- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many Baby Boxes have been issued in (a) Aberdeen and (b) Scotland since their introduction.
Answer
Registration opened on 15 June 2017, and delivery of Baby Boxes nationwide began on 15 August 2017 for all babies born and resident in Scotland.
The total number of Baby Boxes issued since the introduction of the Baby Box programme up to 3 January 2025 is 324,968. We are unable to provide the number of Baby Boxes delivered in the Aberdeen area as we only record the number of Baby Boxes distributed by Health Board area. Since the start of the programme 35,278 Baby Boxes have been issued in NHS Grampian.
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue the Investing in Communities Fund into the 2025-26 financial year, in light of reported concerns that funding may not continue for supported community projects.
Answer
The draft Scottish Budget sets out our spending plans for 2025-26 to deliver progress for Scotland, and to improve the lives of the people of Scotland. It includes investment for regeneration of over £62 million to support communities most in need, which I can advise includes the Investing in Communities Fund supporting community-led projects across Scotland which are addressing poverty and disadvantage.
The draft Budget requires the support of Parliament before confirmation of funding for individual allocations can be provided. I would therefore urge all MSPs to support the budget to ensure that investment for community projects continues.
- Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 9 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential impact on households experiencing fuel poverty in Scotland, particularly in rural and off-gas grid areas, what communication it has had with relevant third parties regarding the ending of the Radio Teleswitch Service.
Answer
The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) is reserved, however the Scottish Government engages regularly with consumer organisations and fuel poverty charities on issues expected to arise from the upcoming switch-off.
I recently visited the Western Isles Citizens Advice Bureau to discuss the potentially devastating consequences on fuel poverty and access to energy if RTS meters are not upgraded on time, there and in many other communities. Consumers must not receive extortionately high or inaccurate bills or experience any interruption of supply.
To that end, I have written to the UK Government, and will seek further urgent engagement to ensure that Scottish communities are protected.
- Asked by: Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how its draft Budget 2025-26 will support the delivery of drug and alcohol services across Scotland.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with NHS boards and patient transport providers to ensure that access to healthcare is fair, equitable and efficient for island residents.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the planned opening of the safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow, whether consideration has been given to opening a similar facility in Edinburgh.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on farmers giving the methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer to their cattle.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the steps that it is taking to tackle child poverty.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of children and young people leaving school unable to swim.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of the Changing Places Toilet Fund.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2025