Rona Mackay

16 Dec 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review into the travel restrictions in place between Scotland and the majority of the Common Travel Area.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Travel restrictions remain essential to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 from areas of high to low prevalence. We have reviewed the travel restrictions in place between Scotland and the rest of the Common Travel Area and concluded that the current restri…

11 Dec 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review into border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there continues to be a requirement for the regulations to remain in place to reduce the risk of imported transmission and safeguard public health in Scotland…

11 Dec 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to address the current three-month deferral of men who have sex with men from donating blood.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government has asked the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to start preparing to make changes to the questions blood donors are asked in order to move to a more individualised assessment of whether donors may be at risk of a blo…

11 Dec 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the length of time that contacts of people testing positive for COVID-19 and international travellers arriving from non-exempt countries are required to self-isolate for.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We have been clear throughout this pandemic that interventions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 must be proportionate to the public health benefits and take account of clinical advice. I am glad to confirm that, following agreement by the four nations C…

26 Nov 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in extending the remit of the OECD Review of Curriculum for Excellence, and how the OECD will undertake the additional work on assessment and qualifications.

Answer · John Swinney: The current, agreed, remit for the Review already covers assessment and qualifications. However, as part of the suite of work I announced following the 2020 SQA exam results, I asked the OECD to expand this work to have a deeper focus on the future of assessm…

25 Nov 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh will begin its work.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I am pleased to confirm that the Inquiry will formally begin its work on 30 November 2020. The Inquiry setting up date marks the point at which I hand over full responsibility of the Inquiry to Lord Bracadale and the work of the Inquiry will commence. One of…

23 Nov 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review of border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of imported transmission and safeguard health. We continue to keep countries under …

30 Oct 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review of border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of imported transmission and safeguard health. We continue to keep countries under…

21 Oct 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take in relation to hospitality and other businesses that may be treating their staff unfairly during the lockdown restrictions.

14 Oct 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the role of the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) for NHS Scotland will be established, and when the new Whistleblowing Standards, developed by the SPSO, will come into effect.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The role of the INWO will be implemented with effect from 1 April 2021. This new role, which is the first of its kind in the UK, will provide a mechanism for external review of how a Health Board, primary care or independent provider has handled a whistleblow…

9 Oct 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review into border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission and safeguard health. We continue to keep countries under review a…

1 Oct 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for publishing the British Sign Language Progress Report, which is due by 24 October 2020.

Answer · Maree Todd: The COVID-19 crisis has prevented the engagement activity and evidence-gathering required to inform the BSL Progress Report. Engagement was planned with BSL users across Scotland, and through engagement by the BSL partner organisations. In addition, the Scott…

29 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of superfast broadband in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency. 

23 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed with SEPA how to tackle the reportedly increasing problem of flooding in Scotland's communities.

22 Sep 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review into border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have continued to review the health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission and safeguard health. There will be no changes to the regulatio…

7 Sep 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Scottish Affairs Committee report on safe drug consumption facilities.

31 Aug 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review into border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have continued to review the health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission and safeguard health. There will be no changes to the regulatio…

26 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further support local authorities can provide to communities and community organisations to continue to protect the most vulnerable and older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

7 Aug 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its latest review into border health measures, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission and safeguard health. We continue to keep countries under review a…

22 Jul 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, given that critical childcare was put in place as an emergency measure to provide childcare for keyworkers and vulnerable children while schools and childcare settings were closed, for how long this will continue to be provided.

Answer · John Swinney: As I set out on 16 July, the provision of critical childcare was at the heart of keeping Scotland going during lockdown. Without it, Scotland could not have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in the way we did. I am enormously grateful for the national effort…

21 Jul 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome is of its latest review into border health measures, and whether there will be changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have continued to review the health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission and safeguard health. Following this latest review, and having…

29 Jun 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of its review into the border health measures that were introduced on 8 June 2020, and whether there will be any changes to the regulations.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have reviewed the border health measures closely over the last three weeks and have assessed that there remains a requirement for them to remain in place to reduce the risk of transmission and safeguard health. Discussions around changes to the regulation…

17 Jun 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when chronic pain patients will be able to resume receiving treatment that has been suspended because of the COVID-19 lockdown.

20 May 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on implementing the conclusions of the Independent Care Review.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is fully committed to deliver on its pledge to care experienced people in Scotland by accepting and responding to the Care Review conclusions and by putting in place the infrastructure to implement the outcomes reached and ‘#KeepThePro…

11 May 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the change of guidance being issued to the public in England.

24 Mar 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress made by the Short Life Working Group on Management of Mesh Complications.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Short Life Working Group’s Report has today been published on the Scottish Government’s website, and can be viewed here . The report contains key recommendations in relation to care pathways, the multi-disciplinary team process, patient information and…

18 Mar 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent concerns raised regarding the physical infrastructure of HMP Barlinnie.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We are committed to investing in a replacement for HMP Barlinnie, Scotland’s largest prison. In the meantime, we are also committed to ensuring appropriate standards of facilities to meet the needs of prisoners in the existing prison. Over the past decade, t…

3 Mar 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to further develop rail halts in areas where there is an identified need.

26 Feb 2020 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when an evaluation will be undertaken of the impact of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 on stalking offences.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 came into effect on 1 April 2019 and created a new, specific offence of domestic abuse. The Scottish Ministers have a statutory duty to report on implementation of the Domestic Abuse Act 3 years after commencement and it…

11 Feb 2020 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Government’s announcement that universal credit roll-out will be delayed until 2024.