Monica Lennon

5 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it plans to spend on marketing campaigns to encourage people to use public transport in the financial year 2022-23.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government will launch a national marketing campaign to promote the new Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel scheme in the coming weeks. The Scottish Government has allocated £400,000 to promote this campaign during this financial year. On promoting p…

4 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering the provision of a monkeypox vaccine, and, if this is the case, what action it is taking regarding the potential planning for such a vaccine.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends the use of Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccines as part of the response to the current monkeypox outbreak, for people who are at higher risk of …

4 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) work is being carried out and (b) discussions are taking place with NHS boards regarding (i) reducing transmission and (ii) limiting the impact of the monkeypox outbreak.

Answer · Maree Todd: The public health response to the current monkeypox outbreak in Scotland is being led by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and delivered in partnership with local NHS Health Protection Teams (HPTs) in each of the NHS Boards of Scotland. PHS has established a natio…

4 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is monitoring any spread of monkeypox and what analysis it has carried out regarding any impact of the virus in terms of (a) demographics and (b) geographical areas.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10235 on? 29 August 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-committ…

4 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve public messaging regarding monkeypox and its symptoms, in order to increase awareness.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is working closely with Public Health Scotland and third sector organisations, such as HIV Scotland and Waverley Care, on health promotion activity to inform affected communities. We have provided funding for this work, and co-ordinate…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to teaching in schools regarding relationships and domestic abuse, in light of a report from the YWCA reportedly stating that over a third of young women had been in an intimate relationship with someone who had harmed them physically or emotionally.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Schools already have the flexibility to teach about relationships and domestic abuse. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring all children and young people receive high quality relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education, an integral…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cost of living crisis, what support it can provide to encourage more people to cycle.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: At the heart of our Active Travel Policy is the drive to close the mobility gap and take action against transport poverty. A truly accessible Active Travel landscape is one in which there is equal opportunity to access provision that allows people the opportu…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can offer local authorities for the retro-fitting of cycle storage in residential areas, in light of a report from Cycle Scotland that reportedly states that a third of people in Scotland do not have a safe place to store a bike.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: There are multiple routes through which local authorities and housing associations can get support and funding for the installation of residential cycle storage. The Places for Everyone programme (PfE) includes provision for cycle storage as part of larger c…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the effectiveness of the Scottish Breast Screening Programme is being monitored and assessed.

Answer · Maree Todd: Each screening programme has a programme board that meets regularly and provides an assurance function on governance activity across the programme, acting on behalf of the programme to advise NHS National Services Division, National Screening Oversight, the S…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the Trucheck blood test for breast cancer.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are a number of routes that developers of a new medical device may follow, in order to pursue NHSScotland approval. As a test for early cancer detection, Trucheck would fall within the remit of the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG), which is a n…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to small businesses, in light of the reported finding from the Federation of Small Businesses that 91% of respondents to a recent survey reported a rise in costs in the second quarter of 2022.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is aware that all businesses, particularly small ones, are struggling under the current trading conditions that are arising from the effects of Brexit, the conflict in Ukraine and the increasing costs of doing business more generally. …

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to fish and chip shops in Scotland, in light of reports that half of the UK’s fish and chip shops are at threat of closure due to rising costs.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is aware that food producers and retailers, as well as many other businesses, are struggling under the current trading conditions that are arising from the effects of Brexit, the conflict in Ukraine and the increasing costs of doing bu…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many schools in Scotland are (a) currently using a play-based learning approach and (b) expected to be using a play-based learning approach for the terms beginning August (i) 2023, (ii) 2024 and (iii) 2025.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is non-prescriptive in nature, allowing teachers and schools to judge the context for learning that best suits their learners and their individual circumstances. Therefore decisions about which pedagogies to use are for schools…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many schools in the (a) South Lanarkshire Council and (b) Falkirk Council area are currently using a play-based learning approach.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10057 on 18 August 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-committe…

26 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out into a play-based learning approach in primary schools, and how this is being monitored and assessed.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In 2021 Play Scotland published its progress review of Scotland’s Play Strategy which identified eight broad recommendations for next steps on play in Scotland, including that government and others should “maintain a focus on playful learning and play in scho…

22 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether plans are in place to urgently complete the R100 superfast broadband in the ML3 7XW postcode area, in light of the 30 June 2022 target reportedly being missed.

