Chamber and committees

As part of the Scottish Diabetes Group, we have multiple sub-groups focusing on projects related to unscheduled and emergency care. Many of the commitments within the Diabetes Improvement Plan will have secondary outcome measures aiming to reduce attendances at A&E and out of hours care. Measures are continuously being developed as we utilise data within the diabetes dashboard. The Scottish Diabetes Group continues to review these projects to ensure we are always targeting the most appropriate stages of the pathway.

I have commissioned an urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes.

The review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes will examine available evidence and consider potential options to improve the management of single use vapes and enhance the safe recycling of disposed products.

We will consider the evidence and expert advice and bring forward policy options in due course.

Most SG owned artwork is on display in Government buildings, with access limited to SG staff and contractors and accompanied visitors. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14450 on 9 February 2023. 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

This Government firmly believes that every child growing up in Scotland, regardless of their background, should have an equal chance of attending university and participating in higher education.

To date we have made progress on work to support fair access to higher education. The number of full-time first degree students entering university from the most deprived areas in Scotland is at a record high; latest Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) statistics show that 5,595 Scots entered university in the academic year 2021-22 (an increase of 80 students on the previous year). This is a 41% increase since the establishment of the Commission on Widening Access by this Government.

We have exceeded the Commission on Widening Access target to have 16% of full-time first degree entrants from the most deprived areas at university by 2021, with 16.5% of the 2021-22 cohort coming from the most deprived areas in Scotland. In his final report published on 31 May 2022, the previous Commissioner for Fair Access stated that Scotland continues to “set the pace in terms of fair access to higher education among the UK nations” and that it has been “an unambiguous success.”

We know we have more to do, however, and that is why we have recently appointed a new Commissioner for Fair Access, Professor John McKendrick. Professor McKendrick brings to the role a wealth of experience related to tackling poverty and inequality in Scotland, including work supporting children and young people in education. This appointment will help drive forward progress towards the 2030 target, and towards ensuring students from deprived areas receive opportunities to achieve their potential by having fair access to higher education.

The Scottish Government does not have an art collection. A number of artworks are owned by Scottish Government, the majority have been gifted to Ministers over time. Approximately 100 art works, prints and maps of varying individual values with an overall insurance value of approximately £62,000. This valuation excludes the portrait of the Earl of Bute on loan to National Gallery of Scotland.

Some of the significant artworks owned by Scottish Government are.

• Ramsay original John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, 1713 - 1792. Prime Minister on loan to National Gallery of Scotland £2.2million on loan to National Gallery of Scotland
• Bellany original un-named artwork showing unidentified fishing boat. On display in Bute House
• Bellany original artwork fishing scene, normally on display in Victoria Quay conference room, temporarily in storage due to building maintenance works
• An original tapestry by Jo Barker on display in Victoria Quay reception
• Watershed by Will Maclean on display in Victoria Quay ground floor rotunda
• Female Face by Jenna Davidson in designated St Andrew’s House storage room
• I Went Fishing by Karen Bauld in designated St Andrew’s House storage room

Scottish Government buildings also have a series of lower value originals, prints and maps on display. This includes a small number of prints and artworks gifted to Ministers over time.

While the BBC is operationally and editorially independent, the Scottish Government recognises and shares the music sector’s disappointment with the decision to decommission some cultural music programming on Radio Scotland.

We acknowledge the challenging financial position the BBC is in, which has been exacerbated by the UK Government’s decision to freeze the licence fee, and shift responsibility for funding free licences for over-75s onto the BBC’s shoulders.

However, any reduction in the breadth of BBC Scotland’s offering, including its cultural music content, is a matter of concern. Certain musical forms, such as piping or jazz, are not traditionally thought of as mainstream musical offerings so the BBC coverage is essential to ensure people are able to access them.

It’s important that the BBC listens to these concerns. We engage with BBC Scotland on a regular basis, and will continue to do so, to ensure that the music sector’s concerns are fully recognised. We will also continue to press the BBC to deliver on its commitments to commission high-quality, distinctive Scottish output for audiences.

Scottish Government does not have an art collection and SG records show there have been no purchase of original artwork by SG since 2007.

As part of the Scottish Diabetes Group, we have a sub-group focusing on Education. This group is currently working towards a ‘Once for Scotland’ pathway for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes – both of which will have pregnancy specific content and support.

The Framework for the Prevention, Early Detection and Early Intervention of Type 2 Diabetes indicates that for those diagnosed with gestational diabetes, structured education for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes should be offered post-partum and, where appropriate, referral to a weight management programme after pregnancy. Through investment, some NHS Boards have developed enhanced options for pregnant women for treatment of gestational diabetes in pregnancy. These involve education and clinical support provided by specialist midwives and dietitians.

This information is not held centrally.

Since the Bute House Agreement was signed in August 2021, the Scottish Government has been developing a range of proposals to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard equivalent to EPC C. This standard will be introduced in 2025 subject to Parliament passing the Heat in Buildings Bill, and will take effect on a phased basis over the following years. The Scottish Government plans to consult on these proposals in the coming months, including on approaches to phase in these requirements across the Scottish housing stock.