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The seasonal increase in the mortality in the winter is the difference between the number of deaths in the four 'winter' months (December to March) and the average number of deaths in the preceding four months (August to November) and following four months (April to July).

Seasonal increase in mortality in the winter; 2006-07 to 2012-13:

Source: GRO

Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

2012-13 is provisional.

The seasonal increase in mortality has been calculated for every winter since 1951-52. The long-term trend over the last 60 years or so has clearly been downward and Scotland is in line with the EU average in terms of excess winter mortality.

The General Register Office for Scotland publish an annual report on winter mortality in Scotland. The 2012-13 report is available via the following link:

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/winter-mortality/2012-2013/winter-mortality-2012-13.pdf

The 2013-14 report, which will include mortality in the winter 2013-14, will be published in autumn 2014.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken research specifically into this. However, this is an area we are keen to explore further. We are developing firm links with health colleagues and this has already assisted in establishing contact with the Deep End practices through the Link Worker programme.

We are also seeking to secure replacement NHS representation on the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum to inform our discussions around the health and fuel poverty links. We will continue to work with the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum and consider any recommendations they may make around this.

The publication of the final report of the Expert Working Group on Welfare has not been delayed. The Group were asked to report to Ministers in spring 2014 and they are sticking to that timescale. Taking into account printing and publishing timescales, I expect that it will be published in June 2014.

There are no plans to change the definition of fuel poverty in Scotland.

In its final report on the Scottish Government’s fuel poverty strategy, published in March 2014, the independent Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum recommended, “that the definition currently used in Scotland is still relevant, but that it needs to be reviewed and updated to reflect a more accurate assessment of the energy demands with in homes in a modern age.”

Research into the robustness of the assumptions underpinning the current definition of fuel poverty was commissioned by the Scottish Government on behalf of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum. Members of the Forum are currently considering the results of this research and will make recommendations to Scottish Ministers in due course.

The Forum led on the research and is responsible for the final report and its publication.

The Scottish Government is currently engaging with national LGBT organisations, including Stonewall Scotland, to develop a strategic action plan for LGBT equality with targeted actions for specific areas of the Scottish Government to address issues of inequality for LGBT people.

The Scottish Government has provided funding of almost £300,000 to Stonewall Scotland between 2012-15 to work with public bodies who request support to improve the services they deliver to LGBT people.

The Scottish Government is currently engaging with national LGBT organisations, including Stonewall Scotland, to develop a strategic action plan for LGBT equality with targeted actions for specific areas of the Scottish Government to address issues of inequality for LGBT people.

The Department for Work and Pensions have taken the decision to close the Independent Living Fund from June 2015. Therefore there is no transfer. The Scottish Government will establish a Scottish Independent Living Fund (SILF) from the 1 July 2015. Discussions on the administration of the SILF and criteria will begin soon with our partners in the third and statutory sector.

This is a matter for Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).

HIS advise they were made aware that there was an error in the data submitted by NHS Lanarkshire to them subsequent to the publication of the report, relating to the waiting time for second appointment at the nurse clinic. NHS Lanarkshire confirmed that the time between an original assessment and/or treatment and a second (follow up) appointment at a nurse led clinic is 24 to 28 weeks (mean 26 weeks). In this context it is important to note that this service follows up patients previously seen by the pain consultant to ensure their intervention has been successful and in most clinical conditions they report, a six month period would be one that would be needed to assess this. Patients are fully involved in determining this pathway and are aware of the purpose of the clinic visit.

HIS will amend the data on their website to reflect this correction by NHS Lanarkshire.

HIS also confirm that this amendment does not in any way impact on the conclusions and/or recommendations made in the report, Chronic Pain Services in Scotland: Where are we now?

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-21020 on 14 May 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is awaiting the settlement details from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in regards the devolved settlement. The DWP have committed to providing funding in lieu of existing users. The Scottish Government fully intends to pass on this resource to existing users, subject to adequate resources being devolved on a continuing basis.

As the Deputy First Minister announced on the 11 April 2014, the Scottish Government will provide new funding of £5.5 million to establish a national system and open up the Scottish Independent Living Fund to new users.