Chamber and committees

This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. However, you may wish to contact Scottish Local Authorities individually for information they may hold. The Scottish local government page of the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has contact information for each authority: https://www.cosla.gov.uk/councils .

Consideration of potential improvements to all strategic transport infrastructure across the whole of Scotland continues to be undertaken through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). Through the STPR2 Regional Transport Working Group covering the Edinburgh area, Transport Scotland have ensured there are synergies between this and the ongoing improvements at Sheriffhall, being progressed as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

STPR2 will create the evidence basis for future transport investment decisions by the Scottish Government for the next 20 years. It will set out how the recommended investments will contribute Net Zero, Inclusive Growth and our vision is for a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.

At the core of STPR2 is the Sustainable Investment Hierarchy. We will aim first to reduce the need to travel unsustainably, make better use of and enhance existing infrastructure, before investing in new capacity. This hierarchy is also central to Infrastructure Investment Plan. It is through this Review, that potential improvements on the A720, in addition to the work at Sheriffhall, will be considered within the appraisal process.

STPR2 will conclude later this year, with publication of recommendations for investment and an appropriate statutory consultation period.

We continue to analyse a number of options around signalisation and prohibition of movements in order to understand the wider impacts of this on the surrounding local and trunk road network. This is a complex task, which aims to balance the need to reduce conflict at this location along with minimising any reduction in operational performance of the A702 corridor.

We have commissioned specialist traffic modelling consultants to carry out a detailed modelling exercise to assess the effectiveness of different junction option scenarios including road closures/banned turning movements in conjunction with new traffic signal arrangements. This detailed modelling exercise is currently ongoing and is expected that this work will be concluded in summer 2021.

Spending data on additional support for learning (ASL) is provided below. This data is collected from local authorities via the Local Financial Returns (LFR). In addition to 2019-20 expenditure data, figures for 2018-19 have also been provided due to revisions in LFR statistics since the response to
‎ S5W-27605. These revisions reflect an upward revision in ASL spending reported by North Lanarkshire, and a downwards revision in ASL spending reported by Stirling local authority.

Local authorities are asked to provide this data in line with guidance to ensure returns are completed on a consistent basis to allow for a reasonable degree of comparability. However, these figures may be affected by variations in local accounting practices and education strategies. It is important to bear this in mind when making comparisons between local authorities and years.

Local authorities are asked to record all centrally funded ASL expenditure under Special Education, irrespective of where it is delivered. Decisions about prioritisation and budgets, including those for the provision of services for pupils with additional support needs, are a matter for individual councils. We recognise the challenges facing authorities in balancing their need to meet a wide range of statutory duties, local priorities and local circumstances.

Tables 1 and 2 shows gross revenue expenditure on additional support for learning (ASL) education from 2019-20 and 2018-19 respectively, split by Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Special Education.

Table 1 – 2019-20 ASL expenditure by Local Authority (£000)

The Scottish Government continues to be guided by the science and independent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The Scottish Government vaccination programme adheres to strict medical guidance and JCVI advice and at present although this situation is constantly reviewed; the MHRA has not authorised any vaccines for those aged under 16 years old, across the Four Nations.

If there is a change for under 16 year old then the vaccination process will be in accordance JCVI advice and supply of authorised vaccines.

Population estimates of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority groups at national level were published in the COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Plan on 14 January drawing on the latest available data at that point. The current published data showing performance at board level is based on the last published 2019, National Records of Scotland mid-year population estimates (MYE) for all those aged 16 and over. This provides an important measure of the overall coverage of the adult population (16+) who have so far been vaccinated.

A key focus of the vaccination programme at present is vaccination of those aged 50 years and over, so the younger age profile in Lothian explains why the headline coverage of the overall adult population (16+) is lower than other areas. A more accurate reflection of progress is to consider delivery based on mid-year estimates for those aged 50 and over. On this basis, internal analysis shows that vaccinations in NHS Lothian are progressing very well, in line with JCVI priority groups and according to their available supply. We are working closely with Public Health Scotland (PHS) to further develop vaccination reporting and additional breakdowns, such as vaccinations by age group in each health board, which will be published on the PHS dashboard.

Published data shows, as of 20 March, almost one third of a million people in Lothian have received their first dose of vaccine (310,398), with 29,939 of those having received their second dose. This is good progress, with a higher than expected uptake for the first JCVI priority groups and more people vaccinated overall than we anticipated compared to our deployment plan at this point.

I am also aware of an issue from Monday of this week, 15th March, that has meant several people within the NHS Lothian area have not received their appointment letter. I would like to apologise to anyone who has missed their appointment because of this delay, and encourage those who did not attend their vaccination to do so when they receive their new invitation.

Work is ongoing with National Services Scotland (NSS) and Royal Mail to investigate the cause of these delays and mitigate any future issues.

We have asked NHS Lothian to carry out a review of its eye care services.  We remain committed to working with NHS Lothian to support this and protect specialised eye services for the city and the wider region.  Health Boards do not receive the funding for major capital projects until the project has completed the approval process set out in the Scottish Capital Investment Manual.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35846 on‎ 19 March 2021.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is continuing to engage with the Joint committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the issue of priority vaccines for terminally ill patients and those at risk of being immunosuppressed. I have written to the JCVI on this matter, and the response provided by JCVI advised that for the first phase of the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme, priority should be given to protecting those most at risk of dying from COVID-19.

JCVI priority group 4 includes all those 70 years of age and over, and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals. Group 6 includes all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. Group 6 also includes unpaid carers, including all adult carers and young carers aged 16 to 18.

Priority groups 4 and 6 are not completely distinct groups as such. In practice, delivery to these groups will be a matter of weeks apart. A person can therefore move in and out of these two groups with time rather than being static in one group.

Patients’ own clinicians will be best placed to provide specific advice, many will also be contacted by their own GP directly who will be able to provide specific clinical advice for their circumstances.

We will continue to work with the JCVI to monitor vaccine delivery.

Patients’ own clinicians will be best placed to provide specific advice, many will also be contacted by their own GP directly who will be able to provide specific clinical advice for their circumstances.

I have made it clear to all the Health Boards and professionals that individuals who are unable to leave their own homes will receive their vaccination at home.