- Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering a high street voucher scheme, as is being implemented in Northern Ireland.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus Robertson on 27 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether it has used, and (b) what plans it has to use, the so-called "keeping pace" power in section 1(1) of the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.
Answer
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.
- 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 Kate Forbes on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it awarded the contracts for the R100 broadband programme, and when the detailed programme will be announced for the (a) Highlands and (b) north east.
Answer
The contracts for the Central and South lots of the Reaching 100% (R100) programme were signed on 16 December 2019. Contract signature for the North lot was completed on 11 December 2020, following dismissal of a legal challenge which had delayed contract signature.
As outlined in the response to S6W-00008 on 24 May 2021, the Scottish Government provided Openreach with a finalised speed and coverage template (or SCT) for the R100 North lot contract at the end of March 2021, which covers both the Highlands and the north east of Scotland. The remodelling exercise to finalise their coverage footprint is ongoing and will be subject to rigorous review through Scottish Government governance and assurance structures, and those of Building Digital UK (BDUK). The full picture across the R100 North lot contract area is expected to be available by Summer 2021.
The roll-out of R100 build in the North lot – and the associated survey work – will be completed in phases, and build plans will be reflected in our online checker at scotlandsuperfast.com.
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: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government under which COVID-19 protection levels can face-to-face appointments for CAMHS autism assessments take place.
Answer
Face to face appointments for CAMHS autism assessments can take place under all levels of COVID-19 protection, subject to clinical need and adherence to Covid-safe practices.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether offshore workers can be prioritised for rescheduling their COVID-19 vaccination appointments if they are working offshore at the time of their given appointment, and whether they can have the flexibility to schedule their vaccination further in advance.
Answer
The Scottish Government greatly values the work of Scotland’s offshore workers and have been in regular discussions with Oil and Gas UK throughout this pandemic. Scottish Government appreciates and values the work that offshore workers are doing in what can be difficult circumstances.
The order in which people will be offered the vaccine in Scotland is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The Scottish Government is vaccinating in line JCVI priority as quickly as supply allows us to do so.
Decisions to prioritise one population group over another are not taken lightly, nor are they straightforward. That is why prioritisation decisions are guided by the independent expert advice from the JCVI. Currently there is a mass vaccination centre open at the P&J Live at TECA in Aberdeen. If any offshore worker cannot attend their appointment, they should contact the helpline to reschedule.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards are currently offering (a) online and (b) in-person CAMHS autism assessments.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally. All Boards are currently offering a mix of online and face to face appointments in CAMHS. It is a matter for individual Health Boards and clinicians to determine how autism assessments are administered.
- 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 Maree Todd on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for administering COVID-19 vaccines suitable for (a) vulnerable and (b) disabled children who have been shielding.
Answer
Current JCVIadvice does not cover vaccination in those under 18 years old, so far only 16 and 17 years olds in groups 1-9 are covered.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that only those children at very high risk of exposure and serious outcomes, such as older children with severe neuro-disabilities that require residential care, should be offered vaccination with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the AstraZeneca vaccine. We will continue to review our approach in line with JCVI advice.
Clinical trials are currently underway for vaccination of children and young people.
We will continue to engage with vaccine developers, and the JCVI so that if trials are successful we are ready to vaccinate younger age groups, if that is what the clinical and scientific evidence supports.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it will consult on the licensing of grouse moors.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains committed to implementing the licensing of driven grouse shooting and is currently developing proposals for a full public and stakeholder consultation with the aim of bringing forward legislation during this parliamentary term.
The timing of the consultation will depend on the legislative programme for the Parliament, which will be set out in due course.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its aim to keep its policies broadly aligned with those of the EU, and further to the inclusion in the European Commission’s Strategic Guidelines on Sustainable Aquaculture of a dedicated animal welfare chapter and extensive welfare provisions, whether it plans to introduce similar measures for the regulation of aquaculture in Scotland.
Answer
We recognise the importance to sustainable aquaculture of high fish health and welfare standards. We will therefore consider the EU’s Strategic Guidelines on Sustainable Aquaculture alongside other sources of advice such as the UK Animal Welfare Committee, the British Veterinary Association and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2021
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish the Women’s Health Plan.
Answer
The Scottish Government is making good progress with the development of a Women’s Health Plan and aims to publish it within the first 100 days of this new government.