Fulton MacGregor

20 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the final report of the Site Recovery Group for St Ambrose and Buchanan High Schools in Coatbridge, and what discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding the four key conclusions made by the Chair, including that "they require ongoing attention …

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The establishment of the Site Recovery Group was one of the recommendations from the report of the Buchanan and St Ambrose Independent Review, and we welcome the Group's report. North Lanarkshire Council has assured us that it is taking action as quickly as …

20 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further funding and support for nightclubs and softplay facilities, given that they have remained closed since March 2020.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We have no current plans to provide further support to Nightclubs and Soft Play centres. In October 2020, the first phase of the Business Contingency Fund provided grants of up to £50,000 to eligible Nightclubs and Soft Play centres, depending on the rateable…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the implementation of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) legislation, and, in light of the Scotland’s AAC services: 2020 report, what its plans are for AAC service development activity at national level.

Answer · Clare Haughey: In February 2020, The Scottish Government published the Provision of Communication Equipment and Support Progress Report which set out the activities, actions and progress of the Scottish Government, health boards (who hold the legislative duty), and stakeh…

10 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it expects the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 to impact on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

4 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to help tackle (a) littering, (b) flytipping and (c) dog fouling in communities.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Our National Litter Strategy, which also encompasses aspects of flytipping, has come to the end of its five year lifespan. Ministers have been considering next steps and have decided to proceed with a new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, which will be…

3 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £500 social care payment will be made to those employed as personal care assistants.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We are currently working with stakeholders to develop the guidance and payment process for Personal Assistants. There are complex logistical and practical issues to work through and we hope to be able to provide further details in due course.

3 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to offer COVID-19 vaccines to those working at testing centres.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Staff at symptomatic test sites are now included as part of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) cohort 2. Scottish Government officials will provide health boards of a list of workers in their area, and once received boards should contact…

3 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Scotland has a green recovery as it moves out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

19 Feb 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to raise awareness of the importance of infant mental health and what parents and carers can do to support the mental health of their babies and young children.

Answer · Clare Haughey: We are launching a campaign on 23 February 2021 to promote awareness of infant mental health and encourage parents and carers to learn more about the ways that their interactions with their child can support babies and infants’ brain development. The campaign…

17 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce routine COVID-19 testing using lateral flow devices for staff and volunteers at COVID-19 testing centres and stations.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Twice weekly lateral flow testing has been rolled out to the Scottish Ambulance Service, including staff working at MTUs (Mobile Testing Units) and staff working in COVID Assessment Centres. ATS (Asymptomatic Test Sites) that form part of our community testi…

17 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its advice on vitamin D intake for (a) the general population and (b) specific groups, in light of reports of recent international studies that indicate that it might have a potential role as a mitigation measure against COVID-19.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Current advice on vitamin D specifically relates to protecting musculoskeletal (bone and muscle) health and is based on the consensus of scientific evidence as presented to all UK nations by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). In June 2020…

12 Feb 2021 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to The Report of the Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football.

27 Jan 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures in its draft Budget will help build the resilience and wellbeing of Scotland’s communities.

14 Dec 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support schools in safely facilitating instrumental music tuition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

7 Dec 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available for newly self-employed people who have not been able to access other forms of support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

23 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what extra support it will be providing to families with disabled children to heat their homes this winter.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: I’m pleased we have started paying the Child Winter Heating Assistance to provide £200 of additional financial support to the families of the most severely disabled children this winter. This brand new benefit will help improve the lives of the 14,000 childr…

4 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce harmful emissions in densely populated urban areas.

26 Oct 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to tackle food poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 Oct 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on discussions with the UK Government regarding support for sporting organisations most affected by a delay to the return of spectators.

16 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has put in place for NHS dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

26 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is considering regarding testing school pupils for COVID-19 quickly and in their own locality and, in light of the similarities that symptoms of the virus can have with cold and flu strains, what plans it has to introduce less invasive tests.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all school pupils, as well creating a safe environment for children to go to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. If anyone, including school pupils, have symptoms of the virus, they…

12 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest engagement has been with the UK Government about proposals for a UK internal market.

3 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the University of Strathclyde Department of Work, Employment and Organisation paper, Covid-19 and Call/Contact Centre Workers: Intermediate Report.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government notes the concerns raised in the report and the conclusions reached. All employers have a duty to ensure that employees are able to work safely. All workplaces are covered by provisions under the Health and Safety and Work Act 1974 an…

2 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding increasing and improving cycle and walking routes to promote active travel (a) in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency and (b) across the local authority area.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government grant funds Sustrans Scotland to deliver cycling and walking infrastructure in partnership with local authorities mainly through the Places for Everyone programme. This programme is currently paused due to Covid-19 restrictions. Howeve…

28 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the football authorities regarding restarting training for the grassroots game in accordance with social distancing and other appropriate safety measures.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Training for grassroots football clubs was able to resume from 29 May 2020 in line with the Phase 1 restrictions – including physical distancing and no more than two households meeting – in place for the general population. We are continuing to liaise with t…

6 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when guidelines for reporting on the use of emergency powers under the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and the Coronavirus Act 2020 will be published, and whether they will recommend that data is collected and disaggregated by protected characteristics wherever appropriate and possible.

Answer · Michael Russell: The reporting requirements set out in Section 15 of the Scottish Act specify a range of detail that must be covered as part of this process. In developing our approach we are considering how we focus and prioritise reporting towards matters of significant int…

26 Mar 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government how COVID-19 is impacting on the delivery of national screening programmes, immunisation and the implementation of the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Act 2019.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Due to the rapidly changing situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) the Scottish Government is to temporarily pause a number of screening programmes. These are: • Breast Screening (mammograms) • Cervical Screening (smear tests) • Bowel Screening (home test k…

21 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Barnardo’s Scotland report, Supervision in Education – Healthier Schools For All, and its recommendation for local and national government and education bodies to consider the development of supervision structures for education staff as part of the wider commi…

Answer · John Swinney: The health and wellbeing of teachers is a key concern of the Scottish Government. It is recognised that supporting the health and wellbeing of teachers is of paramount importance in enabling them to deliver high quality learning and teaching for children and …

18 Feb 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support people affected by Lyme disease.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The majority of Lyme disease cases can be diagnosed and treated in primary care without the need for specialist input, however where specialist input is needed such cases would be cared for in Scotland by Infectious Disease Consultants. Increasing awareness …

27 Jan 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports small businesses in Coatbridge and Chryston.