Parliamentary questions

Alex Cole-Hamilton

2,700 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

17 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what restrictions will be in place regarding where parent-led baby and toddler groups can meet to allow them to resume their services.

Answer · Maree Todd: Guidance for the safe running of organised activities for children and young people under 18 was updated on 24 September Coronavirus (COVID-19): organised activities for children . It includes what is meant by a ‘public space’ and a further reference to the…

16 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review support for all children with visual impairment from early years to school-leaving age.

Answer · John Swinney: The report of the independent review of the implementation of the additional support for learning legislation was published in June 2020. The review, Chaired by Angela Morgan, highlights a number of recommendations for the improvement of educational provision…

16 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it can learn from the roll-out of Spaces for People regarding the need for effective and accessible community consultation, which can be applied to other initiatives.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government introduced the Spaces for People programme to quickly deliver temporary infrastructure changes as a response to the Covid-19 emergency. Local authorities are responsible for delivery of all aspects of these changes. The Society of Chi…

16 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the Spaces for People programme will be fully evaluated to assess (a) value for money and (b) the programme's impact on (i) communities in general and (ii) disabled people.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government introduced the Spaces for People programme with the key aim to protect public health during the Covid-19 emergency. A national monitoring and evaluation framework for Spaces for People has been developed by Sustrans Scotland in partne…

16 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people who collect friends and family from the airport who are returning from a country not on the exemption list also need to self-isolate.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Individuals who collect friends and family from the airport are not required to self-isolate. This approach is in line with the guidance on how to self-isolate after international travel when there are others in the household. Individuals in a car should foll…

16 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures it is considering to support pupils and teachers who were shielding before the return to school.

14 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make additional financial assistance available to self-employed people who remain unable to work due to COVID-19 restrictions and are no longer eligible for support through the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Self Employed Income Support Scheme is a UK Government scheme and applications for the second and final grant are now open. Eligible businesses that have been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020 can make a claim for the second grant on or before 1…

14 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make additional financial assistance available to newly self-employed people who did not qualify for the furlough or Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We recognised that there are gaps in the business support schemes provided by the UK Government and for that reason introduced the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund on 30 April. The intention of this scheme was to provide a limited amount of support to people…

11 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how people who are unable to download the software necessary to use the Test and Protect App, or do not have a smartphone, will be able to access it.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31769 on 21 September 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusine…

8 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce the mandatory wearing of face coverings in hospitality venues.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Face coverings for staff and customers in hospitality, with existing exemptions, are mandatory from 14 September 2020. They must be worn when entering, leaving and moving around a hospitality premises, such as using toilet facilities etc.

3 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether quarantine restrictions for people returning from countries such as Greece also apply to people arriving in Scotland from these countries via another airport in the UK.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The regulations apply to people who live in Scotland and who are returning from outside Scotland, as well as to people visiting Scotland, and apply to international travellers to Scotland irrespective of their point of entry into the UK. Travellers must comp…

3 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 23 June 2020 that all newly qualified teachers would be employed in teaching posts in 2020, and in light of reports that some education authorities have stated that they do not have enough money to employ more…

Answer · John Swinney: We have provided an additional £75 million for the recruitment of additional teachers for this school year to bring much needed resilience to the education system, and to support children and young people who have suffered loss of learning during lockdown. A…

3 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider removing the reference to events described as a "lumiere/lighted walk" in its COVID-19 events sector guidance in order to allow organisers of such events to risk-assess capacity and potentially allow more than 200 attendees at any one time.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Following engagement with the sector and further consideration of the transmission risks associated with this type of activity, the Scottish Government’s Events Sector Guidance was updated on 4 September to remove the reference to lumiere / lighted walks as o…

2 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when NHS dental aerosol-generating procedures will be allowed to recommence.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Certain aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) have been permitted in dental surgeries for NHS treatments since 17 August 2020. This development continues to reflect the phased reintroduction of NHS dental services and is supported by the provision of appropria…

2 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when mobile nail technicians will be allowed to recommence their services to homes.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: We recognise that this is a difficult time for mobile therapists, including nail and beauty technicians. However, our primary driver is safeguarding public health and wellbeing and preventing transmission of the virus. We are currently developing guidance in…

2 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the United Arab Emirates will be added to the list of countries where people do not need to quarantine when returning to Scotland.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: From the outset, we have adopted a public health focused approach to the border health measures. The data and evidence we receive to inform our decisions on these measures comes from the Public Health England and the Joint Biomedical Centre (JBC) via the UK G…

2 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what online teaching provision it is implementing for children who have to self-isolate at home due to COVID-19 symptoms.

