- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, when it plans to update existing guidance on the qualifications required to teach children and young people with sensory impairments.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working with partners in local government, The Scottish Sensory Centre, Sense Scotland and the General Teaching Council for Scotland to update existing guidance on qualifications and teacher competencies for those who teach children and young people with sensory loss.
A public consultation on the updated guidance is planned for later this year.
- Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the median gender pay gap was for its employees in each of the last five years.
Answer
The mean and median gender pay gaps in Core Scottish Government is detailed in the following table:
Date | Median Pay Gap | Mean Pay Gap |
1 April 2022 | 0.0% | 1.5% |
1 April 2021 | 2.8% | 1.4% |
1 April 2020 | 8.8% | 2.6% |
1 April 2019 | 0.0% | 2.2% |
1 April 2018 | 0.0% | 3.7% |
As set out in the regularly published Scottish Government Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report, our preferred method of reporting on the gender pay gap is to use the mean pay gap data. That is because the calculation of the mean pay gap is comprised of all salaries and ensures that all staff are represented in the statistical analysis. Whereas, the median is the value below which 50% of observations fall and is less affected by a relatively small number of higher earners and / or any skewed distribution of earnings.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, following the publication of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, how it plans to ensure that there will be career progression and pathways for teachers looking to specialise in Additional Support for Learning (ASL), and for what reason its intention is that this will result in an overall increase in the number of teachers specialising in ASL.
Answer
Career progression for teachers who want to further their careers in specialist roles in curricular, pedagogical and policy delivery are available through the role of Lead Teacher, which was introduced into the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers grading structure in August 2021.
Lead Teacher areas of specialism can include additional support needs and therefore there is the potential for an increase in the opportunities available to teachers wishing to specialise in this area.
The recruitment and deployment of teachers, including Lead Teachers, is a matter for individual local authorities, based on their local need and priorities.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with (a) COSLA and (b) individual local authorities to discuss reusable nappy schemes.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not met with COSLA or individual local authorities to discuss reusable nappies. We promote and raise awareness of reusable nappies direct to families by including a voucher for one waterproof nappy wrap, with five stay dry nappy pads inside Scotland’s Baby Box.
- Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13797 by Kevin Stewart on 19 January 2023, whether it will provide an update on when further details will be available.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to investing in Changing Places Toilets during this parliamentary term, in order to increase the number of these facilities across the country and to support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to events and outdoor venues.
Further information will be available over the course of this parliamentary term.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it last with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities to discuss the roll-out of universal free school meal pilot schemes in secondary schools.
Answer
The Scottish Government is in regular contact with COSLA and representatives from local authorities regarding the expansion of free school meals.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 13 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) how many children and (b) what percentage of school-age pupils have taken part in cycling proficiency training courses in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.
Answer
The following table shows the percentage of primary schools delivering Level 2 Bikeability training for each year broken down by local authority. The entries showing "no return" reflect that Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire delivered alternative training. Argyll and Bute and East Ayrshire started delivering Bikeability training in 2020-21.
During 2021-2022 there was a 20% increase in the number of pupils participating in Bikeability Scotland. A record 52,604 pupils received training.
59% of primary schools are timetabling cycle training and delivering at least one level of Bikeability Scotland. 50% of schools delivered the national standard, level 2 on-road programme shown to have the greatest impact.
