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-27478

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to engage with people and families with experience of pre-eclampsia ahead of World Pre-eclampsia Day.

Engaging with people is an important way to ensure that the Scottish Government get a range of views when developing policies and we continue to engage with stakeholders and third sector organisations to progress the work on PLGF- based testing implementation. As part of this commitment, Officials have recently met with Action against Pre-eclampsia (APEC) who champion PLGF implementation.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care wrote to NHS Boards on 22 May, World Pre-Eclampsia day, to re-emphasize the importance of PLGF-based testing and to request an update on implementation plans within boards.

Question reference: S6W-27486

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be sending representatives to attend COP29, and, if so, which ministers will be in attendance.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with our international partners to secure a global transition to a net zero and resilient future in a way that is fair and just for all.

COPs are an important opportunity for international partners to come together, share lessons and agree action. Scotland will continue to play our part at COPs, making the case for greater inclusion of devolved governments and ensuring climate justice is at the heart of international climate action.

No decision on SG attendance has yet been made in relation to COP29. A decision regarding ministerial attendance will be taken in due course.

Question reference: S6W-27462

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason wellbeing economy has been removed from the title of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.

The appointment of a new ministerial team has presented an opportunity to simplify portfolio titles across all parts of government. This in no way changes our commitment to the principles of a Wellbeing Economy, as set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

A growing economy that is fair and green supports delivery of our other priorities to work towards eradicating child poverty, delivering sustainable public services and tackling the climate emergency. These are and will continue to be the key focus for the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S6W-27367

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what barriers there have been to the implementation of placental growth factor (PlGF)-based tests, and what action it is taking to resolve any such barriers.

While there are differences across Scotland, the results following the latest update on progress towards implementation of PlGF-based testing indicate that capacity and infrastructure pose challenges for NHS Boards striving to effectively implement their plans.

The Scottish Government is initiating a new scoping exercise to better understand NHS Board’s current position in relation to using the PIGF test. Subsequently, officials will analyse the collected data to determine if further support is necessary to advance implementation plans.

Question reference: S6W-27493

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) any increasing risk from drug resistant and untreatable infections and (b) preparedness plans to deal with this.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is listed amongst the World Health Organisation’s top ten global public health threats. The Scottish Government works closely with stakeholders in Scotland and beyond to assess the risks associated with AMR and implement key actions to combat it. The Scottish Government has been a key partner in the development of the UK-wide Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan (2024-2029), which was published on 8 May. The plan forms part of a long-term vision on AMR, which works towards a world where AMR is contained and controlled by 2040.

We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to address the risks of AMR across human health, animal health, and the environment. We are also developing an implementation plan which provides greater detail on specific actions that will be carried out in Scotland. This includes key actions aimed at optimising use of antibiotics, preventing and controlling infections, investing in innovation and technology, as well as working collaboratively with global partners.

Question reference: S6W-27530

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has frozen the Nature Restoration Fund.

The Nature Restoration Fund has not been frozen.

The competitive strand of our Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is currently supporting more than 65 projects, and has offered support to over 200 projects, collectively worth more than £15 million, delivering exciting on the ground activity to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity. You can view the Nature Restoration Fund story map to see the range of projects supported across Scotland.

There has been a tremendous response across Scotland in terms of applications to the NRF such that the capital budget for delivery projects in 2024-25 is currently fully committed. NatureScot are, however, accepting applications to the NRF for development projects and for delivery projects starting in April 2025 (up to one year).

In addition, the Edinburgh Process strand of the NRF has so far directed over £17 million to support nature restoration projects directed by local authorities and our National Parks. A further £5 million of funding will be provided in 2024-25.

Question reference: S6W-27366

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21549 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, what progress NHS boards have made on implementing the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations, published on 23 March 2023, requiring access to placental growth factor (PlGF) based tests as part of maternity care.

The Scottish Government is committed to continuous improvement in maternity safety across Scotland, in partnership with NHS Boards and clinicians and service users, to deliver the best and safest care for mothers and babies.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to ensure the SHTG recommendations on PlGF-based testing published on 23 March 2023 are implemented effectively and consistently. We will be writing to NHS Boards to get an update on their current position regarding PIGF testing and to determine if further support is necessary to progress implementation plans.

Question reference: S6O-03499

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the total annual cost of alcohol harm in Scotland, including to the NHS and healthcare, in light of the Institute of Alcohol Studies reporting that the annual cost of alcohol harm in England is £27.4 billion, which includes a £4.9 billion cost to the NHS in England.

Question reference: S6W-27516

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its policies aimed at tackling sectarianism to assess their effectiveness and report any findings to the Parliament.

The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including sectarianism. Football has a role to play in tackling sectarianism but, like all societal problems, it manifests across society and therefore our approach to tackling it cannot be confined to football alone.

Since 2012, we have invested over £16.5 million to tackle sectarianism and as Minister for Victims and Community Safety, I have committed £402,000 in 2024-25 for projects working in schools, colleges, workplaces and communities providing opportunities for learning and engagement with children and adults, delivered through Sense over Sectarianism, Nil by Mouth, Sacro, Youth Scotland, The Fair Play Foundation, Youthlink Scotland and The North Kelvin Sports Development Group. This work is monitored and reviewed annually to ensure it continues to make an impact including within football.

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport works closely with both the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Premier Football League on all matters related to football participation and governance. As part of this on-going engagement, Ministers last met with the SFA on 20 December 2023 and the SPFL on 1st February 2024 to consider how we can use the power of football and its exceptional reach in communities right across the country to deliver positive outcomes on a wide range of societal problems including sectarianism.

Question reference: S6W-27519

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government who has ministerial responsibility for tackling sectarianism in football.