Rachael Hamilton

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the position is of NatureScot regarding the policy intention to establish deer management nature restoration orders under the proposed Natural Environment Bill, and whether it will publish all of the correspondence and advice, including the minutes of any meetings, that it has recei…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: As set out in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, the Natural Environment Bill will include provisions to modernise the way in which deer are managed in Scotland.In January the Scottish Government consulted on a range of potential reforms to deer management…

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of the specific case studies demonstrating that it had been unable to exercise powers under sections 7 and 8 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, which have led to the policy intention to establish deer management nature restoration orders under the proposed N…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government does not intend to publish details of any case studies in relation to regulatory powers under sections 7 and 8 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.However any legislation brought forward under the Natural Environment Bill will be justified…

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a replacement for the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme to help provide clarity to growers.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the valuable fruit and vegetable sector in Scotland. We recognise the many benefits of the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme and Producer Organisations operating in this sector.We have no plans to change t…

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the waiting time for an endometriosis diagnosis.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Routinely collected data on the waiting time for a diagnosis of endometriosis are not available.Through the actions set out in our Women’s Health Plan we have taken steps to support both women and health professionals to learn more about endometriosis, …

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on gynaecology waiting lists.

Answer · Neil Gray: Our investment of £30 million is supporting significant targeted action across a number of specialities, including gynaecology, with around 3,500 additional New Outpatient appointments planned for the longest waiting patients.NHS Scotland’s Centre…

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make menstrual wellbeing education, including awareness of endometriosis, part of the school curriculum.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Menstrual health and wellbeing education is a key part of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education. RSHP education is an integral part of the health and wellbeing area of the Scottish curriculum, Curriculum for Excellence. Learning about R…

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on implementing a nationwide endometriosis-friendly employer scheme.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Within the Women’s Health Plan we committed to develop a menopause and menstrual health workplace policy for NHSScotland, and to promote best practice across the public, private and third sector.The NHSScotland Menopause and Menstrual Health Policy was …

18 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding developing further regional specialist endometriosis centres across the country.

Answer · Jenni Minto: There are three specialist endometriosis centres which accept patients from across Scotland when specialist surgery for complex endometriosis is required.This was recommended as the optimal approach for effective treatment by a specialist working group of cli…

18 Sep 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the comments of Professor Graeme Roy, Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, that Scotland's net position in 2022-23 was around £624 million lower than it would have been had Scottish economic performance matched that of the rest of the UK.

9 Sep 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to recent reports regarding Police Scotland’s policy on gender self-identification for individuals charged with or convicted of serious sexual assaults.

4 Sep 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to strengthen its Fair Work First Guidance to support and promote the good practice example, referenced in the guidance, of providing a private, healthy and safe environment for breastfeeding mothers to express and store milk.

26 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Borders regarding the repayment of total brokerage accumulated once the NHS board returns to financial balance.

Answer · Neil Gray: NHS Borders are at Level 3 of the NHS Support and Intervention Escalation Framework and the Board continue to receive tailored support from Scottish GovernmentUnder the terms of this tailored support, the Scottish Government Financial Delivery Unit maintain f…

26 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken through its performance escalation framework in relation to "financial sustainability" at NHS Borders.

Answer · Neil Gray: NHS Borders are at Level 3 of the NHS Support and Intervention Framework and the Board continue to receive tailored support from Scottish Government. Support includes, a dedicated Finance Support Lead, advice on savings delivery in pursuit of 3% recurring sav…

26 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects NHS Borders to make any further reductions or savings once the NHS board returns a financial balance to repay accumulated brokerage.

Answer · Neil Gray: NHS Scotland is facing an unprecedented financial challenge, but all NHS Boards continue to have a statutory responsibility to reach a break-even financial position.NHS Borders delivered a deficit outturn in 2023-24 and continue to manage financial pressures …

26 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much brokerage it expects NHS Borders to owe before it returns a financial balance.

Answer · Neil Gray: NHS Borders are escalated to Level 3 of the NHS Support and Intervention Framework for finance. To date NHS Borders have £20m outstanding brokerage from years 2019-20 to 2022-23.Scottish Government continue to work with NHS Borders to create a credible …

12 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed how effective current legislation is regarding the management of seagulls in relation to any public health and safety concerns.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government has not formally assessed how effective current legislation is regarding the management of gulls in relation to any public health and safety concerns.In previous years, NatureScot have seen a large number of applications submitted for …

12 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place for mothers who wish to breastfeed at work.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Regulations, such as The Equality Act 2010, make it unlawful to discriminate against a breastfeeding mother in the workplace.The Scottish Government encourages employers to adopt a breastfeeding and return to work policy such as the NHS Workforce Breastfeedin…

12 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what requirements exist to ensure that public sector buildings are equipped to support mothers who breastfeed at work.

Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29098 on 3 September 2024. 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…

12 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the law in relation to the protection and management of seagulls.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government has no plans to review the law in relation to the protection and management of gulls.NatureScot has responsibility for the issuing of licences under Section 16(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which permits the killing and …

3 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will respond to the outcome of its consultation, Managing deer for climate and nature.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government’s 'Managing Deer for Climate and Nature: consultation' closed on 29 March 2024. This consultation sought views on proposed legislative changes to Scotland’s systems of deer management, including in relation to a number of recommendatio…

3 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which forthcoming Bill will contain proposals to modernise deer management, in light of its Managing deer for climate and nature consultation.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to modernising deer management to tackle high deer numbers, specifically in order to help us to achieve our biodiversity and carbon objectives. We continue to pursue a wide range of actions to deliver this comm…

3 Jul 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to bring forward the proposals set out in its Managing deer for climate and nature consultation.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government’s future legislative programme will be set out as part of the upcoming Programme for Government in due course. In the meantime we are working on those Deer Working Group recommendations that do not require primary legislation through…

12 Jun 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports early learning and childcare in rural areas.

4 Jun 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its Budget and public sector finances, what assessment the finance secretary has made of how much revenue the visitor levy could generate for local authorities.

31 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its current commitment is in relation to the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal; with specific regard to rural innovation and skills, whether it remains committed to the allocation of £7 million to local authorities, and whether it would support the allocation of this funding to regi…

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering up to £85 million to support a range of projects across the south through the BorderlandsInclusive Growth Deal. On rural innovation this includes £2.5 million towards six pilot projects which will harness th…

28 May 2024 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to review the New Build Heat Standard.

23 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the rural support plan before summer recess.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Yes.

23 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Yes. Colleagues from across a range of sectors assisted us to scope out the case for the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service. This identified that a new Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) would deliver quality improvements and would be financially sustai…

22 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update any guidance that it provides regarding the application of single-sex exemptions under the Equality Act 2010 in public buildings in Scotland.

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26769 by Jim Fairlie on 29 April 2024, whether it will reallocate the remaining £473.1 million of the £500 million originally allocated to the Bus Partnership Fund, and, if so, when.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Budget is allocated on an annual basis, therefore the £500m long term investment in bus priority infrastructure was not allocated in one budget to the Bus Partnership Fund. Capital budget is allocated to the Scottish Government as a total and then set agains…