- Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 25 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus Robertson on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the actions ministers have taken under section 9 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, regarding opportunities to advance equality and non-discrimination when exercising their functions under the Act.
Answer
Section 9 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 requires that the Scottish Ministers have regard to opportunities to advance equality and non-discrimination when exercising functions under Part 1 of the Act.
The following provisions under Part 1 of the Act confer functions on the Scottish Ministers, and details of measures undertaken to advance equality and non-discrimination when these functions have been exercised by Ministers is provided in the following table.
Act provision | Measures undertaken |
Section 2, Schedule 1 – paragraph 8 (evictions – power to modify notice periods) | These functions were exercised in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 (Eviction from Dwelling-houses) (Notice Periods) Modification Regulations 2020 (2020/270) to protect tenants and keep them safe in their home during the pandemic. Women are the majority of renters in the social rented sector, and people from non-white backgrounds are more likely than people from white backgrounds to live in the private rented sector - it was therefore crucial that a range of impact assessments were undertaken. This included significant contributions to both the Equality Impact Assessment and Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments that were prepared and published as part of the wider work to implement the emergency Coronavirus legislation. |
Section 5, Schedule 4 – paragraph 15 (community orders: power to vary requirements in community payback orders and drug treatment and testing orders) | These functions were exercised in the Community Orders (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2021(2021/144), which used the power to vary community orders. Impact assessments, including an Equality Impact Assessment, were prepared and published to support scrutiny of this SSI. The regulations excluded orders imposed involving domestic abuse, sexual offences, and stalking to mitigate risks arising from the particular barriers that exist in relation to the reporting of those offences (and which are not found to the same extent with other offence types), and which the Scottish Government and other justice organisations have taken steps to reduce in recent years. These include action under Equally Safe, the Scottish Government’s national strategy to take action against all forms of violence against women and girls, ground-breaking domestic abuse legislation, investment in training and support, and campaigns. |
Section 5, Schedule 4 – paragraph 19 (power to make regulations in relation to early release of prisoners) | This function was exercised to make The Release of Prisoners (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (2020/138). The provisions of the Act, and the specific regulations set out in the SSI identified a cohort of prisoners who were considered for early release. The criteria which were applied related to the individuals’ previous offending (including exclusions for individuals sentenced for sex offences, domestic abuse or harassment offences – and a provision for prison Governors to exclude otherwise eligible individuals if there was evidence an early release would present a risk to a specific individual), as well as prisoner’s sentence length and time remaining to serve. As such, the criteria were uniform in their assessment of eligibility, irrespective of the individuals age, gender, or other potential discriminatory factors. |
Section 7, Schedule 6 – paragraph 8(2) (power to postpone publication and laying of reports before the Scottish Parliament) | This functional provision was introduced by the Act and has been exercised to allow for publication of certain statutory reports to be delayed only in circumstances where publication by the required date would impede their ability to take effective action against coronavirus; otherwise publication would continue to be required as normal. The Scottish Government does not consider it to be a provision which could provide “opportunities to advance equality and non-discrimination when exercising their functions under the Act”. These are general, wide-reaching powers provided by the first Scottish Act without needing an SSI. |
Section 7, schedule 6 – paragraph 9(2) (powers in relation to duties to publish or make available documents for inspection electronically) | This functional provision has been exercised by public authorities, particularly while access to public offices and libraries has been restricted, but due to the wide range of circumstances where Scottish Ministers or public bodies may have exercised these powers, it would be disproportionate to report on individual uses and so a record of its use is not available.The Scottish Government has recognised the online publication of certain documents, rather than them being made available for physical inspection, may have an impact on those who have less access to online technologies. Older people, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have been identified particularly as using these technologies less than other groups. However, older people and those with long-term health conditions are also identified as being at greater risk from coronavirus. The Scottish Government recognised that the aim is to allow local authority business and other public services, including services for vulnerable groups, to continue and meet statutory requirements at any time while physical access is not permitted to prevent spread of the virus. These are general, wide-reaching powers provided by the first Scottish Act without needing an SSI. |
Section 8, schedule 7- paragraphs 9 and 10 (power to make regulations in relation to duration of planning permission) | This provision gives Ministers power to alter the “emergency period” and the “extended period” referred to in the relevant provisions. These powers have been used to change these periods by: The Town and Country Planning (Emergency Period and Extended Period) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020/254 – which changed the periods so that the emergency period would end on 31 March 2021 and the extended period would end on 30 September 2021. The Town and Country Planning (Emergency Period and Extended Period) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2021/100 (as subsequently amended by SSI 2021/142) – which changed the end of the emergency period from 31 March 2021 to 30 September 2021 and the end of the extended period from 30 September 2021 to 31 March 2022. The Town and Country Planning (Miscellaneous Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2021/292 - which changed the end of the emergency period from 30 September 2021 the end of 31 March 2022 and the end of the extended period from 31 March 2022 to the end of 30 September 2022. The Scottish Government does not consider it to be a provision which could provide “opportunities to advance equality and non-discrimination when exercising their functions under the Act”. |
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 25 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will complete all flu vaccinations by the start of the flu season and by what date it expects to complete the vaccination programme for each of the eligible groups.
