Chamber and committees

Local authorities can already run their own services in some limited circumstances, as some do. The Transport Bill, which has just been introduced to parliament, extends these powers.

The provision of local services is a matter for operators and local authorities. The Scottish Government itself does not have the power to intervene directly in commercial or supported bus services in Scotland but will continue to encourage operators and local authorities to engage and work together to provide a suitable and sustainable level of service which is appropriate for local needs.

The recently published Transport Bill provides local authorities with a range of options to meet local needs and circumstances, including partnership working with operators, local franchising, or running their own buses in certain circumstances.

Over the last 10 years, 74 people have been prosecuted for fraud:

The document, which will be a combined drug and alcohol strategy, will be published in the summer of 2018.

NHS Boards report identified losses due to fraud to the Scottish Government as part of the annual accounts process. For the 9-year period from financial year 2008-09, the value of fraud report by Health Boards in their annual returns was £4.1 million. Prior to financial year 2008-09, losses due to fraud were not reported separately to those due to theft arson and wilful damage

When a fraud against NHS Scotland is detected, then CFS and NHS Boards will take appropriate action, which can include prosecution, referral to regulatory/professional bodies, sanctions and dismissal.

Over the last 10 years, Counter Fraud Services (CFS) records show that 193 fraud cases that were investigated or considered for disciplinary action.

Over the last 10 years, NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services (CFS) have submitted 91 reports of fraud to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS):

In January 2008, the Scottish Government published its strategy “Strategy to Counter NHS Fraud in Scotland”. In June 2015, the Scottish Government also published its strategy “Protecting Public Resources in Scotland – A Strategic Approach to Fighting Fraud and Error” which complements and supports the 2008 NHS strategy document. These strategies are available online:

https://cfs.scot.nhs.uk/media/3631/counter-fraud-strategy.pdf

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00478742.pdf

Counter Fraud Services’ (CFS) role is to provide NHSScotland with a comprehensive counter fraud service through the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud, embezzlement, theft, corruption and other irregularities against NHSScotland. CFS work in partnership with NHS Scotland to support and improve services, ensuring that money is deployed for the public good, in the effective delivery of frontline care, as the people of Scotland rightly expect.

NHSScotland has benefited by £64.0 million arising from the measures undertaken by CFS over the period April 2001- March 2018.

The Scottish Government is clear that plagiarism is a serious academic offence, and must be investigated and dealt with properly wherever it arises, in our schools, colleges and universities.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority takes instances of plagiarism very seriously, and is responsible for ensuring the exam system operates effectively and fairly.

Universities and colleges, as autonomous institutions, have their own policies in place to identify plagiarism and apply appropriate disciplinary procedures. While universities are responsible for their own procedures and systems, with regards to Research misconduct, as part of the Outcome Agreement that the Scottish Funding Council has with each university, institutions are asked to evidence their commitment to the principles set out in the Universities UK Concordat on Research Integrity .

It is a matter for the Sustainable Growth Commission as to the assumptions it makes on economic growth in its report.

The Scottish Government will, however, be considering the report's recommendations on growth carefully to see what more can be done within our existing powers, while making the case for these powers to be extended.