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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6F-00174

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-01149

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 16 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation (JCVI) for 12- to 15-year-olds to be added to the COVID-19 priority list.

The Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent organisation that provides advice on vaccines and immunisation. Since the beginning of the pandemic the Scottish Government has considered this advice as part of its decision making process in rolling out the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The Scottish Government has independent observers on the panel, Dr Syed Ahmed and representatives from Public Health Scotland. As part of the panel, we have the opportunity to put questions to the JCVI, on a range of topics in relation to COVID-19 including the subject of 12 to 15 years being vaccinated.

Following the recent JCVI advice, young people aged 12 to 15 with severe neuro-disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, immunosuppression and multiple or severe learning disabilities, as well as people who are household contacts of individuals who are immunosuppressed, are eligible for vaccination.

The JCVI is not currently advising routine vaccination of children outside of these groups, based on the current evidence. The Chief Medical Officer has written to the JCVI asking them to keep this issue under regular review.

Question reference: S6W-01152

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update the COVID-19 guidance given the apparent variations in the Delta variant symptoms.

The evidence on symptoms in relation to COVID-19 is currently under active consideration. However, there has been no change at this time to the NHS Inform guidance on the main symptoms to look out for – a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a change in sense of smell or taste.

Around one in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms and rapid lateral flow testing is already helping to identify new cases. Regular, rapid testing is already available to people in a wide range of settings, and everyone should access testing regularly.

Question reference: S6W-01150

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 29 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the COVID-19 test result turnaround times have been in the last four weeks, broken down by week.

Data on turnaround times is management information and is not currently published.

It is vital that test results are communicated in a timely manner to allow the appropriate public health action to be taken. PCR testing in Scotland is split between NHS Scotland testing, which focuses on health and social care testing, and the UK-wide National Testing Programme operated on a 4 nations basis, which primarily focuses on public-facing, symptomatic testing. We receive a population-based share of the capacity of the UK National Testing Programme Laboratory Network. We continue to work very closely with DHSC to improve and maintain strong testing turnaround times which may be affected by any testing fluctuations across the UK-wide network. Additional laboratory capacity is being brought online to respond to recent the rising demand for PCR tests.

Question reference: S6W-01151

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 23 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether the current COVID-19 testing capacity is sufficient to meet current and future demand.

The Scottish Government has established a comprehensive network of testing sites across the country enabling everyone in Scotland to access testing as required. This network includes Regional Testing Sites, Local Testing Sites, Mobile Testing Units, and small-scale test sites operated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Individuals are also able to access both PCR and Lateral Flow Tests at home, although all positive LFDs should be followed by a confirmatory PCR test. We have also established a programme of asymptomatic testing which includes regular testing for health and social care staff and community test sites where local individuals are invited for testing regardless of symptoms.

PCR samples are either processed through NHS Scotland labs, which includes the Regional Hub laboratories, or the UK National Testing Programme Laboratory Network, for which we receive a population based share. We work closely with the UK Government to ensure that the necessary capacity is in place across the laboratory network and that turnaround times are protected.