Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-17073

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last with (a) COSLA and (b) local authorities to discuss the roll-out of universal free school meal pilot schemes in secondary schools.

Question reference: S6W-17074

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the opening of overdose prevention centres.

Following detailed partnership working between the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, Police Scotland and the Crown Office (COPFS), facilitated by the Scottish Government, details of a new service specification have been developed and shared with COPFS.

The specification, which seeks to meet the parameters set out in the Lord Advocate’s statement from November 2021, will now be considered by COPFS.

If appropriate, it will then be referred to the Lord Advocate for consideration of any related statement of prosecution policy

We have worked carefully with partners to help them develop a sustainable approach which will allow for any such facility to operate to maximum effect.

Parliament will be notified when further updates become available.

Question reference: S6W-16916

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prioritise (a) liver cancer and (b) other less survivable cancers in the 10-year cancer strategy, which is due to be published later in 2023.

The Scottish Government’s ambitious 10-year cancer strategy is nearing completion, with publication planned this Spring. The strategy will be under-pinned by action plans which will evolve with the changing cancer landscape. The strategy will take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care.

It will encompass a new earlier cancer diagnosis vision for Scotland and will continue to focus on those cancer types that are the largest burden and have poorer survival, in particular the less survivable cancers, including liver cancer.

Question reference: S6W-16915

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of NHS boards currently utilise intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT) in primary care to improve early detection of liver disease.

Question reference: S6W-17063

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent NHS dental practices from moving to the private sector.

Question reference: S6W-17064

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of NHS dental practices in NHS (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Forth Valley that have stopped offering NHS treatment since 6 May 2021.

Question reference: S6W-17344

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland will issue guidance to local authorities on the enforcement of the new offences listed in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.

The Parking Standards Guidance document relating to the enforcement of the new parking prohibitions contained in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 is being developed in consultation with local authorities through the Parking Standards Stakeholder Working Group and will be issued to local authorities at the same time as the Enforcement Regulations come into force. This is expected to be in December 2023.

Question reference: S6W-17159

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reduce the number of disposable nappies that are sent to landfill.

To encourage families to consider the use of reusable alternatives to disposable nappies, a Nappy Voucher is included within the Baby Box which can be used to redeem 1 waterproof nappy wrap, with 5 stay dry nappy pads.

The Nappy Voucher also signposts families to our ParentClub website which highlights the benefits of using reusable nappies as well as signposting families on where to seek advice and support with using them. Ready Steady Baby , which is given out at antenatal appointments, also highlights the benefits of reusable nappies.

The total amount of waste going to landfill in Scotland has dropped by nearly a third over the past decade. We are working to accelerate progress which includes introducing a ban on landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste. Additionally, we are supporting local authorities in improving recycling infrastructure through our Recycling Improvement Fund. This fund provides scope for local authorities to improve collection of problematic materials.

Question reference: S6O-02190

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a Scottish Child Payment top-up for parents under the age of 25 who are in receipt of Universal Credit, as called for by the End Young Parent Poverty campaign, in light of it reportedly being supported by more than 30 charities and civil society groups.

Question reference: S6W-16424

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 26 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to introduce new restrictions on the advertising and marketing of alcohol products.

Our recent consultation on restricting alcohol advertising and promotion set out a range of potential options to restrict alcohol advertising and promotion, in order to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms.

The consultation closed on 9 March. An independent contractor will comprehensively analyse the responses and a report will be published later this year. We will then further consider possible restrictions.

Tell us your views

Chamber and committees