Questions and answers

To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) is aware and (b) has agreed that Scottish Water can reportedly raise household bills by consumer price inflation (CPI) plus 2% in each of the next two financial years.

As the member is aware from previously submitted questions, most recently S6F-01607 on 8 December 2022, arrangements for setting water charges are set out in the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, and the role of setting of annual price rises is primarily a matter for the Board of Scottish Water. During 2021-27, customers are protected by a cap on charges of CPI+2% as set out in the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s Final Determination.

The answer to S6F-01607 is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament .

Question reference: S6W-28733

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of increasing water bills on households during the cost of living crisis, and specifically by consumer price inflation (CPI) plus 2%.

As the former First Minister reported to the member in answer to S6F-01607, the Scottish Government expects the Board of Scottish Water to take a proportionate position when setting charges; balancing affordability with critical investment needs to protect the quality of our drinking water and the environment.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting people in light of the rising costs of living and has already taken action on affordability of water charges; from 1 April 2021 – the start of the current 6-year regulatory period for the water industry - we increased the maximum discount under the water charges reduction scheme from 25% to 35% to support those struggling to pay their bills.

The answer to S6F-01607 is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament .

Question reference: S6W-28720

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) the number of people currently waiting for a kidney transplant in Scotland and (b) any impact of long waits on patient outcomes.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) publishes transplant waiting list statistics across the UK on a quarterly basis. As of 30 June 2024, there were 459 people recorded by NHSBT as being on the active waiting list for a deceased donor kidney transplant in Scotland.

As set out in the Scottish Government’s Donation and Transplantation Plan: 2021-2026 , in order to deliver the best outcomes any individual in Scotland who would benefit from kidney transplantation should ideally have no or minimal time on dialysis, thereby avoiding the restrictive diet and some of the health problems associated with dialysis. A pre-emptive transplant (a kidney transplant before the patient needs to start dialysis) has many benefits including a lower risk that the body will reject the new kidney.

Question reference: S6W-28719

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 13 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the variation in access to living kidney donation across adult kidney centres, and what steps it is taking to make kidney donation easier.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring equitable access to living kidney donation. All nine Renal Units in Scotland are currently supporting living kidney donation, with sixteen living donor co-ordinators in post across the Renal Units. In 2016, the Scottish Government supported the creation of the Living Donation Scotland Board, whose role, working with referring Renal Units and Transplant Centres, is to make it easier to access living donor kidney transplantation. The Scottish Government also supports the Renal Units in their work by hosting an annual event for staff to share good practice and learning.

In addition, the Scottish Government is taking a number of steps to make accessing kidney donation easier as set out in the Scottish Donation and Transplantation Plan: 2021-2026 . The plan makes clear that whilst it will not be feasible for everyone, the aim is to encourage all those who need a kidney transplant to consider and explore options for a living donor transplant as their first transplant.

To ensure that every recipient who would benefit from a kidney transplant receives standard information about living donation during transplant assessment, the Scottish Government provides living donor information packs and a range of resources through the Organ Donation Scotland website, including written information, video and clear pathway contact information access for recipients and donors. Annual living donation multi-media campaigns have also proven successful in increasing awareness for donors.

Finally, following a pilot project, the Renal Education and Choices at Home (REACH Transplant) programme was implemented in 2022. REACH Transplant is funded by the Scottish Government and has involved the appointment of both a REACH transplant programme lead and ten REACH Transplant nurses across Scotland, based in each Renal Unit. The REACH Transplant nurses work with local nephrologists to identify those at an early stage who may need a kidney transplant in the future. A visit is organised with the recipient and their support network in a place of their choice to provide information on living kidney donation and to support the recipient to discuss living donation. The aim of this tailored support and timely referral for living donor transplantation is to increase the likelihood of pre-emptive transplantation by overcoming barriers and ensuring equity of treatment choice.

Tell us your views

Chamber and committees