LOCAL AUTHORITY | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 |
Aberdeen City | 21% | 25% | 31% | 57% | 68% | 62% | 68% | 42% | 47% | 9% | 27% | 67% |
Aberdeenshire | 93% | 93% | 76% | 91% | 91% | 63% | 80% | 79% | 85% | 27% | 51% | 65% |
Angus | 74% | 72% | 74% | 57% | 43% | 45% | 50% | 67% | 78% | 41% | 71% | 88% |
Argyll & Bute | 45% | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | pilot ongoing |
Clackmannanshire | 11% | 11% | 37% | 37% | 39% | 44% | 17% | 33% | 100% | 33% | 100% | 100% |
Dumfries & Galloway | 70% | 73% | 47% | 30% | 29% | 41% | 43% | 38% | 36% | 4% | 5% | 29% |
Dundee | 0% | 0% | 3% | 23% | 29% | 17% | 11% | 53% | 91% | 67% | 82% | 97% |
East Ayrshire | 7% | 9% | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | pilot ongoing |
East Dunbartonshire | 5% | 3% | 5% | 24% | 14% | 8% | 22% | 15% | 67% | 76% | 94% | 100% |
East Lothian | 0% | 0% | 11% | 26% | 29% | 23% | 29% | 41% | 49% | 24% | 47% | 94% |
East Renfrewshire | 33% | 40% | 70% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 67% |
Edinburgh | 29% | 40% | 52% | 72% | 70% | 48% | 68% | 60% | 53% | 7% | 26% | 40% |
Falkirk | 4% | 6% | 10% | 8% | 22% | 12% | 4% | 6% | 8% | 19% | 6% | 2% |
Fife | 31% | 21% | 16% | 16% | 18% | 21% | 36% | 22% | 29% | 23% | 24% | 33% |
Glasgow | 4% | 4% | 15% | 28% | 25% | 34% | 29% | 35% | 34% | 22% | 33% | 31% |
Highland | 34% | 28% | 16% | 29% | 28% | 29% | 36% | 21% | 30% | 12% | 15% | 22% |
Inverclyde | 4% | 21% | 35% | 10% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 15% | 26% | 0% | 5% | 5% |
Midlothian | 10% | 40% | 63% | 87% | 63% | 63% | 81% | 75% | 69% | 22% | 41% | 65% |
Moray | 96% | 65% | 58% | 47% | 62% | 49% | 37% | 40% | 56% | 27% | 62% | 76% |
Na h-Eileanan Siar | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 5% | 96% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% |
North Ayrshire | 0% | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return | No return |
North Lanarkshire | 0% | 7% | 5% | 0% | 4% | No return | 9% | 10% | 11% | 15% | 29% | 50% |
Orkney | 40% | 40% | 65% | 95% | 90% | 65% | 68% | 63% | 58% | 37% | 90% | 65% |
Perth & Kinross | 91% | 61% | 40% | 37% | 34% | 62% | 52% | 51% | 61% | 26% | 67% | 87% |
Renfrewshire | 6% | 8% | 22% | 29% | 20% | 22% | 20% | 22% | 29% | 10% | 59% | 72% |
Scottish Borders | 54% | 54% | 43% | 8% | 27% | 29% | 31% | 31% | 8% | 2% | 25% | 41% |
Shetland | 100% | 53% | 45% | 90% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 25% | 100% | 100% |
South Ayrshire | 79% | 55% | 73% | 76% | 83% | 76% | 81% | 83% | 88% | 44% | 34% | 41% |
South Lanarkshire | 0% | 10% | 17% | 28% | 39% | 34% | 39% | 39% | 43% | 15% | 10% | 40% |
Stirling | 17% | 18% | 5% | 43% | 65% | 68% | 50% | 72% | 66% | 26% | 58% | 74% |
West Dunbartonshire | 9% | 12% | 9% | 21% | 44% | 41% | 49% | 56% | 59% | 13% | 38% | 28% |
West Lothian | 21% | 0% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 17% | 11% | 26% | 9% | 9% | 22% |
TOTALS | 32% | 32% | 35% | 37% | 40% | 38% | 42% | 42% | 47% | 20% | 37% | 50% |
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the issue of education on the history of the British Empire with (a) other devolved governments, (b) the UK Government and (c) international governments.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not specifically discussed the issue of education on the history of the British Empire with other devolved governments, the UK Government or international governments. However, there are opportunities to engage on curriculum design and delivery more broadly with the other nations of the UK, and in January 2023 the Scottish Government engaged with the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent during their visit to the UK, and this engagement included reference to opportunities within the curriculum to embed Black history - including the impact of colonialism, racism and society today.
For more information on opportunities to learn about the British Empire within the Curriculum for Excellence, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16999 on 2 May 2023. 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: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, what recent discussions the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights has had with Safe Deposits Scotland regarding staffing levels, including staff turnover, following reportedly high response times to customers in 2022.
Answer
There have been no recent discussions between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights with SafeDeposits Scotland regarding staffing levels and staff turnover. Officials engage with each of the approved schemes on a regular basis as part of monitoring compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and discuss a range of matters. Measures being taken by SafeDeposits Scotland in relation to customer response times following the introduction of a new IT system in July 2022 was a part of recent engagement.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 May 2023
To ask the Scottish Government on what date in Spring 2023 it plans to publish its proposed new cancer strategy.
Answer
We plan to publish the proposed new cancer strategy in Spring 2023. We do not have a specific date.
