Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-19509

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any engagement that it has had with the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in relation to the impact assessment process for introducing individual payments of Universal Credit, and what assessment it has made of any implications for the managed migration of those on "legacy benefits" moving to Universal Credit in Scotland.

Scottish Government officials are continuing to work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to consider the feasibility of introducing split payments of Universal Credit. Officials expect to submit a formal policy proposal to DWP soon, for them to impact assess.

The managed migration of people on legacy benefits onto Universal Credit will form part of DWP’s impact assessment of the split payment policy, and the Scottish Government will consider any impacts in due course. We will then be able to update on the feasibility of the policy.

Question reference: S6W-19508

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on its policy position regarding the implementation of individual payments for Universal Credit.

Question reference: S6W-19263

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 16 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to fund diabetes technology, such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, flash and the innovative hybrid closed loop, to reduce any inequalities in access for people with diabetes.

Our Diabetes Improvement Plan, published in 2021, contains a key commitment to further increase access to existing and emerging diabetes technologies.

Our national policy is to increase access to these life changing diabetes therapies to everyone who would benefit, and we expect NHS Boards to provide technology to all clinically suitable children and adults.

Between 2016 and 2022, we invested £29.6 million of additional funding specifically to support the increased provision of diabetes technologies. A further £350,000 is being invested through the new Accelerated National Innovation Adoption pathway workstream to accelerate the distribution of Closed Loop Systems.

The technology is considered the most significant development in diabetes treatment in recent years and can transform lives, particularly for children and young people. This investment will see a dedicated team created to support NHS health boards to rollout the technology faster and more efficiently across Scotland.

We are continuing to work with key partners to identify any future funding requirements for the continuing roll-out of diabetes technologies across Scotland.

Question reference: S6T-01488

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 26 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported delays in processing times for Adult Disability Payments.

Question reference: S6W-19003

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what provisions it has put in place to support any people with learning disabilities who are struggling with the increase in the cost of living.

The Scottish Government recognises the pressure on household budgets which is why both last year and this, we have allocated almost £3bn to support policies which tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Our commitment to ongoing investment and the support measures implemented are, not specific to, but inclusive of, people with a learning disability as valued citizens of Scotland.

In addition we have launched a dedicated Cost of Living portal, signposting to helpful information across a range of subjects including energy and bills; debt and money; children and families; and health and wellbeing.

The Scottish Government also continue to fund a variety of key stakeholder organisations such as Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD), Down’s Syndrome Scotland (DSS) and PAMIS who provide general specialised support and advice for people with learning disabilities and their families and carers across a number of platforms and in a range of accessible formats.

Question reference: S6W-19005

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that the applications process for new devolved benefits is accessible for people with learning disabilities.

Social Security Scotland works with individuals and disability organisations to design services so that everyone who may be eligible for benefits understands how they can apply for and receive them.

Clients can apply in ways that suit them best either by paper or online application, by telephone or they can receive application support from our Local Delivery team who can arrange a face-to-face appointment in a client’s home, a community setting or video call.

We have tested every stage of the application process with people and are committed to making adjustments based on feedback.

Social Security Scotland is committed to continuously improving to deliver benefits for the people of Scotland based on dignity, fairness and respect.

Question reference: S6W-19001

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to reduce the reported delays in making decisions regarding the award of Adult Disability Payments for people with learning disabilities.

Social Security Scotland is committed to giving people decisions as quickly as possible, while allowing time to make sure they have the information required to get decisions right first time.

Most recent statistics show that since the introduction of Adult Disability Payment, less than a year ago, most people have had a decision within four months. However we know others have waited longer. This is unacceptable, and work to make sure people get faster decisions is already underway.

This includes a comprehensive look at every step in the journey from people applying for a disability benefit to getting paid.

One of Social Security Scotland's key principles is making sure people can access and understand all the information relating to their benefits. Easy Read was identified as a solution to help clients to engage with materials in a format best suited to them, and ensure that the processes and ways of communicating could be adapted to meet the wide-ranging needs of clients.

In addition the Local Delivery service, provided by Social Security Scotland, has teams of specially trained Client Support Advisers based in every Local Authority across Scotland. The service offers a range of support to suit people’s needs, including appointments in clients’ homes, at local community venues, by video appointment or by telephone.

Question reference: S6W-19002

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on the number of people with learning disabilities who are in paid employment.

In 2019 there were 23,584 adults with learning disability known to local authorities across Scotland, 956 (4.1%) were in employment, 10,483 (44.4%) were not in employment and 12,145 (51.5%) did not have their employment status recorded. Learning-Disability-Statistics-Scotland-2019.pdf (scld.org.uk)

The ONS Annual Population Survey (APS) is the official source for measuring the number of people in employment. Estimates for the number of people with a severe or specific learning difficulty (lasting 12 months or more) who are employed can also be obtained from the APS. Learning disabilities are included in the health problem severe and specific learning difficulty. In 2022, it was estimated that there were 13,100 people aged 16 and over who reported having a severe or specific learning difficulty and were in employment.

Question reference: S6W-19004

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 19 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to publish the statistical publication Learning Disability Statistics Scotland.

The Scottish Government is engaged in ongoing discussions with Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Commission for Learning Disabilities (SCLD) on how the Learning Disability Statistics Scotland (LDSS) report can be improved to provide the most precise picture of people with learning disabilities across Scotland. This includes consideration of publication timescales.

We understand the importance of reliable evidence and data about people with learning disabilities and are committed to improving the evidence base through our autism and learning/intellectual disability transformation plan 'Towards Transformation'.

Question reference: S6O-02405

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many nursing and midwifery staff have left the NHS in the last 12 months.