Chamber and committees

We know that those from areas of deprivation are less likely to take part in screening and more likely to delay presenting with possible symptoms. This is why we launched, and continue to invest in, our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme with a focus on reducing health inequalities such as these. The Programme adopts a whole-systems approach to improving earlier diagnosis rates from public awareness & education to supporting primary care improvements.

We committed £2 million over 2021-22 and 2022-23 to tackle inequalities in cancer screening programmes and will invest a further £1 million in 23-24 to build on progress to date. This commitment will be reflected in the forthcoming cancer strategy. To direct and support this work, the first Equity in Screening Strategy is being produced in collaboration with NHS and third sector partners, setting out a vision to achieve equity for all those eligible for screening.

We regularly undertake research with people from areas of deprivation in Scotland to help inform and measure our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme’s behaviour change campaigns. As a result of our most recent insight we developed and launched ‘Be the Early Bird’ on 6 March 2023 to increase awareness of possible symptoms and empower those concerned to act early. A roadshow is currently touring areas of deprivation across Scotland to reinforce this message and encourage prompt action.

A wealth of data and insight from varying sources has been analysed to help inform Scotland’s new cancer strategy, including incidence, survival, staging, socioeconomic insight and pathway timings to name a few.

Our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan sets out actions to support everyone in Scotland to eat well and be a healthy weight. These include actions in partnership with the food industry to raise awareness of healthier food options.

An example of collaborating with industry to raise awareness of healthy alternatives in food choices is the Healthy Living Programme (HLP). The HLP received £332,000 funding from the Scottish Government in 2022-23 and is administered by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation. Established in 2004, the programme raises awareness of healthier alternatives to convenience retailers and their customers. The HLP also runs Big Breakfast events that bring local schools, businesses and communities together to enjoy a healthier breakfast alternatives. Foods promoted in-store and at these events through the HLP include whole-grain bread and porridge.

A further example of collaboration with industry is the Scottish Government’s engagement with the Out Of Home sector on proposed measures in our 2021 Out of Home Action Plan . The plan sets out a range of commitments such as consulting on mandatory calorie labelling to help advise consumers about healthier options. This consultation was informed through engagement with 15 trade associations including providers and producers of whole-grain foods.

We are also working with food and drink providers to develop a new Eating Out, Eating Well Framework to support people to eat well when eating out of home. Food and drink providers are helping to shape the Framework, including by sharing their experience on how best to prepare, promote and provide healthier alternatives to their customers.

The Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 requires Scottish Ministers to publish a national good food nation plan. The Scottish Government expects to publish a draft of the national good food nation plan for consultation in summer 2023.

Increasing consumer uptake of whole-grain food varieties remains one of our key healthy eating messages.

The Scottish Government collaborates with the food industry on a number of funded programmes that support an increase in the use of healthier ingredients, including, where appropriate, whole-grains.

An example is the Reformulation For Health Programme . The Programme received £105,000 funding from the Scottish Government in 2022-23 and is administered by the Food and Drink Federation Scotland. Established in 2018, the Programme makes small and medium-sized businesses aware of the benefits in reformulating products to be healthier. It provides small grant funding, training and sharing of sector specific expertise. While the overall aim is to reduce calories, the Programme is also generating reductions in salt, saturated fat and sugar and increases in fibre. A key component of the latter can include whole-grains.

We are aware that flash glucose sensors, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM), and other diabetes technologies can significantly benefit people living with diabetes. Our Diabetes Improvement Plan, published in 2021, contains a key commitment to further increase access to existing and emerging diabetes technologies. A link to the Plan can be found at link: Diabetes Care in Scotland (www.gov.scot) .

Our national policy is to increase access to these life changing diabetes technologies to everyone who would benefit, and we expect NHS Boards to provide technology to all clinically suitable children and adults.

Between 2016 and 2021, the Scottish Government invested £15 million to support the increased provision of insulin pumps for adults and CGM for all ages.

Further funding of £14.6 million was then allocated to NHS Boards in January 2022 to support increased access to diabetes therapies, including the emerging closed loop system technology.

We work closely with the Diabetes Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) within each board and ensure that all resource support is targeted to support the needs of local populations.

Transport Scotland intends to achieve journey time savings via a series of infrastructure upgrades including signal enhancements and specific capacity alterations to facilitate the operation of more and faster trains on the same route.

Funding will be spent on a series of infrastructure upgrades on the route south from Aberdeen to the Central Belt, including signal enhancements and specific capacity alterations to facilitate the operation of more and faster trains on the same route.

The Outline Business Case for the Aberdeen to Central Belt Enhancement Project is currently planned to be published later this year.

Decisions about applications for working capital loans from the Scottish Government are a matter for the CEO and Board of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) (FMPG). Should Scottish Ministers approve any working capital loans in the future for FMPG then Parliament would be updated at that time.

The Health Finance Directorate has not written to NHS Boards stating that all capital investment projects should be paused. The Directorate does however, engage regularly with all NHS Boards, including NHS Lothian, on the overall funding position for both capital and revenue budgets. The replacement of the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion remains a government priority and the Scottish Government engage regular with the NHS Lothian team on project timescales.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the UK Government to carefully consider the recommendations made in the report and determine the appropriate next steps.

Until such time as new guidance is produced, ETSU-R-97 should continue to be followed by applicants and used by decision makers to assess and rate noise from wind energy developments.