- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to organisations that support workers who are not members of a trade union and are affected by workplace bullying.
Answer
The Scottish Government believes that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly and with respect.
The Scottish Government promotes the role of Citizens Advice Scotland and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in providing advice and support on workplace issues, such as bullying and harassment.
We are also committed to supporting strong trade unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy. It is our belief that a progressive approach to industrial relations and to trade unionism is at the very heart of a fairer, more successful society, and we are clear that trade unions are key social partners in delivering our economic and social aspirations. Trade unions are a mechanism for providing effective voice in workplaces and have a role to play in tackling issues such as workplace bullying.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to organisations that support those affected by workplace bullying.
Answer
The Scottish Government promotes the role of Citizens Advice Scotland and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in providing free and impartial advice and support on workplace issues, including bullying and harassment.
Everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly and with respect.
We are committed to supporting strong trade unions and promoting collective bargaining. On 09 December we published our refreshed Fair Work Action Plan and continue to encourage all employers to provide effective voice channels, giving workers a voice in tackling workplace issues such as bullying.
Only with the devolution of employment powers will the Scottish Government have the full set of levers to take real action on workplace injustices.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Health and Safety Executive on issues of workplace bullying.
Answer
As health and safety legislation is reserved we regularly cooperate with the Health and Safety Executive to promote workplace safety. This includes using our devolved healthcare powers to promote and support safety in the workplace, our Fair and Healthy Work for All Strategy, and continuing to represent the opinion of the Scottish Government on worker safety to the HSE.
The Scottish Government believes that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates any financial benefit will be to David MacBrayne Ltd from Associated British Ports’ acquisition of Solent Gateway Ltd.
Answer
Details of the transaction remain commercially confidential. Scottish Ministers will discuss and agree with David MacBrayne Ltd how the receipt will be utilised.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase awareness of the importance of a power of attorney, particularly for those who may benefit more from having a power of attorney, as highlighted by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.
Answer
The Scottish Government is supporting 29 Health and Social Care partnerships in their national media campaign of actively raising awareness of the importance of taking out a power of attorney with their local communities.
We will consider the recommendations In the Scottish Mental Health Law Review carefully and decide how we can further promote and highlight the need for every adult in Scotland to consider appointing an attorney whilst they have capacity to do so.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken regarding the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review that the development of support, training and guidance for attorneys should include "consideration of ways in which the cost of a power of attorney can be eased".
Answer
The Scottish Government encourages everyone to arrange power of attorney so that their needs and wishes can be met in the unfortunate event that they cannot make decisions for themselves.
Currently financial help is available, through legal aid for those who qualify, to assist people who might not be able to afford the cost of a solicitor to draw up a power of attorney. A fee exemption is also available for registering the power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian for people who qualify.
The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review for the act of a GP completing a power of attorney (POA) certificate to be included as an NHS-funded service, whether it plans to implement the recommendation, and, if so, within what timescale, and whether any financial support will be made available to people who apply for a POA certificate prior to implementation.
Answer
The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial Scottish Government response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.
Currently financial help is available, through legal aid for those who qualify to assist people who might not be able to afford the cost of a solicitor to draw up a power of attorney. A fee exemption is also available for registering the power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian for people who qualify.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to develop an advice helpline or online support for those who hold a power of attorney, as recommended by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review, and, if so, within what timescale.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that acting as an attorney can be very demanding and attorneys must have information on their rights and responsibilities and the safeguards in place to protect individuals. This will benefit both them and the adults they are supporting.
The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken regarding the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review that the development of support, training and guidance for attorneys should include "consideration of ways in which access to granting a power of attorney may be eased".
Answer
The Scottish Government encourages everyone to arrange power of attorney so that their needs and wishes can be met in the unfortunate event that they cannot make decisions for themselves.
The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 February 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how its cross-government co-ordination of Covid Recovery policies is supporting data collection to assess the impact of long COVID.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2023
