Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-26756

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how the evidence cited in the 2018 Food Standards Scotland report, Discretionary Foods, specifically shows that restricting or banning (a) multi-buys, including meal deals, buy one get one free and three for two offers, (b) free products or free samples, (c) the sale of unlimited amounts for a fixed charge, such as unlimited refills, (d) upselling, (e) physical or electronic coupons, (f) purchase rewards, such as toys, vouchers, loyalty card points, reduced price for another product or competition entry, (g) checkout, end-of-aisle, front of store or island/bin displays and (h) the promotion of value, will result in healthier diets.

In 2015 Food Standards Scotland (FSS) introduced the term “discretionary foods” based on evidence identifying the main food and drink contributors to intakes of calories, fats and sugars in the Scottish diet. These foods have a significant impact on the diet, accounting for, on average, about one fifth of total calories, total fat and saturated fats and over half of daily free sugars consumption. FSS concluded that a key step towards meeting our dietary goals in Scotland would be to reduce our intakes of these foods, which convey little or no nutritional benefit, by around half. These foods are optional in the diet and are therefore considered discretionary.

The briefing paper provides more up-to-date and detailed information to support the FSS position on discretionary foods and provides an evidence base for actions to reduce current intakes of these foods.

Question reference: S5W-26750

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how the evidence cited in Reducing Health Harms of Foods High in Fat, Sugar or Salt: Consultation Paper specifically shows that restricting or banning (a) multi-buys, including meal deals, buy one get one free and three for two offers, (b) free products or free samples, (c) the sale of unlimited amounts for a fixed charge, such as unlimited refills, (d) upselling, (e) physical or electronic coupons, (f) purchase rewards, such as toys, vouchers, loyalty card points, reduced price for another product or competition entry, (g) checkout, end-of-aisle, front of store or island/bin displays and (h) the promotion of value, will result in healthier diets.

We want to reduce Scotland-level consumption of calories, fat, saturated fat, free sugar and salt. These nutrients are a public health concern because our consumption exceeds our requirement. Saturated fat, free sugars and salt can directly increase the risk of health harms such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and tooth decay. Total fat, saturated fat and free sugars also contribute, indirectly through excess calories, to increasing the risk of gaining weight and therefore to increasing the risk of health harm as a result of overweight or obesity.

Point of purchase triggers lead to purchases that otherwise would not have occurred, or would not have occurred in such volume. By reducing sales of foods high in fat, sugar or salt, we aim to reduce population-level consumption of calories, fat, saturated fat, free sugar and salt and so improve public health.

Evidence for the consultation proposals is cited throughout the consultation paper.

Further detail on the policy will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament and the evidence underpinning it will be set out at appropriate stages of the legislative process.

Question reference: S5T-01860

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Deaths Abroad, Consular Services and Assistance, Why families in the UK deserve better and what can be done.

Question reference: S5W-25690

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 07 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of proposals in its Programme for Government and delivery plan, A Healthier Future, whether it will provide details of the evidence that restricting or banning (a) multi-buys, including meal deals, buy one get one free and 3 for 2 offers, (b) free products or free samples, (c) the sale of unlimited amounts for a fixed charge, such as unlimited refills, (d) upselling, (e) physical or electronic coupons, (f) purchase rewards, such as toys, vouchers, loyalty card points, reduced price for another product or competition entry, (g) displays at checkouts, end-of-aisle, front of store or island/bin displays and (h) the promotion of value will result in healthier diets.

The consultation paper Reducing Health Harms of Foods High in Fat, Sugar or Salt , published in October 2018, includes details of evidence for the proposals contained within it. The consultation paper is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/reducing-health-harms-foods-high-fat-sugar-salt/

Key publications are set out in Annex D of the consultation paper. They include among other things:

Sugar Reduction: The evidence for action , Public Health England (2015), which is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sugar-reduction-from-evidence-into-action

Identifying and Understanding the Factors that can Transform the Retail Environment to Enable Healthier Purchasing by Consumers , University of Stirling, Report Prepared for Food Standards Scotland (2017), which is available at https://stirlingretail.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/fss-final-report-june-1st-2017.pdf

Rapid evidence review: Restriction of price promotions, NHS Health Scotland (2017), which is available at http://www.healthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-evidence-review-restriction-of-price-promotions

Monitoring retail purchase and price promotions in Scotland (2010 - 2016) , Food Standards Scotland (2018), which is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/monitoring-retail-purchase-and-price-promotions-in-scotland-2010-2016

Briefing on Discretionary Foods , Food Standards Scotland (2018), which is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/briefing-on-discretionary-foods

