Jamie Greene

27 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) Scottish, (b) other UK and (c) international students graduated from Scottish universities in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Information on students and qualifiers is collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The table below shows the number of students who qualified from Scottish HEIs between 2012-13 and 2021-22 academic years grouped by domicile. Domicile 201…

27 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) P1 and (b) P7 pupils have been assessed as having visible signs of dental decay in each year since 2012, broken down by NHS board. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: This information is publicly available and can be found on the Public Health Scotland website: National dental inspection programme - National dental inspection programme - Publications - Public Health Scotland

26 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recommendations included in the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Report by Lord Hardie that sanctions should be considered for individuals or companies who "knowingly submit misleading information to councillors", and that once it is established that the information and…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Report contained twenty-four recommendations, all of which are being considered in detail.

26 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it has provided to (a) Young Scot and (b) the Scottish Youth Parliament in each financial year since 2017.

Answer · Natalie Don: Young Scot are provided with core funding from the Scottish Government. The funding comes from the Children's Rights team and the Health Inequalities team. They have received £975,000 annually since 2014. The Scottish Youth Parliament are provided with core …

26 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many dog attacks have resulted in hospitalisation in the last five years, broken down by dog breed.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21589 on 5 October 2023, which contains data from Public Health Scotland on the number of inpatient and day case admissions to hospit…

19 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents there have been, since 2010, of a (a) fatal and (b) non-fatal dog attack on a human.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: (a) Data provided by National Records of Scotland confirms that there have been three deaths in Scotland since 2010 where the underlying cause of death is being ‘bitten or struck by dog’. (b) The information requested on the number of non-fatal dog attacks o…

19 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to establish the cause of the reported major pollution incident on the river Spey, which reportedly caused children and dogs to become ill after entering the water; whether it has ascertained the cause, and whether it will commit to additional monitoring of the si…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is responsible for protecting Scotland’s water environment. On Monday 11 September, SEPA responded to reports it received of large dead fish along a section of the River Spey. SEPA has conducted a range of ad…

19 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to maximise registration to the electoral register, in light of research by the Electoral Commission indicating that as many as one million people in Scotland are either incorrectly registered to vote or missing completely.

Answer · George Adam: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring everyone who is eligible to vote can do so and is working with partners to look at potential new ways to increase registration levels amongst under-represented groups including young people and foreign national…

18 Sep 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a ban on American XL bully dogs, in light of a series of reported attacks involving such dogs.

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions can be taken to reduce activity in Scotland relating to the production, sale and supply of fake and fraudulently obtained genuine passports for misuse and criminal activity.

Answer · Angela Constance: The issue of passports is a matter for the UK Government. In relation to reducing activity in Scotland, Police Scotland act on intelligence to reduce the impact of the use of counterfeit and forged documents and will act wherever suspicion exists regarding wh…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the impact of pilots such as the Golf for Health scheme in Fife, which sees GPs prescribe sporting activity as a health treatment, and whether it plans to provide financial support for any similar pilots or efforts to further roll-out “sport on prescrip…

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government recognises that being physically active is one of the very best things we can do for our physical and mental wellbeing. It is an effective treatment in the management and prevention of many long-term conditions and reduces the risk of…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to assist victims of, or people who are considered to be at risk from, scams where artificial intelligence (AI) is the method of operation, in light of reported comments by Advice Direct Scotland that AI now plays a major part of how scammers operate in Scotland.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the impact that scams can have on individuals and our wider economy, particularly given the ongoing cost of living crisis. As well as working closely with partners such as Police Scotland, the National Cyber …

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the offences under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) prosecuted and (d) convicted, also broken down by the (i) offence and (ii) court disposal.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Information is not presented in the way requested due to the information being received from numerous stakeholder systems. From August 2022, when the new legislation came into effect: Management information received from Police Scotland internal systems on …

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many public swimming pool facilities of any nature have been available for use in Scotland, in each year since 2010, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Maree Todd: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. We recognise the importance of swimming pools and other sports facilities in supporting the physical and mental health of the nation. sportscotland, our national agency for sport, ar…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest and revised best estimation is for the in-service delivery date for when the Glen Sannox ferry will be operable on the CalMac route, and the total estimated overall cost of the vessel upon delivery.

Answer · Neil Gray: The CEO of FMPG provides a regular update to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the progress and anticipated delivery schedules of both MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa. His next update is due by the end of September 2023.

