Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-09508

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 14 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many nationals of other EU states (a) started and (b) left employment in the NHS in the latest year for which figures are available.

As there has been no requirement to collect nationality data, information on the number of nationals of other EU states is not routinely collected by NHS Boards and is therefore not held centrally.

However, data available from the Annual Population Survey estimates that 12,000 EU nationals are employed within the health and social work sector, accounting for around 3 per cent of the workforce.

General Medical Council data shows approximately 1,371 EU qualified doctors working in Scotland – 6.8% of the medical workforce.

The Scottish Government can give EU citizens who work in Scotland direct assurance that we want them here, we value their contribution, and will be doing everything we can to make sure they can continue with us without detriment.

Question reference: S5W-09512

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it made of the cost of each of the stage 2 options considered in the assessment for improvements to the Sheriffhall roundabout, and how these were calculated.

The total scheme cost estimates for each of the options considered are as follows; Option A £94.163m; Option B £87.325m; and Option C £90.318m. These estimates include VAT and are based on 2016 prices.

Further details on the total scheme cost estimates for each of the options can be found in the A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout DMRB Stage 2 Options Assessment Report which is available on Transport Scotland’s website at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/drmb-stage-2-assessment-report-a720-sheriffhall-roundabout/

Question reference: S5W-09514

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration was given to the views expressed by Sustrans Scotland on the stage 2 options for the improvements to the Sheriffhall roundabout.

Transport Scotland consulted and considered the views of Sustrans, alongside other stakeholders throughout the option assessment process. Whilst Sustrans considered Option C to be favoured specifically for active travel this option showed poor operational performance when compared to the other Options, with critical congestion issues found to occur soon after the year of opening.

Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of the proposed scheme and this will be developed in further detail as we continue to progress the development and assessment of the preferred option, in consultation with local interest groups and other stakeholders including Sustrans.

Question reference: S5W-09502

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 13 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent pilot schemes in Lothian and Dundee, what plans it has to co-locate money advice workers in GP surgeries, and how many advisers will be placed.

The assessment of the pilot schemes on co-locating money advisers in GP surgeries has drawn some valuable conclusions. These will be used to inform the Scottish Government’s internal strategic policy review of its support for advice services. It is important that advice services are developed and delivered in a coherent manner that ensures that those who would benefit most can access them.

Through the Primary Care Transformation Fund, Integration Authorities have been provided with funding to explore tests of change utilising multi-disciplinary teams. This includes wellbeing nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists, among others, working within GP practices to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care first time.

Question reference: S5W-09510

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how its preferred option at stage 2 of the assessment for improvements to the Sheriffhall roundabout aligns with the “Hierarchy of Measures” set out by Transport Scotland in the report, Cycling by Design.

Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of the proposed improvements to Sheriffhall Roundabout. By allowing Edinburgh City Bypass traffic to pass over it will significantly reduce congestion and improve accessibility for all modes of transport including pedestrians and cyclists.

We will continue to progress the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option for all users including cyclists, in consultation with local interest groups. The ongoing development of the preferred option is subject to a cycling and accessibility audit to ensure the evolving design meets the scheme objectives and the best practice defined within Cycling by Design.

Question reference: S5W-09513

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to the recommendation by South East of Scotland Transport Partnership for a walking and cycling bridge to be included in the stage 2 options for improvements to the Sheriffhall roundabout.

SEStrans favoured the Option B preferred option arrangement but highlighted that the ability to accommodate a segregated cycle link would be important.

Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of the proposed scheme and this will be developed in further detail as we continue to progress the development and assessment of the preferred option, in consultation with local interest groups and other stakeholders including SEStrans.

Question reference: S5W-09501

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 13 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when its review of the money advice sector will be published.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking an internal strategic policy review of its support for advice services. The aim of the Review is to develop a coherent strategic policy framework for the Scottish Government’s support to advice services that directs investment and ensures services are effective, efficient, fit for purpose, value for money and are not duplicated. It is considering Scottish Government investment across a range of advice services intended to maximise household resources and ensure people understand their civil rights and have recourse to redress if those rights are not upheld.

We expect to publish the findings of some independent research commissioned to support the review before the summer recess. However, we do not anticipate formally publishing any further work from the review at this time as it is an internal process. We will however continue to consult with partners as required to develop our approach.

Question reference: S5W-09500

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 12 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a nationally-recognised training route for money advice workers.

A nationally recognised training route for money advice workers is currently in operation with courses and on-going consultancy support delivered by Money Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland. The training delivered under Wiseradviser Scotland has gained accreditation from the Money Advice Service as part of its Quality Framework for Individuals and meet the requirements of the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers. Funding for training delivery and consultancy support is provided by the Money Advice Trust, Money Advice Service and the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government’s wider policy review of support for advice services will consider training provision and quality standards with the aim of ensuring that these fully meet the needs of the sector.

Question reference: S5W-09504

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent study by Queen's University Belfast, which suggested that almost half of baby rice food products contain illegal levels of inorganic arsenic, what action it can take to ensure that food products for infants and younger children are safe.

I am advised by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) that there have been maximum limits for inorganic arsenic in rice for use in foods for infants and young children since January 2016. These limits were established through EU food law, and apply across all EU Member States.

As there were no statutory limits in place immediately prior to that date, foodstuffs not complying with these maximum levels which were lawfully placed on the market prior to January 2016 were permitted to remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or use-by-date. Given that the Queen’s University Belfast study commenced in February 2016, one month after the new limits were applied, it is possible that the study included products containing rice that had been produced before the maximum limits were introduced, and for which legitimate transitional arrangements are in place. We continuously review new evidence and will consider whether this study adds to UK data on exposure to arsenic for young children.

FSS intends to support local authority sampling of rice products available at retail level to which new legal limits apply in order to monitor compliance. Funding by FSS to local authorities for this purpose will be made available later this year.

Question reference: S5O-01123

Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing legislation on the installation of CCTV in abattoirs.

Chamber and committees