Answer
The seasonal flu vaccination programme started on 6 September and will run until March 2022. This year it is the biggest ever flu vaccination programme in Scotland reaching over 4 million people. So far, to the end of week 44, Public Health Scotland has reported that a total of 1,451,857 individuals, among different eligible cohorts, have received the influenza vaccine.
Flu vaccinations have started for those over the age of 70 years, and those at the highest clinical risk from flu. Flu vaccinations have also started for pregnant women, preschool children as well as primary and secondary pupils. Adults aged 60 years to 69 years and those aged 16 years plus with underlying health conditions have started receiving vaccination appointment letters. A portal has been launched for adults aged 50 years to 59 years, unpaid carers 16 years plus and adult (16 years plus) household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals allowing those groups to book flu appointments online ahead of flu season.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to applications to study medicine, how many (a) were received and (b) were successful, broken down by each year since 2007.
Answer
Data on the number applications and accepted applicants is collected and published by the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
To note:
- Applicants ’ are able to make up to 5 applications to study at Universities across the UK when applying through UCAS.
- An ‘ Accepted Applicant ’ has been made an offer, met the conditions of the offer and accepted a place to study from one of their applications.
- Tables include ‘Pre-clinical medicine’ and ‘Others in Medicine & Dentistry’ due to changes in UCAS subject coding in 2017.
The latest End of Cycle data can be found below.
Main Scheme Applications through UCAS to study Medicine at Scottish Providers
Subject Classification | Year of Application Cycle |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
A1 - Pre-clinical Medicine | 8,090 | 7,695 | 6,855 | 9,695 | 9,710 | 9,640 | 9,485 |
A9 - Others in Medicine and Dentistry | 0 | 0 | 85 | 10 | 240 | 300 | 355 |
Subject Classification | | | | | | | |
2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
A1 - Pre-clinical Medicine | 10,800 | 9,520 | 9,305 | 6,980 | 9,670 | 9,200 | 9,530 |
A9 - Others in Medicine and Dentistry | 510 | 520 | 550 | 2,515 | 695 | 800 | 900 |
Source: UCAS End of Cycle 2020 Report
UCAS Undergraduate sector-level end of cycle data resources 2020 | Undergraduate | UCAS
Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
Accepted Applicants through UCAS to study Medicine at Scottish Providers
Subject Classification | Year of Application Cycle |
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
A1 - Pre-clinical Medicine | 960 | 1,010 | 990 | 1,025 | 1,095 | 940 | 960 |
A9 - Others in Medicine and Dentistry | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 30 |
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding reports that ferries have to cease operations every day while being cleaned as part of COVID-19-related protocols, and what information it has on whether all other modes of transport are similarly treated.
Answer
Enhanced cleaning takes place on a regular basis on all vessels whilst they are in service. If a vessel is confirmed as having a positive covid case onboard, it is temporarily removed from service to allow a deep clean to take place by external contractors.
