Reimbursement in Scotland.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22410 on 7 November 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12253 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2022, how many directors, managers or partners of corporate bodies were found guilty of offences under regulation 44(1) of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 in 2021-22.
Answer · Angela Constance: There were no convictions under regulation 44(1) of the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (where main crime) in 2021-22.
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12252 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2022, how many people were found guilty of offences under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in 2021-22.
Answer · Angela Constance: There were five people convicted under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (where main crime) in Scottish courts in 2021-22.
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16426 by Mairi McAllan on 17 April 2023, in light of reports that the EU has legislated to criminalise ecocide through a revised directive on the protection of the environment, what action it will take to ensure that Scotland's environmental laws ar…
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is aware that the European Council has announced that it has reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new directive that aims at establishing minimum rules on the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in …
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12254 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2022, how many directors, managers or partners of corporate bodies were found guilty of offences under regulation 67 of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 in 2021-22.
Answer · Angela Constance: There were no convictions under regulation 67 of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (where main crime) in 2021-22.
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12255 by Keith Brown on 29 November 2022, how many people were found guilty of offences under section 40(1) of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 in 2021-22.
Answer · Angela Constance: There were no convictions under section 40(1) of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (where main crime) in 2021-22.
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reclassifying environmental offences from "Miscellaneous offences" to their own distinct category of offences in its annual Recorded crime in Scotland publications.
Answer · Angela Constance: During 2019 and 2021 the Scottish Crime Recording Board consulted users on Recorded Crime National Statistics. This included gathering their views on suggested changes to how crimes and offences were grouped within the statistics, and in the way findings are …
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15178 by Lorna Slater on 16 March 2023, whether it will provide an update on the work of its Serious & Organised Crime Taskforce in relation to Serious Organised Criminal Gangs (SOCG) activity in waste crime.
Answer · Angela Constance: Environmental Waste Crime is a priority for the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce (SOCT), which has established an Environmental Waste Crime Working Group to take forward appropriate activity to disrupt the impact of organised crime groups in this sector and …
16 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed any impact of marine pollution caused by menstrual products.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Government research shows that an estimated 340,000 single-use period products are incorrectly disposed of every day in Scotland. Sewage treatment facilities will remove a portion of these, however it is known that some will reach the marine environm…
15 Nov 2023 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what specific measures it is taking to ensure that training opportunities provided to MSP staff in the Scottish Parliament are of a similar level and equivalent standard to those available to staff in the UK Parliament.
Answer · Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB is proud to work with colleagues across all UK and Ireland legislatures to share best practice, innovative ideas, opportunities for shared learning and shared events (e.g., Mental Health Month, Trans and Non-Binary Awareness Week, National Inclus…
15 Nov 2023 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it assesses the effectiveness and impact of the MSP staff training provided within the allocated £40,000 central budget.
Answer · Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB can confirm that they are committed to ensuring that all training offered to MSP staff is of the highest quality and that it meets our procurement standards. As such we will continue to engage with MSP staff to ensure that the training meets the…
15 Nov 2023 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an overview of the training programmes and opportunities that are currently available to MSP staff within the allocated £40,000 central budget.
Answer · Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB can confirm that following consultation with MSP staff on training via, a training needs analysis, interviews and engagement forums, a bespoke development programme has been established, specifically for MSP staff. There are a number of training m…
15 Nov 2023 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of HPV home testing and plans to prevent and eradicate cervical cancer.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government continues to progress work towards the elimination of cervical cancer in Scotland, in line with the targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This work has included the introduction of a one-dose schedule of the HPV vaccine, …
14 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reviewing the current relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education resources to ensure that sufficient education on abortion is included.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: It is up to schools and teachers to decide what resources to use when delivering relevant and engaging learning. A summary of resources that may be used to support delivery of RSHP education is available on Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub at ht…
14 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken, since March 2023, to review the current law on abortion.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The 2023 Programme for Government set out that the Scottish Government will begin a review of abortion law, within specified limits, following the Scottish Parliament’s consideration of the legislation on safe access zones. The review will aim to identify p…
14 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comments of Creative Scotland that it remains in the dark regarding the Scottish Government's future funding commitments.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government will take decisions about the allocation of funding in 2024-25 and future years subject to the outcome of the Scottish Budget process and associated approval by the Scottish Parliament. Once the draft budget is published on 19 Decembe…
14 Nov 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its engagement with Equinor regarding potentially scaling up production of hydrogen.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Government engages widely and regularly with industry on the options to scale up production of hydrogen in Scotland but to date we have not engaged directly with Equinor on this subject.