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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-08885

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 16 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the passing of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, whether it plans to review its (a) national strategy on (i) New Scots refugee integration, (ii) human trafficking and exploitation, (iii) ending destitution of migrants and people with no recourse to public funds and (iv) mental health and (b) plans for a Human Rights Bill.

The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 is a complex piece of legislation. The Scottish Government raised significant concerns about the likely impacts during the passage of the Bill, and the Scottish Parliament voted to withhold consent on two clauses. The Act will affect people living in Scotland, but the full extent of this will depend on how it is implemented by the Home Office.

(a) In relation to whether the Scottish Government plans to review strategies in light of the Act:

(i) The New Scots refugee integration strategy has been developed and is led in partnership by the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Scottish Refugee Council. The current strategy was published in 2018. We have committed to refreshing the strategy with our partners in 2023 and to ensuring that it is shaped by refugees and people seeking asylum, as well as those with expertise supporting them. The impact of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 will be considered in the development of the new strategy.

(ii) The first statutory review of the Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy was published in May 2020 and was clear that the strategy remained fit for purpose in the short term. However, we remain committed to the development of a refreshed strategy which will take into account a range of developments since publication of the review, including the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.

(iii) The Ending Destitution Together strategy was published in March 2021, in partnership with COSLA, and focuses on improving and strengthening support provision and service access for people subject to No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) living in Scotland. This strategy is the first of its kind and is being delivered in partnership with the third sector, public services and local authorities over the next two years. Ending Destitution Together clearly sets out our inclusive approach, while recognising that there are limits on action that can be taken because immigration and nationality, including NRPF policy, are reserved to the UK Parliament. As the strategy is implemented, we will consider all developments since the publication of the strategy, including the Nationality and Borders Act 2022.

(iv) The Mental Health Strategy was published in 2017 and set out 40 actions to improve mental health care. This was followed by a Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2021-22 Programme for Government committed to “review and refresh” the Mental Health Strategy at its halfway point in 2022 and work is already underway to do this. The scope of the refreshed strategy will be wider than before, with an increasing focus on wellbeing and prevention. We will also consider how the strategy can take account of social factors and inequalities that may impact a person’s mental health and wellbeing. We have already undertaken extensive engagement with our stakeholders to help us shape the strategy. We will be launching a public consultation later this month and will take forward further engagement activity over the summer months to inform this important work.

(b) Following on from the work and recommendations of the First Minister’s Advisory Group, and the National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership, a new Human Rights Bill will be introduced to Parliament during this parliamentary session.

Our commitment to bringing forward a Human Rights Bill this Parliament, as far as we can within devolved competence, remains and we are proceeding on that basis.

Question reference: S6W-08782

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that the emergency timetable issued by ScotRail in May 2022 meets its minimum service level commitments.

ScotRail introduced a temporary timetable on 23 May to provide certainty to train passengers about the availability of ScotRail services, this was in response to train drivers choosing not to work overtime or rest days – as is their right. ScotRail could not, therefore, maintain a Service Level Commitment (SLC) as a result, however given that ASLEF have now moved to ballot their members in a referendum on the pay deal, it is hoped ScotRail will be able to return to normal rail services as soon as possible. ScotRail reviewed the temporary timetable on June 3 rd and as a result have reintroduced a number of services.

However, it is also clear that wider UK-wide industrial action between Network Rail and the RMT is going to impact on ScotRail services from the 21 st of June.

Question reference: S6W-08898

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 16 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has analysed the labour market implications of thyroid dysfunction, including in relation to the gender pay gap.

The Scottish Government acknowledges the recent research publication Thyroid Dysfunction – Can it Help Explain the Gender Wage Gap? and notes the implications that hypothyroidism can have on women’s labour market opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that people living with hypothyroidism are able to access the best possible support and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care. Information on symptoms and treatments are available at NHS Inform .

We are currently working with stakeholders to inform a refresh of our Gender Pay Gap Action Plan alongside and aligned with our Fair Work Action Plan and Disabled People’s Employment Gap Action Plan, to ensure that we take appropriate focussed and intersectional actions to tackle the Gender Pay Gap.

Question reference: S6O-01252

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions justice ministers have had with ministerial colleagues regarding using antisocial behaviour laws to prevent people carrying out intimidating protests outside abortion clinics.

Question reference: S6O-01254

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review by the Police Service of Northern Ireland into findings by a tribunal of a "sexist culture" in Police Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-01271

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether its priorities for the skills required to support the economy have changed as a result of any consequences of withdrawal from the EU.

Question reference: S6O-01257

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on police pay negotiations.

Question reference: S6O-01266

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report published by Reform Scotland describing the Scottish National Investment Bank as “unfocused and ill-conceived”, having a “strategic deficiency” and recommending that the Bank be “reset”.

Question reference: S6O-01258

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it will raise awareness of the Water Safety Action Plan ahead of the summer to ensure people stay safe in and around Scotland’s waters.

Question reference: S6O-01267

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that any real-terms cuts in its Budget may impact most on the courts and prosecution service.