Chamber and committees

The new Policy Prospectus, set out by this Government on 18 April, further commits us to sustained and improved equitable national access to NHS dentistry by 2026. This reaffirms our commitment to the sector and to patients in all parts of Scotland.

Official statistics published in May this year by Public Health Scotland show a significant recovery in NHS dental service provision, with over 3.8 million courses of treatment completed in 2022-23, an increase of more than 40% compared with 2021-22, when IPC restrictions were in force

Through a combination of payment reform and working closely with NHS Boards on local solutions, the intention of Scottish Government is to continue to build on this positive trend.

As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their answer is:

The number of interns Scottish Water hired in each year since 2013 is set out in the table below. In 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic impacted Scottish Water’s ability to support internships and this continued to have an impact in 2021 and 2022.

I have not yet met with the Welsh Government to discuss issues relating to children and young people in care since recently taking on my role as the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise.

However, Scottish Government officials continue to meet and work collaboratively with their Welsh counterparts on a regular basis.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) has reviewed its asset information and has found no reference to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) having been used anywhere within its estate. NRS has not incurred cost for repairs associated with RAAC.

The number of vaccines distributed to people living in Scotland for the outlined immunisation programmes is monitored by Public Health Scotland. The information requested is not held centrally. Vaccination statistics in Scotland are publicly reported as outlined below. Due to differences in eligibility since 2018-19 and changed reporting systems used across programmes, it is not possible to directly compare uptake percentages between years.

(a) Flu - Flu & COVID vaccinations

(b) DTaP/IPV, (c) MMR https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/show-all-releases?id=20562

(d) Td/IPV, (e) MenACWY, https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/teenage-booster-immunisation-statistics-scotland/

(f) HPV : https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/hpv-immunisation-statistics-scotland/ and HPV vaccination statistics for men who have sex with men, Scotland - 5 year period ending 30 June 2022 - HPV vaccination statistics for men who have sex with men, Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland

(g) COVID-19 Archived COVID-19 Vaccination in Scotland up to September 2022

The digital infrastructure requirements for the Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Programme (SVIP) are currently being explored in conjunction with our partners Public Health Scotland (PHS) and National Services Scotland (NSS). A report and roadmap will be considered with our partners in summer 2023 and will ensure all potential options are fully scoped and costed. This will enable the recommendation of preferred solutions for a future vaccination and immunisation system which meets the needs of the people of Scotland.

This is an operational matter for NatureScot. I have asked their Chief Executive to write with the relevant information.

Food Standards Scotland recommends following a healthy balanced diet as represented by The Eatwell Guide . Doing so will increase consumption of vegetables, pulses and wholegrains and will likely reduce the consumption of less healthy food and drink. The Eat Well Your Way website supports people to make small and manageable changes to improve their diet.

Scottish Government is supporting a range of actions set out in our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan to encourage people to include more vegetables, pulses and wholegrains in their diet.

For example, we fund the Healthy Living Programme which helps 2,400 convenience stores to increase the range, availability, quality and affordability of fresh produce and healthier products from other categories, especially in areas of higher deprivation.

We also provide funding to Community Food Networks to promote a range of services such as cooking classes, benefit checks, ‘grow-your-own’ food groups, cafés and food pantries.

Our Parent Club website provides free advice on healthy eating, as well as low-cost recipe ideas to support people and families prepare healthier meals.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have recently changed their measurement of Business Enterprise Research and Development (BERD) expenditure which has led to significant uplift revisions to BERD expenditure estimates. Work is currently underway between the Scottish Government and the ONS to further quality assure the new methodology; once this work is complete the Scottish Government will consider target setting options. The Scottish Government's recently published National Innovation Strategy will monitor a range of metrics to track progress over the next decade through its Innovation Scorecard, including tracking Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD), Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) spend and BERD spend.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18745 on 21 June 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