Answer · John Swinney: Responsibility for arranging learning for children who have to self-isolate sits with the child’s school. Local authorities have a range of arrangements in place to support an online teaching option as part of this provision. In recognition of the need to fu…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce legislation to ban plastic cutlery and food containers.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is committed to meeting or exceeding the standards set out in the European Union’s Single Use Plastic Directive. We have already taken action to reduce consumption of some single-use plastics by banning plastic stemmed cotton buds and …

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support and guidance it is giving to education authorities to provide to pupils regarding the safe use of face coverings in schools.

Answer · John Swinney: The World Health Organisation issued new advice on face coverings on 21 August. After consideration by the Advisory Sub-Group, and following consultation with teachers and local authorities, our advice was updated on 25 August. Paragraphs 79 to 92 of the upda…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, subject to their compliance with the relevant safety guidelines, whether the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 permit parent-toddler groups to organise outdoor gatherings and activities.

Answer · Maree Todd: Provisional guidance for the safe running of organised activities for children and young people under 18 was published on 1 September. Subject to final review by Health Protection Scotland (part of Public Health Scotland), it will be updated within the next w…

1 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when parent and toddler groups will be permitted to restart on an indoor basis, and whether specific guidance will be issued.

31 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans additional steps to ensure compliance with the rules regarding compulsory wearing of facemasks on public transport.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is in regular dialogue with transport operators who have been reminded, as per the guidance, that they are expected to consider displaying prominent signage highlighting that face-coverings must be worn and also that their staff may enquire…

27 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Scotland will continue to receive subsidised school milk as part of the EU School Milk Scheme for the 2020-21 academic year, as is the case in England.

Answer · John Swinney: Milk is an integral part of the school food and drink regulations given its benefits as part of a balanced and nutritious diet. Schools across the UK can no longer receive subsidised milk under the EU School Milk following the EU’s decision not to provide fu…

25 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its guidance to schools regarding the management of COVID-19 infection control states that schools must send a child home on the presentation of any symptoms of illness, irrespective of the symptoms being linked to COVID-19.

Answer · John Swinney: Following the return of schools after a prolonged break, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate. In many cases, children will be well enough to attend school and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their educati…

24 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason children are allowed to interact outwith a set social bubble in large outdoor gatherings but unable to do so when at school.

Answer · John Swinney: Guidance on school reopening has been informed by the advice of the Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues, and developed in partnership with the Education Recovery Group. It sets out a range of important mitigations to allow schools to reopen …

24 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent update to its COVID-19 route map, whether organised children's parties in public venues such as sports centres and church halls will be allowed to resume from 31 August 2020.

Answer · Maree Todd: As set out in the Route Map, indoor sport and leisure facilities, including sport centres, can open from 31 August following the published guidance for the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities . Guidance is also available from 31 Augus…

24 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people were diagnosed with (a) glaucoma, (b) macular degeneration, (c) diabetic retinopathy, (d) cerebral visual impairment and (e) retinitis pigmentosa in (i) 2018 and (ii) 2019.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government, as data is only collected at speciality level. This information may be available upon request from individual Health Boards. The Scottish Government are however presently working with Health…

24 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it is giving to universities and colleges regarding residential living for students where halls or shared flats have more than three households living in the same accommodation.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: On 1 September 2020, the Scottish Government published the ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): universities, colleges and student accommodation providers guidance’, which came into effect immediately. The guidance:Reiterated the importance of forming and adhering to es…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to include secondary schools in its winter flu vaccination programme.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government is continuing to review the effectiveness of the childhood seasonal flu programme, as per the approach previously agreed by the four nations of the UK. We will be led by the best clinical evidence on whether eligibility should be exten…

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a reporting system to allow people to raise concerns about others breaking the quarantine rules.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There are no plans to introduce a separate reporting system for people to report concerns about others breaking the quarantine rules. We expect people to abide by the rules that have been put in place in order to protect public health and, ultimately, save li…