- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce deaths from liver disease in areas of social deprivation.
Answer
We know people living in poverty have poorer health outcomes and this is why we are committed to addressing the underlying causes of health inequalities and increasing healthy life expectancy. There is a stark social gradient to alcohol harms and outcomes linked to poor diet with those in the most deprived areas being the most affected
Population-wide measures to transform the food environment are more likely to be effective in reducing health inequalities than measures aimed only at encouraging individuals to change their behaviours. That is why we will introduce a Bill in this Parliament that includes powers to restrict promotions of foods high in fat, sugar or salt and introduced Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol. The Scottish Government’s Alcohol Framework 2018 sets out our priorities for preventing alcohol-related harm, including our world-leading minimum unit pricing policy.
A recent study by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems has highlighted the effectiveness of alcohol nurses in Deep End practices in Glasgow, in supporting people with alcohol problems who have complex needs. The Scottish Government will carefully consider the findings of the report which highlight the need for more research into the effectiveness of these services.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08590 by Keith Brown on 6 June 2022, what improvements can be evidenced since the implementation of this new procedure of delivering reforms to support early resolution of summary cases, and (a) how and (b) when any such reductions in delays will be reported.
Answer
Progress on implementing the summary case reform pilot has been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic and it is intended that the package of reforms will now be taken forward on a pilot basis recommencing in September 2022. The impact of the reforms will be closely monitored and reported on with a view to informing future rollout of the agreed reform arrangements.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what it plans to do with unspent funding from (a) the Business Ventilation Fund and (b) other COVID-19-related funds.
Answer
The Scottish Government has supported businesses with more than £4.7bn since the start of the pandemic. All Covid-19 business support funds have closed. No funds remain to be allocated from either the Business Ventilation Fund or other Covid 19 related funds.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it will be ensured that there are no adverse effects on the internationally designated Firth of Forth Special Protection Area and nationally designated Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest during the development and operation of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Answer
As promoter of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, Falkirk Council is required and committed to protecting natural habitats and enjoyment of the waterways while constructing flood defences that will safeguard communities.
The Scheme acknowledges the nationally and internationally-significant environmental designations present in the area which provide habitat for large numbers of birds. A precautionary approach has been adopted and consultation with the relevant Statutory Authorities is ongoing. An Appropriate Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) will form part of the Scheme documentation.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) considers the possible impact of the scheme and proposed mitigation measures under a number of headings; including wildlife and biodiversity, air quality, noise and vibration, landscape and cultural heritage. This assessment will be concluded later this year and be published when the Scheme is Notified.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for ongoing public participation and stakeholder engagement in the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.
Answer
Falkirk Council are responsible for the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme. They have held a variety of public engagement events since 2019. Public information sessions will continue through 2022 and early 2023 using a variety of means including newsletters, social media updates, and drop in events.
A public exhibition will be held on the proposed flood defences before the Scheme goes into the formal Notification stage. The Notification process is a statutory requirement under Schedule 2 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.
A record of previous and future engagement activities are available from the scheme website ( www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com ).
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the Scottish Solicitors’ Bar Association say that the impasse on legal aid payments has meant that the entire criminal justice system is in “imminent danger of collapse”.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update following the summit on safe access to abortion services convened by the First Minister.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022
To ask the First Minister what progress the Scottish Government is making towards introducing an effective national system of rent controls by the end of 2025 as set out in its strategy, A New Deal for Tenants.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022
- Asked by: Joe FitzPatrick, MSP for Dundee City West, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022
To ask the First Minister, as the end of Pride month approaches, whether she will provide an update on the implementation of Scotland's reportedly world leading LGBT Inclusive Education.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to reduce breakdowns on ferry services to Scotland’s islands.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022