Chamber and committees

We are currently finalising the Terms of Reference and membership of the Implementation Group, and will announce this shortly along with details of the first meeting. All future information about the Implementation Group will be published on the Scottish Government website.

As recommended by the National Review of Eating Disorder Services, it is anticipated that the Implementation Group will have a lifespan of around one year. However, this can be kept under review, if appropriate.

If an individual has specific concerns arising from the results of a test they have taken, including related to their immunological response following vaccination, they should consult their primary clinician, who can determine whether further investigation is necessary.

There is a clear pattern between vaccination and testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies but the detection of antibodies alone is not a precise measure of the immunity protection given by vaccination.

It is not yet known how having detectable antibodies, now or at some time in the past, affects the chance of getting COVID-19 again as other parts of the immune system (T cell response) will offer protection. Antibody positivity is defined by a fixed amount of antibodies in the blood. A negative test result will occur if there are no antibodies or if antibody levels are too low to reach this threshold.

It is important to draw the distinction between testing positive for antibodies and having immunity. Following infection or vaccination, antibody levels can vary and sometimes increase but are still below the level identified as “positive” in this test, and other tests. This does not mean that a person has no protection against coronavirus (COVID-19) since an immune response does not rely on the presence of antibodies alone. We also do not yet know exactly how much antibodies need to rise to give protection. A person’s ‘T cell’ response will provide protection but is not detected by blood tests for antibodies. A person's immune response is affected by a number of factors, including health conditions and age. Additional information on the link between antibodies and immunity and the vaccine programme can be found in the latest ONS blog .

Ministers are not notified of every patient death by suspected hospital acquired infection. However, Ministers are routinely notified of incidents of hospital infection outbreaks (involving two or more patients) with management information regarding the organism of infection, number of patients involved in the outbreak, investigations and any suspected deaths associated with the outbreak.

‘Scotland’s Vision for Trade’, published on 26 January 2021, sets out the Scottish Government’s principles and values for the trading relationships it wants Scotland to have. This provides a framework for making decisions about international trade in a way that enables Scotland to fulfil its role as a good global citizen.

The framework set out in ‘Scotland’s Vision for Trade’ reinforces the principles already set out by Scottish Government in its Guidance on Due Diligence: Human Rights, and Scottish Enterprise’s own 2019 Customer Due Diligence Procedure. This procedure includes how the company conducts itself overseas. Such checks are based on a rigorous process and independent evidence.

The Scottish Government engaged with Scottish Enterprise in developing the Vision and communicated ‘Scotland’s Vision for Trade’ and its principles to Scottish Enterprise, including through a series of presentations for all staff who work on Scottish Enterprise’s international priorities. Within their 2021-22 business plan, Scottish Enterprise commits to ensuring the principles set out in ‘Scotland’s Vision for Trade’ are incorporated into their approach and delivery.

The Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise has written to the Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive to set out priorities, highlighting a values-based approach to trade and investment, as set out in ‘Scotland’s Vision for Trade’.

Scottish Enterprise does not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions. The support provided is mainly focused on helping firms to diversify and develop civilian applications for their technology and ensure Scotland continues to benefit from the thousands of jobs in the defence, aerospace and shipbuilding sectors.

The licensing of arms exports is a reserved matter over which the Scottish Government has no control. We have impressed upon the UK Government our expectation to act responsibly as regards export licensing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00298 on
‎ 29 July 2021. 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 question S6W-00298 on
‎ 29 July 2021. 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

In Scotland, the height and weight of children entering Primary 1 is collated annually and children are assigned to healthy and unhealthy weight categories based on their body mass index (BMI), in line with an outcome of the 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan. These measurements were paused in school year 2020/21 due to disruption caused by the pandemic. In April this year we wrote to NHS Boards asking them to resume planning for this measurement to begin again in the new school term for academic year 2021-22.

Social isolation and loneliness can affect all ages, stages and groups in our society and we know significant events such as addiction can lead to a situation where isolation compounds the challenges of recovery. That is why the Scottish Government carried out wide stakeholder engagement, community events and consultation to hear people’s views when developing our 'A Connected Scotland' Strategy.

To support people with problematic alcohol and drug use into treatment and recovery, recognising the impact that loneliness and isolation can have, the Scottish Government funds third sector partners, including the Scottish Recovery Consortium, the Scottish Drugs Forum and Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs to address loneliness and isolation through family support, peer support and recovery communities.

In the last few months the publication of new Medication-Assisted Treatment Standards, and significant additional investment or £250 million over 5 years in alcohol and drug support will further increase this work. And in the coming months we will publish a framework for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, Children’s Services and other local partners, setting out a whole-family approach and family-inclusive practice, which recognises and supports family members to build their own resilience and recover themselves. This will reduce their social isolation and loneliness.

This specific work complements our broader work on social isolation and loneliness across society. We will shortly make an announcement on our planned next steps in relation to our commitment to £10 million funding for social isolation and loneliness work over the span of this Parliament.

These funding allocations are subject to agreement by COSLA Leaders and will be confirmed shortly. This information will be published on the Scottish Government when it is available at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/teachers/

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days