Chamber and committees

Health Scotland has responsibility for producing public facing vaccination communications and are part of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global Vaccine Safety Network. The Scottish national immunisation website is WHO accredited with expert reviewed content containing easily discoverable information that educates and reassures.

Further, Health Scotland is working with NHS Education Scotland to develop advice and guidance on vaccine hesitancy for staff delivering vaccines.

The four devolved nations meet regularly to discuss vaccination and there is collective support for a WHO accredited approach to public communications.

The Scottish Government is committed to introducing a Job Grant to support a smooth transition into employment for young people on low incomes. The analysis of consultation responses, published on 3 July 2019, shows that an overwhelming majority of individuals and organisations who responded believe that the Job Grant will meet this policy intention.

The Scottish Government will publish its response to the Job Grant consultation analysis in due course. This will address the issues raised by respondents and take into account the views gathered through our Young People’s Survey and our direct engagement with a range of stakeholders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-24226 on 31 July 2019. 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-24226 on 31 July 2019. 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

Social Security Scotland announced at the end of last year that Carer’ Allowance Supplement payments would be made in June and December 2019. It was confirmed on the 5 June that the majority of carers will get their June payment on 24 June. This information was shared through the media, social media and stakeholders.

Those eligible for a payment were a sent a letter in advance, informing them they were due to receive a payment. Similar arrangements will be made for the December 2019 payments.

The Scottish Government will uprate Carer’s Allowance Supplement every year in line with inflation. Carer’s Allowance Supplement increased by 2.4% between 2018-19 and 2019-20.

The Scottish Government is not aware of any specific guidance covering the installation of netting around hedgerows, trees and other wildlife.

There is currently no legislation that specifically prevents the installation of netting around hedgerows or trees.

However, Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 does makes it an offence to obstruct or prevent any bird from using its nest during the nesting season and this would include the use of netting.

The eligibility for Carers Allowance Supplement is based on the eligibility for Carer’s Allowance. All those who receive Carer’s Allowance on the qualifying date will be automatically eligible for Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce a four-year health MOT pilot for people over 40.

The Scottish Government jointly launched the Local Governance Review with COSLA to consider how powers are shared across national and local government, and with communities. The Review reflects our shared commitment to Scotland’s different places and diverse communities having a direct say over decisions which affect them. We are taking a whole system approach. This means looking across Scotland’s public services, and ensuring that measures to empower people and places in different spheres of governance are cohesive and mutually supportive.  

We will shortly be consulting on a new National Transport Strategy for Scotland. Part of the development work for the Strategy, included a review of transport governance which considered arrangements at national, regional and local levels. It is recognised that there is a need for change, in the current arrangements, and that further work is required to determine what a future model or models might be acknowledging that a one-size-fits approach all may not work. This work will commence when the outcomes from the NTS consultation are known.