Fulton MacGregor

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the outcome of the consultation on the licensing of activities involving animals, and what next steps it will take.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government is still considering its next steps and we will announce how we propose to proceed in the near future.

19 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many responses were received to its consultation on the effectiveness of environmental governance arrangements, and when it will publish an analysis of the consultation responses.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: There were 24 responses to the consultation on the Report into the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance. Section 41 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 requires a statement to be laid before Parliament including …

27 Mar 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish refreshed guidance on marches, parades and static demonstrations.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: I am pleased to confirm that refreshed Scottish Government guidance on marches, parades and static demonstrations has been published on the Scottish Government website today and can be found at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836010425. I hope that this guid…

25 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it collects data across all local authorities on the rate of adoption breakdown.

Answer · Natalie Don: As part of Keeping The Promise by 2030, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all adoptees and adoptive families can access the support they need, when and where they need it throughout life. Furthermore, under the Adoption and Children (Scot…

21 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to introduce the policy of offering 10 days paid leave to NHS Scotland staff who experience a miscarriage in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, in light of the policy having been recently announced for NHS England staff.

Answer · Neil Gray: The NHSScotland Special Leave policy provides the staff member and their partner initially up to one working week of paid compassionate leave. Additionally, managers hold the discretion to extend this leave by an additional week thereby providing a total of 1…

1 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the reported long waiting times for patients in Glasgow seeking specialist treatment as a result of being affected by transvaginal mesh.

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS National Services Scotland, National Services Division (NSD) and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHS GGC) are working to improve waiting times for access to the highly specialist Complex Mesh Surgical Service. The ongoing need for service recovery following …

28 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in and revitalise town centres in urban areas.

13 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how proposed UK immigration rule changes will potentially affect overseas workers in the agricultural sector in Scotland, in light of the recent letter from Scotland Food and Drink, and industry partners, to the Home Secretary.

8 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the levels of vitamin D within the general population.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scottish Government recognise the health benefits of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels across our population. Current advice is for everyone to consider taking a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D to maintain bone and muscle health, particularly d…

29 Jan 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the availability of psychological services for all who need them.

23 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what update it has received from NHS Lanarkshire on the progress of the Monklands Replacement Project, and whether it still expects the new hospital to open in 2031 as currently planned.

Answer · Michael Matheson: As set out in our draft budget the capital funding position is extremely challenging, with a UK Government cut of some 10% in our capital budget over the next five years. That has inevitably led to some difficult decisions on what capital projects will be pro…

8 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure that the laws banning fox hunting in Scotland are being enforced.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 came into force in October 2023. As Scotland’s law enforcement body, Police Scotland are responsible for enforcing the Act.

20 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that school staff are informed on best practices when working with neurodiverse students so that students can continue to thrive within the education system.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: All children and young people should receive the support that they need to reach their full potential. Local authorities are under a statutory duty to identify, provide for, and review the support that they provide for pupils with additional support needs. Th…

20 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has evaluated the extent to which swimming lessons are a part of the school curriculum for primary school-aged pupils.

13 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the MS Society's reported call for PIP applications to end the so-called 20-metre rule and replace it with a 50-metre threshold until an alternative is found.

6 Dec 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration regarding the legal age of marriage.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Members will be aware that we have been gathering views and evidence from a range of stakeholders around the minimum age of marriage and considering next steps following the recent concluding observation of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Ch…

6 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Transport Scotland in relation to the Shawhead flyover junction in Coatbridge

5 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the University of Aberdeen is planning cutbacks to its modern languages department, including the Gaelic honours programme

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government is clear that access to learning modern languages is vital at all stages of education, to equip children and young people with the skills they need in an increasingly globalised world. The Scottish Government is also committed to the s…

28 Nov 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support is in place for people with long COVID.

23 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the diversification test used to determine eligibility for the Scottish Enterprise Regional and SME Investment Subsidy Scheme is unduly restrictive and unfair to long-established manufacturing businesses that are seeking to invest in and grow their op…

Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Enterprise uses the Scottish Enterprise Regional and SME Investment Subsidy Scheme (the Scheme) to provide RSA grant funding. The Scheme includes a requirement that, to be eligible for support, large companies must be opening a new establishment or d…

15 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to source the anti-diabetic medication, liraglutide, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, in light of reports that there are severe shortages of the medication across Scotland.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is aware that there are global supply issues with glucagon-like peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) products, which are licensed for treating patients with type 2 diabetes, including Victoza (liraglutide). It is anticipated that su…

15 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is in place for parents who have experienced baby loss and who are self-employed.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: A range of financial support is provided through Social Security Scotland. This includes Funeral Support Payment, a one-off payment providing support to low-income families in receipt of a qualifying benefit, including self-employed parents, for a baby stillb…

14 Nov 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce air pollution levels in urban towns such as Coatbridge.

14 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what grant support Scottish Enterprise is currently providing to long-established manufacturing businesses in Scotland that are seeking to invest in, and grow, their operations in Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise I have asked their Chief Executive to respond to you directly.

6 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) not to recommend Kaftrio for funding on the NHS, and what impact it considers this decision could have on patients with cystic fibrosis.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is collaborating with the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) on a joint multiple technology appraisal (MTA) of cystic fibrosis (CF) medicines, including Kaftrio®. The NICE recommendations that were…

25 Oct 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to allocate more funding to local authorities in its 2024-25 Budget to enable them to maintain and invest in local services, including sport and leisure facilities.

19 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the paramedic workforce, in light of reports that rest breaks are not being offered for those on shift.

Answer · Michael Matheson: All staff have the right to a rest break if they work more than 6 hours a day. I recognise the challenges this poses for ambulance crews and a protective measure has been put in place. Where they have passed their rest break window and/or been called out whil…

19 Sep 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the recent summit on tackling violence in schools.

30 Aug 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to local authorities from its 2023-24 Budget to prevent the closure of local services in light of rising energy and running costs, including to prevent the closure of swimming pools.

22 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to raise the maximum threshold of income, which currently stands at £25,000 gross annual income, in order to qualify for the Student Awards Agency Scotland Part-time Fee Grant.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government is considering the income threshold for access to the Part-Time Fee Grant in light of the current changing financial landscape and the issues relating to individual earnings. This will form part of a wider review of student support for…