- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider seeking to amend section 9 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 to require Crown Estate Scotland to take into account social and environmental wellbeing activities outside Scotland for the purposes of meeting the sustainable procurement duty.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27760 on 7 June 2024. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether any companies involved in ecologically damaging developments in other countries, or their subsidiaries, will be eligible to participate in future renewables leasing rounds, including subsequent ScotWind leasing rounds.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27757 on 7 June 2024. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support GPs and primary care teams to widen access to nature prescriptions.
Answer
Connecting people to non-clinical options which can help with their health is an important part of a healthcare professional's toolkit. This is very much in line with the principles of Realistic Medicine, supporting our healthcare professionals to deliver a more personalised approach to care. The resources and services to which people are connected can range from financial, housing and welfare support through to engagement with cultural activity, community cafés, opportunities to be physically active and many others depending on what works for the individual. Connecting people to nature is one option which is available to health professionals where appropriate. There is a great deal of excellent work taking place across the country to deliver relevant initiatives. We are working with partners to understand how we can best support this local activity and develop our policy to ensure that these approaches are supported and valued.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether the tenure of Professor Anna Glasier OBE as Women’s Health Champion will be extended beyond the end of June 2024.
Answer
Yes, it is the intention of the Scottish Government that Professor Anna Glasier OBE will remain Women’s Health Champion beyond June 2024.
The Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier OBE, has been central to the delivery of the Women’s Health Plan, and driving forward action to improve women’s health in Scotland.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 5 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the number of prisoners that will be released early in (a) North Lanarkshire, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Falkirk, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.
Answer
I am interpreting your question as relating to the number of prisoners who may potentially be released early under emergency release powers.
Section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (which came into force on 26 May) provides Ministers with a power to release prisoners in emergency situations. I have now laid draft regulations for emergency release, setting out the eligibility criteria, for Parliament’s consideration and approval.
The number of prisoners that would be released in specific geographical areas would depend on a number of factors, including the composition of the prison population at the relevant time and the application of the Governor’s veto, for example.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that the UK Government’s reported proposals to replace the additional “limited capability for work and work-related activity” element in Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with a new “health element” will have on Scottish social security benefits; what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any such impact, and what action it can take to mitigate any negative impact on people receiving Scottish social security benefits that may result from these proposals.
Answer
The Scottish Government is opposed to the proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessments, these changes will lead to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions losing out financially and at risk of benefit sanctions. Under these reforms, Adult Disability Payment must continue to be treated on the same basis as Personal Independent Payment to allow clients in Scotland to access UC health element. We have sought and received assurances from the UK Government that this will continue in the immediate term, pending any future decisions about recommendations made by the independent Review of Adult Disability Payment. Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with UK Government officials to impact potential changes and to protect the interests of people receiving Adult Disability Payment.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its Human Rights Bill to bring four international human rights treaties into law in Scotland and introduce a new right to a healthy environment.
Answer
In line with guidance covering Scottish Government announcements during the UK General Election 2024 pre-election period, we will provide an update to the Scottish Parliament on the proposed Human Rights Bill in due course.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it would support the creation of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, in light of its presumption against new oil and gas exploration and its membership of the Under2 Coalition.
Answer
Licencing for offshore oil and gas is a matter reserved to UK Government. With regards to development of an international treaty, we are monitoring this as part of a wider programme of ongoing engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 31 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding any potential impact on devolved benefits in Scotland of the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.
Answer
Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Area Director for Scotland, to make them aware of the Cabinet Secretary’s statement.
The letter committed to keeping the DWP informed regarding plans for emergency release and other measures as they continue to be developed.
The Scottish Government, with the Scottish Prison Service, has established an Operational Delivery Leads Group, to support planning and delivery in relation to emergency release. Representatives from the DWP have been invited to join the group. The group met for the first time on 30 May 2024.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 31 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27126 by Tom Arthur on 13 May 2024, in light of the recent ministerial reshuffle, whether it still plans to report on the findings of the independent review prior to summer recess in 2024.
Answer
Publication of the independent review focused on increasing the number of social enterprises, employee-owned businesses and co-operatives in Scotland has now been delayed due to the UK General Election announcement. A new publication timescale will be confirmed in due course.