- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21540 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, when the "whole systems approach" being piloted by Public Health Scotland in Glasgow to mitigate the impact of gambling harm will (a) begin and (b) report back on its findings to the Scottish (i) Government and (ii) Parliament.
Answer
The whole systems approach in Glasgow to mitigate the impact of gambling harm is led by a Multi-Agency Group chaired by Glasgow City Council. It reports into the Glasgow City Council Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture and Engagement City Policy Committee (WECCE).
A report on progress was taken to the WECCE in August 2023. It is available from Committee Information - View Committee Document (glasgow.gov.uk) .
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide more information on how the First Minister's commitment to "invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain" will be delivered.
Answer
We are working closely our partners in the Enterprise Agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank to develop an approach that will allow us to respond at pace to market needs. We will provide more detail to the market in due course.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what measures have been implemented to manage non-native gamebird releases where there is potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from infected gamebirds to (a) native wild birds, (b) other wildlife, (c) dogs and (d) the shooting community.
Answer
The Scottish Government works closely with the game sector to encourage best practice biosecurity measures by keepers of poultry and other captive birds. Advice has been issued frequently through a number of formats including webinars, emails, regular interface with stakeholders such as game industry representatives, and publication of online guidance.
A Scottish Avian Influenza in wild bird Task Force was established in 2022 to coordinate a joint response to the outbreak in wild birds. On 11 August Ministers launched the Wild Bird HPAI Response Plan that sets out how the Scottish Government and its partners will respond to any further outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds in Scotland.
Communications have also included guidance on gov.scot for pet dogs and working dogs. Scottish Government has also worked with the game industry to develop standing guidance on avian influenza and game birds.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many freight sailings there were on routes from
Aberdeen on the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract with Serco NorthLink,
from January 2019 to date, broken down by month.
Answer
Freight Sailings from Aberdeen
| | Jan-19 | Feb-19 | Mar-19 | Apr-19 | May-19 | Jun-19 | Jul-19 | Aug-19 | Sep-19 | Oct-19 | Nov-19 | Dec-19 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick | 13 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 8 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick via Kirkwall | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 6 |
Aberdeen - Kirkwall | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Jan-20 | Feb-20 | Mar-20 | Apr-20 | May-20 | Jun-20 | Jul-20 | Aug-20 | Sep-20 | Oct-20 | Nov-20 | Dec-20 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick | 10 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick via Kirkwall | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
Aberdeen - Kirkwall | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Jan-21 | Feb-21 | Mar-21 | Apr-21 | May-21 | Jun-21 | Jul-21 | Aug-21 | Sep-21 | Oct-21 | Nov-21 | Dec-21 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick | 6 | 8 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick via Kirkwall | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Aberdeen - Kirkwall | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Jan-22 | Feb-22 | Mar-22 | Apr-22 | May-22 | Jun-22 | Jul-22 | Aug-22 | Sep-22 | Oct-22 | Nov-22 | Dec-22 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick | 12 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 |
Aberdeen - Lerwick via Kirkwall | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
Aberdeen - Kirkwall | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Jan-23 | Feb-23 | Mar-23 | Apr-23 | May-23 | Jun-23 | Jul-23 | Aug-23 | Sep-23 | | | |
Aberdeen - Lerwick | 12 | 15 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | | | |
Aberdeen - Lerwick via Kirkwall | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | | | |
Aberdeen - Kirkwall | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 12 | | | |
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for the early detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza on grouse moors.
Answer
In Scotland (and across Great Britain) the GB Dead Wild Bird Surveillance Scheme, administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and Defra (England), allows members of the public to report dead wild birds (via a helpline and/or online reporting tool), and for a selection of these birds (based on a triage criteria) to be tested for avian influenza. The purpose of the scheme is to capture information on the general location and strains of avian influenza that might be prevalent in GB. This data then helps government build up a picture of the current risks, and shapes how they then respond in policy terms.
In addition to this, NatureScot have a network of reporters across Scotland who provide early intelligence on unusual mortality levels in wild bird species. It is also recognised by Scottish Government that managers of grouse moors in Scotland may regularly carry out their own health checks of wild grouse across the summer months.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many gamebird rearing and release facilities have been found to be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2023.
Answer
In 2023 six game bird premises were declared with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Scotland. These were:
- Near Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, confirmed 08 August 2023 (AIV 2023/29)
- Near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, confirmed 14 August 2023 (AIV 2023/41)
- Near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, confirmed 14 August 2023 (AIV 2023/42)
- Near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, confirmed 14 August 2023 (AIV 2023/43)
- Near Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, confirmed 17 August 2023 (AIV 2023/44)
- Near Forfar, Angus, confirmed 18 August 2023 (AIV 2023/45)
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with energy network operators and the wider utilities sector to review their processes for (a) establishing restoration plans and timelines during times of severe weather and (b) communicating regular updates to responders and the public.
Answer
The Energy sector is reserved to the UK Government. This limits the Scottish Government ’ s ability to directly engage with energy network operators and ask for a review of their processes.
However, the Scottish Government does regularly engage with UK Government Departments and the energy network operators in Scotland along with the wider utilities, particularly during severe weather events, where we encourage and emphasise the importance of accurate restoration plans and timelines.
In addition, we continue to work closely with the UK Government lead departments when they are developing statutory reporting arrangements and will make clear the requirements of the Scottish Government during a severe weather response.
The Scottish Government also supports the three Regional Resilience Partnerships (RRPs) who coordinate communications between Scottish Government, utility companies and categorised responder organisations who are working in affected areas during emergency responses. In this role the RRP coordinators engage with stakeholders on restoration plans at a local level as well as in the statutory requirement of category one responders to communicate with the public in emergency responses.
- Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Submitting member has a registered interest.
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its implementation of the short-term recommendations from the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland.
Answer
There are a number of recommendations that have been made through the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, many of which are targeted specifically at Health Boards and other partners, as well as the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government is considering all of the recommendations made. Given the broad scope of the recommendations, and the seriousness of the issues raised, it is important that sufficient time is taken to fully plan how any actions will be taken forward.
We will provide an update to Parliament in due course.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for the funding that it provided to Relationships Scotland - Tayside and Fife in 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government did not provide any direct funding to Relationships Scotland Tayside & Fife in 2022.
Relationships Scotland operate a network of 21 Member Services across Scotland, including Relationships Scotland Tayside & Fife.
In 2022, the Scottish Government provided Relationships Scotland with core funding via the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning & Empowering Communities third sector fund; and with grant funding to provide child contact services.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for the funding that it provided to Avenue Confidential in 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government did not provide any funding directly to Avenue Confidential in 2022.
Relationships Scotland operate a network of 21 Member Services across Scotland, including Avenue Confidential (known as Avenue).
In 2022, the Scottish Government provided Relationships Scotland with core funding via the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning & Empowering Communities third sector fund; and grant funding to provide child contact services.
