Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-27566

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the tenure of Professor Anna Glasier OBE as Women’s Health Champion will be extended beyond the end of June 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27715

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support GPs and primary care teams to widen access to nature prescriptions.

Connecting people to non-clinical options which can help with their health is an important part of a healthcare professional's toolkit. This is very much in line with the principles of Realistic Medicine, supporting our healthcare professionals to deliver a more personalised approach to care. The resources and services to which people are connected can range from financial, housing and welfare support through to engagement with cultural activity, community cafés, opportunities to be physically active and many others depending on what works for the individual. Connecting people to nature is one option which is available to health professionals where appropriate. There is a great deal of excellent work taking place across the country to deliver relevant initiatives. We are working with partners to understand how we can best support this local activity and develop our policy to ensure that these approaches are supported and valued.

Question reference: S6W-27700

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the number of prisoners that will be released early in (a) North Lanarkshire, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Falkirk, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

I am interpreting your question as relating to the number of prisoners who may potentially be released early under emergency release powers.

Section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (which came into force on 26 May) provides Ministers with a power to release prisoners in emergency situations. I have now laid draft regulations for emergency release, setting out the eligibility criteria, for Parliament’s consideration and approval.

The number of prisoners that would be released in specific geographical areas would depend on a number of factors, including the composition of the prison population at the relevant time and the application of the Governor’s veto, for example.

Question reference: S6W-27480

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its Human Rights Bill to bring four international human rights treaties into law in Scotland and introduce a new right to a healthy environment.

Question reference: S6W-24007

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that the UK Government’s reported proposals to replace the additional “limited capability for work and work-related activity” element in Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with a new “health element” will have on Scottish social security benefits; what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any such impact, and what action it can take to mitigate any negative impact on people receiving Scottish social security benefits that may result from these proposals.

The Scottish Government is opposed to the proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessments, these changes will lead to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions losing out financially and at risk of benefit sanctions. Under these reforms, Adult Disability Payment must continue to be treated on the same basis as Personal Independent Payment to allow clients in Scotland to access UC health element. We have sought and received assurances from the UK Government that this will continue in the immediate term, pending any future decisions about recommendations made by the independent Review of Adult Disability Payment. Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with UK Government officials to impact potential changes and to protect the interests of people receiving Adult Disability Payment.

Question reference: S6W-27696

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it would support the creation of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, in light of its presumption against new oil and gas exploration and its membership of the Under2 Coalition.

Question reference: S6W-27701

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 31 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding any potential impact on devolved benefits in Scotland of the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Area Director for Scotland, to make them aware of the Cabinet Secretary’s statement.

The letter committed to keeping the DWP informed regarding plans for emergency release and other measures as they continue to be developed.

The Scottish Government, with the Scottish Prison Service, has established an Operational Delivery Leads Group, to support planning and delivery in relation to emergency release. Representatives from the DWP have been invited to join the group. The group met for the first time on 30 May 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27699

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 31 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27126 by Tom Arthur on 13 May 2024, in light of the recent ministerial reshuffle, whether it still plans to report on the findings of the independent review prior to summer recess in 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27698

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 31 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26254 by Tom Arthur on 27 March 2024, by what date it expects to have completed its analysis and feasibility exercise regarding a Community Wealth Building Bill.

Question reference: S6W-27702

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with alcohol and drug partnerships regarding the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), to make them aware of the Cabinet Secretary’s statement.

The letter committed to keeping ADPs informed regarding plans for emergency release and other measures as they continue to be developed.

The Scottish Government, with the Scottish Prison Service, has established an Operational Delivery Leads Group, to support planning and delivery in relation to emergency release. Representatives from ADPs will be invited to join the group.

In addition to this, we are working with health boards to ensure that the impact on prison healthcare teams is understood and considered within decision-making and, to support these teams respond to the current high levels of the prison population, whose needs are increasingly complex. Following the statement, a network of Executive-level leads from all Health Board areas and national and local SPS representatives met to discuss the prison population increase and will continue to correspond on all significant developments, meeting whenever necessary.

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