Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not purchased any properties for the purpose of housing people seeking asylum.

Asylum is reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office. This includes responsibility for providing accommodation to people seeking asylum who would otherwise be destitute while awaiting a decision on their asylum application from the Home Office. The Scottish Government has no control of these processes.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21034 on 15 September 2023. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21034 on 15 September 2023. 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 .

I wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland on 29 June. That letter provided an update on the Scottish Government’s plans for returning a revised UNCRC Bill to the Scottish Parliament; highlighted the loss of coverage for children’s rights that are a consequence of how we need to amend the compatibility duty in the Bill; and underlined the need for the UK Government to incorporate the UNCRC into UK law to give children and young people the protection they deserve.

The Secretary of State for Scotland responded on 14 August saying that the UK Government will consider the Bill in the usual way once it has completed its Parliamentary passage and that the UK Government is currently giving careful consideration to the Concluding Observations from the UK State Party’s Constructive Dialogue with the UN Committee. However, he gave no indication of the UK Government’s willingness to incorporate the UNCRC into UK law.

The letters have been shared with the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee who may decide to share these on their webpage.

There was a debate in Parliament on the 14th September to reconsider the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation)(Scotland) Bill.

As referred to in answer to question S6W-21174 on 15 September 2023, the Scottish Government continue to keep the Fire (Scotland) Act (2005), related Fire Safety (Scotland) regulations (2006) and all relevant fire safety guidance under continuous review. 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 .

The Scottish Government uses a robust process to support the development and updating of all national COVID-19 guidance. This includes the use of national clinical expertise and consideration of evidence and research.

In this instance, in April 2023 Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland reviewed the latest scientific evidence and updated on the epidemiology of COVID-19, producing an evidence paper. The evidence paper, which is inclusive of an options appraisal from ARHAI Scotland can be found In the Scottish Parliament Reference centre, bib number is 64523.

Due to the risk of patient identification, a point has been redacted within the paper. ARHAI’s recommendation, based on the scientific evidence, was to withdraw the extended use of face masks and face coverings guidance across health and social care settings.

Scottish Government Professional Clinical Advisors in Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC), the Professional Advisory Group for health and social care, the National Clinical Director, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, the Director for Primary Care and the Interim Director of Social Care Resilience were engaged and agreed that services should revert to the guidance on personal protective equipment, including the use of face masks, contained within the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21034 on 15 September 2023. 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 .

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the totality of the Health and Social Care system deal with emerging pressures including any rise in COVID-19. In partnership with COSLA, we are developing the Winter Plan for 2023/24, working collaboratively with local systems and partners to ensure that the necessary steps are being taken now to support system resilience including preparations for the impact of COVID-19. This plan will be published in October. We will continue to monitor the situation in relation to COVID-19 over the course of winter and stand ready to enact the National Response Framework if needed.

Building safety is an issue the Scottish Government takes very seriously and we are fully aware of significant issues with some Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). A survey programme across NHS Scotland is underway, to be completed by November, so we can all fully understand the scope of RAAC. The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion will be surveyed as part of this prioritised discovery survey programme. NHS Lothian will continue to manage their Estate to provide a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.