Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-10932

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 26 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has undertaken regarding storm overflows and their impact on public health.

The independent Scottish EPA is required by law to identify unsatisfactory CSOs, primarily for water quality or sewage related debris impacts, in order to reduce those impacts on the water environment. SEPA also identifies unsatisfactory CSOs that impact on bathing water quality classification at the 87 designated Bathing Waters to reduce the risks to public health. Between 2010 and 2021 Scottish Water invested £335m improving 279 CSOs previously classed as unsatisfactory. The Scottish Government takes very seriously the issue of sewage spills, and my statement in Parliament last December set out comprehensive plans to reduce sewage spills over the coming decade.

Question reference: S6W-10679

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 23 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly procured a civic mediation service to facilitate dialogue between anti-abortion campaigners who gather at abortion clinics and those who are affected by such activities; who was consulted on this approach, and how people will be identified and invited to participate.

All women in Scotland should be able to access timely abortion care without judgment or intimidation. Last year, a Ministerial-led working group was formed to explore possible ways to solve the problem of women being harassed outside abortion clinics as quickly as possible. The working group is made up with partners including CoSLA, Police Scotland and affected councils and Health Boards to look at how to address the protests and vigils that take place outside of abortion clinics. A number of pieces of work have been commissioned by the group to explore views in this area, including this work and research to develop a detailed picture of women’s experiences as a result of the protests.

Those leading this work met separately with various parties to hear their views. This work has now concluded.

This is one of a number of actions being taken. Subject to the detail of a forthcoming Supreme Court judgment, the Scottish Government will also support Gillian Mackay MSP with the development and drafting of her proposed Members Bill to protect safe access for women to healthcare facilities that provide abortion services.

Question reference: S6W-10929

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a dedicated restoration fund for Scotland's rainforest, and what discussions it has had with partners and funders about long-term investment in Scotland's rainforest.

The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and restoring it’s rainforest. We are currently delivering this via the Forestry Grant Scheme which focuses on the eradication of Rhododendron ponticum , and the recently established Nature Restoration Fund. Officials have had a number of helpful discussions with a range of organisations and public sector bodies to determine how we could scale up support in the longer term, including on the scope to further attract responsible private investment.

Question reference: S6W-10949

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent work has been undertaken by its dedicated Food Security Unit.

The First Minister announced the Programme for Government 2022 to 2023 on 6 September 2022, which set out the action to ‘Establish a dedicated Food Security Unit within the Scottish Government with a view to monitoring ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities and linking with future food security work’. The Food Security unit is in the process of being established.

Work is also being taken forward on other recommendations from the Short Life Food Security and Supply Taskforce Report and Supply Taskforce Report, some of which have already been completed such as the launch of a digital gateway, specifically designed for the food and drink sector to access additional business support.

Question reference: S6O-01408

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to safeguard patients and staff within NHS Lanarkshire, in light of reports of the NHS board returning its risk level to Code Black.

Question reference: S6W-10822

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what work has been undertaken on plans for a Future Generations Commission in Scotland.

The Scottish Government committed in the Programme for Government, to explore how to ensure the interests of future generations are taken into account in decisions made today.

Ministers and officials have been engaging with a wide range of organisations who have an interest in embedding sustainable development, wellbeing and the interests of future generations in policy. I have held a series of meetings with key stakeholders in this area.

The Scottish Government is also considering the case for a Future Generations Commission alongside other ways of embedding the interests of future generations in policy, such as placing duties on public authorities to take account of the impact of their decisions on wellbeing and sustainable development and future generations.

The Scottish Government will take this into account as part of the development of a proposed Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Bill.

We intend to set out more detailed proposals later this year.

Question reference: S6W-10948

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government by what date access to universal free school meals will be made available to children and young people in (a) primary 6, (b) primary 7 and (c) secondary schools.

The Scottish Government remains committed to funding the expansion of free school lunches to all children in primary and special schools during the course of this parliament. We will also establish a pilot of the provision of free school lunches to secondary school pupils.

As the First Minister stated, during her statement to Parliament on our Programme for Government on 6 September, having delivered free school meals for all pupils in primary 1 to 5, we can now announce that we will start work with local authorities to extend universal provision to all pupils in primary 6 and 7. This work will be supported by £30 million of capital funding during this academic year to support the expansion of catering and dining facilities to accommodate increased uptake.

Where families do not meet the regular eligibility criteria for receiving free school meals, local authorities have the flexibility to make discretionary offers of free school meals where families are experiencing financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances. We would encourage any families experiencing difficulty with meeting the cost of school meals to contact their local council to enquire about what assistance may be available.

Question reference: S6W-10684

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be any changes to the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme, and when this was last discussed.

As the First Minister noted in her statement to the Scottish Parliament on the Programme for Government on 6 September 2022, the Scottish Government’s commitment to the full-parliament plans set out in last year’s Programme for Government - and in the Bute House Agreement - stands.

Under the Bute House Agreement, Ministers and Scottish Green Group portfolio holders hold regular liaison meetings as well as regular stocktake meetings with me, in my capacity as Deputy First Minister, and the wider Green Group of MSPs.

In line with the commitment in the Cooperation Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group, Patrick Harvie MSP and Lorna Slater MSP both attended Cabinet meetings on 26 April 2022 and 16 August 2022 where the Bute House Agreement was discussed.

Question reference: S6W-10821

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a statutory right to time off work for people undergoing fertility treatment.

Question reference: S6W-10882

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place in schools and educational establishments for children and young people who experience migraine.

We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people, get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential.

Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (the 2004 Act) education authorities have duties to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of their pupils. Education authorities can ask other agencies (including health boards) for help in carrying out their duties.

The Scottish Government has published guidance on supporting children and young people with healthcare needs in schools . The guidance supports education authorities, health boards and schools in delivering their responsibilities to support pupils’ healthcare needs. Where children and young people require medication throughout their school day, a healthcare plan should be put in place which sets out the arrangements for ongoing medical care in school and emergency procedures should an emergency arise.

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