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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-08294

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether secondary schools are a high-risk environment regarding COVID-19 infection for teachers (a) aged 68 and over who have a cancer history and (b) with a spouse who is on the highest risk list, and whether it will provide free lateral flow tests in secondary schools.

The COVID-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues noted in its recently published evidence summary , that the evidence continues to indicate that teachers do not have an increased risk of severe disease. Guidance for all schools has been updated to reflect public health guidance on symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19 and we are asking ask people to continue to take sensible, basic steps in order to protect themselves and others in the same way as we do within shops and on public transport.

In relation to those who are clinically vulnerable, the Scottish Government announced on 27 April that we will formally end the Highest Risk List on 31 May 2022. The success of the vaccination programme, and availability of new medicines to treat Covid-19, mean the majority of people on the list are at no greater risk from Covid-19 than the rest of the population in Scotland.

The Chief Medical Officer has for some time advised people on the Highest Risk List to follow the same advice as the rest of the population unless advised otherwise by their GP or clinician. This applies equally to household members of people on the list and includes going into schools and early learning and childcare settings. He has also advised people whose immune system is suppressed to take extra care and follow the advice of their GP or clinician as they would have done before the pandemic.

At this stage in the pandemic it is no longer considered necessary or proportionate to continue to ask school staff and secondary pupils to test regularly. This is in line with advice from Public Health Scotland, senior clinicians and the Advisory Sub-group on Education and Children’s Issues. That advice makes clear that the population currently has much stronger protection against COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic, due to the vaccination programme (levels of vaccination are very high amongst school staff) and the development of natural immunity to the infection. In contrast to the position when the testing programme was first introduced, severe health outcomes for all age groups are far less likely to arise due to this protection, availability of and access to antiviral treatments, and increased scientific and public understanding about how to manage risk.

Question reference: S6W-08032

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that NHS Grampian could take nine months to set out the timescales and milestones to deliver model 6 (consultant-led maternity unit) at Dr Gray's in Elgin.

Since announcing my response to the Moray Maternity Services Review I have written to both NHS Highland and NHS Grampian outlining my expectation of planning towards the networked Raigmore option (Model 4 in the report) and the full Consultant-led Maternity Unit at Dr Gray’s to begin immediately. I indicated in my statement my expectation that planning for Model 4 will conclude by the Summer and Model 6 soon after and I expect this to be no later than the end of this year. I will meet with NHS Grampian soon to discuss their implementation plans including timescales. I indicated on 30 March that I would be happy to keep the Scottish Parliament updated when I have more detail on milestones and timescales.

Question reference: S6W-08033

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the timescale confirmed by the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian that it could take seven to 10 years to deliver model 6 (consultant-led maternity unit) at Dr Gray's in Elgin.

When I outlined my response to the Moray Maternity Services review I recognised model 6, the full consultant model at Dr Gray's, presents significant challenges that NHS Grampian will need to work through to safely deliver this model. It is vital to take the time now to get the implementation of Model 6 right to ensure sustainability. Ralph Roberts report also recognised that within the existing service and workforce context, it would take several years to deliver model 6. I have asked NHS Highland and NHS Grampian to submit formal plans for implementation, and will discuss timescales and communications with them at our next meeting. As I have said I am happy to keep Parliament updated and I will bring forward a timetable for Model 6 later this year.

Question reference: S6W-08284

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants in Scotland have employment contracts with a notice period of (a) between three and six, (b) six and (c) more than six months.

Question reference: S6W-08283

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its total potential liability is if civil servants on employment contracts with notice periods of (a) between three and six, (b) six and (c) more than six months are paid in lieu of working their notice period.

Within Scottish Government Core Directorates no civil servants have a contractual notice period that is excess of 3 months following their resignation from employment and therefore no liability exists in that regard. The Civil Service Management Code, published by the UK Government, sets out the notice arrangements that we must give our employees in relation to the termination of their employment.

Question reference: S6W-08287

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its employment policy is for determining the length of notice period for civil servants.

The resignation notice periods for civil servants in Scottish Government Core Directorates is as follows:

Senior Civil Servants - 3 months, as set by the Civil Service Management Code
Special Advisers - 5 weeks, as set by contract and stipulated by Cabinet Office
Scottish Government delegated grades:
Band C - 3 months
All other staff - 1 month

The notice periods for delegated grades have been in place for many years, and pre-date the delegation of terms and conditions of employment to civil service employers.

Question reference: S6T-00722

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its reaction is to the reported awarding of almost £1 million compensation from Police Scotland to an ex-officer following an employment tribunal ruling of victimisation.

Question reference: S6T-00713

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the anticipated delivery date of the ferries under construction at Ferguson Marine, in light of recent reports that the number of faults in the two vessels has risen.

Question reference: S6T-00711

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the investigation into the recent spike in deaths of newborn babies.

Question reference: S6F-01125

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 May 2022

To ask the First Minister what her response is to recent reports estimating that around 10,000 people with advanced dementia are paying over £50 million a year to cover their residential social care costs.