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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-24440

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the funding set out in the NHS Recovery Plan 2021-2026 has been allocated to improving child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the (a) NHS Lothian and (b) West Lothian Council area.

Table One shows the funding allocated to NHS Lothian for improving child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in 2021-2022 and for a broader range of Mental Health Services, including CAMHS, from 2022-2023. Allocations for the current financial year, 2023-2024 have not yet concluded.

It should be noted that allocations from 2022-2023 onwards were made from the Mental Health Outcomes Framework, which bundled a number of funding streams to allow NHS Boards flexibility to meet local priorities against the stated outcomes. The total allocation can be utilised to support improvements in CAMHS, psychological therapies, eating disorder care, primary care and children and young people’s neurodevelopmental services, as well as ongoing innovation and service reform. It is therefore not possible to provide a specific figure for funding allocated to CAMHS improvement from 2022-23 onwards.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the final allocations to specific Integration Joint Boards. NHS Lothian will be able to advise on the funding received for CAMHS in the West Lothian Council area resulting from their delegation arrangements.

Table One:

Financial Year	NHS Lothian Allocation
2021-2022	£5,702,137
2022-2023	£9,154,511

Question reference: S6W-24465

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any impact that its reported decision to cancel the Flexible Workforce Development Fund will have on college financing.

It is too early to determine the impact of the withdrawal of Flexible Workforce Development Fund on college financing. However, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council will continue to support colleges to understand and minimise any negative impacts on short, medium and long-term financial sustainability.

We remain committed to supporting an education and skills system that responds to the needs of Scotland’s employers/learners and we would encourage employers to continue to work with colleges, building on the relationships they now have. SFC will work with the sector to consider how we make best use of the resources available to enable colleges to maximise opportunities for learners and be responsive to employers’ needs, building on the strong foundations they have established over recent years.

Question reference: S6W-24464

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has modelled any impact of its reported decision to end the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, and any effect that it will have on job-related training.

The decision to halt the Flexible Workforce Development Fund was not taken lightly but in an extremely challenging budget environment. It is too early to tell the impact of this decision on the overall job-related training across Scotland. It is hoped that many of the employers who have benefitted from FWDF since 2017 will continue to recognise the value of upskilling their workforce to support economic growth.

Employers have a key role to play in workforce development. We will continue to encourage employers to build on the strong partnerships they have developed and work with their local colleges and universities to ensure training offers align to labour market needs.

Question reference: S6W-24294

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the commitments made to GP contractors in The National Code of Practice for GP premises are being upheld.

NHS Boards are responsible for implementing the National Code of Practice for GP premises.

The NHS Scotland National Primary Care (GP) Premises Group has been set up to consider all matters relating to GP Premises including:

Oversight of the implementation of the Code of Practice for GP Premises.
Implementation of GP Sustainability Loans.
Consideration and review of available guidance.
Consideration of appropriate schedules of accommodation within Primary Care premises, and specifically that of General Practice occupied areas and how this may affect reimbursement.
Provide a platform for the Scottish Government to present papers/proposals to the group.
Provide a platform for the BMA to present papers to the group.
Provide a platform for the NHS Boards to present papers to the group.
Ensure the Rent Review Process is consistent and supports the intent of the GP contract where required.
Standardise approaches, e.g. standardise leases across Scotland.

Health Boards are represented on a regional basis alongside the BMA, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders.

Question reference: S6O-03052

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding any charges levied by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for converting to, and investing in, net zero fishing vessels.

Question reference: S6O-03049

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed waiting times for hernia operations with NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

Question reference: S6O-03050

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made, including through any funding to the National Autism Implementation Team, to help all NHS board areas establish adult neurodevelopmental pathways.

Question reference: S6O-03048

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve recruitment and retention of GPs and consultants, particularly in rural areas.

Question reference: S6O-03053

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of annual woodland planting targets have been met in each year since 2017-18.

Question reference: S6O-03051

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the potential harm of gambling to individuals, families and communities.