The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 2377 contributions
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 14 December 2021
John Mason
It all gets quite complex, and I presume that that will be one of the issues that will be discussed in the review of the fiscal framework.
My final question is linked to that. In paragraph 2.35 on page 29 of the report, you talk about “average underspend” with regard to the Scotland reserve, and you say that
“the utility of the Reserve”
has been reduced from 2.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent of the budget. Can you explain why that is happening, Professor Breedon?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 14 December 2021
John Mason
I realise that you work at a university and that you said earlier that there was an assumption that, if people went to university, they would get a good job and that would be them for life—that was absolutely the case when I was younger.
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
I take your point that there is probably a long-term and a short-term issue to deal with and that we probably need to do more in the long term. Do you think, though, that it would be worth repeating that short-term project, even though it would involve funding of only £1,000?
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
Yes. I asked Mr Holliday the same question. I think that, in general, health services have struggled to interact with men, especially younger men, in poorer areas. It is not just about the vaccine, is it? Is there a particular problem with the vaccine?
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
Sorry—that question was aimed at Professor Quinn.
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
My question is for Derek Holliday. We have long had a problem of men in general, especially younger men, not engaging with a range of health services—it is not just about the vaccine. Is there a particular problem to do with the vaccine? I represent the east end of Glasgow. Are men in poorer areas not getting involved? Are we talking about a longer-term problem, rather than just a problem with vaccines?
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
Okay. Let me put the same question to Dr Williamson, from the deep-end practice side of things. I see that you are back with us, Dr Lunan, so I will try you again. I am a fan of the deep-end movement. Is there a problem with contacting men, and especially younger men, in poorer areas and getting them involved with health services? Is that the issue, rather than vaccination specifically?
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
Thank you, convener. It is nice to get a second shot today.
This follows on from Alex Rowley’s questions about funding, but I want to ask about the vaccine information fund, which I think is administered by BEMIS Scotland and which I think a couple of you have had experience of. Some of the things that you have asked for today probably need to be done by the NHS or the Government, but have you tried applying for more of those types of funds so that you can do more yourselves?
I will ask Parveen Ishaq to respond, as she has not said anything recently.
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
We are just about to run out of time, but I see that Magda Czarnecka wants to come in, too.
COVID-19 Recovery Committee
Meeting date: 9 December 2021
John Mason
The sound is great.