- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will offer to people on restricted incomes to install interlinked heat and smoke detectors in their properties in advance of the February 2022 deadline.
Answer
While it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to meet the new fire and carbon monoxide alarm standard, we have provided over £1m funding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support them to install alarms for people at high risk of fire. In addition, local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide advice and assistance to home owners with work needed to look after their homes, as they are best placed to determine what assistance should be provided in their area. We are continuing to review support people need to make the appropriate changes, including a marketing campaign later in the year to ensure strong awareness of the changes, and we will continue to keep parliament updated.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, following the mass disruption in George Square on 15 May 2021, what support is available to businesses who were advised to close due to concerns for their welfare.
Answer
Operational policing decisions are matters for the Chief Constable, however Police Scotland confirmed that dialogue was maintained with business premises in the relevant locations contacted prior to 15 May 2021 where details of any threats, risks or potential harm were shared with business owners and operators. The decisions were then made by those businesses as to whether or not they remained open.
The Scottish Government worked closely with Rangers Football Club, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council to prepare and provide appropriate communications and support ahead of the proposed march by Rangers supporters following the football club’s Scottish Premiership title win.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with Police Scotland and Rangers FC prior to 15 May 2021 regarding potential concerns in relation to the mass gathering of football fans.
Answer
The former Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf MSP, and Scottish Government officials had extensive engagement with Rangers Football Club, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council to discuss the preparations for the fixture on 15 May.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken by Police Scotland and others prior to the Rangers football fans gatherings on 15 May 2021 to avoid such large events.
Answer
The Scottish Government worked closely with Rangers Football Club, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council to prepare and provide appropriate communications and support the policing plan informed by the events of 6 and 7 March when Rangers FC were confirmed as champions and cognisant of the significant occasion for the club.
Operational policing decisions are matters for the Chief Constable, however Police Scotland confirmed that an appropriate policing plan was in place to maintain public safety and minimise any disruption to the community.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests were made by Police Scotland following the behaviour of some Rangers football fans on 15 May 2021 in Glasgow.
Answer
Police Scotland have confirmed that 28 arrests have been made in connection with the disorder in Glasgow City Centre on 15 May 2021. Police Scotland have also confirmed that enquiries in relation to the disorder continue and where evidence exists more arrests may be made.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to resolve the industrial action by ScotRail staff that is impacting on the delivery of train services.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00055 on 2 June 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail in regard to the ongoing industrial action.
Answer
Responsibility for collective bargaining rests with ScotRail and the Unions concerned. The Scottish Government has advised both railway Unions and ScotRail of the substantial additional funding provided to maintain full employment of railway staff throughout the pandemic period. And therefore, that any pay increase, including any further increase to overtime payments for rest day working, would need to be funded by efficiencies agreed through meaningful discussions.
Throughout the process, the Scottish Government has encouraged all parties to resolve this issue for the benefit of passengers, staff, the environment and the economy.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether international travel guidance will be updated to differentiate between people who are travelling for the purpose of visiting family members and those who are travelling for a holiday.
Answer
Travel restrictions are in place to prevent cases of COVID-19 being imported to Scotland. Travel restrictions will be in place as long as they are required and Scottish Government will continue to liaise with affected groups and stakeholders over any restrictions and exemptions that may apply.
The list of countries is kept under review and subject to change. Countries are classified based on analysis by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, according to a methodology agreed by the four UK Chief Medical Officers. The Scottish Government continues to advise caution when it comes to international travel
- Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the full recovery of mental health services following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
On 8 October, we published Scotland’s Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan . The plan commits to developing a renewal programme for mental health services, to support Covid-19 recovery. This includes a tailored programme of enhanced improvement support for those NHS Boards with the longest waits to address backlogs and recover Mental Health performance over 2021-22.
The plan is backed by a £120 million Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund, which takes our total spend on mental health in 2021-22 in excess of £1.2 billion. It will prioritise our ongoing work to improve specialist CAMHS services, address long waiting times, and clear waiting list backlogs.
- Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 June 2021
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will consider issuing a formal apology to the historic victims of forced adoption.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 June 2021