Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-08962 on 9 May 2017. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The fact that people anywhere in Scotland have to skip meals to save money, or struggle to keep up with household bills, is completely unacceptable. Sadly, these figures do not come as a surprise considering the UK Government’s failed austerity agenda and continuing barrage of welfare cuts.

As set out in the response to question S5T-00524, the Scottish Government believes that access to sufficient, nutritious food is a basic human right which is why our £1 million a year Fair Food Fund supports approaches that help people affected by food poverty in a dignified way.

We are providing £47,000 of Fair Food funding across 2016-18 to a local community organisation in the Highlands which is developing a community cafe and shop, alongside local gardening initiatives and healthy cooking on a budget demonstrations, as an alternative to establishing a foodbank. In addition, we are investing £160,000 this financial year in Citizens Advice Bureaux throughout the Highlands and Islands to support people affected by the UK Government’s welfare cuts.

The independent Chair will lead the legal services review. It is intended that the panel will report to Ministers within 15 months.

No formal selection process is in place. A pool of potential candidates with a broad range of experience and knowledge of regulatory schemes and the legal services sector was identified. A balanced mix of panel members was compiled from within that pool.

The following table covers regulated Ministerial appointments only. The Scottish Government does not hold records for unregulated appointments or any other appointments made by Ministers.

There are two academics sitting on the review panel; Professor Lorne Crerar who has wide experience of the operations of the public sector, and Professor Russel Griggs who has had a number of non-executive positions in the private, public and third sector as well as running his own consultancy business which provides a variety of strategic work for public bodies.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-08935 on 8 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-08935 on 8 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Government takes its responsibility for FOI seriously and in the large majority of cases we respond on time and in full. The number of FOI requests received has been steadily increasing with more than 2000 requests received in 2016 and more received in the first three months of this year than in the whole of 2007.

We are working with the Scottish Information Commissioner to address her concerns.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-08935 on 8 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.