Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not hold this data for the 2020-21 academic year. Data on local authority instrumental music services is collected by the Improvement Service and their report on the 2020-21 academic year will be published shortly at www.improvementservice.org.uk .

Since the start of the 2021-22 academic year, no charges have been levied on pupils for instrumental music tuition following agreement between Scottish Government and local authorities as part of the implementation of the Scottish Government's 100-day manifesto commitments.

Booster vaccinations in Scotland started as soon as possible once the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided their advice on boosters, which stated that the booster dose should be offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course.

627,898 people have received a booster to 29 October, and we are working as quickly as we can, prioritising those most vulnerable.

Data on boosters by JCVI priority group is not yet published. We continue to work closely with Public Health Scotland to develop the vaccination data to provide robust statistics that enhance public understanding.

The national pancreatic cancer audit is an NHS England initiative and Scotland participates in UK audits (Scottish Cancer Registry data is provided by Public Health Scotland). The Scottish HepatoPancreatoBiliary Network (SHPBN) has reported HepatoPancreatoBiliary (HPB) cancer audits annually since 2010. The 2013-2019 audits are based on quality performance indicators, including some specific to pancreatic cancer. The annual audit reports are available on the SHPBN website. The 2020 audit report is currently in progress.

Through the National Cancer Plan we have placed an emphasis on the less survivable cancers, including pancreatic, and improving their outcomes. We have provided funding and are working with the SHPBN to redesign pancreatic and liver pathways.

Since 2019, data relating to the National Referral Mechanism has been released by the Home Office Single Competent Authority. Information is published quarterly and in an end of year summary.

Data relating to 2018 was released by the National Crime Agency and can be found at:

https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/282-national-referral-mechanism-statistics-end-of-year-summary-2018/file .

Data relating to 2019, 2020 and 2021 can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-referral-mechanism-statistics 

The decision to proceed to Final Business Case with full electrification with single track option of the East Kilbride to Busby route was made collaboratively with Network Rail and considering evidence from rail industry partners, as part of the rail projects pipeline business case development process.

The Final Business Case development work will now assess how the existing infrastructure can be optimised to support a more resilient timetable and how the electrification of passengers services along the route can be achieved. This is a key stage in ensuring a robust business case which would underpin any future investment decision by the Scottish Government.

The Victim Centred Approach Fund, which includes funding to support adult victims of human trafficking and exploitation, opened for applications on 18 October 2021. Information on the application process, including timelines, can be found at Victim Centred Approach Fund - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

As at 23 October 87% of the adult population (i.e. 18 years +), and 85% of 16 year + age group are now fully vaccinated and these numbers increases on a daily basis.

Certification was not introduced until after the date all the adult population had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated. Furthermore we provided a month’s notice of our intention to introduce certification and a further 2 weeks before the scheme became enforceable. This allowed time for people who were not fully vaccinated to be vaccinated. We recognise that a small number of people would not have completed their full vaccination course when the certification scheme came into effect as a result of testing positive for the virus. We would encourage them to complete their vaccination course as soon as possible.

Specific guidance on Reporting to Parents and Involving / Engaging Parent Councils during COVID–19 was published in November 2020. It states that “alternative methods and approaches to reporting will need to be used” in the current circumstances. Digital and online approaches are suggested as alternatives to in person meetings, and schools will be seeking to ensure engagement takes place such that all parents and carers can participate.

There is no specific guidance on meeting timings. Guidance emphasises that strong communications and collaboration between home and school remain key to ensure parents and carers can support their children and young people. Headteachers and managers will be working to ensure their setting or school continues to involve and engage parents and families .

Guidance states parents or carers may accompany children onto school premises where this is agreed and is considered necessary to support children and young people, including in relation to wellbeing, progress and behaviour.

A grant of £0.5 million was offered to Care and Repair on 28 July 2021, for the purpose of supporting older and disabled homeowners on low incomes to install fire and smoke alarms that are compliant with the new standard. Following completion of necessary governance process, the grant was paid to Care and Repair Scotland on 24 September 2021. Care and Repair Scotland have advised the Scottish Government that this funding was allocated to local Care and Repair services, subject to bids for funding, between 28 September and 4 October 2021.

Officials have taken cognisance of the outcomes from a variety of 20 mph schemes across the globe and the lessons learned from the Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill, which have highlighted that the implementation of 20 mph limits and zones across Scotland is complex.

They are liaising with a range of stakeholders to develop a national strategy for 20 mph zones and limits, considering additional measures which have the potential to enhance a range of policy objectives across the Scottish Government. The national strategy will support the 2021 Programme for Government commitment: “We will ensure all appropriate roads in built-up areas have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025, forming a task group to plan the most effective route for implementation”.

The intention is to convene the first meeting of the 20 mph task group early in the new year.