- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme should provide net gain/positive effects for biodiversity, and, if it considers that this should be the case, how it will be ensured that any such outcome is delivered.
Answer
The Scottish Government encourages local authorities to deliver flood risk management actions that deliver multiple benefits, including for biodiversity. Securing positive effects for biodiversity is one of six statutory outcomes for our forthcoming National Planning Framework.
Falkirk Council has considered the potential impact of flood defence works and opportunities to enhance biodiversity through the option appraisal and decision-making processes. Progress against sustainability and environmental goals is reported to the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme Project Board on a regular basis.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it will be ensured that there are no adverse effects on the internationally designated Firth of Forth Special Protection Area and nationally designated Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest during the development and operation of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Answer
As promoter of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, Falkirk Council is required and committed to protecting natural habitats and enjoyment of the waterways while constructing flood defences that will safeguard communities.
The Scheme acknowledges the nationally and internationally-significant environmental designations present in the area which provide habitat for large numbers of birds. A precautionary approach has been adopted and consultation with the relevant Statutory Authorities is ongoing. An Appropriate Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) will form part of the Scheme documentation.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) considers the possible impact of the scheme and proposed mitigation measures under a number of headings; including wildlife and biodiversity, air quality, noise and vibration, landscape and cultural heritage. This assessment will be concluded later this year and be published when the Scheme is Notified.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what role (a) it has had to date and (b) it anticipates having in the future in the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Answer
Under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, it is Local Authorities who are responsible for developing and delivering Flood Protection Schemes. The Scottish Government works closely with all local authorities to ensure that appropriate support is available to enable them to fulfil their duties under the Act.
It is recognised that the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme is unique in Scotland in terms of scale and complexity. Falkirk Council provide regular updates to the Scottish Government and this collaboration will continue as the scheme progresses towards formal Notification.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for ongoing public participation and stakeholder engagement in the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Answer
Falkirk Council are responsible for the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme. They have held a variety of public engagement events since 2019. Public information sessions will continue through 2022 and early 2023 using a variety of means including newsletters, social media updates, and drop in events.
A public exhibition will be held on the proposed flood defences before the Scheme goes into the formal Notification stage. The Notification process is a statutory requirement under Schedule 2 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.
A record of previous and future engagement activities are available from the scheme website ( www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com ).
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update following the summit on safe access to abortion services convened by the First Minister.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to support the establishment of more publicly-owned bus services.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 June 2022
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the demand on endoscopy services to diagnose coeliac disease.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains committed to enhancing diagnosis and care for people with coeliac disease in Scotland. We have developed a Scottish Coeliac Disease Pathway (2020) in partnership with people living with the condition, the charity Coeliac UK and clinicians. This has been shown to accelerate correct diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment (gluten-free diet and lifestyle) as detailed in the Coeliac Disease Pathway Report . It is our expectation that all Health Boards will fully implement this pathway.
We have also invested £70 million in support of our Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan . This includes a commitment to promote and implement guidelines for non-biopsy diagnosis for coeliac disease, which is expected to reduce waiting times for diagnosis for this condition. This plan will be overseen by the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Elective Care Group (EUDECG) with representation from all key stakeholders to support delivery, including NHS Boards and Endoscopy units across the country.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to FIVEXMORE's Black Maternity Experiences Survey, in particular the finding that 43% of respondents reported feeling discriminated against during their maternity care.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of FIVEXMORE’s [The] Black Maternity Experiences Survey – a Nationwide Study of Black Women’s Experiences of Maternity Services in the United Kingdom , published on 24 May 2022, and we are considering its findings carefully, alongside the actions and recommendations from all audit reports and the MBRRACE-UK confidential enquiries. Our expectation remains clear: that mothers and babies receive high-quality, person-centred maternity care at all times, tailored to their needs, with quality and safety central to decision-making.
We are participating in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Race Equality Taskforce . The Scottish Government’s Senior Medical Officer for Maternity and Women’s Health is a member of the Taskforce, which will make recommendations for actions in maternity services to tackle the inequity in outcomes for pregnant women and babies from minority ethnic communities.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider standardising testing for coeliac disease by encouraging local audits of blood tests against endoscopies and biopsies.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with long term conditions such as coeliac disease are able to access the best possible care and support.
The provision of healthcare services, such as audits of blood tests, is the responsibility of NHS Boards, taking into account national guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 14 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Birthrights report, Systemic racism, not broken bodies, on racial injustice and human rights in UK maternity care.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of Birthright’s report - Systemic Racism, not Broken Bodies , published on 23 May 2022 - and we are considering its findings carefully, alongside the actions and recommendations from all audit reports and the MBRRACE-UK confidential enquiries. Our expectation remains clear: that mothers and babies receive high-quality, person-centred maternity care, tailored to their needs, with quality and safety central to decision-making.
We are participating in the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Race Equality Taskforce . The Scottish Government’s Senior Medical Officer for Maternity and Women’s Health is a member of the Taskforce, which will make recommendations for actions in maternity services to tackle the inequity in outcomes for pregnant women and babies from minority ethnic communities.
