Parliamentary questions
Adam Tomkins
214 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06622 by Aileen Campbell on 2 March 2017, how many additional community GP link workers in disadvantaged areas have been recruited, and whether the target of an additional 40 being in place by September 2017 will be achieved.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government has committed to recruiting an additional 250 links workers in practices in deprived areas with 40 in place by September 2017. The rollout will be phased until 2021 with the first 40 Links Workers to be based in Inverclyde, North Ayrsh…
21 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08909 by Kevin Stewart on 3 May 2017, (a) how it will strengthen the Unsuitable Accommodation Order process and (b) when it will introduce the one-week cap for households with children and/or a pregnant family member living in B&B and hostel accommo…
Answer · Kevin Stewart: (a) The Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation) (Scotland) Order will be strengthened by introducing a cap of one week for families with children and pregnant women living in B&B accommodation, this is a tightening of the Order which currently has a cap a…
21 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the GP link worker pilot programme, and how it is measuring its effectiveness.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has committed to recruiting an additional 250 links workers in practices in deprived areas with 40 in place by September 2017. The rollout will be phased until 2021 with the first 40 Links Workers to be based in Inverclyde, North Ayrsh…
21 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-08910 by Kevin Stewart on 3 May 2017, how the ongoing work to improve housing provision for prisoners is being supported.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: A wide range of activity to prevent homelessness amongst offenders upon liberation continues to progress across Scotland with the involvement of local authorities and the Housing Options Hubs. The Scottish Government recognises that there is an on-going need…
20 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce alcohol consumption among middle-aged people.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Alcohol misuse is not a marginal problem or restricted to one particular sector of society which is why we have adopted a whole population approach in our alcohol strategy Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action. Our strategy is …
20 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle alcohol-related brain damage.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The Scottish Government provides funding to NHS boards to provide health treatment and care that is person-centred, safe and effective to meet local needs. NHS boards retain statutory responsibility and accountability for the delivery of services, including s…
13 Jun 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-05299 by Angela Constance on 14 December 2016, whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding the Race Disparity Audit, and what decision it has reached on the approach for Scotland.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has taken the decision not to take part in the UK Government Race Disparity Audit. There have been on-going discussions with the UK Government since December 2016. We remain unconvinced that participation in the Audit is in Scotland’s…
31 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to extend the entitlement to the Best Start Grant to second and subsequent children, and what the annual operating cost of the grant will be.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The eligibility criteria for the Best Start Grant has yet to be finalised. However, for the purposes of policy development, we have estimated that, the annual cost of providing maternity payments for second and subsequent births will be approximately £3.6 mil…
31 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the eligibility criteria will be for the Best Start Grant; over what period of time applications will be able to be made, and what action it will take to ensure that the take-up is higher than that for the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: We are working to finalise a number of details in relation to the operation of the Best Start Grant (BSG); including the eligibility criteria and options around the application process. We will be undertaking a range of work to improve take up. This includes…
30 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-07090 by Keith Brown on 20 February 2017, in light of the information not being provided in the answer to question S5W-07089, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding what assessment it has made of the economic impact of …
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government continues to discuss progress with the development proposals for this project with all relevant parties. Assessment of the economic impact of the delivery timescale of the Buchanan Galleries redevelopment is being led by Glasgow City …
25 May 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the Scottish Event Campus to increase business tourism in Glasgow.
23 May 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in meeting its emission reduction targets.
22 May 2017 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide details of the meeting it held with business leaders on 21 March 2017.
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it measures the effectiveness of its policies regarding looked-after children.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government measures the effectiveness of its policies regarding looked after children in a number of different ways. The Children’s Social Work Statistics publication, released annually, provides data on a range of areas concerning looked after …
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the effectiveness of the placement limits for looked-after children that came into effect on 29 December 2014.
Answer · Mark McDonald: Following the introduction of the new placement limit for foster care placements that came into effect on 29 December 2014 the Scottish Government invited feedback on any issues which may arise from its introduction. In response to feedback we received and u…
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason funding for the Adoption and Fostering Alliance has decreased to £95,000 for 2017-18.
Answer · Mark McDonald: Adoption and Fostering Alliance (AFA) Scotland are currently funded through a three year funding agreement via The Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention (CYPFEIF) and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (ALEC) Fund. The grant letters cl…
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the implementation of the recommendations of the National Review of Foster Care.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The National Review of Foster Care made six recommendations for improvement in foster care: R1, introduce new placement descriptors; R2, consider alternatives to a national foster carer database; R3, introduce a maximum placement limit; R4, develop a learning…
3 May 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recruitment and provision of foster families by local authorities.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government has made no assessment of the recruitment and provision of foster families by local authorities but we are aware of estimated national foster carer shortage figures published by the Fostering Network. Responsibility for the recruitmen…
28 Apr 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to cycling and cycle parks in the Glasgow region.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: In preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, sportscotland invested a total of £15 million into the Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. More recently, the South City Way in Glasgow was the first winner in 2016-17 of the Community Links …
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on launching a review of the rehabilitation schemes that are in operation across the prison estate.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: SPS does not have any current plans to launch a review of rehabilitation schemes which operate across the prison estate.
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to facilitate joined-up working between multiple strategic partners to tackle homelessness.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: With strong statutory rights to housing for homeless households already in place, we are focusing with local authorities and a range of partners on preventing homelessness before it occurs. We are continuing to fund five local authority led Housing Options Hu…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the proportion of people who are accommodated in hostels on release from prison.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Local authorities have the duty to accommodate those released from prison who require accommodation. All those assessed as homeless are entitled to a minimum of temporary accommodation and advice and assistance. Temporary accommodation will include a range of…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent homelessness on release from prison.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting prisoners to secure appropriate housing on release and to addressing homelessness amongst prisoners and their families. All those assessed as unintentionally homeless by local authorities, including prisoners…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of foster families.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government provides funding through the Local Government Settlement to Local Authorities who are responsible for recruiting sufficient foster families within their areas to meet the needs of children and young people who come into their care. Th…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage couples with children who are separating to use mediation services.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of relationship support, given the impact that divorce and separation can have on children. That is why we provide significant funding to enable mediation services to be provided, including for couples who are…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of adoptions of children from the care system.
Answer · Mark McDonald: The Scottish Government set up Scotland's Adoption Register to increase the number of children who are adopted, particularly those who are more difficult to place. A national programme of Adoption Exchange Days and Activity Days runs in parallel with the regi…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support abstinence-based programmes that treat drug addiction.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Scotland’s drugs strategy, the Road to Recovery, promotes the needs of the individual, explicitly recognising that a range of drug treatment and support approaches are needed to help people achieve recovery. We have invested over £630 million to tackle proble…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding levels of funding for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, in light of the decision to transfer £53.8 million and responsibility for their funding to NHS boards.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: Scottish Government funding for drug treatment and support services has historically been routed via health boards, where it is supplemented by additional contributions from the NHS and other statutory partners. From 2017-18 this funding has been provided for…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it can ensure that third-sector organisations that deliver throughcare services for people leaving prison are not hindered by uncertainty over their funding.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government funding for community justice services across Scotland remains at record levels following the 2017-18 Spending Review. This investment includes £99 million which is distributed through local authorities for the delivery of criminal justice…
20 Apr 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding the delivery of purposeful activity for all prisoners, and what role Skills Development Scotland has in delivering this.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) regarding the delivery of purposeful activity for prisoners. Skills Development Scotland are represented on the Employability & Enterprise steering group which forms part o…