Chamber and committees

Ministers and Scottish Government Officials regularly meet with companies across the financial services sector including some of those listed. All ministerial engagements are published proactively at https://beta.gov.scot/search/?q=ministerial+engagements .

These discussions cover a range of issues relating to the sector and its workforce. For example, in a recent conversation with Aberdeen Standard Investments I discussed gender inequality in the sector and measures they were taking to address this. The First Minister will take part in their annual Gender Summit in July.

Local authorities operate independently of central government and are accountable to their electorates for the services they provide. Local authorities have broad powers under section 69 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and section 20 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 to make reasonable charges for services provided. Decisions on how much to charge for local services are for local authorities, not for the Scottish Government, to take.

In an interview with the BBC broadcast on 1 May 2018, Lord Carloway referred to vulnerable witnesses, including rape complainers, not necessarily having to go to court to give evidence as “the ultimate objective”.

The Scottish Government is supportive of a greater use of pre-recorded evidence for vulnerable witnesses. We have committed to introducing primary legislation to add to recent improvements to strengthen and improve the rights and experiences of victims and witnesses and remove any legislative barriers to enable the greater use of pre-recorded evidence. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament before the end of this session.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) regarding the use of pre-recorded evidence in general and in particular have been engaging with them and other criminal justice stakeholders on the development of primary legislation mentioned in S5W-16360 on 16 May 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

In addition, Scottish Government has had discussions with COPFS (and also with Police Scotland and Rape Crisis Scotland) to explore a pilot for recording a complainer's initial statement to the police.

The Scottish Government recognises that sexual violence is an abuse of human rights and is committed to preventing and eradicating it in Scotland. We agree that it is vital that survivors of rape and sexual assault have early access to crisis services that meet their needs, and we are working with Rape Crisis Scotland to determine the best way to support services to meet demand.

We are also investing over £2m (2017-20) through our Rape Crisis Fund in resources for 16 rape crisis centres across Scotland and in addition, we recently announced £1.7m in funding from Justice Budgets to support advocacy in the justice system for victims to be delivered by local centres. We also provide nearly half a million pounds (2017-2020) to support the operation of the National Rape Crisis Helpline and continue to invest resources in a number of organisations working to tackle all forms of violence against women and support survivors.

Prosecution policy is a matter for the Lord Advocate.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with key justice partners, including Crown Office, Police Scotland and the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service, and with third sector organisations such as Rape Crisis Scotland to deliver its key commitments within the Equally Safe Delivery Plan. This includes developing a victim-centred approach to the justice system and encouraging the increased use of pre-recorded evidence to minimise the requirement to give evidence in court.

Provisions relating to the use of sexual history and character evidence in sexual offence trials are contained in sections 274 and 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The operation of the law in this area was subject to a full and independent evaluation in 2007. The law in this area has not changed substantively since the 2007 evaluation.

In December 2015 a commitment was made to Parliament to undertake a small high level data collection project to review the usage of the provisions in section 274/275 of the 1995 Act. This exercise concluded in June 2016 and the results can be found here:

http://www.parliament.scot/General%20Documents/20160624CSfJtoConvenerILR.pdf .

The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to interrogate this data further. This exercise will inform any future consideration of the operation of the law in this area.

Since 2011 the Scottish Government has invested more than £15.8m directly to NHS Boards for implementation of the Maternal and Infant Nutrition Framework, of which breastfeeding support is a key component. We have also continued to invest in a National expert post to support the implementation of the Framework. The current post holder is assisting Boards to offer the highest standard of support for all breastfeeding mothers.

In addition, we directly fund a Scottish UNICEF post and the first stage UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation. Scotland was the first country in the UK to have 100% of its maternity units meeting the UNICEF Baby Friendly best practice standards. Over 90% of our Health and Social Care Partnerships and the largest Scottish Neonatal units now have full accreditation.

We use national statistics, reported in October each year, using routine data captured through the Child Health Surveillance System (CHSP) to monitor breastfeeding activity across Scotland.

Yes, as long as the parents have chosen it and it relates to their outcomes.

Information on the number of people normally resident in Northern Ireland accessing family planning services in Scotland is not collated centrally.