- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Investigation into the care and treatment of Mr TU, published in March 2023, what steps have been taken to ensure that any disagreements within multidisciplinary teams regarding compulsory treatment orders are formally recorded, escalated appropriately, and addressed through second opinions where necessary.
Answer
It is for Boards to establish local processes for addressing disagreements within multidisciplinary teams, however it is for the Mental Health Tribunal to decide whether a Compulsory Treatment Order is to be granted.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what contingency planning or business support measures it is considering to mitigate any economic impact on businesses in Scotland of any new US trade barriers.
Answer
The Scottish Government continues to closely monitor and assess the direct and indirect impacts of new US goods tariffs, and is working closely with our enterprise agencies, the UK Government, and the business community, to assess the implications and consequences for the Scottish economy and businesses. Information for businesses on US tariffs can be found at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/usa-tariffs
We will continue to promote the export growth of Scottish businesses in both current and emerging markets as they find a way through this challenging time.
In recognition of the significant impact of tariffs on both the Scottish and UK economy, the First Minister has called on the UK Government to provide additional measures and economic support in response.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Investigation into the care and treatment of Mr TU, published in March 2023, what progress has been made in improving the involvement of families and carers in discharge planning within mental health services, and how improvements are measured.
Answer
NHS Boards have duties under the Carers Act to involve unpaid carers in decision making and planning the return from hospital of the person they care for (or will care for). More specifically, the Core Mental Health Quality Standards state that a person’s support network should be involved in their care if they wish. Progress on implementing the standards is measured by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Local assessments were circulated in 2024 and responses are currently being analysed.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what due diligence Scottish Enterprise undertook prior to its ministers announcing the grant offer of £1.7 million for Bhagat Holdings in relation to the former Pinneys of Scotland plant in Annan.
Answer
Prior to the announcement of support for Bhagat Holdings, Scottish Enterprise's due diligence included appraisal of the project and its benefits to the Scottish economy, assessment of eligible Scottish Enterprise support and consideration of the conditions attached to any support offered. Checks on bank accounts and funds, money laundering checks and Human Rights (level 1) checks were also undertaken. The company was required to sign all contracts relating to the offer of support.
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that apprentices have equitable access to learning opportunities, and what its response is to reports that some roofing apprentices in East Ayrshire have a two-hour journey to and from college for training.
Answer
We are committed to ensuring that apprentices have equitable access to learning opportunities regardless of their background or circumstances. This commitment is reflected through various policies and initiatives aimed at promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Recognising the challenges apprentices in remote and rural areas face, the government remains committed to working with training providers, employers and local authorities to improve accessibility. While apprentices in East Ayrshire do not qualify for the rural uplift supplement, we acknowledge that travel costs can be a barrier for young people. To support them we continue to offer free bus travel for those under 22 years of age, to encourage the early adoption of bus travel and to expand access to social, education and employment opportunities, including apprenticeships.
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it has engaged with the construction sector in East Ayrshire to determine the demand for roof slating and tiling apprenticeship opportunities in the area, in light of reports that the National Federation of Roofing Contractors was unable to get a course re-established at Ayrshire College because it did not meet the requirement set out in the final report of the Skills Delivery Landscape Review, Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation, that “to use resources to best effect, and to ensure funding and provision can be aligned to need (not just demand), then there must be a clear articulation of the areas that are a national priority”.
Answer
Skills Development Scotland has operational responsibility for delivery of apprenticeships in Scotland, including assessment of demand. There are currently 3 different pathways linked to the roofing sector (embedded within Modern Apprenticeship Construction frameworks).
Ayrshire college, as with all of Scotland’s colleges, is responsible for its own course provision and operational decisions. Scotland’s colleges work with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to ensure that education provision meets local and regional requirements. SFC has delivered on various asks from the college sector to help invest funds more effectively, including giving colleges a more flexible way to invest in vital changes to curriculums so they can meet local and national skills needs.
The Scottish Government funding for apprenticeships prioritises Construction frameworks. The construction and related occupational grouping accounted for the highest number of Modern Apprenticeship (MA) starts and MAs in training in 2023-24. MA allocations are also informed by consultation with employers through demand statements from Sector Skills Organisations and bodies, Industry Leadership Groups, Skills Investment Plans, and Regional Skills Assessments.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering to any colleges that are projected to record a budget deficit in 2025-26.
Answer
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) regularly monitors individual institution’s financial sustainability and considers appropriate forms of support. The indicative allocations published by the SFC on 10 April will enable colleges to move forward with planning for academic year 2025-26. The SFC allocations include a 2.6% increase in teaching funding compared with last year; an additional £4.5 million for lecturer's pay and £8.3 million for pensions; and an increase of almost 5% in capital maintenance funding to help colleges further invest in student’s learning experiences. The student support budget has also been maintained at the same level as last year, despite pressures on the public purse.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been in (i) red and (ii) amber warning levels for potential violence from pupils in each local authority area in each year since 1999.
Answer
This information is not held centrally. Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, education is the responsibility of local authorities.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many in-person visits have been undertaken by health visitors in each local authority area in each year since 1999.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 28 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported claims that schools are being discouraged from excluding violent pupils, and whether this reflects official policy.
Answer
This does not reflect Scottish Government policy, which is set out in our national guidance on exclusion ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part 2: a positive approach to preventing and managing school exclusions.’