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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6O-00420

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what support it provides to MSPs in connection with the employment of armed forces reservists, and to armed forces reservists who work for the Scottish Parliament or MSPs.

Question reference: S6O-00406

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it last met trade unions representing Scottish Parliamentary Service and MSP staff.

Question reference: S6O-00407

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will make a decision regarding the level of MSP allowances for staff for 2022-23.

Question reference: S6O-00413

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, in light of reported concerns, what consideration it is giving to additional funding for increased security personnel and security for MSPs' surgeries and local offices.

Question reference: S6O-00370

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that those who are entitled to and require a COVID-19 vaccine passport exemption letter can receive one.

Evidence shows that vaccination is the most effective way to keep you, your friends, family, and community safe and we encourage everyone to consider getting the vaccine. Billions of vaccinations have now been administered globally and we are confident about the safety of these vaccines and that in the vast majority of cases a successful route to safe vaccination is found.

If vaccination is not straightforward for some individuals, support is available to help them achieve the benefits of protection from the Covid-19 vaccines. Local vaccination centres can help answer questions about the vaccine and can advise what arrangements may be put in place to enable safe vaccination.

In the rare cases where that support is provided and does not lead to vaccination then this will result in the person being identified as either able to safely receive the vaccine but decides not to do so and in this circumstance they will not be eligible for a medical exemption certificate; or they will be identified as clinically unable to safely receive the vaccine and in which case they will receive a secure paper exemption certificate in the post. All vaccine status certificates, including medical exemptions certificates, are time limited.

I am sorry that this has process has not operated as it should have in your constituent’s case and I have written to you separately on that matter.

Further information on COVID-19 Status Certificates and about medical exemptions from them is available on NHS Inform .

Question reference: S6O-00369

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full assessment of the outcomes of the COP26 discussions and the implications for Scotland’s energy strategy.

The Scottish Government will consider in detail the decisions and outcomes from the COP26 Summit, as well as the comprehensive Scottish Government programme that is running alongside. Our forthcoming draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will take a whole-system view of the energy sector and highlight our commitment to ensuring that the transition to net zero is inclusive, creates good green jobs, is fair for all, and that no one is left behind. It will provide an early opportunity for Scotland to build on the agreements and priorities that emerge from COP.

Question reference: S6W-04139

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to update COVID-19 guidance on international school trips.

Question reference: S6W-01602

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to start the roll-out of the 2021-22 flu-immunisation programme, and how many people will be eligible for a free flu vaccination, broken down by eligible groups.

We are currently working with Public Health Scotland and Health Boards to plan and deliver the 2021-22 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme for the autumn.

We welcome the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation who have indicated that where possible, a COVID-19 vaccination booster programme could run synergistically with the flu vaccination programme. This allows for eligible cohorts to be offered both the flu vaccination and a COVID-19 booster at the same appointment and we are working closely with partners to align the programmes to achieve this where possible (taking into account the minimum 24 week gap required between a 2nd dose and booster).

In light of this advice, we have started this year’s programme on the 6 September aiming to vaccinate over 3 million people, with work completed to identify the eligible group populace. It began with rollout of the childhood and schools programme and Health & Social Care Workers were able to book appointments using the online portal from 21 September. Those age 70 years and over have been sent letters inviting them for vaccination and pregnant women are being offered through maternity services.

Those aged 60-69 years of age are being sent letters from late October inviting them for vaccination and an online self-booking portal is being developed for those aged 50 years and over and unpaid carers to allow people to book an appointment at a convenient time and location allowing greater flexibility during November and December in advance of the anticipated start of flu season.

Cohort	Eligible Population
65 and over-	1,101,519
Children aged 2-5 who cannot receive LAIV	877
Children Aged 2-5	168,209
Primary School Aged Children	421,295
Secondary School Age Children less than 18 years	336,125
Under 65 years old in an at-risk group	773,085
Pregnant women(with & without risk factors)	36,905
Health & social care staff	308,073
Unpaid and young carers	48,600
Independent NHS Contractors, (GP, dental and optometry practices, community pharmacists, laboratory staff working on COVID-19 testing) including support staff	72,919
Teachers, support staff, Prison staff and support staff operating the detention estate.	80,581
Prison population (Fluctuates daily – approximate figure provided. Population may also be included in cohorts above.)	7,500
50-54 not at risk	363,473
55-59 not at risk	356,254
60-64 not at risk	312,366
Total	4,387,781

Influenza vaccine data is published by Public Health Scotland and on the 28 October indicated that 944,989 eligible individuals have received their flu vaccine.

Question reference: S6W-02799

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to allow a person's COVID-19 vaccination status to be recorded as fully vaccinated if they have received two doses of different vaccines; whether it will allow such people to be exempt from the 10-day quarantine period when returning to Scotland from green and amber list countries, similar to people who have received two doses of the same vaccine, and whether any exemptions on this issue will be made for Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Scottish Government is working on delivering a solution at pace for individuals whom have received 2 doses of differing approved vaccines. Clinicians are fully sighted and conversant with recommendations.

From 4 October, fully vaccinated travellers who have received mixed doses of authorised vaccines under the International Travel Regime across the four nations and are returning from non-Red list countries will not be required to self-isolate for 10 days. This is consistent with the approach taken across the UK.

There are many nuanced circumstances regarding how and where vaccinations can be delivered, particularly with international travel and military deployment. We will be updating guidance via NHS Inform and a FAQ to advise that UK vaccines administered abroad to MOD personnel and other UK national stationed abroad will be treated in the same way as those administered elsewhere the UK.

Question reference: S6W-02825

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Royal College of Nursing to discuss the reported increase in nursing and midwifery vacancies.

I last met with the Royal College of Nursing on 1 October 2021, where we discussed a range of issues.

The Scottish Government’s position on nursing and midwifery vacancies is set out in my responses to the Member's associated questions: S6W-02826 and S6W-02827 on 21 September 2021.

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