Chamber and committees

Reform of the employee contribution structure in the NHS Pension Scheme (Scotland) was postponed from 1 April 2023 because of ongoing concerns about the cost of living pressures affecting NHS staff. We will shortly publish a revised consultation on proposals to reform the contribution structure with effect from 1 October 2023.

As a statutory inquiry, The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry is independent of the Scottish Government.

Questions concerning the conclusion of the inquiry, including its timeline, are a matter for the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry team and Lord Hardie.

We are aware of the update on inquiry’s website advising that Lord Hardie’s report has been handed over to the publishing company and is due to be with them for several weeks. We look forward to receiving Lord Hardie’s report when it is ready.

The Scottish Government recognises that work is required to reduce inequalities and improve access for all to the screening programmes.

The Breast Screening Modernisation Programme was established in April 2022 to take forward the recommendations of the Breast Screening Review. The Programme has had four meetings over this period, and has agreed its vision and priority areas. Three projects are now underway, focussing on workforce, call/recall of screening participants and data. The Breast Screening Modernisation Programme is linking in closely with the development of the Equity in Screening Strategy to reduce inequalities in the screening programme – for example by improving access and modernising digital capabilities.

The Equity in Screening Strategy has been developed over the past 12 months, through a collaborative process that has involved professionals from all parts of the screening system, third sector representatives and academia. The main aim of the strategy is to improve understanding of where inequalities exist in the screening pathway, and for which population groups. The Strategy is expected to be published in June, with an associated Action Plan being published shortly thereafter.

The Scottish Government welcomes the increase in uptake of breast screening, set out in the latest available data published by Public Health Scotland. However, we recognise that work is required to address the inequalities arising those from more deprived areas being less likely to attend for screening.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Public Health Team are currently examining the available data to establish areas where there are potential inequalities present that could reduce access to the Breast Screening Programme. This is likely to highlight areas of social and financial deprivation, and geographical isolation, which will allow for more targeted approaches to increasing uptake to take place.

The South West breast screening programme has an active social media campaign to raise awareness of the breast screening programme. In addition, appointments are available in the morning and evenings during the week to help accommodate access to screening. Alongside this, the Breast Screening Modernisation Programme and Equity in Screening strategy will consider inequality in uptake in the programme more generally.

The Scottish Government's position on this is set out in the improvement plan which was produced in response to the recommendations set out in Environmental Standards Scotland's improvement report following its investigation into air quality. The improvement plan was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2023 and can be viewed at: Environmental Standards Scotland air quality investigation - Scottish Government improvement plan - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Information on proceedings is provided in the following tables. Table 1 shows all charges reported to COPFS under Section 1(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Table 2 shows only people prosecuted where the main charge was under Section 1(3) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Table 1

Charges reported to COPFS under: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 S1(3)&1(7) - Possess a dog otherwise than in accordance with Act, 2013-14 to 2022-23.

The deployment of firefighters and the welfare of its staff is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)

As an emergency service, SFRS has a statutory duty to ensure that fire and rescue cover is always maintained across all communities in Scotland. This sometimes means that firefighters are called upon to work from a different fire station to ensure a full crew is available to safely allow a fire appliance to attend emergency incidents.

SFRS has a Detached Duty Policy to ensure that staff welfare, including consideration of caring responsibilities, is taken into account in reaching decisions on the deployment of staff.

The Scottish Government's position on this is set out in the improvement plan which was produced in response to the recommendations set out in Environmental Standards Scotland's improvement report following its investigation into air quality. The improvement plan was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2023 and can be viewed at: Environmental Standards Scotland air quality investigation - Scottish Government improvement plan - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Staff welfare, including consideration of caring responsibilities, is a matter for SFRS as the employer.

One of the key priorities in the Fire and Rescue Framework 2022 is that SFRS continues to promote a culture that values inclusion, promotes fairness, equality and respect for all. This is reflected in the current SFRS Strategic Plan and in the HR policies SFRS has in place to support staff with caring responsibilities.

In keeping with the commitment to bring forwar d a Bill this parliamentary year, the Circular Economy Bill will be introduced ahead of summer recess.