Answer · Ivan McKee: We’re working closely with Openreach to address the delays being experienced in R100 contract build, which is impacting a small number of properties that will now receive their superfast broadband connections later than indicated by our online address checker…

19 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to support the introduction of planning apprenticeship schemes in order to encourage people into town planning careers.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government funded and supported delivery of the recent Future Planners Project Report which identifies the need for a number of new initiatives to increase the number of planners working in Scotland, including introducing a planning apprenticeshi…

19 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding any impact on Scotland, to the UK Parliament Joint Committee on Human Rights report, The Violation of Family Life: Adoption of Children of Unmarried Women 1949-1976, and its recommendations.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We are considering carefully the Joint Committee on Human Rights report along with the responses to our recent questionnaire on the issue of historical adoption. This will help to determine the next steps and will also provide more understanding of what supp…

19 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08674 by Clare Haughey on 9 June 2022, when it will publish an analysis of the responses and determine the next steps regarding support for people affected by historic forced adoption practices.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The responses are still currently being analysed and considered carefully. This will help to determine the next steps and will also provide more understanding of what support is needed to help the people affected by historical adoption practices. In the mean…

19 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider including sunscreen products in the Baby Box.

Answer · Clare Haughey: At its heart, Scotland’s Baby Box strongly signals our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life by ensuring that every family with a new-born has access to essential items needed in the first six mon…

19 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider measures to provide free or low-cost sunscreen products for (a) children and (b) people on low incomes.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government promotes cash-first responses to hardship so that people are able to make choices about the essentials that best meets their needs. This includes through investment in key social security measures such as the Scottish Child Payment, wh…

19 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with GFG Alliance and its representatives in 2022.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government engages regularly with representatives of the GFG Alliance at official and Ministerial level. Officials hold quarterly meetings to monitor performance in respect of the Scottish Government guarantee and maintain regular engagement at…

18 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent fires in France and Spain, what steps it is taking to prepare for the reported increasing risk of severe wildfires.

Answer · Ash Regan: Many remote and rural communities in Scotland are hugely impacted by wildfire incidents, which can also cause significant environmental and economic damage. This is something the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is very aware of, and it works closely w…

18 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that care homes are suitable environments for (a) staff and (b) residents who are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of heat.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: It is essential that care home staff and residents are comfortable in their environment and this includes mitigating against the effects of heat. Care providers including care homes are therefore expected to take steps to ensure that the environment is suitab…

18 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is working with local authorities and other partners to facilitate so-called warm banks, as part of its response to the cost-of-living crisis and winter preparedness.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are aware that a number of local authorities in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK are considering setting up warm banks this coming winter, to ensure people who cannot afford to heat their own home have a place they can access to stay warm. This is a relati…

12 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been carried out regarding the affordability of nappies in Scotland, and whether it is monitoring demand for (a) nappies and (b) baby products at (i) foodbanks and (ii) other charities.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We have not undertaken any assessments regarding the affordability of nappies in Scotland, however we will continue to work with partners to ensure that our financial supports, such as the Scottish Child Payment and the Best Start Grant, are maximising the su…

8 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards ensuring that island NHS boards have specialist menopause services, and how are those living in island communities being supported to access specialist menopause services.

Answer · Maree Todd: Through the Women’s Health Plan, we want all women to have timely access to menopause support and services. For those who need specialist support beyond primary care, there is now a specialist menopause service in every mainland NHS Board. For women living i…

7 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support taxi drivers given the recent rise in the cost of fuel.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises the current pressure on the Scottish transport sector as fuel prices become an ever increasing proportion of business’ overheads. The taxi sector plays a vitally important role in Scotland’s public transport network and we d…

6 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to legislate for a ban on so-called trophy hunting.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill was introduced to the UK Parliament in June. The stated purpose of the Bill is to “ make provision prohibiting the import of hunting trophies into Great Britain.” The Scottish Government is strongly committed to…

6 Jul 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with lobbyists regarding wild goat shooting trips and so-called trophy hunting.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We have had discussions with the game management sector in Scotland to draw up guidance for game shooters, promoting a responsible and respectful approach to field sports which includes the display of trophies of animals hunted in Scotland. The work to devel…