Chamber and committees

Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 does not apply to Scotland.

In Scotland, respiratory infection levels, including those of COVID-19, and their impact are monitored using various sources of data, including microbiological sampling and laboratory test results from community and hospital settings, NHS 24 calls, primary care consultations, and hospital admissions. The intelligence generated from these different data sources provide a comprehensive picture of current respiratory illness in Scotland. In addition, COVID-19 outbreaks and general trends can be estimated by measuring concentrations of the virus in wastewater.

Surveillance of respiratory infections is a critical part of our approach to monitoring and managing the spread and prevalence of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. It helps us to determine the right public health strategies and timing, to manage transmission in the community. Public Health Scotland (PHS) are responsible for delivering Scotland’s National Respiratory Surveillance Plan with the support of the Scottish Government.

Our successful vaccination programme means many people previously considered at highest risk, and the wider population, are now far less likely to become seriously ill from Covid-19. However, people with a weakened immune system might not develop the same level of immunity from the vaccination as others. This means that some people with a weakened immune system may still be at higher risk from COVID-19, although many do get some protection from the vaccine. These people should continue to follow the advice of their GP or specialist clinician, who best know their health condition and circumstances. This may include accessing to antiviral treatment where required. The advice across respiratory diseases remains to get your booster when we invite you for vaccination and if you feel unwell with a respiratory infection to try to stay at home.

Marine Directorate staff participate in the ICES Scallop Assessment Working Group (WGScallop) and work closely with national and international research institutes and universities to understand recent advancements and changes to scallop fishing practices. Further details, terms of reference and a link to last year’s report can be found on the ICES community groups pages – when selecting “WGScallop”.

The working group will meet 10-12 October 2023 and a report will be made publicly available.

Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate are in regular communication with stakeholders we established a Fisheries Management and Conservation (FMAC) Scallop sub-group earlier this year. This forum brings together a broad range of scallop sector interests and is the ideal forum for developing stakeholder led solutions, including relating to gear technology, to help deliver sustainable fisheries. Marine Directorate staff are also involved with the Project UK Scallop Fisheries Improvement Projects and with Heriot Watt University and the Scallop Innovation Gear Projects.

The winter 2023 programme was always due to start on 4 September, so there was no need to bring that date forward. Our original plan was to start vaccination with those at lower risk and call those at highest risk slightly later in the programme, from mid-October. This was in line with JCVI advice, as protection is highest in the first three months following COVID-19 vaccination, so by vaccinating those who are at highest risk later, we would give them greater protection over winter and into the new year .

Although there is currently insufficient data to assess the potential severity or increase in transmissibility of new variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), in light of its emergence, along with the other nations across the UK, we took the precautionary measure to bring forward vaccination of care home residents, people aged 75 and over and people with weakened immune system aged 12 and over, where possible for Boards.

Our scheduling team has provided technical support to Boards to help them bring forward and re-order their scheduling plans. The Scottish Ambulance Service has also provided support to some Boards in vaccinating these groups. Public Health Scotland and Scottish Government have provided support in communicating these changes to the general public. The Flu & Covid-19 Vaccination team, including Scottish Government officials, has provided individual guidance and support to Boards where required.

No additional funding has been provided to Boards by Scottish Government, as we did not ask Boards to increase the numbers they are vaccinating, or to vaccinate all those eligible any quicker than the original plans. We have asked them to re-order and re-prioritise where possible, within their current planning and financial models.

Current guidelines for healthcare professionals regarding fibromyalgia are available from authoritative professional sources such as the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) - https://www.sign.ac.uk/our-guidelines/management-of-chronic-pain/ and the Royal College of Physicians - https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/diagnosis-fibromyalgia-syndrome

Electrification is commissioned at the completion of works and last schemes to be commissioned were Shotts Line Electrification (74km) and Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa Electrification (110km). Work on the development, design and construction of further electrification has continued throughout the 5 year period and a further 23 km will be commissioned this year on the Glasgow - Barrhead line. Work is also under way on the East Kilbride route.

We are committed to ensuring that every school-aged child has access to a device to support their learning by the end of this parliament in 2026.

Under the Mental Health (Safety and Security) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 there is no requirement for CCTV in The State Hospital to capture or record audio.

The Scottish Government does not currently have any plans to require that CCTV captures or records audio. Should there become a clear need for this requirement that cannot be addressed through other methods we will consider whether it would be appropriate to introduce this.

I confirmed at the NZET committee on 19 September 2023, the existing ban on alcohol on ScotRail services will stay in place for now.

A wide range of views is held by passengers, staff and other interested parties about alcohol on trains. My officials are preparing advice for my further consideration of this matter.

The Scottish Government remains committed to developing and delivering a new Palliative and End of Life Care Strategy. We have established a Strategy Steering Group to oversee the development and delivery which has now met six times. We have also established a number of working groups to gather evidence to inform the strategy and progress areas in parallel with the development of the wider strategy.