Chamber and committees

No applications for a Freight Facilities Grant have been rejected between 2021 and January 2025.

FSS is a non ministerial office and is therefore directly accountable to Parliament and not to Ministers. FSS oversight - and any assessment of effectiveness -is provided by a non executive board. FSS published an Annual Report and Accounts to Parliament and a Joint Annual Report with Food Standards Agency on Food Safety in the UK. There is regular liaison between Ministers, FSS officials and the FSS chair and the Minister for Public Health and Sport and the FSS CEO have regular meetings to ensure Ministers are kept appraised of FSS activity. Parliament also has the ability to call FSS officials to give evidence with regards to FSS effectiveness.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35156 on 27 February 2025. 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 operation of licensing committees is a matter for independent Scottish local authorities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35156 on 27 February 2025. 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 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 gives local licensing authorities a wide range of discretion over the types of vehicle that they can licence as taxis or private hire cars (PHCs).

Chapter 5 (Vehicles) of the Scottish Government best practice guidance for local licensing authorities and taxi and PHC operators on the licensing of taxis and PHCs and their drivers, provides further details of the powers that licensing authorities have: https://www.gov.scot/publications/taxi-private-hire-car-licensing-best-practice-licensing-authorities-taxi-private-hire-car-operators-3rd-edition/pages/7/.

The legal requirement for taxis requires that they should be subject to an MOT test or its equivalent one year after first registration and annually thereafter. For private hire cars, annual MOT testing should commence after the vehicle is three years old. It is a matter for licensing authorities as to what requirements may exist over and above these legal requirements.

The Scottish Government recognises taxis and PHCs are an important link to the public transport chain, filling gaps in overall transport provision not least for those who do not have access to a car. Local licensing authorities are best placed to consider the role that taxis and PHCs play in public transport and ensure that the licensing system in place is appropriate, takes into account local circumstances and meets the need of local communities.

I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-35156 and S6W-35159 on 27 February 2025. This information is not held centrally. 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 Scottish Government has not allocated funding to stroke awareness campaigns in the last five years.

As set out in answer to Parliamentary Question S6W-34995 on 27 February 2025, the implementation phase of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has now begun, and two Implementation Delivery Groups are being established to oversee swift delivery of all 44 recommended actions. One group, chaired by the Interim Chief Nursing Officer, will meet at the end of February and then recurrently every 6 - 8 weeks. A further Implementation Delivery Group will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and will meet in Spring and then every six months. These two Groups will ensure that priorities are clearly defined, progress is measurable, and key milestones are met. A detailed work plan and timeline to guide the delivery of the recommended actions will be agreed in Spring.

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 Scottish Government delivers a broad range of programmes to provide advice and support for property owners related to energy efficiency and clean heating, including the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme.

There is no such role as field agent within this programme, however there are a range of advisor roles entailed in delivering the grant funded Home Energy Scotland advice service, as well as service delivery staff employed in delivery of the contracted loans and grant administration service. Across these, resource levels are aligned to demand for our services.

Our Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy published in December 2023 outlines our approach to increase awareness and understanding of heat decarbonisation and the support available to help make the transition.

Over 6,000 heat pumps were installed in Scotland last year, with 2,500 of those installs receiving support through HES Grant and Loan Scheme funding.

As set out in answer to Parliamentary Question S6W-34995 on 27 February 2025, the implementation phase of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has now begun, and two Implementation Delivery Groups are being established to oversee swift delivery of all 44 recommended actions. One group, chaired by the Interim Chief Nursing Officer, will meet at the end of February and then recurrently every 6 - 8 weeks. A further Implementation Delivery Group will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and will meet in Spring and then every six months. These two Groups will ensure that priorities are clearly defined, progress is measurable, and key milestones are met. A detailed work plan and timeline to guide the delivery of the recommended actions will be agreed in Spring.

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 Scottish Government recognises the importance of housing support services. These services can enable older residents to live as independently as possible in their own communities.

Housing support is commissioned at a local level by Local Authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships who are best placed to assess and respond to local needs. South Lanarkshire Council, along with South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, are responsible for identifying need and ensuring that their residents receive any necessary housing support services.