Chamber and committees

While the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland, currently there is no community audiology service in place, with services provided either in hospital settings or, if patients choose to self-refer for treatment privately on the high street. There has therefore been no assessment of private provision made.

The Scottish Government do not hold information if individual Boards have engaged with private companies in support of waiting lists.

The Ayrshire Growth Deal has faced significant challenges - including cost inflation, technical complexities and the COVID-19 pandemic - which have adversely affected project timelines and budgets. In addition, development of two key projects resulted in them no longer being deemed commercially viable. These challenges have largely been beyond the control of the Growth Deal,

Despite such challenges, partners across the three Ayrshire local authorities have been progressing substantive development work, including a reassessment of capital projects as part of a wider programme review aimed at accelerating progress.

Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with Deal partners to ensure projects are delivered within the remaining period of the Growth Deal and within budget.

The worrying of livestock by dogs is completely unacceptable and is something the Scottish Government takes very seriously and any dog attack is one too many.

We welcome the fact that in Scotland we have tough legislation in place to deal with livestock worrying. The Scottish Government supported Emma Harper’s member’s bill when it was introduced, to provide Police Scotland and the courts with greater powers to deal with those who allow their dogs to worry, attack or kill livestock in Scotland’s countryside. Under this law owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or face a prison sentence of up to 12 months.

Please find below the number of accused convicted based on the financial year of conviction in relation to the fines and custodial sentences handed down. Please note that The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on 5 November 2021. The 2021 Act amends the offence under the 1953 Act so all proceedings are still under the 1953 Act (as amended).

Table 1: Number of accused convicted with at least one protection of livestock from dogs crime, given a fine or imprisonment

I note the publication of the Dietary Intake in Scotland’s Children (DISH) report. It is disappointing that the DISH report found that only 8% of children are meeting the recommended Scottish dietary goal for free sugars. The Scottish Government recognises the impact that excess sugar consumption can have on children and young people’s health.

Scottish Government are committed to improving the diets of children and young people. We are continuing to support the roll out of universal Free School Meals, meaning more children can access free nutritious food and drink on each day they attend school.

The Scottish Government funds regional Community Food Networks and the Healthy Living Programme. Both projects support individuals and families to access affordable healthier food options, particularly in lower income areas.

The Scottish Government continues to focus on improving the food environment to support young people to make healthier choices, including future regulation of promotions of foods high in salt, sugar and fat. We also welcome the UK Government's move to introduce legislation to restrict advertising of less healthy food and drink and will be supporting its implementation in Scotland.

I had a productive meeting with members of the A77 Campaign Group on the 21 November 2024. Following that my officials from Transport Scotland last met with the A77 Campaign Group on 5 December 2024 as part of a regular series of meetings that they have with the group. The next meeting date has yet to finalised, however, it is likely to be in April 2025.

With respect to hosting a roundtable meeting, I intend to convene this in the near future with a focussed group of transport stakeholders from the south west, including members of the campaign group. My officials are currently making arrangements.

The Scottish Government has undertaken a range of analysis and assessment as part of developing proposals on potential regulation of the promotion of food and drink high in salt, sugar and fat. This analysis will be set out in a suite of impact assessments including a Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment, which considers, among other things, the potential impact of regulations on children and young people’s diets.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-32419 on 17 December 2024. 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 the question S6W-32419 on 17 December 2024. 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

FSS collaborates routinely with all Scottish local authorities (LA) to identify and prevent food fraud, which is formalised through various fora, including:

• MOU in relation to the investigation of food crime in Scotland
• FSS acting as intelligence hub for all LA food teams
• authorised LA staff having access to FSS intelligence database
• representation at various LA/FSS liaison groups pertaining to food crime
• use of an FSS QR code to facilitate input of intelligence at source by LA Food officers
• SFELC Food Crime representative attendance at the FSS Food Crime TTCG

The Operational Delivery Division in Food Standards Scotland has a contingency plan for all meat plants in Scotland. This ensures a continuous service of Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) and Official Veterinarians (OVs) and to minimise disruption to supply chains during times of severe weather, industrial action, or other extraordinary events.