Questions and answers

Question reference: S5F-02483

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 June 2018

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the National Audit Office report, Rolling out Universal Credit.

Question reference: S5W-16791

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16462 by Shona Robison on 17 May 2018, in light of (a) paragraph 71 of its document, Guidance for SG Staff on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, which states that "Where a question relates to operational matters, it should be referred to the relevant Chief Executive to prepare the substance of the response" and (b) commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding whether it will consult local residents regarding the restoration of the primary care out-of-hours service in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency.

Question reference: S5W-16788

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16451 by Shona Robison on 17 May 2018, in light of (a) paragraph 71 of its document, Guidance for SG Staff on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, which states that "Where a question relates to operational matters, it should be referred to the relevant Chief Executive to prepare the substance of the response" and (b) commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding how it assesses suitability of coverage for primary care out-of-hours services in the (i) NHS board's area and (ii) Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency.

Question reference: S5W-16790

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16461 by Shona Robison on 17 May 2018, in light of (a) paragraph 71 of its document, Guidance for SG Staff on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, which states that "Where a question relates to operational matters, it should be referred to the relevant Chief Executive to prepare the substance of the response" and (b) commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding the reported calls from residents to restore the primary care out-of-hours service in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency.

Question reference: S5W-16789

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16460 by Shona Robison on 17 May 2018, in light of (a) paragraph 71 of its document, Guidance for SG Staff on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, which states that "Where a question relates to operational matters, it should be referred to the relevant Chief Executive to prepare the substance of the response" and (b) commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding for what the reason the (i) Airdrie and (ii) Hamilton primary care out-of-hours service was closed or unavailable in each instance since 2015.

Question reference: S5W-16738

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16455 by Shona Robison on 16 May 2018, for what reason this information is not held centrally, and, in light of the commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding how many times the (a) Airdrie and (b) Hamilton primary care out-of-hours service has been closed, suspended or unavailable in each year since 2015.

Question reference: S5W-16739

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16456 by Shona Robison on 16 May 2018, for what reason this information is not held centrally, and, in light of the commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding what the FTE staffing levels have been at the (a) Airdrie and (b) Hamilton primary care out-of-hours service in each month since April 2017.

Question reference: S5W-16740

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 7 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16458 by Shona Robison on 16 May 2018, in light of (a) paragraph 71 of its document, Guidance for SG Staff on Scottish Parliamentary Questions, which states that "Where a question relates to operational matters, it should be referred to the relevant Chief Executive to prepare the substance of the response" and (b) commitment at paragraph 1.3(d) of the Scottish Ministerial Code that "Ministers should be as open as possible with the Parliament and the public, reflecting the aspirations set out in the Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament", whether it will ask NHS Lanarkshire to provide the information that was requested regarding what the budget has been for the (i) Airdrie and (ii) Hamilton primary care out-of-hours service in each year since 2015.

Question reference: S5W-16862

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 6 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16576 by Jeane Freeman on 23 May 2018, when the Social Security Programme Board last discussed the anticipated date by which Social Security Scotland would approach steady state, and what that anticipated date is.

The Scottish Government is implementing social security in a phased and controlled way to ensure safe and secure transition to the 1.4 million people who rely on this support. Our plans for delivery of the first wave of benefits and the establishment of the agency are on track and we have made good progress, as recognised by the recent Audit Scotland report.

The Social Security Programme Board have endorsed our approach to delivery and progress is discussed at all Board meetings. Delivery dates for further benefits will be announced in due course.

Question reference: S5W-16863

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 6 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-16576 by Jeane Freeman on 23 May 2018, whether it will publish its timetable for bringing Social Security Scotland to steady state.

The Scottish Government is implementing social security in a phased and controlled way to ensure safe and secure transition to the 1.4 million people who rely on this support. Our plans for delivery of the first wave of benefits and the establishment of the agency are on track and we have made good progress, as recognised by the recent Audit Scotland report.

The 13% increase through the Carers Allowance Supplement will be delivered this year and Best Start Grant and Funeral Expense Assistance by Summer 2019. We have started recruitment for the staff of our new agency Social Security Scotland, both at the headquarters in Dundee and locally.

This staged approach to implementation will continue for the delivery of the rest of the devolved benefits. Delivery dates for further benefits will be announced in due course.

Seòmar agus comataidhean