Chamber and committees

Under the Equality Act 2010, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) cannot discriminate or victimise in conferring qualifications. During 2018–19, SQA reviewed its equality impact assessment practices, and incorporated the Fairer Scotland Duty into the process.

We are committed to quickly learning from this year’s awards process. Professor Mark Priestley is leading an independent review of the approach to awarding in 2020. Areas being considered by Professor Priestley include teachers’ estimates and he will make recommendations to the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was commissioned to develop and deliver an alternative approach to awarding in 2020, and as such their approach to moderation was an operational decision for SQA to make.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30732 on 6 August 2020. 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

Public Health Scotland recently published an impact assessment that examined the reasons why particular groups are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We know that stubborn health inequalities persist and more deprived communities have a higher likelihood of suffering from conditions that heighten the risk from COVID-19.

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1557

A further detailed report on an investigation into the risk factors associated with poorer outcomes among individuals hospitalised with COVID19 in Scotland is currently being reviewed by a scientific journal and is likely to be published in the coming weeks; deprivation is one of the factors examined.

The Scottish Government does not centrally collect information or data relating to the use of Do Not Attempt Cardiovascular Resuscitation (DNACPR) forms.

As with all other clinical treatments, decisions about CPR should be based on the individual clinical circumstances and wishes of the patient, recorded appropriately and updated when medical circumstances change. This recording is done in hard copy on a DNACPR form, the existence of which is then recorded on an individual’s Key Information Summary. Such information is only shared for the purposes of direct care and is therefore not centrally collected.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29910 on 31 July 2020. 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 Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has discussed the future of the aerospace sector including Rolls Royce during regular calls with Nadhim Zahawi MP, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Industry on 13 May and 3 June.

I also discussed the future of the aerospace sector including Rolls Royce with Mr Zahawi on 23 May, 27 May and 16 June.

Most recently, the Minister for Public Finance and Migration raised the issues facing the aerospace sector with the UK Government on 29 July.

Scottish Ministers have had, and continue to have, regular contact with the UK Government with regard to the future of the aerospace sector in Scotland and the UK. Scottish Ministers have used these opportunities to raise Scottish specific issues, including the future of Rolls-Royce at Inchinnan.

Scottish Ministers have had, and continue to have, regular discussions both jointly and bilaterally with the UK Government and the governments of Wales and Northern Ireland with regard to the future of the aerospace sector in both Scotland and the wider UK.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, most recently discussed the sector with Nadhim Zahawi MP, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Industry on 17 July 2020.

Scottish ministers also wrote jointly with ministers from Wales and Northern Ireland to the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 9 July 2020.

Most recently, the Minister for Public Finance and Migration raised the issues facing the aerospace sector with the UK Government on 29 July and we will continue to take every opportunity to engage with the UK Government and the Governments of Northern Ireland and Wales on the future of the aerospace sector.

Aviva has not been awarded any new grants or funding packages from Scottish Enterprise since 1 January 2019.

In respect of an older Training Aid offer from Scottish Enterprise, dated 28 November 2017, a first and final payment of £209,343 was made to Aviva Insurance Limited in January 2019, to support a comprehensive training programme to develop capacity and enhanced digital capability at the company's Household Claims operations in Perth.

The Scottish Government has made the following repayable assistance payments to Aviva since 1 January 2019:

• 13 January 2020 - £486,031.53 - Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme - Aviva Perth project
• 11 March 2020 - £460,955.91 - Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme - Aviva Perth project
• 3 April 2020 - £423,623.85 - Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme - Aviva Perth project