Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission's commitment to extend free access to Wi-Fi connectivity in public spaces, and the associated 120M WiFi4EU scheme. We exploring how Scotland’s potential benefits can be maximised.

The Scottish Government’s Public Wireless Programme, established in 2015, has already delivered improved Wi-Fi coverage in Scotland. The Programme provided just under £1M of grants in 2015-16 enabling local authorities to extend, or introduce, free Wi-Fi services across a range of buildings used by the public such as libraries, community centres and sports facilities. In tandem, the Programme has created best practice guidance in collaboration with public organisations to ensure wireless broadband projects are developed sustainably and genuinely match local needs.

The removal of public phone boxes is a reserved issue for which the Scottish Government has no direct role or influence, and which is governed by Ofcom's regulations on BT.

BT has indicated to the Scottish Government that it is currently consulting on the removal of 1525 boxes in Scotland but has confirmed that it won’t proceed with the proposed removal if no mobile signal can be detected near the box.

The Scottish Government works collaboratively with a range of third sector and community based organisations who provide support and advice to people affected by domestic abuse and or forced marriage. Along with our partners in the Scottish Government facilitated forced marriage network, we have developed and distributed a range of printed and web based information and awareness raising materials which include information and contact details for a range of support organisations. All materials are available in English and in community languages. This ensures that those affected are aware of and understand the protection available and are able to access advice and support as required.

The Scottish Government also funds the Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline, over £350K for 2016-2017, which is available 24 hours a day to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse. In October 2016, the Scottish Government announced an extra £665K to expand advice and support services for victims of gender based violence, through the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre.

The National Prisoner Healthcare Network’s workstreams on female offenders, mental health and psychological therapies will provide a range of opportunities for local services to consider the provision of services for women with borderline personality disorders and PTSD. In light of this, the Scottish Government does not intend to implement a separate review of the matter.

The information requested can be found in SPICe. The relevant BIB number is 58279.

It is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities. All areas of Scotland now have more consistent access to a range of national and regional resources as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.”

It is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities. All areas of Scotland now have more consistent access to a range of national and regional resources as a result of the creation of Police Scotland.

The balance of funding has been reallocated within existing funding programmes in 2016-17 for both the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) and the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (ABS). As part of a call to use unallocated ABS funds, including the balance of SEEP funding, 21 councils received additional ABS funding (see funding breakdown below). Further Information on LCITP can be found here http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Action/lowcarbon/LCITP

Reallocation of unused SEEP and HEEPS: ABS funding

1) Total allocated funding exceeds the £4.9m remaining from SEEP as it includes additional unallocated HEEPS: Area Based Schemes funding

The Scottish Government is opposed to the physical punishment of children. The Scottish Government does not, however, wish to see parents unnecessarily or unreasonably criminalised and we have no plans to bring forward legislation to repeal existing legal defences for parents in relation to physical punishment. There are already restrictions in this area. Section 51 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it illegal to punish a child by way of a blow to the head, shaking or the use of an implement. In addition, section 51 of the 2003 Act lays down a range of factors for the courts to consider when determining whether other forms of physical punishment are lawful. As indicated in paragraphs 214 and 215 of the Policy Memorandum for the then Bill (http://www.parliament.scot/S1_Bills/Criminal%20Justice%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b50s1pm.pdf ), these factors were laid down by the European Court of Human Rights.

Following discussions with the First Minister, an Advisory Group was set up to help develop the detail of the First Minister's Reading Challenge. The group includes representation from education, libraries, authors, booksellers, parents and community reading groups.

The Advisory Group agreed a process by which the Scottish Book Trust would compile a non-mandatory book list, which would be used as inspiration for those taking part in the Challenge. This list was compiled following consultation with children, teachers, librarians, community groups and the First Minister, who suggested a favourite book from childhood, Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton. The resulting '100 places to start your reading journey' was agreed by the Advisory Group and by the First Minister.

The Advisory Group also recommended an expanded range of ways to take part in the First Minister's Reading Challenge, with detail including specific criteria then developed by the Scottish Book Trust, in addition to those originally announced on World Book Day. This gives schools and pupils flexible options that mean they can take part in the way that is best for them. This was agreed with the First Minister and resulted in the seven elements recently launched by the First Minister.