Chamber and committees

We know that those from areas of deprivation are less likely to take part in screening and more likely to delay presenting with possible symptoms. This is why we launched, and continue to invest in, our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme with a focus on reducing health inequalities such as these. The Programme adopts a whole-systems approach to improving earlier diagnosis rates from public awareness & education to supporting primary care improvements.

We committed £2 million over 2021-22 and 2022-23 to tackle inequalities in cancer screening programmes and will invest a further £1 million in 23-24 to build on progress to date. This commitment will be reflected in the forthcoming cancer strategy. To direct and support this work, the first Equity in Screening Strategy is being produced in collaboration with NHS and third sector partners, setting out a vision to achieve equity for all those eligible for screening.

We regularly undertake research with people from areas of deprivation in Scotland to help inform and measure our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme’s behaviour change campaigns. As a result of our most recent insight we developed and launched ‘Be the Early Bird’ on 6 March 2023 to increase awareness of possible symptoms and empower those concerned to act early. A roadshow is currently touring areas of deprivation across Scotland to reinforce this message and encourage prompt action.

A wealth of data and insight from varying sources has been analysed to help inform Scotland’s new cancer strategy, including incidence, survival, staging, socioeconomic insight and pathway timings to name a few.

The Scottish Government has no contracts with SOLACE.

The following tables show how many potholes have been reported and repaired by Transport Scotland’s Operating Company, BEAR Scotland, in Skye in each month of (i) 2021 and (ii) 2022.

Transport Scotland intends to achieve journey time savings via a series of infrastructure upgrades including signal enhancements and specific capacity alterations to facilitate the operation of more and faster trains on the same route.

Planning authorities are required to determine planning applications in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise, so ensuring all relevant planning matters are considered before a decision is made. The Scottish Government does not have the power to direct planning authorities to proceed to determine all wind farm applications located within the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array Consultation Zone.

Applicants for planning permission do have a right to appeal to the Scottish Ministers, or to a local review body, where their application is not determined within statutory timescales, or any extension to such timescales they may have agreed with the planning authority. Details can be found in paragraphs 4.2, 4.90 to 4.96 of Planning circular 3/2022: development management procedures - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The Scottish Government is in the process of reforming the Eskdalemuir Working Group, refining its membership with the aim of developing a guidance document for development of onshore wind within the Eskdalemuir Consultation Zone.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament, with support from members of all parties. The UK Government's use of section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Bill proceeding to Royal Assent represents an unprecedented challenge to the Scottish Parliament's ability to legislate on devolved matters.

The Scottish Government has provided detailed responses to questions from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in a letter of 5 February, is now considering the reasons given by the UK Government for its use of the section 35 power, and will update Parliament on next steps in due course.

Once planning permission has been granted for a development, whether by the relevant planning authority or, as the case may be, on appeal to the Scottish Ministers, there is no further opportunity for third parties to challenge the decision under planning legislation.

The Scottish planning system is plan-led, with a focus on involving all interests as early and effectively as possible. There are multiple opportunities for local communities to get involved during both the plan-making and planning application stages of the planning and development process.

Furthermore, our ongoing planning reform programme has sought to further strengthen engagement and participation, including the introduction of Local Place Plans and improvements to statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC). These reforms have been geared towards front-loading community participation in planning rather than providing opportunity for conflict towards the end.

It is open to any person to seek judicial review of any decision through the Scottish Courts. It is also open to that person, if they are not entitled to legal aid, to seek a protected expenses order from the Courts. The purpose of such an order is to redress the potential imbalance of financial resources between parties in relation to funding litigation by limiting the liability to the applicant in paying costs if their case is unsuccessful.

The Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth met with the appointed administrators for M&Co on 19 January 2023 and offered his support, including via Government engagement with Scottish Enterprise. He also met with Katy Clark and Neil Bibby MSPs, and offered to support engagement with local authorities if it would be helpful once there was clarity about when stores will close.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with local authorities, commercial and community partners via its Town Centre Action Plan (TCAP) Forum and its Retail Industry Leadership Group (ILG). The TCAP Forum established jointly with COSLA brings together stakeholder expertise across the public, third and private sector to help to progress key actions. The sector-led Retail ILG has been established to drive, and support delivery of the actions set out in the Retail Strategy for Scotland. Both the Action Plan and Strategy aim to put town centres at the heart of decision making.

Our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan sets out actions to support everyone in Scotland to eat well and be a healthy weight. These include holistic actions in a variety of settings to raise awareness of healthier food options.

The Plan is underpinned by our Scottish Dietary Goals . Taken together, the actions articulate a holistic approach across the food chain and within society. These include proposals for a mix of: restrictions on less healthy food provision (such as those on promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt) and actions to make it easier to access healthier options.

An example of our holistic approach is Parent Club, which links together advice on diet with other issues that parents and carers may want advice on. The Parent Club Family Support Directory raises awareness of different food choices and links resources for healthy eating, including: Best Start Foods, free nursery milk, and information on free school meals and the Young Patients Family Fund. The Parent Club Recipe Database includes healthy, low cost options and alternatives approved by nutritionists.

In addition, Food Standards Scotland has published an online dietary guidance resource, Eat Well, Your Way | Eat well, your way (eatwellyourway.scot) , which delivers evidence-based dietary advice along with practical tips in a user-friendly format.

At present, the Scottish Government does not provide any funding to the third sector organisation HIV Scotland.

In the last financial year, the Scottish Government provided HIV Scotland with core funding of £45,000. Additionally, we provided £120,000 to continue the HIV self-testing pilot in 2022-23.