Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-06454

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will encourage rail operators in Scotland to make use of new media tools such as WhatsApp to enable widening accessibility within the rail network, such as the service that has been introduced by TransPennine Express.

Yes, we will continue to encourage rail operators in their use of new media tools to improve levels of customer service. Since ScotRail launched their Whatsapp facility in September 2019, they have received approximately 45,000 messages via WhatsApp.

ScotRail advise that messages concerning ticket buying accounted for around 20 per cent of all messages. 134 messages in total related to accessibility. WhatsApp remains the least used of ScotRail’s three main channels, with incoming messages on Twitter for the same period at around 438,000, and Facebook at 80,000.

Caledonian Sleeper is introducing a Live Chat facility. While being rolled out on a ‘soft launch’ basis it is already receiving 50+ messages a day, and it is planned that this will be adopted on a formal basis in the coming months.

Caledonian Sleeper has the facility to text all of its guests and also regularly messages them on social media as requested.

Question reference: S6W-06848

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 11 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale would be to top up (a) the Child Payment, (b) bridging payments for families with children over five, (c) child/adult disability assistance, (d) Best Start payments and (e) Winter Fuel payments, and how this could be accelerated if required urgently.

Question reference: S6W-06435

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 10 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 130 Child Disability Payment applications, which did not exceed the six-week timeframe, did not progress to stage two, and what the reasons were for this.

The statistics that Social Security Scotland publish on Child Disability Payment applications are a snapshot in time. The high level statistics from the 26 July to 21 November 2021 show only part 2 application forms that were registered up until the 21 November.

Applications without a part two registered by the snapshot date can be due to applicants still being within the six-week time period following completion of a part 1 application, and a part 2 may be registered after this snapshot date. In such instances, part 2 applications will be reported in subsequent statistics publications and will still have the opportunity to progress. Those applications where a part 2 application is not submitted may be as a result of repeat applications or the applicant already being in receipt of Disability Living Allowance for Children.

Question reference: S6W-06437

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 10 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what potential risks it has identified of underestimating the cost of the Adult Disability Payment.

The Scottish Government works closely with the Scottish Fiscal Commission to provide the data and information necessary to inform their forecasts.

The Scottish Fiscal Commission outlined the uncertainties of forecasting Adult Disability Payment in their August 2021 publication, which can be found at https://www.fiscalcommission.scot/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Scotlands-Economic-and-Fiscal-Forecasts-August-2021-Full-Report-Revised-October-2021.pdf . This includes a detailed sensitivity analysis and a description of the Adult Disability Payment forecast uncertainty.

The accuracy of these forecasts are reviewed and updated throughout each forecasting process, using the latest data and developments. The Scottish Government will continue to mitigate risks through taking a responsible and capable approach to Scotland’s finances.

Question reference: S6W-06436

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 10 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been any instances of Child Disability Payment applications not progressing as a result of staff error.

Question reference: S6W-06434

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 10 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on the reasons for Child Disability Payment applications not proceeding to stage two of the application process.

Social Security Scotland does not intend to routinely publish information on the reasons for Child Disability Payment applications not proceeding to part two of the application process.

Applicants have six weeks from the completion of part 1 of the Child Disability Payment form to complete part 2 of the application. There are various reasons why a part 2 application form may not be registered for Child Disability Payment applications. These can include where applicants make repeat applications whilst awaiting a decision or where applicants are already in receipt of Disability Living Allowance for Children.

Question reference: S6W-06776

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any delays within the construction industry in (a) general and (b) relation to (i) workforce and (ii) material shortages, and what action it is taking to mitigate the impact of any delays on the construction of social housing.

We set up a short life working group and worked at pace with industry to examine where the immediate shortages were most acute and to identify opportunities to remove barriers and build capacity within Scotland. A letter summarising the key findings from the Materials Shortage Working Group’s work was sent to the Economy and Fair Work committee on 25 January 2022 and has been published on the Scottish Parliament website. Details of this letter can be found in the following link:

Construction Materials Shortages Working Group | Scottish Parliament Website

Our Construction Recovery Plan , published in October 2020, recognises the importance of local supply chains and the use of sustainable materials to build necessary resilience in supply. Actions in the Plan are focussed on the development of our supply chains to maximise local economic and community benefits and are being driven forward by the Supply Chain Subgroup of the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF). The Plan also identifies short, medium and long term actions in relations to skills and workforce.

An online Construction Directory is due to be launched this year. This will help businesses make connections to Scottish suppliers.

More widely, our Supply Chains Development Programme is identifying opportunities to strengthen domestic supply chains, improve resilience, support net zero ambitions and help grow the Scottish economy.

We continue to work closely with our social and affordable housing delivery partners and to monitor progress on a project by project basis across the country through our network of area teams. This is a constantly changing position and we are working together to deliver warm affordable homes for the people who need them as quickly as it is possible to do so and to make full use of the £3.6 billion five-year funding already secured to support the delivery of social and affordable housing across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-06777

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported global manufacturing slowdown as a result of COVID-19, what action it is taking to mitigate any delays in the construction of accessible social housing, in order to ensure that disabled and older people have access to suitable properties.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with the construction sector, through the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), to assess shortages of both materials and labour facing parts of the construction sector, including the manufacturing slowdown, and continue to be advised of developments in this regard.

We continue to work closely with our social and affordable housing delivery partners and to monitor progress on a project by project basis across the country through our network of area teams. This is a constantly changing position and we are working together to deliver warm affordable homes for the people who need them, including accessible social housing for disabled and older people, as quickly as it is possible to do so, and to make full use of the £3.6 billion five-year funding already secured to support the delivery of social and affordable housing across Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-00864

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report on misogyny and criminal justice in Scotland, published on International Women’s Day, which calls for a Misogyny Bill for Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-06306

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 8 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage local authorities to (a) implement measures to make streets and pavements accessible for disabled people and (b) ensure there are lowered kerbs and correct tactile paving where needed.

Ensuring paths and pavements are clear and accessible for all’ is a key objective within our Accessible Travel Framework and a current priority in our Annual Delivery Plan . The Scottish Government continues to work collaboratively with a range of different organisations, including local authorities, the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) and disabled people’s organisations, on improving accessibility of streetscapes.

In relation to use of dropped kerbs and tactile paving, the Scottish Government is currently developing co-produced guidance on inclusive design in town centres and busy street areas in Scotland. The guidance, which will soon go to public consultation, is aimed at project commissioners, designers and members of the public to support the inclusive design and engagement processes that deliver accessible town centre and busy street environments for everyone.

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