- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried of the reasons for the reported increase in the percentage of people diagnosed with HIV who no longer engaged with HIV clinical services.
Answer
The latest data on people living with HIV in Scotland and not attending for HIV treatment and care can be found in Public Health Scotland’s HIV in Scotland surveillance report, which is available at: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/hiv-in-scotland/hiv-in-scotland-update-to-31-december-2023/.
It is important to note that changes to service delivery during and since the COVID-19 pandemic mean that the reported proportion of diagnosed individuals receiving treatment may be an under-estimate and work is underway to ensure the accuracy of this reporting.
Through our HIV Transmission Elimination Delivery Plan, we are working with partners including the third sector to ensure that people living with HIV are receiving the treatment, care and support they need. Through our Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults we are also funding a number of projects offering peer support and practical assistance which can help people living with HIV to stay well and engage or re-engage in care.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next raise the matter of the use of electric shock collars on dogs with the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.
Answer
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has been asked to look at aversive devices training devices and is expected to report in the near future. A Review of electric shock collars is also underway as part of the wider review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, due to report by 1 April 2025.
The Scottish Government will carefully consider the recommendations from SAWC and the Review before deciding how to proceed.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a detailed timeline showing the work that NHS Scotland Assure has done in (a) surveying sites to check whether reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is present, (b) identifying any RAAC and the level of remedial action that is required and (c) ensuring that appropriate action is taken by NHS boards to address the presence of RAAC where it has been found.
Answer
Following the collapse of a school roof in 2018, the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), alerted NHS Scotland Assure to the issue and the following steps were then taken:
- May 2019 - The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS), alerted Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) to the issue in May 2019, this was circulated to NHS Scotland
- February 2020 – paper presented by NHS Scotland Assure to the NHS Strategic Facilities Group outlining a proposal for identifying and managing RAAC across the NHS estate
- May 2021 – NHS Assure gather a local assessment of RAAC from each local NHS Board, and conclude that a national survey programme would be best;
- November 2022 – a lead adviser is appointed and the desktop survey programme starts.
- December 2022 – NHS Scotland Assure commissioned a survey team to establish the extent of RAAC across the NHS Scotland Estate and the condition it is in.
- January 2023 – Desktop review begins
- July 2023 – Phase 1 Discovery survey work begins
- April 2024 – Discovery survey programme complete (except for several revisits and several later additions)
- May 2024 – three pilot detailed surveys commissioned to inform a programme to undertake a detailed survey of all buildings with RAAC in the NHS Estate.
- June 2024 – two pilot detailed surveys completed to inform a Phase 2 Survey Programme
- October 2024 – Scottish Government commissioned an Annual Inspection Programme to complete annual re visits required during the 2024/25 financial year
- November 2024 – Annual Inspection Programme commenced
- November 2024 – procurement of a Phase 2 Survey Programme
It is the NHS Boards responsibility for any actions identified in the Survey reports to be undertaken timeously.
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that SportScotland
is making staff redundancies, and what its position is on whether this is in
relation to reported costs incurred as a result of internal investigations
involving Cricket Scotland.
Answer
There is no correlation between sportscotland’s voluntary severance scheme and the Changing the Boundaries report and independent referrals investigation.
The referrals process underlined the failings of the governing body over recent years, and Cricket Scotland, having fully accepted all actions and recommendations for improvement, is committed to delivering on those. We recognise the progress that has been made and sportscotland is providing continued support to Cricket Scotland to ensure the sport can move forward with confidence.
sportscotland is not making staff redundant. Their severance scheme is a voluntary scheme and it is an individual’s choice if they wish to apply. The scheme is intended to mitigate financial challenges facing the sector including the unprecedented levels of inflation experienced over the past 3-4 years, and the UK Government’s planned increase in employer national insurance contributions. The severance scheme will enable sportscotland to maximise the impact of investment in sport and physical activity.
The Scottish Government is greatly concerned by the UK Government’s planned increase in Employer National Insurance Contributions and the damaging implications for businesses, public services, and communities. We are calling on the UK Government to reverse the planned increase.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on the upskilling fund when it was operational.
Answer
The Scottish Funding Council’s University Upskilling Fund was introduced in 2019. The total spend across the Fund’s operational period from 2019-2024 was £33,672,015.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify the process and outcomes of the three detailed pilot surveys commissioned in May 2024, as outlined in the progress report, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) across the public sector in Scotland, provided for the Building and Fire Safety Ministerial Working Group, which was published in September 2024.
Answer
The pilot surveys' purpose was to prove the methodology proposed to be adopted in the more detailed Phase 2 survey programme.
The pilots utilise point cloud technology which creates a digital representation of the area being assessed. This method provides an accurate and detailed picture of the structure's shape and dimensions, including identifying any areas of deflection, sagging, or damage that are not visible to a visual inspection. By comparing point clouds captured at different times, surveyors can monitor any changes in the condition of the RAAC structure over time. This is particularly important for NHS sites, as we will likely be using these sites for many years to come and we want to minimise the time and disruption of each survey.
The result of the point cloud surveys inform the location of intrusive surveys required by the surveying Structural Engineer. Once access has been provide in the required locations the surveying Structural Engineer will conduct their detailed surveys and provide a report on the observations.
Two of these pilot surveys were completed, the third has had a Point Cloud completed but requires a follow-up survey. The two completed Pilot surveys satisfactorily proved the methodology which has been adopted in the procurement of the full Phase 2 survey programme. In the two completed Pilot surveys the Structural Engineers Report has identified remedial actions but nothing critical.
- Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether (a) enterprise and (b) infrastructure funding is currently targeted at low-carbon, green manufacturing, and how it ensures that companies in receipt of such public money are supporting jobs in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the net zero economy. Together with our enterprise agencies, we have invested £75 million in the cutting-edge National Manufacturing Institute Scotland facility, which is actively supporting low-carbon and green manufacturing.
We are also committing £2.9 billion of capital for activities that will positively impact our climate goals and support domestic manufacturing in green sectors, including over £300 million in energy efficiency and clean heat measures and £150 million to anchor our offshore wind supply chain.
Our Enterprise Agencies play a key role in supporting our low-carbon, green manufacturing sector, for example through funding streams and links to Business Energy Scotland and the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Borders regarding the situation at the Knoll Hospital, Duns, and the reported need to close the hospital in order to undertake remedial works due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Answer
The Chair and Chief Executive of NHS Borders met with myself on 30 January to discuss the situation with Knoll Hospital. NHS Borders have also been providing regular situation reports to the Scottish Government updating them on developments.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether the 2025 summer timetable for the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry will have the same service frequency as before the recent reported disruption.
Answer
When MV Caledonian Isles returns to service, CalMac have advised she will be expected to operate to the agreed Summer 2025 timetable which will provide 35 return sailings per week.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 3 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many patients were on waiting lists for physical activity programmes (a) in total and (b) for over a year, in each of the last five years.
Answer
Physical Activity referral schemes are operated by Health Boards according to local need. The information requested on waiting lists is not held centrally.