Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

The SPCB, as the employer of its staff, is committed to reviewing its policy arrangements to ensure that it supports staff who experience baby loss, including pregnancy-related leave. Officials have been looking at developing the SPCB’s current approach, in line with the guidance within the Pledge, to support those colleagues who may experience loss through their pregnancy.   The SPCB is currently able to offer support in the form of paid special leave, through the Positive about Mental Health and Wellbeing policy, the Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health.  Any arrangements that are adopted for Scottish Parliament staff will also form part of the minimum terms and conditions for MSPs’ staff.  Finally, we’re currently working with an external provider to review the Parliament’s Diversity and Inclusion progress and priorities, and this will include our approach to partnerships and accreditations. 

The Scottish Government is aware that drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) services in Edinburgh were temporarily suspended in 2022 and has worked with the local authority and other partners over recent months to understand the issues behind this and offer support where appropriate. DTTO services were reinstated in late February on a limited basis and we will continue to support efforts to ensure that those in need can access drug treatment across Scotland.

As recently announced in our Drug Deaths Taskforce Response, the Scottish Government is currently carrying out a review of DTTOs and other relevant orders to assess how they have been used, their outcomes, and whether they are the most effective mechanism to support recovery and reduce recidivism rates.

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.

SEPA has been provided funding by the Scottish Government to establish their regulatory service for the scheme. Once the scheme is operational, SEPA will be funded for the service via the producer registration fees collected. The Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for Scotland 2020 regulations provide that businesses with a taxable turnover in excess of £85,000 will pay an annual £365 fee when registering as a producer for Scotland's DRS. This regulatory activity will include provision of advice and guidance to businesses to support them in achieving compliance.

The SPCB’s procurement function operates in accordance with its published Procurement Strategy and established industry practice including guidance published by the Scottish Government. There are robust processes in place to deliver sustainable contracts that provide best value for money and resilient supply chain governance.

To support this strategy, and in line with procurement regulations, as a matter of policy the SPCB does not publish specific information regarding contracts or tenders which might prejudice fair competition, which would prejudice the commercial interests of any person or organisation or otherwise be contrary to the public interest.

I am therefore limited in the detail I can provide in response to your questions. I can confirm that two quotations were submitted for the contract advertised as FEB471362.

Scottish Government Ministers took the decision to extend all current funding for the 115 organisations funded under the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention & Adult Learning & Empowering Communities (CYPFEI & ALEC) third sector fund for three months and consider options for the existing fund together with fully considering bids under the new Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learning (CYPFAL) third sector fund. Following this consideration, Ministers took the decision to extend all existing funding under CYPFEI and ALEC for two financial years, providing £29m to 115 organisations to end March 2025. Officials wrote to all affected organisations on 20 March 2023 to communicate this decision. In addition, Ministers have decided to award an additional £6m to 22 further organisations under the CYPFAL third sector fund over the next two financial years to end March 2025.

Although energy retail policy is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government remains concerned at the disproportionate impact the high cost of energy prices combined with inflation is having on vulnerable consumers, including those living with disabilities.

We were disappointed that the UK Government did not answer our calls to extend the Energy Bills Support Scheme as part of its Spring Budget Statement. The removal of the support scheme means a typical household’s annual bill will increase by around 19%. That is why the First Minister recently announced that our Fuel Insecurity Fund will be increased to up to £30 million in the next financial year to support the most vulnerable households in Scotland. In addition, our new winter heating payment is providing a stable and reliable annual £50 payment to around 400,000 low-income individuals. This benefit is an investment of over £20m each year which is more than double the £8.3m provided on average by the UK Government in each of the last 7 years.

Following the progress made at the Scottish Government energy summits held last year, we continue to work with energy suppliers to explore ways to mitigate the impact of rising energy costs on those who are struggling to pay their bills and heat their homes.

I will of course be meeting with UK Government Ministers over issues concerning fuel poverty and mitigation of the cost of powering life-saving medical equipment will feature in those discussions.

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.

Keeping children safe from abuse and exploitation is a key priority for the Scottish Government. We are committed to ensuring that robust child protection measures are in place across Scotland.

That is why we are taking forward a range of work with our partners, including Stop It Now! Scotland and the NSPCC, to both prevent abuse and intervene early to ensure that risk and harm to children and young people is recognised and acted on quickly and effectively. For example, in February of this year, we delivered a public awareness campaign across a range of radio, TV and digital channels to inform parents about the risks of online harm and how to protect their children online.

Cross-directorate Government-supported work-streams collectively take action to prevent and protect children in Scotland from child sexual abuse and provide appropriate support to victims and survivors of such abuse. This includes funding to support a range of activity and programmes with a particular focus on early intervention and prevention and the revision of the National Child Protection Guidance that defines and clarifies roles and responsibilities for everyone working with children and young people, setting out the foundation for protective action to keep children safe from harm.

The most recent statistics show the number of children on the Child Protection Register in Scotland has decreased and is the lowest rate of any nation in the UK. The number of looked after children is also at its lowest level since 2006.

The breadth of work happening across Government and our commitment to a continuing focus on prevention and early intervention is such that we do not think that a national strategy to tackle child sexual abuse is required at this time. The Scottish Government will keep under review whether a dedicated strategy is needed in this sensitive and important area.