In terms of bus services – enhanced cleaning of all buses takes place daily, but they remain in service.
In terms of Trains - enhanced cleaning protocols remain in place for both ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper Ltd operations.
- Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its commitment to establishing a National Register of Ancient Woodlands, and how it plans to work with planners and developers to protect ancient woodland and with land managers to enhance and restore ancient woodland conditions.
Answer
We are working closely with NatureScot and Scottish Forestry to determine the best approach to developing a new National Register of Ancient Woodlands. This will help us to determine how best to work with planners, developers and land managers as this project is developed. We're committed to working with a broad range of stake-holders and will make sure this includes cross-parliamentary representatives.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many appointments for a second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine have been issued to under-16s, and how many of those appointments were subsequently cancelled.
Answer
The information requested is not published. Any information on second dose appointments is used to show people their upcoming scheduled appointments, and a record of cancelled appointments is used to track Did Not Attend (DNA) rates. However, the specific information requested regarding under-16s is not available.
Children and young people age 12-15 are being offered a first dose of the vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will continue to review data and evidence on second doses for children and young people aged 12-15 once more data on second doses in this age group has accrued internationally.
We are aware of an issue where a small number of under-16s were incorrectly issued invitations to for a 2 nd dose. This was mainly in the central belt, however the people affected were quickly identified, the appointments cancelled, and revised communications were issued to those affected.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-36076 by Humza Yousaf on 24 March 2021, whether it will provide figures for each month from March 2021 to date.
Answer
I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:
SPS is unable provide information on the breakdown of the average monthly occupancy rates as the data is not collected in this format. The table below provides details of the weekly data collated on single cell occupancy across the prison estate.
- Single Occupancy – number of people accommodated alone in a cell intended to accommodate one person
- Single Occupancy Double Room – number of people accommodated alone in a cell that is designed to be double occupancy
- Double Occupancy Single Room – number of people accommodated with another person in a cell intended for one person
- Double Occupancy Double Room, Multiple Occupancy and Single Occupancy Dorm – number of people accommodated in a cell, or dormitory, intended for more than one person
- Total Population – The total number of individuals in custody that evening.
- Single Cell Occupancy % - The percentage of the total population of that evening who are accommodated in single cell accommodation.
Date | Single Occupancy | Single Occupancy Double Room | Double Occupancy Single Room | Double Occupancy Double Room | Multiple Occupancy | Single Occupancy Dorm | Total Population | Single Cell Occupancy % |
22-03-2021 | 4992 | 258 | 1252 | 892 | 22 | 0 | 7416 | 70.8% |
29-03-2021 | 4957 | 242 | 1232 | 942 | 19 | 1 | 7393 | 70.3% |
05-04-2021 | 4937 | 248 | 1308 | 918 | 25 | 3 | 7439 | 69.7% |
12-04-2021 | 4929 | 253 | 1306 | 898 | 31 | 0 | 7417 | 69.9% |
19-04-2021 | 4933 | 267 | 1312 | 868 | 28 | 1 | 7409 | 70.2% |
26-04-2021 | 4927 | 258 | 1286 | 874 | 30 | 3 | 7378 | 70.3% |
03-05-2021 | 5015 | 274 | 1212 | 852 | 32 | 0 | 7385 | 71.6% |
10-05-2021 | 5071 | 282 | 1122 | 844 | 33 | 1 | 7353 | 72.8% |
17-05-2021 | 5072 | 280 | 1154 | 838 | 32 | 1 | 7377 | 72.6% |
24-05-2021 | 5072 | 269 | 1142 | 838 | 35 | 1 | 7357 | 72.6% |
31-05-2021 | 5133 | 260 | 1132 | 842 | 34 | 0 | 7401 | 72.9% |
