- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on increasing income tax, primarily higher and top rates, to raise additional revenue for the purposes of combatting climate change, in light of recommendations in the report to Stop Climate Chaos Scotland titled Financing Climate Justice, published on 2 October 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government has used the powers at its disposal to build a fairer and more progressive Income Tax system in Scotland that raises vital additional revenue for the Scottish Budget. This has helped us commit to investing £2 billion for climate action in the 2022-23 Budget, alongside a clear commitment in the Resource Spending Review to prioritise public spend to deliver climate action over the course of this parliament.
We are committed to working across society to deliver lasting action that secures a just transition to a climate resilient, net zero Scotland - one that delivers on our social, economic and climate goals to build a better and more equal Scotland. Our Framework for Tax, published in December 2021, sets out our goals for a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland for everyone. Amongst other strategic aims, the Scottish Government has committed to use the tax levers at our disposal to deliver a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and support new, good green jobs, businesses and industries for the future.
Decisions on tax policy for 2023-24 will be set out in the Scottish Budget, which will take place on 15 December. We will reflect on the recommendations in this report, alongside engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, in setting our tax policy for the year ahead.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recommendations in the report to Stop Climate Chaos Scotland titled Financing Climate Justice, published on 2 October 2022, whether it plans to establish a "rapid and time-limited, independent commission to look at the options for replacement of the Council Tax and other local taxes with a land, property and/or local wealth tax" in order to raise more revenue for climate action projects.
Answer
Together with the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, I recently invited the COSLA President, Vice-President, and Resource Spokesperson to join a working group to consider meaningful short-term changes to Council Tax, reflecting the current circumstances created by the cost crisis; and approaches to longer term reform including the development of effective deliberative engagement on sources of local government funding. The creation of this Working Group was set out in the Shared Policy Programme between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party and will see Ministers working with local government to consider reforms, rather than this being remitted to a newly created body separate from either central or local government.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering providing any additional funding to Falkirk Council to prevent the reported closure of Falkirk Town Hall.
Answer
Falkirk Council took the difficult decision to close Falkirk Town Hall theatre following recommendations that funding the modernisation of the building did not represent best value in the current challenging financial environment.
While disappointing for many people, this decision is entirely a matter for the Falkirk Council as they have responsibility for managing local resources.
The Scottish Government is increasing funding for Falkirk Council by an additional £28.9 million in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22.
The Scottish Government has also agreed to contribute £40 million to the Falkirk Growth Deal to support local projects. This figure includes £3 million towards the planned new Falkirk Arts Centre, which intends to feature a 550-seat auditorium, workshop, studios and other facilities. A further £3 million has also been committed towards developing an Outdoor Art Park along the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Timescales for both projects are being developed by the local partners.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for local authorities that wish to implement the provisions regarding bus services in Part 3, sections 34 and 35, of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.
Answer
Section 34 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 is now in force, providing wider powers for local transport authorities to run their own buses. Additionally, secondary legislation to commence Section 35 (Bus Service Improvement Partnerships) is scheduled to be introduced before the end of 2023, alongside franchising powers. These powers will complement and continue to build on the service improvements supported through the Bus Partnership Fund.
As with many aspects of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, the provisions in Part 3 empower local transport authorities with the flexible tools they need to respond to their own transport challenges. We will continue to work with local authorities as they explore the full range of options set out in the 2019 Act, including local authority-run bus services and Bus Service Improvement Partnerships.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it plans to take to improve the treatment and care for patients with inflammatory breast cancer.
Answer
The Scottish Cancer Network (SCN) has engaged collaboration from clinical staff across Scotland to draft a National Clinical Management Pathway for all breast cancer patients, to achieve consistent care across Scotland. The CMP is currently in draft and out for consultation and is expected to be launched in 2023.
The Scottish Cancer Network is hosted by NHS National Services Scotland. The Network is a dedicated national resource to support and facilitate a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach to cancer services which will assist in enabling equitable access to care and treatment across Scotland.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken to improve surgery waiting list times for those with breast cancer, including inflammatory breast cancer that involves reconstructive surgery.
Answer
£10 million of funding has been directed to support Cancer Waiting Times improvements in our NHS across 2022-23, targeting the most challenged specialties, including breast. Significant funds are going towards up-skilling nurses and investment to support extended working days and weekend working to increase capacity and treat patients as timely as possible.
The Scottish Cancer Network (SCN) has engaged collaboration from clinical staff across Scotland to develop a clinical management pathway for breast cancer to ensure patients achieve consistent care across Scotland, expected to be launched in 2023.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to fund research into inflammatory breast cancer treatment, and, if so, how much funding will be allocated for this purpose.
Answer
The Scottish Government funds health and care research through the Chief Scientist Office. We are not currently funding any inflammatory breast cancer clinical trials.
Researchers can apply directly to the Chief Scientist Office for funding. The CSO’s Translational Clinical Studies Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research Committee each meet twice per year to consider funding applications. Details of the application process are published on the CSO website and the role of these committees is well-known across the health and care research community in Scotland
https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/grant-funding/response-mode-funding-schemes/
Applications to the CSO funding committees on the underlying causes, diagnosis, treatment and management of Inflammatory Breast Cancer are welcomed. In common with all other applications, these would go through the CSO’s standard independent peer review process to enable funding decisions to be made.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 8 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the finding of the National Dental Inspection Programme statistics, published by Public Health Scotland on 25 October 2022, that the proportion of children estimated to have severe decay or abscess increased from 6.6% in 2020 to 9.7% in 2022.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11835 on 8 November 2022. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 8 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the finding of the National Dental Inspection Programme statistics, published by Public Health Scotland on 25 October 2022, that 58.4% of Primary 1 children were estimated to have no obvious decay experience in the most deprived areas, compared with 85.8% in the least deprived areas.
Answer
Over the extended-period we have seen significant improvements in child oral health in Scotland. The first year of the National Dental Inspection Programme in 2002/03 showed that 45% of primary 1 children had no obvious decay experience. Despite the unique challenges of the pandemic this figure has increased to 73% in 2021-22.
This is a demonstration of the success of prevention-based oral health programmes such as the Childsmile Programme - a flagship programme at the leading edge of prevention-based oral health care provision - where nursery and schoolchildren receive regular tooth brushing instruction and fluoride varnish application.
We recognise that oral health inequalities in children continue to present a considerable challenge, and have been exacerbated by the pandemic restrictions on NHS dentistry during the pandemic.
Which is why as part of the recovery of NHS dental services we have increased funding to child dental services by introducing for the first time an enhanced examination fee from 1 February 2022. The latest monthly activity statistics from Public Health Scotland show that 330,000 child examinations have been provided this year with almost 60,000 in the month of August alone.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 October 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how the reported £5 million reduction in GP practices sustainability payments for 2022-23 will impact GP services budgets in (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Forth Valley.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognised in 2021 that partial implementation of the pharmacotherapy and community treatment and care services, on a national level, meant that general practice was facing a difficult winter without all of the support Scottish Government and the BMA had agreed it should have in 2018. £1,765,382 and £823,388 were allocated to GP Practices in Lanarkshire and Forth Valley GP Practices as sustainability payments in 2021-22.
This year, GP practices in Lanarkshire and Forth Valley will receive £1,172,236 and £549,074 in Sustainability Payments this year in addition to their regular funding (Global Sum and Income & Expenses Guarantees) of £81,651,926 and £38,245,691 respectively, to which an uplift will be applied backdated to April 2022.
We also now have more than 3,220 healthcare professionals recruited to support general practice and are committed to investing at least £170 million a year on growing primary care multi-disciplinary teams.