- Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 May 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025
- Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 May 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025
- Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 May 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2025
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has conducted of the dynamic policing model pilot at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, and whether it included input from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, sheriff clerks, and other key stakeholders on its effectiveness and safety.
Answer
This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any safety implications for (a) court staff and (b) the public arising from the reported shift from static to dynamic policing in court buildings, as piloted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Answer
This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address reported concerns raised by court staff regarding their safety in courtrooms where the police presence has been reduced under the dynamic policing model pilot.
Answer
This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Food Standards Scotland currently receives enough funding to carry out all of its responsibilities.
Answer
The Scottish Government and the whole of the public sector faces a very challenging situation as we continue to manage our finances through the current financial year, in 2025-26 and beyond.
Operating within a fixed budget, we have had to manage Scottish public finances in the face of higher inflation and cost of living pressures, making tough decisions to protect the most vulnerable in society.
As part of the Scottish Government 25/26 budget, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) was given a flat budget. FSS have notified the Scottish Government of a pressure due to increased staffing and delivery costs and the Scottish Government will work with FSS to manage the pressure. This has included the set-up of the FSS policy forum with relevant policy teams across Scottish Government to provide a co-ordinated response to the issues FSS face and facilitates the exchange of soft intelligence and problem solving.
Scottish Government have also committed to review the allocated budget in year.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many food crime cases were referred to the Procurator Fiscal by Food Standards Scotland in each financial year, from 2020-21 to date.
Answer
In 2020 3 cases were referred to the Procurator Fiscal by Food Standards Scotland and one in each year for 2021,2022, 2023 and 2024. In four of the cases the principal charge was reported as culpable and reckless conduct, a serious crime at common law in exposing others, and the public in general, to a significant risk to life or health. Two other cases reported were reported by FSS over the relevant period, but have not been included in the statistics as they relate to animal welfare offences which do not fall within the definition of food crime.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any assessment of the impact of the potential closure of the Notre Dame Centre in Glasgow.
Answer
The Scottish Government was concerned to hear about the withdrawal of funding from the Notre Dame Centre. We recognise that the potential closure of the Centre as a result will be causing concern for the children and families that use its services. Scottish Government officials have received assurances from the Integrated Joint Board that alternative services will be available and transition plans put in place for those currently using the services provided by the Centre.
Although it is for the IJB to make decisions about the local provision of services they fund, we expect these decisions to be made in consultation with the communities in which they are based. The Scottish Government also expects the IJB to consider the impact this may have on those that use the Centre, particularly vulnerable users, and on other services which may be asked to step in.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many food businesses were inspected by an environmental health officer or food safety officer in each calendar year from 2020 to date.
Answer
Food businesses inspected by an Environmental Health Officer or Food Safety Officer.
2020 – 9,041
2021 – 9,674
2022 – 20,745
2023 – 20,409
2024 – 19,466
2025* – 6,722
*01-01-25 to 12-05-25