Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns any form of racism hatred or prejudice, in sport and wider society. There is no excuse – it is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Scotland is a diverse, multi-cultural society and this diversity strengthens us as a nation. That is why we work with sport scotland and a range of organisations throughout the country to tackle all forms of hatred and prejudice in sport.

Any reports of racism must be investigated swiftly. Most recently after allegations of racism in cricket in Scotland, sport scotland, announced that it is taking immediate steps to appoint a team of independent experts to carry out a full a review of racism within Scottish cricket.

In addition, in June 2021, sport scotland, with the other Home Country Sports Councils responsible for funding sport and physical activity across the UK, published the outcomes of a joint review into Tackling Racism and Racial Inequality in Sport (TRARIIS). sport scotland has begun identifying TRARIIS work for each of its three Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strands (People, System and New Ideas) in order to embed this into the organisation’s business planning and use to inform future Equality Impact Assessments. A full update is available on the sport scotland website.

Ethnically diverse communities are a priority group for sport scotland’s 2021-25 Equality Outcomes published earlier this year.

We need to eradicate any forms of racism in sport and we will continue to work with partners to achieve this.

The Scottish Government recognises the impact that the most recent set of restrictions has had on catering and events businesses and we are engaging with the sector on developing an appropriate package of support. We are working with businesses to develop and deliver funding as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Scottish Government recognises how important free bus travel will be to those young people under the age of 22 who need to make essential journeys during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme remains set to come into operation on 31 January 2022. Details on how to apply are available on the Transport Scotland website ( https://www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-persons-free-bus-travel-scheme/#69510 ). At this time, given the high levels of transmission associated with the Omicron variant, we are asking that only those with an essential need to travel by bus apply and that anyone travelling should follow the latest advice to keep themselves and others safe. The high profile marketing campaign which was planned to accompany the opening of the application process has been delayed until a time when it better aligns with wider public messaging, once current guidance on staying at home as much as possible and avoiding mixing in larger groups has been eased. As a result, initial usage of the scheme is expected to be less than it would otherwise have been.

An extension of military aid to NHS Lanarkshire has been approved for the period 7 January until 4 February 2022, by the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Defence.

The Scottish Government notes the updated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on sapropterin published September 2021 following a resubmission by its manufacturer Biomarin. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) previously considered sapropterin (Kuvan) in August 2018 and the medicine was not recommended for use in NHSScotland because the submitting company’s justification of the treatment’s cost in relation to its health benefits was not sufficient and in addition the company did not present a sufficiently robust clinical and economic analysis to gain acceptance by SMC. The submitting company (BioMarin) has not been in contact with SMC regarding a resubmission for this medicine.

The first generic version of sapropterin has received a Marketing Authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). To support ensuring best value for NHSScotland, NSS National Procurement will shortly be tendering for the future supply of sapropterin to NHS Scotland.

Given the launch of the first generic, we are currently considering how best to provide advice to Health Boards on whether sapropterin should be made available for routine use in NHSScotland, based on the latest available evidence.

The specific dates of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Questionnaire Content Group were:

26 April 2018

27 June 2018

23 August 2018

25 Sept 2018

16 May 2019

The list of members of the Content Group were as follows;

2 Statisticians, Scottish Government

2 Researchers, Scottish Government

A Public Health Intelligence Principal, NHS Health Scotland

A Public Health Intelligence Adviser, NHS Health Scotland

A HBSC International Coordinator, University of Glasgow (formerly University of St Andrews)

A Health Improvement Lead - Children & Young People, Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership

A Senior Education Officer, Education Scotland

A Service Manager, Perth & Kinross Council

A Children’s Services Coordinator, Falkirk Council

2 Headteachers, Perth & Kinross & Aberdeenshire

A Director of the MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit

An Independent consultant

An Attainment Advisor, Education Scotland

An Educational Psychologist, South Lanarkshire Council

A Consultant in Public Health, NHS National Services Scotland

A National Officer, Education Institute of Scotland (EIS)

An Area Officer, Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS)

A Director of ScotCen Social Research

A Health Improvement Manager, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (provided an advisory role rather than a formal member of the Content Group)

Where core members above were unavailable to attend a meeting, their representative may have attended in their place. Only core membership was recorded.

In December 2021, we wrote to NHS Board Chief Executives about the systemic failures highlighted in the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) reports. NHS Chief Executives have been asked to examine their services, provide us with assurance on quality of care and also advise of any specific actions being taken in light of the reports. We have also asked Chief Executives to confirm a Lead Director and single point of contact in the service for continued engagement on this matter.

We met with the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) on 16 December 2021 to discuss the recommendations they have proposed which could promote public confidence in the service. This includes a review of quality standards and training for audiologists. A follow up meeting will take place with them in the new year.

Our future focus is on ensuring that where improvements need to be made to national and local practice, as part of the learning from the Lothian Review, these are taken forward in partnership with Health Boards, NDCS and the BAA.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05072 on 6 January 2022. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

We have no current plans to extend free bus travel beyond the existing older and disabled persons scheme and the new young persons scheme for people under the age of 22.

Our Fair Fares Review, which is currently in its planning stages, will consider the range of discounts and concessionary schemes which are available on all modes including bus, rail and ferry, as well as the cost and availability of services.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05072 on 6 January 2022. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers