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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: S6W-23611

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 December 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 6 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its report, NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 Annual Progress Update 2023.

I am pleased to confirm that the report ‘NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 Annual Progress Update 2023' is being published today.

NHS Recovery Plan: annual progress update 2023 - https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781835214251

We remain committed to delivering on the actions set out in the NHS Recovery Plan, and this report sets out the significant progress we have made. However, it is also important to recognise how much has changed since it was first published, and we are also supporting the ongoing recovery of our health and social care services with refreshed commitments as set out in the First Minister’s “Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start” which was published in April this year, and our ‘Programme for Government 2023/24’.

Looking ahead, in the coming months we will be working with partners across the health and social care system, Local Government and wider stakeholders, to set out our shared long term planning for population health and integrated health and social care services development.

Question reference: S6O-02837

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote and support cultural activities in the Rutherglen constituency.

Question reference: S6F-02595

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 November 2023

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle any stigma associated with disclosing a diagnosis of HIV, in light of World AIDS Day on 1 December.

Question reference: S6F-02449

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2023

To ask the First Minister, in light of the launch of Scotland’s new HIV anti-stigma campaign in partnership with the Terrence Higgins Trust, what action the Scottish Government is taking to eliminate new transmissions of HIV.

Question reference: S6O-02625

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how the recently announced £500,000 Fund to Leave pilot will support women experiencing domestic abuse.

Question reference: S6W-21583

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Elena Whitham on 20 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its review of the minimum unit price.

I am pleased to announce that today we have published the Scottish Government report on the operation and effect of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in its first five years.

Later today, we are launching a consultation on the continuation of the minimum unit pricing legislation beyond 30 April 2024, when it is otherwise due to expire. We believe our proposals strikes a reasonable balance between the positive public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on consumers.

The consultation builds on Ministerial engagement with business and health stakeholders which has taken place throughout the summer and is supported by an interim Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment which will also been published today.

We would encourage everyone to take the time to respond to the consultation.

Question reference: S6W-20420

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to expand access to at-home, postal, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-19896

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent level of health spending per person is in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with spending in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Based on HM Treasury’s Country and Regional Analysis (2021-22), frontline Health spend per head in Scotland is £3,377, which is £323 (10.6%) higher than in England and £74 (2.2%) higher than in Wales. Proportionally, this equates to almost £1.8 billion more spending on frontline health services in Scotland compared to England, and almost £405 million more compared to Wales – equivalent to around 44,000 and 10,000 nurses, respectively.

Question reference: S6W-19895

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 31 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent levels of charges are for (a) prescriptions and (b) eye tests in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with charges in (i) England and (ii) Wales.

In Scotland, NHS prescriptions charges were abolished in 2011 and are free to all at the point of access. This is also the case in Wales where charges were abolished in 2007. Patients not entitled to free prescriptions in England are liable to a charge of £9.65 per item from April 2023.

NHS eye examinations in Scotland are free to anyone ordinarily resident in the UK and to some eligible overseas visitors. In England and Wales, the eligibility criteria for free NHS sight tests are different and can be accessed here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/ .

Question reference: S6W-19882

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Maree Todd on 12 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in relation to the consensus discussions on the National Care Service, as referred to at the launch of the First Minister’s policy prospectus, Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start.

Discussions between Scottish Government and COSLA officials have been ongoing since late April 2023 to reach consensus on the National Care Service. These discussions have, to date, focussed on accountability arrangements. Agreement has been reached where Ministers, local authorities, and NHS boards would share accountability, with councils retaining accountability for delivery functions, staff and assets. New governance arrangements will be introduced to ensure consistently high levels of service across the country, while building flexibility to meet varying community demands at a local level. This consensus is a significant, early success of the Verity House Agreement between national and local government.

Discussions have also recently begun with the trade unions and two of this summer NCS regional co-design events have taken place, with seven in person and five digital events still to run. The outcomes from all of this work will be brought together to inform next steps to be developed over the coming months. I will continue to update parliament on this work.