- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries to protect (a) public health, (b) seafarer health and safety and (c) the continuity of lifeline services between Oban and Barra.
Answer
Transport Scotland officials engaged with CalMac to understand whether any lessons could be learned or improvements made to their procedures.
CalMac follow Scottish Government guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus for both their staff and passengers. They have robust cleaning regimes and protocols on-board to protect crew and passengers. These protocols are constantly reviewed and updated.
CalMac consulted with NHS Scotland Test and Protect service for advice on crew self-isolating requirements. For members of the crew that wanted to protect other members of their households, and so not isolate at home, CalMac arranged alternative accommodation.
CalMac maintained the continuity of lifeline services between Oban and Barra by redirecting the nearby Oban – Lochboisdale service to operate via Barra, and published a temporary timetable. In addition, CalMac provided an additional sailing on the Barra – Eriskay route for onward connection to Oban.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of so-called health passports, which document infection and vaccination status for COVID-19 as part of its economic recovery strategy and future pandemic contingency planning, and what impact such an approach could have with helping to strengthen the airbridge system.
Answer
As we gather data on how vaccines confer immunity, we will explore the potential role of immunity passports.
However, even with a vaccine, Scotland will face restrictions for some time to come. This is because not all vaccines prevent transmission and some may instead reduce severity of symptoms. Full information about the impact of early Covid vaccines, including on whether they could prevent transmission, is not yet available.
Until we know more, we are unable to comment on the impact of immunity passports to help strengthen the air bridge system. In the meantime, restrictions will still be needed and it is critical that everyone continues to follow FACTS.
As with all our decisions, we will continue to prioritise public health.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 October 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-30900 by Michael Matheson on 25 August 2020, whether it will provide an update on the information that was provided regarding its support for the bus industry in response to COVID-19.
Answer
To date, the Scottish Government has provided, or announced funding
totalling £35.8 million of capital and £357.5 million of resource during the
COVID-19 period to the bus industry through a number of programmes
which are detailed in the following tables. Where available, the conditions
placed on these funding streams are set out and the links provided.
BIB number - 61979
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 October 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Abellio ScotRail and (b) Serco Caledonian Sleeper is under any obligation to reduce its operating costs as a condition of the Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) in place, and, if so, what these requirements are.
Answer
Under the EMAs, each Franchisee is obliged to act as a Good and Efficient Operator, which means broadly that they must not incur any unnecessary costs, the full requirements of which can be found in the EMA’s on Transport Scotland’s website.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 23 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) professional bodies and (b) third sector organisations will be able to join the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation.
Answer
The framework on recovery and rehabilitation from COVID-19 puts in place clear principles, priorities and objectives to support planning to meet increasing demand and to provide high quality person-centred rehabilitation in different settings.
This work is being led by Carolyn McDonald, our Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, supported by a newly appointed Allied Health Professions Advisor for Rehabilitation, to provide leadership and advice in delivering the plan across Scotland.
The next steps include establishing a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to provide expert advice to the Scottish Government and support leadership in NHS Boards and Integration Authorities.
It is anticipated that this work will closely align to existing rehabilitation pathways and strategies, developing a Once for Scotland Approach providing a practical, accessible strategy to deliver quality rehabilitation to everyone who needs it.
We expect the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to be established by the end of the year.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the framework for supporting people through recovery and rehabilitation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
The framework on recovery and rehabilitation from COVID-19 puts in place clear principles, priorities and objectives to support planning to meet increasing demand and to provide high quality person-centred rehabilitation in different settings.
This work is being led by Carolyn McDonald, our Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, supported by a newly appointed Allied Health Professions Advisor for Rehabilitation, to provide leadership and advice in delivering the plan across Scotland.
The next steps include establishing a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to provide expert advice to the Scottish Government and support leadership in NHS Boards and Integration Authorities.
It is anticipated that this work will closely align to existing rehabilitation pathways and strategies, developing a Once for Scotland Approach providing a practical, accessible strategy to deliver quality rehabilitation to everyone who needs it.
We expect the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to be established by the end of the calendar year.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 November 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the advisers of the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation.
Answer
The framework on recovery and rehabilitation from COVID-19 puts in place clear principles, priorities and objectives to support planning to meet increasing demand and to provide high quality person-centred rehabilitation in different settings.
This work is being led by Carolyn McDonald, our Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, supported by a newly appointed Allied Health Professions Advisor for Rehabilitation, to provide leadership and advice in delivering the plan across Scotland.
The next steps include establishing a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to provide expert advice to the Scottish Government and support leadership in NHS Boards and Integration Authorities.
It is anticipated that this work will closely align to existing rehabilitation pathways and strategies, developing a Once for Scotland Approach providing a practical, accessible strategy to deliver quality rehabilitation to everyone who needs it.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2020
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 October 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether any pay increase or enhancement has been agreed for any grade of employee since the commencement of the Abellio ScotRail Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA), and, if so, for which grades.
Answer
No pay increase or enhancement has been agreed for any grade of employee (Abellio ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper) since the commencement of the Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs).
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 30 October 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 November 2020
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32210 by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020, whether it will provide further details of what this means in practice, and whether this precludes private operators from running rail services.
Answer
It is our view that greater integration on Scotland’s railway will improve services to rail users through swifter, joined up decision making across the whole of the Scottish rail industry.
It is also our view that public sector control, alongside greater integration, will ensure that all parts of the railway in Scotland are directly accountable to the Scottish Government for the delivery of rail services, including Network Rail.
The simplest way to achieve these aims and to enable the Scottish Government to consider all options for the future structure of Scotland’s railway, is to fully devolve rail powers. We have made these points strongly and repeatedly to the UK Government, including through its UK Rail Review, which has still to report.
Meantime, any decisions on rail matters taken by the Scottish Ministers must be within the boundaries of the current UK rail legislation.
