Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government recognises the impact that child poverty has on families with a baby, and that some of these families may use food or baby banks.

Scotland is the first nation in the UK to publish a Cash-First Plan, grounded in human rights, that works towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland through promoting cash-first responses, including to meet the needs of infants. Scotland was also the first country in the UK to develop an Infant Food Insecurity Toolkit for local partners, based on the Unicef advice.

Where direct provision of infant formula is needed our Toolkit sets out how emergency local pathways could provide this safely, responsively and sustainably through health professionals and other local provision. This includes recommendations that food banks, where possible, provide cash-equivalent vouchers or purchase infant formula to meet need, avoiding the unpredictability of donated formula.

Anyone supporting a family in a crisis should refer them to their local authority or a health professional, such as a health visitor, family nurse, or midwife, in order to ensure they are getting the holistic support they need. This includes financial advice, and a referral to cash-first crisis supports such as the Scottish Welfare Fund.

During the development of the climate change plan and update there was extensive engagement across all sectors and a public consultation on the draft plan was open for everyone to provide comment. The consultation ran from 16 December 2020 to 31 March 2021.

We considered all available evidence and advice at the time in the development of the Climate Change Plan Update and will do so again in the development of the next Plan, in line with our commitment to a just and fair transition to Net Zero.

Of those who responded specifically to the question on zonal management measures, 66% were in support and 25% were opposed (with the remaining 9% being neutral).

The full consultation analysis report was published on 31 January and can be found on the Scottish Government website.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33849 on 31 January 2025. 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

Information on the gender pay gap is collected by the Office for National Statistics and this includes information on the fisheries and aquaculture industry in Scotland. Further info can be accessed via this link

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/annualsurveyofhoursandearningsashegenderpaygaptables

Table 5.12 provides information on the pay gap by region and industry.

The management of the Police Scotland Estate is an operational matter, and is the responsibility of the Chief Constable under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority.

Police Scotland is considering the future of both the Possilpark (Saracen) Police station and their former police station in Springburn. Police Scotland consults widely on its plans for public facing properties, including disposal, in advance of any decisions being made.

I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33899 on 31 January 2025. 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 welcomes IBD UK’s latest report, Crohn’s and Colitis Care in Scotland: A Vision for Change and is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

Whilst our role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, it is NHS Boards locally who are responsible for service delivery. We expect Boards to follow best practice and adhere to current guidelines and standards when providing care and support for people with IBD.

Our workforce planning guidance requires NHS Boards to take a demand-led approach by determining future staffing requirements in line with healthcare needs within their locality.

Anyone needing urgent medical help should contact their GP or NHS 24 (Telephone 111).

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with the Fishing Vessel Agents & Owners Association (Scotland) Ltd since we were appointed to our roles.

I wrote to the Economy and Fair Work Committee on 25 June 2024 to confirm that a market testing exercise for Glasgow Prestwick Airport was underway. Scottish Ministers’ longstanding position is that the airport should be returned to the private sector at the appropriate time and opportunity. This must be to an organisation with the commitment and capability to operate businesses directly relevant to GPA.

Any decision to sell GPA must represent value for money for taxpayers and be informed by what is right for the long-term success of the business and its contribution to the local and Scottish economy.

The process is ongoing and I will update Parliament when a significant development has been made.