Subsequent to the publication of the consultation paper, other sources of evidence include:

Rapid systematic literature review: Impact of in-premise marketing on consumer purchasing and consumption, NHS Health Scotland (2019), which is available at http://www.healthscotland.scot/publications/rapid-systematic-literature-review-impact-of-in-premise-marketing-on-consumer-purchasing-and-consumption

The Out of Home Environment in Scotland (June 2015 - June 2018) , Food Standards Scotland (2019), which is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/the-out-of-home-environment-in-scotland-june-2015-june-2018

Following the consultation, the foods we are considering targeting would include, among other things, confectionery, cakes and soft drinks with added sugar. The types of restrictions we are considering include, among other things, multi-buys and positioning, such as at checkouts and front of store. Reducing health harms of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt: consultation analysis , Scottish Government (2019) is at https://www.gov.scot/publications/reducing-health-harms-foods-high-fat-sugar-salt-consultation-analysis/

The UK Government has consulted on similar proposals for England. Restricting promotions of food and drink that is high in fat, sugar and salt , UK Department of Health and Social Care (2018) is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/restricting-promotions-of-food-and-drink-that-is-high-in-fat-sugar-and-salt

Protecting Scotland's Future: the Government's Programme for Scotland 2019-2020 , Scottish Government (2019) outlined that the Scottish Government will bring forward a Bill on Restricting Foods Promotions for introduction in next year’s legislative programme. The 2019/20 Programme for Government is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/protecting-scotlands-future-governments-programme-scotland-2019-20/

We are exploring the scope for possible alignment with the rest of the UK, where that is in Scotland’s best interests. Further detail on the policy will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament and the evidence underpinning it will be set out at appropriate stages of the legislative process.

Question reference: S5W-25879

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Russell on 17 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what budget has been allocated to the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland.

Scottish Ministers will provide a budget of £1.37 million to the Citizens’ Assembly across both financial years that it will be sitting.

This funding will meet the costs arising from the 6 meetings of the Assembly, including the payment of gifts of thanks to members and providing expenses to support members’ attendance at Assembly meetings, and help where required with childcare or with their caring responsibilities, to ensure that all everyone chosen to participate is able to participate in the Assembly regardless of their circumstances. It will also fund a programme of engagement to ensure public awareness of the purpose and deliberations of the Assembly. The Scottish Government will provide a Secretariat to support the work of the Assembly.

Question reference: S5T-01814

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 September 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the Paediatric Programme Board to ensure that the return to a 24/7 service at the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital happens as quickly and safely as possible.

Question reference: S5W-25531

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 27 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Cabinet Secretary’s statement in Parliament on 29 January 2019, what it understands NHS Lothian’s position is on reinstating the full 24/7 service paediatric service at St John’s Hospital from October 2019.

NHS Lothian has assured me that reinstatement of the full 24/7 paediatric service has the full commitment of the board and will continue to receive the highest level of priority.

Whilst NHS Lothian has been reasonably successful in recruiting additional consultants and Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioners, there has been an issue with staff leaving their post for various reasons, including personal circumstances and decisions to move on to other posts.

The clinically-led Paediatric Programme Board met on 27 August and heard that appropriate clinical cover continues to be a clinical risk; from October, 40 out of hours shifts require cover per month and only 32 can currently be covered. Subsequently, Scottish Government officials continued to engage with the Board to explore if other options were open.

However, the unanimous clinical view from the Programme Board was that, regrettably, the current staffing situation prevents the safe reinstatement of a 24/7 inpatient service at St John’s from October. The Scottish Government’s Chief Medical Officer supports NHS Lothian’s position and will keep in touch with them going forward.

I fully appreciate how disappointing this will be for local people, but I am sure you will agree that the safety of children must be of paramount concern. NHS Lothian have sought to assure me that the Board remains fully committed to the reinstatement of the 24/7 service as soon as possible; and that the inpatient service which re-opened in March for operation between Mondays and Thursdays will be at least maintained until full 24/7 services can be safely reinstated.

I understand that the Paediatric Programme Board is due to meet again in October to review the position and that recruitment efforts to recruit beyond the required level of 40 shifts a month is underway.

The Government will continue to keep this under close review and I would reiterate my commitment to the reinstatement of the full service as soon as possible.

Question reference: S5O-03555

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2019
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support intergenerational work in communities that aims to tackle inequalities and improve life chances.

Question reference: S5O-03469

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 August 2019
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government how water pollution is being reduced in the Almond Valley constituency.

Question reference: S5W-24679

Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 27 August 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on local authorities charging for non-residential social care services if a service user is receiving compulsory care and treatment under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Chamber and committees