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest statistics published by the Private Healthcare Information Network, which reports a 12.3% year on year rise in the first quarter of 2023 in admissions to private hospitals for treatment funded by a combination of private healthcare insurance and self-pa…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Private Healthcare Information Network figures for the first quarter of 2023 show Scotland has a lower rate of take up of private healthcare compared to England and Wales. The rate of people self-funding for private inpatient/day-case care is 16% higher in En…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential for again making available free COVID-19 testing to the general population, in light of recent reports of new variants and a potential winter rise in cases and mutations.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Targeted testing is in place to support clinical decision making and surveillance. We are working closely with Public Health Scotland, our clinical advisors and the other UK nations to routinely review our position and the clinical advice on COVID-19 in light…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps and assistance it can offer frontline services to better prevent and deal with a reported rise in sexual extortion, particularly such crimes committed online and towards or amongst young people.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is committed to making sure that robust measures are in place across Scotland to ensure our partners can identify and support victims of sexual extortion. The National Child Protection Guidance was updated in August 2023 and supports …

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of Age Scotland's Big Survey 2023, which reported that two thirds of people over the age of 50 in Scotland do not feel valued by society and that just 8% were satisfied that politicians adequately understood their needs when policy making.

Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government acknowledges the findings from Age Scotland’s The Big Survey 2023 and the clear message they tell us. We remain committed to delivering access to opportunities and services people need to ensure they are healthy, happy and secure in o…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further assistance can be provided to support the ongoing operation and viability of, or any suitable long-term replacement for, the Screen Machine, the mobile cinema that services many rural parts of Scotland, including Cumbrae in North Ayrshire.

Answer · Angus Robertson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21303 on 27 September 2023. 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…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with relevant stakeholders regarding the potential for direct cargo and passenger or vehicle ferry routes from Scotland to the European continent.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government wants to see Scotland’s sea connections to Europe enhanced. We work closely with Scotland’s main ports across a range of issues including the potential for new freight and passenger ferry services. Commercial stakeholders are fundament…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been undertaken of how many students entered further and higher education in the current academic year and are thought to be unprotected against four deadly types of meningitis, in light of estimates that up to one in eight students might be in such a category, and wh…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Public Health Scotland (PHS) routinely monitors and publishes vaccination uptake rates for those within education settings. The Scottish Government is working closely with territorial Health Boards and PHS to understand and promote uptake of the MenACWY vac…

12 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether households and their guests who are engaged in the specific scenarios of pet-sitting, house-sitting or house-swapping, where no financial transaction is involved nor any business or commercial activity has taken place, will require a short-term let licence…

Answer · Paul McLennan: Where house or pet-sitting does not involve payment for services, or other commercial considerations such as benefits in kind, that activity is classed as an ‘informal arrangement’ between individuals. There is no requirement for a short-term let licence. Wh…

12 Sep 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to any benefits to islanders of restoring the monthly season ticket on the Largs to Cumbrae ferry route.

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the First Minister (a) last met and (b) will next meet with the president of COSLA.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government engages regularly with COSLA, both at official and Ministerial level, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our shared commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people and communities…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps have been taken so far to rejoin the (a) Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and (b) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Officials have met with the International Association for the Evaluation of Education Achievement, who direct PIRLS and TIMSS, to begin the process of rejoining the studies. The next cycles of PIRLS and TIMSS will be in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any properties that it has purchased in the last two years for the purpose of housing asylum seekers, including the cost of any such purchases, and the number of any asylum seekers who have been housed in each property.

Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government has not purchased any properties for the purpose of housing people seeking asylum. Asylum is reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office. This includes responsibility for providing accommodation to people seeking asyl…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish schools have been closed or partially closed since 1 September 2023 due to structural or safety concerns not caused by the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Building safety is a matter for the owner - who in this case would be individual local authorities - acting in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation. Moreover, health and safety legi…

6 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone, in light of reports that pollution has worsened in Glasgow since the introduction of the scheme.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government remains confident that the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is delivering a reduction in harmful emissions and look forward to receiving confirmed statutory air quality reports from Glasgow City Council in due course. Air quality is generally g…

5 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide adult carers who live on islands with additional financial support, in light of it stating in its publication, Carer Support Payment: island communities impact assessment, that "the value of Carer Support Payment in real terms will be lower for island and rura…

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Island and rural carers will benefit from the introduction of Carer Support Payment, which will replace Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, including through support from Social Security Scotland’s local delivery service and better signposting to wider support ava…