Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish government will of course stay in close contact on any consideration of animal welfare labelling both by the UK government and the European Union.

Employment Support Allowance (ESA) is a UK wide benefit reserved to the UK Government. Guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions requires that GPs provide fit notes, as evidence of the advice the ESA applicant has been given about their fitness for work, and these are provided free of charge. These requirements do not apply where further non-mandatory evidence is sought to support a claim. The Scottish Government has not made any representations to the UK Government on this specific matter.

The information requested is not held centrally. Aggregate CAMHS waiting times statistics are published by Public Health Scotland every quarter and report on waiting times from referral to first treatment appointment. Health Boards have just been allocated £4.25 million for 2021-22 from the £120m Recovery and Renewal Fund to clear CAMHS backlogs. Those Boards with the longest waits are also receiving enhanced improvement support to deliver local recovery plans by mid- June.

Spending data on additional support for learning (ASL) is provided below. This data is collected from local authorities via the Local Financial Returns (LFR). In addition to 2019-20 expenditure data, figures for 2018-19 have also been provided due to revisions in LFR statistics since the response to
‎ S5W-27605. These revisions reflect an upward revision in ASL spending reported by North Lanarkshire, and a downwards revision in ASL spending reported by Stirling local authority.

Local authorities are asked to provide this data in line with guidance to ensure returns are completed on a consistent basis to allow for a reasonable degree of comparability. However, these figures may be affected by variations in local accounting practices and education strategies. It is important to bear this in mind when making comparisons between local authorities and years.

Local authorities are asked to record all centrally funded ASL expenditure under Special Education, irrespective of where it is delivered. Decisions about prioritisation and budgets, including those for the provision of services for pupils with additional support needs, are a matter for individual councils. We recognise the challenges facing authorities in balancing their need to meet a wide range of statutory duties, local priorities and local circumstances.

Tables 1 and 2 shows gross revenue expenditure on additional support for learning (ASL) education from 2019-20 and 2018-19 respectively, split by Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Special Education.

Table 1 – 2019-20 ASL expenditure by Local Authority (£000)

Students aged 18 to 29 (as of 17 May 2021) are currently being invited to register for their coronavirus vaccine: Registering for a coronavirus vaccine | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot) . The registration service is available for 2 weeks, from 24 May until 4 June 2021. Vaccination appointments will start from mid-June and aim to conclude well before the start of the new term. Alerts and information will be received digitally, rather than through the post. Students who are aged 30 and over will still receive their appointment in a blue envelope in the post as per their age cohort.

All eligible students who do not have access to the internet or a smartphone, can still register by calling the national COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013. People can opt to have their future appointment sent to them by SMS text, email or letter.

Most students will receive their vaccine appointment during the summer holidays. If students are registered with a GP practice near their term-time address, the appointment will be at a vaccine clinic near there. However, if they are living elsewhere in Scotland over the summer, they can call the phone line to get moved to a clinic near their summer location.

If they wish to change the date, time and local location (they are not moving away to be in another Scottish health board area for the summer), they can do this online here: Rearrange or opt-out of your vaccination appointment | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot) .

I refer the member to the recent press release dated 22 May 2021 which is available on the Scottish Government website and can be found at www.gov.scot/news/scotlands-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis-in-india/ .

The Scottish Government is supporting Scotland’s Towns Partnership to set up a national platform for a Scotland Loves Local loyalty card scheme. The scheme is a quick and efficient way to encourage local spend, support local business and build wealth in the local economy, helping communities be more resilient, sustainable and economically secure.

The discretionary power to align with European Union legislation provided through the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 entered into force on 29 March 2021. Ministers have not yet used this provision, but will do so where appropriate to maintain and advance the high standards Scotland has enjoyed as part of the EU, including but not limited to the areas of environmental protection, animal health and welfare, plant health, equality, non-discrimination and human rights, and social protection.

The Scottish Government will take decisions on international travel in the best interests of Scotland at the right time and based on the scientific evidence available. The Global Travel Taskforce and its recommendations are for the UK Government, but where possible we will continue to seek an aligned four nations approach to international travel restrictions.

Recently, this has included alignment on the traffic light system for international travel which came into effect on 17 May 2021. Officials are in regular contact with the Department for Transport and the other devolved administrations on this issue as we make progress in responding to the pandemic.

Wind and weather information in respect of the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge are published on a daily basis at https://www.theforthbridges.org/plan-your-journey/wind-and-weather/ . Historical records are available on request at enquiries@bearscotland.co.uk .