07-06-2021 | 5135 | 273 | 1128 | 862 | 28 | 3 | 7429 | 72.8% |
14-06-2021 | 5056 | 269 | 1204 | 898 | 31 | 0 | 7458 | 71.4% |
21-06-2021 | 5070 | 262 | 1262 | 884 | 30 | 1 | 7509 | 71.0% |
28-06-2021 | 5001 | 265 | 1314 | 884 | 35 | 2 | 7501 | 70.2% |
05-07-2021 | 5017 | 257 | 1316 | 892 | 33 | 0 | 7515 | 70.2% |
12-07-2021 | 4982 | 251 | 1362 | 876 | 33 | 1 | 7505 | 69.7% |
19-07-2021 | 4995 | 266 | 1384 | 870 | 31 | 1 | 7547 | 69.7% |
26-07-2021 | 4971 | 248 | 1426 | 892 | 30 | 1 | 7568 | 69.0% |
02-08-2021 | 4960 | 274 | 1454 | 868 | 33 | 1 | 7590 | 69.0% |
09-08-2021 | 4919 | 280 | 1504 | 864 | 30 | 1 | 7598 | 68.4% |
16-08-2021 | 4922 | 266 | 1468 | 910 | 33 | 1 | 7600 | 68.3% |
23-08-2021 | 4964 | 252 | 1420 | 910 | 36 | 2 | 7584 | 68.8% |
30-08-2021 | 4952 | 248 | 1452 | 906 | 38 | 1 | 7597 | 68.5% |
06-09-2021 | 4934 | 256 | 1426 | 898 | 35 | 1 | 7550 | 68.8% |
13-09-2021 | 4959 | 260 | 1406 | 914 | 31 | 1 | 7571 | 68.9% |
20-09-2021 | 4957 | 254 | 1442 | 922 | 31 | 1 | 7607 | 68.5% |
27-09-2021 | 4941 | 255 | 1444 | 916 | 33 | 1 | 7590 | 68.5% |
04-10-2021 | 4901 | 250 | 1464 | 902 | 35 | 1 | 7553 | 68.2% |
11-10-2021 | 4908 | 251 | 1472 | 894 | 33 | 0 | 7558 | 68.3% |
18-10-2021 | 4872 | 248 | 1518 | 900 | 34 | 0 | 7572 | 67.6% |
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether a human rights assessment has been carried out of the COVID-19 vaccine certification scheme, and, if so, what the conclusion of the assessment was.
Answer
Our COVID Status Certification scheme is a necessary, proportionate, and a limited measure targeted towards activities that are a higher risk. This is an alternative to the potential closure of higher risk venues.
We have taken an equality and human rights approach; and have considered how the scheme may impact individuals and communities. This includes, considering the scheme’s compatibility with the Convention Rights identified in the Human Rights Act 1998 and with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. Other requirements, such as the rights enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) have also been taken into account.
In developing the scheme, ministers and officials have engaged pro-actively with a wide range of stakeholders, including but not limited to, those representing human rights, children’s rights, and each of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act. Stakeholder views and evidence have been reflected in our published impact assessments.
Our decisions are taken, and reviewed on the latest data and clinical evidence . Our review process includes consideration of the impact assessments, such as Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) and Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment .
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many paediatric ICU beds are available in NHS Lothian.
Answer
The Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh provide ICU care as a joint service. There are 20 beds in Glasgow and 10 beds in Edinburgh. Further information can be found at: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/specialist-healthcare/specialist-services/intensive-care-paediatric/
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the 1,000 additional health and care support staff, announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in his statement to the Parliament on 5 October 2021, Health and Social Care (Winter Planning), to be in place.
Answer
Health Boards have already commenced recruitment activity to meet the commitment to recruit an additional 1,000 Health and Care Support staff at AfC Bands 2, 3 & 4 to provide additional capacity across a variety of services both in the community and in hospital settings. Funding of up to £15 million is being provided in-year to fully fund all costs associate with recruitment to these posts. We are directly supporting boards to fill these posts as quickly as possible within that time frame, through securing an accelerated pre-employment process and supporting the delivery of employability initiatives such as the ‘Skills Boost for Health Care’ training for staff new to health and care.
