Monica Lennon

7 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recommendations in the report to Stop Climate Chaos Scotland titled Financing Climate Justice, published on 2 October 2022, whether it plans to establish a "rapid and time-limited, independent commission to look at the options for replacement of the Council Tax and…

Answer · Tom Arthur: Together with the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, I recently invited the COSLA President, Vice-President, and Resource Spokesperson to join a working group to consider meaningful short-term changes to Council Tax, …

7 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that retailers do not sell vaping products to under-18s.

Answer · Maree Todd: We are greatly concerned by reports of children and under-age young people obtaining e-cigarettes or vaping products. Vapes and other nicotine products are part of a range of cessations tools available to existing smokers to help stop tobacco use. They are no…

7 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many retailers have been (a) charged and (b) convicted in relation to selling vaping products to under-18s.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have confirmed that in the last five financial years, as of 14 October 2022, there have been 11 charges reported and 2 charges convicted under the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 S4A(1) i…

7 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve life expectancy in Lanarkshire, in light of the diminishing life expectancies highlighted in the National Records of Scotland report, Life Expectancy in Scotland 2019-2021.

Answer · Maree Todd: The National Records of Scotland published the latest life expectancy statistics on 22 September 2022. As reflected in these statistics, the pandemic has hit our most deprived communities the hardest, including many in Lanarkshire. Reducing poverty and inequ…

5 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to fund research into heart condition diagnoses for women, in light of public health data that reportedly shows a rise in hospital admissions due to takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Women’s Health Plan, 2021-2024, includes a long term action to establish a Women’s Health Research Fund with the aim of closing gaps in scientific and medical knowledge in women’s health for both sex specific and non sex-specific conditions. The Chief Sc…

5 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to raise awareness of heart health for women, as outlined in the Women's Health Plan for 2021-24.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11371 on ? 25 October 2022. 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-commi…

5 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it plans to take to raise awareness of takotsubo cardiomyopathy and other heart syndromes in women, in light of public health data that reportedly shows an increase in women being hospitalised with this syndrome.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Women’s Health Plan, 2021-2024, includes an action to improve information and public awareness of heart disease symptoms and risks for women. We commenced work on this action through the development of a comprehensive women's health platform on the NHS I…

3 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to management at LIBERTY Steel Dalzell in Motherwell, following the reported resignation of its parent company's auditors.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government has not made representations to the management at Liberty Steel Dalzell in Motherwell following the resignation of its parent company's auditors. The appointment of auditors is an operational matter for the GFG parent company and the …

30 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work on reviewing environmental justice and the case for an environmental court, as referred to in its Programme for Government 2021-22.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government will carry out the review required by section 41 of the EU Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021. This Act requires Ministers to review and consult on the effectiveness of the governance arrangements introduced by the…

30 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to working with stakeholder groups, such as the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, to ensure that the Scottish legal system is fully accessible for those seeking to defend the environment, in time for the deadline set out by the UNECE Meeting of the Parties …

Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is always happy to work with stakeholders and fully intends to continue to engage with environmental stakeholder groups going forward. Officials have met with the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland a number of times, most recentl…

30 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement the recommendations of the UNECE Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention decision VII/8s by the deadline of 1 October 2024.

Answer · Keith Brown: The implications of the recommendations of decision VII/8s are being considered and work is ongoing to strengthen compliance with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention. A number of strands of work are being undertaken in relation to a review of the court …

30 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to environmental organisations, including Friends of the Earth Scotland and the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, who referred to its contributions to the UK Plan of action for decision VII/8s of the UNECE Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention, as "…

Answer · Keith Brown: The Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee has previously welcomed significant progress made by Scotland in strengthening compliance with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention. Work is in progress or planned in relation to the areas of concern which were …

27 Sep 2022 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has a menstruation and menopause policy in place for its employees, such as menstrual leave.

Answer · Jackson Carlaw : The SPCB is committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all staff throughout their working lives. Recognising the impact of period and menopause on the workforce is key to the Parliament’s commitment to an inclusive working environment.  The P…

26 Sep 2022 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote participation in Scotland’s Climate Week 2022, which runs from 26 September to 2 October.

