Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09318 on 22 July 2022. 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 .

Circularity Scotland Ltd as Scheme Administrator meets frequently with Zero Waste Scotland as part of their ongoing work to implement our Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), including through the DRS System-Wide Assurance Group which is responsible for assessing system-wide readiness, as well as the monitoring and addressing of risks to delivery for Scotland’s DRS.

The Scottish Government is not aware of any concerns being raised with it on how levels of recorded domestic and sexual abuse against men compare to the rest of UK. The operational recording of information on such incidents is a matter for Police Scotland, and as with any report of criminal behaviour, will be underpinned by the Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS). The Standard sets out to ensure a more victim-oriented approach is taken to recording crime, and ultimate responsibility for compliance lies with the Chief Constable.

In general, it should be noted that there are significant differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK in the definitions used to collect data on domestic abuse and violence. The definition of domestic abuse used by Police Scotland focuses on partners (married, cohabiting, civil partnership or otherwise) or ex-partners, and has no age restrictions for those involved. The definition used in the rest of the UK extends beyond partners to other family members, and is limited to those aged 16 and over.

In addition, when considering crime data across the UK, recorded crime statistics are not directly comparable. The main principles for when a crime should be recorded are similar in all four nations. However, there are various differences between the respective Counting Rules, which specify each nation’s approach for counting the number of crimes that should be recorded as part of any single incident. Furthermore, differences in legislation and common law also have an impact on the comparability of recorded crime statistics between Scotland and the other UK nations.

To ensure local authorities had the capacity and resources required to deliver any new policy commitments in the last two years, all new policy or changes to existing policy that had a financial cost for local government were approved through the formal financial governance process which required 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.

The operational recording of information on incidents of domestic and sexual abuse against men is a matter for Police Scotland, and as with any report of criminal behaviour, will be underpinned by the Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS). The Standard sets out to ensure a more victim-oriented approach is taken to recording crime, and ultimate responsibility for compliance lies with the Chief Constable.

The Official Statistics on both recorded domestic abuse and sexual crime in Scotland are based upon data returns made by Police Scotland to the Scottish Government (and are a by-product of their administrative processes). Further quality assurance work is then undertaken between Scottish Government and Police Scotland statisticians prior to their publication. Many of the categories used to record crimes that may be typically associated with domestic or sexual abuse, such as those under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 or Rape / Sexual assault, also identify whether the victim is male or female.

All new policy commitments or changes to existing policy, that have a financial cost for local government, must be approved through the formal financial governance process which requires agreed recommendations from the joint Scottish Government and COSLA Officers’ Settlement and Distribution Group and political agreement from Scottish Ministers and COSLA political Leaders.

Recognising that some occupations were restricted by capacity and age due to the physical demands of those roles, the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 set a pension age of 60 for those in uniform services. The definition of such personnel was restricted to police, fire and the armed forces (Hutton Inquiry).

Unlike those uniform groups, prison officers do not have a dedicated pension scheme as they are members of the Civil Service pension scheme, which is a reserved matter for the UK Government. The Scottish Government opposed the attack on public pensions following the Hutton Inquiry and in particular the requirement for prison officers to carry out frontline operational duties including control and restraint until the age of 68.

SPS do not assess age to determine whether a prison officer is capable of carrying out their duties but recognises that front line staff work in a very challenging environment and are committed to a person centred approach to all employees and their circumstances. SPS has arrangements in place to support staff who may no longer be able to fulfil the physical demands of their role and these cases are managed in accordance with the circumstances of each individual.

Prompt payment of suppliers is critical to the sustainability and resilience of our supply chains, particularly our SMEs. Paying suppliers on time, in full and within a maximum of 30 days also supports our economic recovery and growth. The Scottish Government refreshed the 2009 prompt payment policy earlier this year, consolidating existing guidance and providing advice on how public bodies may choose to track and monitor payment performance. This updated policy sends a clear message to industry that late payment is not acceptable for the Scottish Public Sector.

The Scottish Government has been contacted directly and indirectly by 6 local authorities with resource concerns in relation to complying with this policy, mainly regarding the resource required to monitor prompt payment through the supply chain.

The clinical assessment of someone presenting at accident and emergency (A&E) with suicidal intentions includes an assessment of risk. Clinical assessments involve a clinician interviewing the patient, often using risk assessment tools (which are selected by individual Health Boards), as well as considering any recent, similar presentations at A&E. Repeated A&E presentations will indicate a higher risk.

Each Health Board has arrangements in place to ensure patients presenting at A&E with suicidal intentions are properly assessed and cared for. In practice, this generally involves specialist mental health clinical staff working alongside A&E teams to ensure the individuals are assessed and that tailored care plans are put in place. Those care plans may include accessing support from crisis support organisations or local mental health services; or, where necessary, admission to hospital.

The impact of school closures during the pandemic was carefully considered at local level by schools and community groups who are best placed to understand the needs of the immediate community.

The Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) evaluation found that schools worked closely with community groups to mitigate the effects of school building closures for pupils. The Scottish Government has no plans to undertake additional research.

The easing of restrictions in recent months means that community groups are now in a position to re-establish their position and make use of school settings where appropriate. Therefore, all local and community facilities are encouraged to permit access to organisations and groups in line with the Strategic Framework and the Safer Workplaces guidance.