- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to implementing the recommendation in the recent Audit Scotland report, Adult mental health, for it to publish a costed delivery plan, as soon as possible, setting out the funding and workforce needed to establish and accommodate primary care mental health and wellbeing services across Scotland by 2026.
Answer
The Scottish Government thanks Audit Scotland for a thorough, clear and wide-ranging report on Adult Mental Health Services in Scotland. Ministers recognise how closely some of the content of the report mirrors our vision, outcomes and priorities that we set out in our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
The Scottish Government recognises that as frontline practitioners, GPs and their wider practice teams are often the first port of call for those seeking mental health and wellbeing support. In recent years we have prioritised significant investment to build mental health capacity in primary care through Action 15 and the Primary Care Improvement Fund.
We will now take the time to carefully consider both the specific recommendations, and the wider substance of the report. We will publish the Delivery Plan for our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, together with our Workforce Plan, this Autumn, which will set out the actions we will take to address many of the issues set out by Audit Scotland, including those around mental health support in primary care.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to implementing the recommendation in the recent Audit Scotland report, Adult mental health, for it to publish its guidance on measuring and evaluating outcomes from mental health and wellbeing services in primary care before the end of 2023.
Answer
The Scottish Government thanks Audit Scotland for a thorough, clear and wide-ranging report on Adult Mental Health Services in Scotland. Ministers recognise how closely some of the content of the report mirrors our vision, outcomes and priorities that we set out in our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
While we will take the time to carefully consider other specific recommendations, and the wider substance of the report, we can commit to publishing the outcomes and measures framework to guide evaluation of the local implementation of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Care services by the end of the year. Further details on the framework will be provided in the forthcoming Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a negotiation to construct electric arc furnaces at Clydebridge Steelworks, in light of the £500 million public investment package announced by the UK Government for the installation of electric arc furnaces to enable green steelmaking at Port Talbot steelworks in Wales.
Answer
I refer to recent answers regarding the Clydebridge site in Cambuslang, in particular my answers to written questions S6W-17169 on 4 May 2023 and S6W-17708 on 16 May 2023.
The Clydebridge site is not currently operational and no staff are currently employed at the site. The future of the site, including any plans for development, is an operational matter for Liberty Steel.
Scottish Government maintain an open dialogue with Liberty Steel and have a number of regular meetings with them. We are not aware of any plans to install an electric arc furnace at the Clydebridge site at this time.
All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to (a) the Rail Delivery Group, (b) Avanti West Coast and (c) the UK Department for Transport regarding the proposed closure of the Avanti West Coast ticket office in Glasgow Central Station.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20943 on 26 September 2023 and, in addition, can advise that no representations have been made to the Rail Delivery Group.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the most recent suicide statistics from Public Health Scotland, including the finding that just under three quarters of those who died by suicide were male.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes the report from Public Health Scotland as a contribution to the evidence base on probable suicides in Scotland. It is positive that the trends show there has been a reduction in the rate of suicide in Scotland from the position in 2011. However, from such reports and listening to those with lived experience of suicide, we know there is still much work to do to reduce suicide deaths and for people at high risk of suicide – including middle aged men. The report confirms many of the contributing factors and experiences faced by those who die by suicide such as poverty, homelessness and the cost of living crisis, and the findings will inform the delivery of our Creating Hope Together Action Plan.
Taking a whole of government and society approach focused on addressing the social determinants of suicide, which we know are concentrated in particular communities of place, interest and experience, is fundamental to our Strategy. This dedicated work is further complemented by our new Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy , published jointly with CoSLA on 29 June 2023, that places early intervention at its heart, which we know is key to reducing suicide deaths.
We are also supporting a range of local suicide prevention initiatives across Scotland through our £15 million per annum Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund . The Fund is focused on tackling inequalities and supported nearly 300 suicide prevention initiatives in 2022-23, as well as projects aimed at building social connection in our communities, which we know promote good mental health and wellbeing.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle mental health inequalities, in light of the most recent Public Health Scotland statistics on suicide showing that deaths by suicide are almost three times more likely among those living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20938 on 26 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support suicide prevention initiatives, particularly in the most socioeconomically deprived areas.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20938 on 26 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 01 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the (a) UK Government Secretary of State for Transport and (b) Avanti West Coast Train Operating Company regarding the proposed closure of the ticket office at Glasgow Central Station.
Answer
I am pleased to confirm the Scottish Government has no plans to close any ScotRail ticket offices, unlike proposals from UK Government train operators to close ticket offices elsewhere and this includes the Avanti ticket office at Glasgow Central station.
I have written to the UK (Rail) Minister setting out the Scottish Government’s objection to these proposed ticket office closures and raising strong concerns around potential impacts on disabled and other passengers who rely on support from station staff to access rail services. My letter was copied to Andy Mellors, Managing Director, Avanti West Coast and Antony Smith, Chief Executive, Transport Focus.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 August 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 25 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the £9.6 million loan granted by the Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) fund in 2012 for the development of 110 Queen Street, Glasgow.
Answer
In December 2012, through the Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) a loan of £9.6 million was granted contributing to the development of 110 Queen Street. The loan was fully repaid in September 2014. The completed building provides over 140,000 square feet of space which is fully occupied, supporting the creation of over 1,000 jobs.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Christina McKelvie on 22 September 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will support National Museums Scotland with approaching the City of Long Beach, California, regarding the potential acquisition of at least one of the original lifeboats from the RMS Queen Mary that were built by Hugh McLean & Sons Ltd, of Govan, Glasgow, for Scotland's national collection, in light of reported proposals to scrap 19 of the 22 boats.
Answer
This is an operational matter for National Museums Scotland and the Board of Trustees.
National Museums Scotland has advised officials that it is not looking to acquire one of the lifeboats from the RMS Queen Mary for the National Collection.
NMS does not actively collect full sized aquatic vessels in its transport collection. Space and storage limitations would prevent them from being able to care appropriately for an object of this size.