23 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to ensure that endometriosis diagnoses are not being delayed by a lack of in-person GP appointments.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government wants to ensure that women are having informed and empowered conversations with their GP in order to support the diagnosis process for endometriosis. We continue to explore new ways and approaches to support people to seek advice in a …

21 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support people who are experiencing menopause symptoms to return to the workplace.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government vision is for Scotland to be a leading Fair Work Nation by 2025, where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society. This includes tackling the drivers of workplace inequalit…

21 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to raise awareness of perimenopause among (a) healthcare professionals and (b) the general public.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Women’s Health Plan recognises that it is important all women know about the menopause, including perimenopause, and have access to consistent information and care when they seek help with menopause symptoms. The Scottish Government launched a menopause …

21 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether policy in relation to the effects of perimenopause will be included within the development of the menopause and menstrual health workplace policy.

Answer · Maree Todd: All stages of the menopause, including perimenopause, are within the scope of the menopause and menstrual health workplace policy.

21 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on implementing a menopause workplace policy, as outlined in the Women’s Health Plan.

Answer · Maree Todd: As set out in the Women’s Health Plan, we are developing a menopause/menstrual health policy for NHS Scotland, which can then be promoted across the public, private and third sectors. Work is underway, with the University of Glasgow to establish an evidence …

20 Sep 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to safeguard patients and staff within NHS Lanarkshire, in light of reports of the NHS board returning its risk level to Code Black.

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent work has been undertaken by its dedicated Food Security Unit.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The First Minister announced the Programme for Government 2022 to 2023 on 6 September 2022, which set out the action to ‘Establish a dedicated Food Security Unit within the Scottish Government with a view to monitoring ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities and…

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date access to universal free school meals will be made available to children and young people in (a) primary 6, (b) primary 7 and (c) secondary schools.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government remains committed to funding the expansion of free school lunches to all children in primary and special schools during the course of this parliament. We will also establish a pilot of the provision of free school lunches to secondary …

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has undertaken regarding storm overflows and their impact on public health.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The independent Scottish EPA is required by law to identify unsatisfactory CSOs, primarily for water quality or sewage related debris impacts, in order to reduce those impacts on the water environment. SEPA also identifies unsatisfactory CSOs that impact on b…

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a dedicated restoration fund for Scotland's rainforest, and what discussions it has had with partners and funders about long-term investment in Scotland's rainforest.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and restoring it’s rainforest. We are currently delivering this via the Forestry Grant Scheme which focuses on the eradication of Rhododendron ponticum , and the recently established Nature Restoration Fund. …

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will rename the forthcoming Scottish Biodiversity Strategy as Scotland's Nature Emergency Strategy, as reportedly proposed by several leading NGOs.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government Environment Strategy (2020) recognises the urgent need for action at all levels, in tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. Sadly, the evidence tells us that in common with the rest of the world, Scotland has …

5 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to local authorities to provide extracurricular activities for young carers at school in each of the last five years.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The specific information requested is not held centrally. I refer the member to the answer to S6W-10892 on 20 September 2022 which provides information on funding for extra-curricular activities for young people and activities for young carers. All answers t…

5 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to young carers to allow them to take part in extracurricular activities at school such as sports clubs, volunteering and work experience.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government believes that all children and young people should have the opportunity to participate and engage as fully as possible in all aspects of school life, including trips and extracurricular activity. Scottish Government guidance on the pr…

2 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place in schools and educational establishments for children and young people who experience migraine.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people, get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential. Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (the 2004 Act) education authorities have duties…

2 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the National Framework for Action on Neurological Care and Support 2020-25, and how much of the £4.5 million of funding allocated to the framework has been invested to date.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the Neurological Care And Support: A Framework For Action 2020-2025 – Midpoint Progress Report , which was published on 13 July 2022. This report provides an update on the progress under each of the five aims in the Neurological Care A…

1 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any NHS boards in Scotland are participating in the GBS3 clinical trial, being run by the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, and what it can do to ensure that (a) data and (b) experience from Scotland is included in the trial.

Answer · Maree Todd: A map of participating centres in the GBS3 trial is available on the GBS3 trial website and the Group B Strep support website . Participation in such clinical trials is a matter for individual NHS Boards.The Scottish Government has twice contacted the Sc…