Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that transport plays in providing access to key markets, jobs and services for those living and working in the Scottish Borders. We are now taking forward the Scotland wide, second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) which will now consider as part of the detailed appraisal phase all 21 recommendations of the Borders Transport Corridors Study, published in March 2019. Included within the study were separate recommendations to complete the dualling of the A1 together with an option to provide capacity enhancements for A7 which included a potential Selkirk bypass.

The review is due to report in autumn 2021 and will consider how the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may shape our future transport system, the demands placed on it, as well as identifying transport interventions which help deliver our commitment to create an inclusive and net zero emissions economy. We are doing that as part of an overall Government investment programme, rather than individual decisions on potential schemes.

Design development work on the new Reston Station continues to make good progress with the planning application submitted for approval. The station is planned to enter service at the earliest opportunity in the current Rail Control period (which is up to 2024).

The safety of children is always paramount and our children and young people have the right to be protected from all forms of harm. The Scottish Government has invested significant effort since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, to carefully monitor data from a range of sources, to ensure that robust child protection measures are in place across Scotland and to develop appropriate responses to safeguard those children most vulnerable to abuse and neglect.

The Scottish Government is committed to a continued and specific focus on tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation through our continued funding commitments to the child protection sector and third sector partners. We continue to build on the wealth of activity already delivered through the National Action Plan to Prevent and Tackle Child Sexual Exploitation. Through a range of cross-governmental and Government-supported work we are taking action across Justice, Health, Communities, Equality, Childrens Hearings, Policing, Child Protection Policy and Education to tackle these forms of child abuse.

Getting it right for every child is the Scottish Government's approach to supporting children and young people. It supports families by making sure children and young people can receive the right help, at the right time, from the right people.

The Scottish Government is committed to developing new policy and practice guidance to provide confidence, clarity and practical support to deliver GIRFEC.

Data collection around the reporting of child abuse and social work interventions focusses on several key metrics used by Police Scotland and local authorities. The Scottish Government collects weekly data from a variety of sources including Police, Social Work Departments and Health Boards on the number of Police Scotland Child Concern reports for child protection; Inter-agency Referral Discussions; new registrations and de-registrations on the Child Protection Register; children and young people with a Child’s Plan seen by a professional in the previous two weeks; children and young people with a Multi-agency Plan seen by a professional in the previous two weeks. Monthly reports were published in April, May and June 2020 and can be accessed on the Scottish Government’s webpages at https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-vulnerable-children-young-people-data-
intelligence-report/ , https://www.gov.scot/publications/vulnerable-children-report-15-2020-scottish-
government-solace/ and https://www.gov.scot/publications/children-young-people-families-covid-19
-evidence-intelligence-report/

The latest edition of the annual Children’s Social Work Statistics is available online at https://www.gov.scot/publications/republication-childrens-social-work-statistics-scotland-2018-19/ .

These statistics include data on children on the child protection register, and concerns identified at case conferences of children who were on the child protection register. Statistics for 2019-20 are due to be published in March 2021.

The Scottish Government also publishes information on vulnerable children collected from local authorities and Police Scotland. The data is used to understand the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown on vulnerable children and to understand how services are responding. The information can be accessed online at https://public.tableau.com/profile/sg.eas.learninganalysis#!/vizhome/VulnerableChildrenand
AdultProtection/Introduction .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33653 on 10 December 2020. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33653 on 10 December 2020. 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

Scottish Water’s stakeholders and customers are represented by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) and an Interim Customer Group to ensure all customer views, including those from rural communities, are fully considered. Scottish Water expects to engage with customers and communities on a wide range of topics including investment priorities.

The Scottish Government are not currently able to offer support in the funding of adult Dyslexia assessments. Dyslexia is covered by the Equality Act 2010 and, as such, employers have a legal duty to ensure employees are not discriminated against. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to enable the member of staff to carry out their role to a satisfactory standard.

There is no requirement to have had a diagnostic assessment in order for reasonable adjustments to be put in place in the workplace.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33237 on 10 December 2020. 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 .

Dyslexia can be recognised as a disability within the scope of the Equality Act 2010, where the impact is substantial and long-term. Where this is the case, employers have a legal duty to make “reasonable adjustments” to help individuals with dyslexia.

Access to Work is a UK Government scheme which helps to fund additional support not covered by reasonable adjustments within the workplace. The Scottish Government continues to press for devolution of this programme, however it remains reserved to Westminster at present. Whilst Access to Work does not fund Dyslexia assessments, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have advised that a formal assessment of dyslexia is not required in order for dyslexic people to receive support through Access to Work to enable them to enter and sustain employment. However, if customers do have an assessment that provides information to help with identifying what support they need, this should be accepted and reviewed by Access to Work advisers.

As part of a commitment in A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Employment Action Plan, we have established a Public Social Partnership involving employers, government and disabled people’s organisations to develop, test and implement solutions to the barriers employers face in hiring and retaining disabled people.

Scottish Government also continues to work with Dyslexia Scotland on employment policy which impacts upon Dyslexic people. This includes involvement in the Scottish Access to Work Stakeholder Forum. Part of the funding the Scottish Government provides to Dyslexia Scotland also enables the organisation to support adults with dyslexia, including the Addressing Dyslexia Toolkit.

I outlined in the answer to question S5W-33085 on 25 November 2020 that decisions on whether to prescribe vitamin D for people in care homes are made on an individual basis taking account of residents’ needs and any contraindications with other medication that care home residents are taking. Where individuals are likely to benefit, it is recommended vitamin D should be prescribed.

The Scottish Government will work with stakeholders including NHS Boards, professional bodies and care home providers along with the UK Government and devolved administrations to consider and review emerging evidence for care home residents and guidance will be developed as appropriate.

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 .

Current advice for all age groups on the use on vitamin D is available at: www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups .

The Scottish Government will work with stakeholders along with the UK Government and devolved administrations to consider and review emerging evidence for care home residents but decisions on whether to prescribe vitamin D for people in care homes are made on an individual basis. Clinical advice has been sought and we have asked the Clinical and Professional Advisory Group for Care Homes to consider this matter. Guidance will be developed and issued to care homes as appropriate.