Chamber and committees

Delivery partners are responsible for awareness raising and promotion of Scottish employability services, and use a variety of channels for this including social media. The Scottish Government’s Employability social media promotional activity to date has not used the TikTok platform.

In the 2021-22 academic year, the Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary eligibility criteria was expanded to incorporate paramedic science students studying in Scotland and renamed the Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary (PNMSB).

In the 2021-22 academic year, there were 700 funding applications from students studying a paramedic science course with 670 being awarded the bursary.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information, however, it may be available from local Health Boards.

As indicated in response to S6W-17504 and S6W-17508 on 11 May 2023, a number of women have been referred to the independent providers and have undergone surgery. The present contracts with the providers are due to conclude at the end of August. However, NHS National Services Scotland is undertaking a procurement process to renew contracts with the independent providers of mesh removal surgery for a further year. 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 .

The Scottish Government continues to make progress to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a framework for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution, and to support those with experience of it.

Principles to underpin the Framework were published in December 2022. The principles have been adopted across Scottish Government and we will look to have them incorporated within the planned refresh of Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to take action on all forms of violence against women and girls. The principles will also inform relevant policy and practice across the wider public and third sector, in turn supporting Scotland’s collective approach to tackling Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

The key focus throughout 2023 will be to use the principles to define the component parts of a Framework that will improve access to support for any adult with experience of prostitution, and at the same time challenge men’s demand. We anticipate being able to outline the component parts of the framework before the end of the year.

As with the development of the principles, we will continue to work with stakeholders as this work progresses and keep them advised of progress.

NHS Scotland patients requiring transvaginal mesh removal surgery may opt either to have that surgery carried out by the specialist service provided by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, by an NHS England specialist centre, or by one of two independent providers. 23 removal surgeries were carried out by the Glasgow specialist service in 2020-21, 23 in 2021-22, and 34 in 2022-23. Meanwhile, as noted in response to S6W-17504 on 11 May 2023, 13 women have had removal surgery carried out by one of the two independent providers. None have opted for referral to an NHS England centre. 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 questions S6W-17504 on 11 May 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 .

It is crucial that we prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms, but that aim has to be balanced with careful consideration of the impact restrictions may have on business.

We will not work with the alcohol industry on the development of health policy but will continue to engage with them around potential impacts of, and implementation, of alcohol harm prevention policy.

I have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission to highlight that the Scottish Government should be fully consulted on any proposed material changes to the Equality Act 2010, including on the current definition of ‘sex’, if there would be any impact on devolved matters. Any proposed changes to the 2010 Act must be fully consulted on with the public and stakeholders before being legislated on.

The risk assessment in relation to inflation on the delivery of the remainder of Control Period 6 (April 2019 – March 2024) and for Control Period 7 (April 2024 – March 2029) is reflected in the draft forecasts presented by Network Rail and the amount of risk funding allocated to it.

The impact or risk of inflation in Control Period 6 continues to be monitored by Network Rail and reported to Transport Scotland as part of the normal four weekly monitoring process.

As for Control Period 7, the potential impact of inflation is being considered by Network Rail in their planning for Control Period 7 via the ongoing Periodic Review 2023 process. This will be assessed and regulated by the Office of Rail and Road and be reflected in their final determination for CP7.