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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: S5W-16489

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that victims of sexualised racial assault in schools are assisted in reporting this as a crime.

The safety of children and young people in schools is of paramount importance, everyone who works in a school has a duty of care to ensure the welfare of all pupils.

Child protection is vitally important and the Scottish Government agrees that everyone working in schools should clearly understand their child protection responsibilities.

All those working with children and young people should have a clear understanding of what bullying is and the importance of children’s rights and child protection. All people working with children and young people should be very clear on what action to take if they feel that a crime may have been committed. In each and every case a crime is suspected, Police Scotland should be contacted.

We are working with schools, local authorities and Police Scotland to ensure that children and young people have the ability to report a crime. The work of Police Scotland’s Campus Officers has been invaluable in this regard.

Question reference: S5W-16488

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines prejudice-based bullying in its work to tackle bullying in schools.

We published ‘Respect for all : The National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People’ in November 2017 which includes a definition of prejudice-based bullying.

Prejudice-based bullying is when bullying behaviour is motivated by prejudice based on an individual’s actual or perceived identify; it can be based on a characteristics unique to a child’s or young person’s identify or circumstance.

Bullying behaviour may be a result of prejudice that relates to perceived or actual differences. This can lead to behaviour and language that could manifest into racism, sexism, homophobia, biphopia or transphobia or prejudice and discrimination towards disability or faith.

Question reference: S5W-16491

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government which third-sector organisations were represented on its advisory council for its anti-bullying strategy, and whether any have a specific remit of advocating for discriminated persons.

The working group that informed the development of ‘Respect for All’ included LGBT Youth Scotland; Stonewall Scotland; and ENABLE. All of these organisations have a specific remit for advocating for discriminated persons.

LGBT Youth Scotland and Stonewall Scotland advocate for equality for LGBTI pupils, ENABLE is a member led charity that supports people who have learning disabilities and their families.

Question reference: S5W-16496

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that prejudice-based bullying is recorded and monitored by education authorities.

Monitoring of bullying incidents is essential and helps organisations identify recurring patterns thereby ensuring early intervention and appropriate support.

Following the publication of ‘Respect for All’ we have been working closely with local authority representatives, teacher and parent organisations and key stakeholder bodies to develop a universal and consistent approach to recording and monitoring incidents of bullying in schools.

The implementation of the universal approach to recording and monitoring will continue to be overseen by the Working Group on Recording and Monitoring of Bullying in Schools to ensure consistency in use and to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Question reference: S5W-16497

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how (a) it and (b) education authorities ensure that the collection and analysis of data relating to prejudice-based bullying is robust for each school.

We acknowledge that the existing system for recording and monitoring needs to change. The Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring of Bullying Incidents in Schools was convened in December 2017 to recommend improvements to SEEMiS which will inform the implementation of universal approach to record and monitor incidents in schools.

SEEMiS is the national school management system which allows schools to record incidents of bullying through it’s Bullying and Equalities application.

As part of the introduction of a universal approach the Short Life Working Group are developing an evaluation process to ensure that schools are recording appropriately.

Question reference: S5W-16500

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what structures and processes it will put in place to ensure that the longer-term recommendations of the Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring Bullying in Schools are progressed.

We recognise that it is important that the universal approach to recording and monitoring incidents of bullying in schools is implemented with as much support available to schools as possible. Members of the Short Life Working Group have agreed to continue to meet to oversee implementation and to ensure that it is making a difference to children and young people and is meeting the needs of all school staff.

We are proposing to establish an Operational Support group who will be available to assist schools and local authorities as the new approach is implemented.

Question reference: S5W-16498

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on collecting national data regarding prejudice-based bullying, instead of collecting this on a local basis.

We recognise that monitoring of bullying incidents is essential and helps organisations identify recurring patterns thereby ensuring early intervention and support. In addition, the data can help identify numeric trends, specific issues around equality and diversity and other relevant data/patterns which may help schools and local authorities to address bullying incidents efficiently.

That is why we believe that collection of data is more appropriate at the local authority and school level.

Question reference: S5W-16501

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether instances of (a) racial and (b) sexualised racial assault in schools are recorded centrally.

The Scottish Government does not collect data on instances of racial and sexualised racial assault in schools. The Short Life Working Group on Recording and Monitoring Bullying in Schools will recommend improvements to SEEMiS to enable the recording of incidents of racial bullying at a local level.

If an assault has taken place then schools must record this through their Child Protection procedures and liaise with Police Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-01880

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 March 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group regarding Cold Weather Payments.

Question reference: S5O-01784

Asked by: Linda Fabiani, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential economic impact on East Kilbride, what its response is to reports that HMRC has leased premises in Glasgow to progress the closure plans for Centre 1.