Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15129 on 7 March 2023. 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 .

Scottish Government grant making is allocated across portfolios to various parts of the third sector to improve a wide range of outcomes. Some Scottish Government funding will be issued through third sector intermediary organisations. Each grant funding programme will have its own specific application criteria related to desired policy outcomes. This information is not centrally collated.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of working with partners to ensure that emergency funding meets need effectively.

To ensure local authorities have the capacity and resources required to deliver any new policy commitments, all new policy or changes to existing policy that have a financial cost for local government, including those put in place in an emergency, are approved through the formal financial governance process. This requires agreed recommendations from the joint Scottish Government and COSLA Officers’ Settlement and Distribution Group and political sign-off from Scottish Ministers and COSLA political Leaders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6O-02060 on
‎ 23 March 2023. All answers to oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the link to the Official Report can be found here: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-23-03-2023?meeting=15218

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16518 on 27 April 2023. This answer set out action being taken to enhance capacity and facilitate increased activity within colposcopy services.

We recognise that uncertainty while waiting can have an impact on health and wellbeing. That is why we are undertaking a new programme of work, ‘Waiting Well’, which aims to support an active waiting well period by providing access to good information, signposting to local services and community assets, and to professional support and services as required.

In addition, we have launched a Women’s Health Platform on NHS Inform to help women find the information they need on a range of issues relating to their health. The platform hosts information and advice on mental health as well as a series of self-help guides. These offer practical help and support with mental health symptoms and sign post to further support from NHS24 mental health services, Breathing Space and NHS psychology services as required.

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

An Lanntair are a key stakeholder of our public bodies. The Scottish Government has not met An Lanntair directly during this period, however Highlands and Islands Enterprise hold regular meetings with An Lanntair, normally on a monthly basis, to discuss operational matters.

In addition, as they are a regularly funded organisation (RFO), An Lanntair has met with Creative Scotland during this period through virtual and in-person meetings, and phone calls.

The key outcomes from those discussions include (i) funding levels, (ii) additional financial support from the various Scottish Government COVID-19 Emergency Funds and (iii) updates of An Lanntair’s ongoing RFO activity including artistic planning, annual review and annual reporting.

The Scottish Government will continue to have regular dialogue with the culture sector and, given the recent changes in the Scottish Government Ministerial team, introductory meetings between relevant Ministers and Creative Scotland and partners across the sector are currently being considered.

As noted in the answer to question S6W-16405 on 18 April 2023, the Scottish Government carried out a number of Impact Assessments during the pandemic to help inform key decisions and to understand their impact on those at risk and on vulnerable groups, including learners. These impact assessments went wider than the specific concerns raised in this question and considered issues including children’s rights and wellbeing, equalities, as well as, the impact on island communities. These Impact Assessments have been published on the Scottish Government website and links have been provided in the answer to question S6W-16405. 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 .

As part of our pledge towards decarbonisation, the Scottish Government is working towards our commitment to phase out the need for all petrol or diesel cars in the public sector fleet by 2025 and for all other new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.

In line with this commitment, all internal combustion vehicles (ICE) procured since 2018 are light commercial vehicles and at time of purchase, there were no suitable fully electric (EV) or plug in hybrid (PHEV) alternatives available. These vehicles will be replaced at end of life with either EV or PHEV replacements.

No ICE cars have been procured since 2017.

The Ukraine Longer-term Resettlement Fund remains open for applications where Scottish Government funded works can be completed by 31 March 2024, and we continue to actively encourage Councils and RSLs to apply to the Fund to boost the supply of additional homes with support available for a range of housing options.

The Scottish Government is taking a number of actions to ensure access to affordable credit for people on low-incomes. This includes investing £8.5 million in our Community Sustainability Fund, which launched in December 2022, where community lenders can access loans for a range of purposes including support with cash flow and to promote the availability of affordable credit. Also investing up to £1 million in a No-Interest Loan Scheme pilot to offer a lifeline for people on low incomes who are financially excluded and unable to borrow from mainstream or community lenders due to their credit score or affordability issues.

This work builds on the £15 million grant funding allocated to Scottish Community Lenders in 2021 to promote the availability of affordable credit, strengthen the balance sheet of affordable credit providers and improve financial resilience. Along with the £2 million Affordable Credit Fund, backed by funding of £1 million from the Scottish Government and £1 million from Carnegie UK Trust, to enable low income families to access affordable credit.

In addition, the Scottish Government is represented on Financial Inclusion for Scotland, whose aims include enabling better financial inclusion in Scotland by supporting those who find it difficult to access fair or affordable financial services.