- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 August 2017
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Michael Matheson on 10 August 2017
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform year 2 annual report.
Answer
The Scottish Government plans to publish the Year 2 annual report for the Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform (BIB 58964 and Annexes BIB 58965) on 10 August 2017.
The Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform is a four year project which commenced in 2015 and will conclude in 2019. External academics are conducting the evaluation so that the conclusions are independent, robust and transparent.
This Year 2 annual report presents the findings of four case studies carried out in local communities between July - November 2016. The researchers visited four areas across Scotland and interviewed police officers, fire fighters, the public, councillors and council staff and community and third sector organisations.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 10 July 2017
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 July 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its Strategy for Justice in Scotland, which was published in 2012.
Answer
The Scottish Government plans to update the Justice Strategy 2012 by publishing the Justice Vision and accompanying Delivery Plan on 11 July 2017.
The Justice Vision (Bib Number 58889) sets out a vision and priorities for a safe, just and resilient Scotland. It has been developed in close collaboration with the Justice Board and partners and is a collective commitment to seven key priorities. It describes the justice portfolio’s recent successes and current and emerging challenges, based on the available evidence. The Delivery Plan (Bib Number 58890) sets out key actions for 17-18 to help progress the seven priorities.
This Delivery Plan will be updated annually.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 June 2017
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 June 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing the recommendations in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Audit and Assurance Review of the use of the Facial Search functionality within the UK Police National Database (PND) by Police Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government has established an independent advisory group to provide recommendations on a policy and legislative framework for police use of biometric data and associated technologies, and rules around retention. I am delighted that John Scott QC has agreed to take on the role of chair. The group draws its membership from Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office and also includes academic and research expertise.
The group will meet over the coming months and is expected to report to me by the end of 2017. Further details can be found on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot/biometricdata
The biometrics field is evolving rapidly and new and emerging technologies must be used within a clear framework which incorporates human rights and ethical considerations. The group’s expert advice will ensure that we strike the right balance between protecting the public and safeguarding the rights of individuals in considering how our policy and legislative framework should be reviewed.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2017
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on Scotland of the UK Government's policy on refugees and asylum seekers.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2017
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 May 2017
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Shona Robison on 30 May 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce acute hospital waiting times in the NHS.
Answer
As indicated by the First Minister on 18 May 2017 consideration was being given to providing additional funding to reduce waiting times. I can now announce that we are making available an additional £50 million to help NHS Boards improve performance. This funding will focus on all parts of the patient pathway - outpatient, diagnostic tests and inpatient and day case treatment.
This additional investment is part of the Barnett Formula consequentials for Scotland arising from the UK Spring Budget.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 25 May 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what action each NHS board is taking to improve the recruitment and retention of dermatology consultants and nurses.
Answer
It is for health boards to plan and deliver clinical services and ensure that they have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of their services and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with all Boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.
Under this Government, the number of Consultants in NHSScotland with a specialty of dermatology have increased by 30.6 per cent. Since 2009, the number of Clinical Nurse Specialists with a specialty of dermatology have increased by 104.4 per cent.
Further information on the dermatology workforce is published by ISD Scotland and is available at the following links:-
https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2017-03-07/Consultant_Staff_In_Post_D2016.xls
https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-12-06/Clinical_Nurse_Specialists_S2016.xls
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 May 2017
To ask the Scottish Government how much VAT (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Fire and Rescure Service have paid in total, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the amount paid by counterpart emergency services in the rest of the UK.
Answer
The amount of unrecovered VAT incurred by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) between April 2013 and March 2017 is of the order of £140m and is detailed in the following table.
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2013-14
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2014-15
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2015-16
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2016-17
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TOTAL
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|
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£m
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£m
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£m
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£m
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£m
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Scottish Police Authority
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25.0
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26.7
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24.8
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23.0*
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99.5*
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Scottish Fire & Rescue service
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9.0
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10.8
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10.6
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10.0*
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40.4*
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TOTAL
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34.0
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37.5
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35.4
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33.0*
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139.9*
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*: provisional figures.
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the amount of VAT incurred by counterpart emergency services in the rest of the UK. However, unlike in Scotland, territorial police and fire services in the rest of the UK can reclaim VAT.
We will continue to press UK Ministers over this disparity which could see a cost to the Scottish public purse of £280 million by the end of the current parliamentary session (2020-21).
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2017
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 10 May 2017
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding reports that the local authority has changed its policy regarding the administration of the pupil equity fund.
Answer
The Scottish Government has had regular dialogue with North Lanarkshire Council in relation to the administration of Pupil Equity Funding. We have received assurances from the council that it is has withdrawn a proposal that did not meet all the conditions associated with this funding. Pupil Equity Funding must enable Headteachers and school leaders to deliver activities, interventions or resources which are clearly additional to those which were already planned and targeted to closing the poverty related attainment gap.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 May 2017
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by John Swinney on 31 January 2017 (Official Report, c.10) on the Scottish Government’s response to the independent review into the circumstances surrounding the death of Bailey Gwynne, whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has received a response from the UK Government to his letter seeking a UK-wide approach to address concerns regarding the online sale and delivery of knives.
Answer
The UK Government has responded favourably to the Scottish Government’s request for a joined up UK-wide approach to address mutual concerns about the online sale and delivery of knives.
The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Bailey Gwynne at Cults Academy, Aberdeen, underlines why it is so vital that there are suitable controls in place to regulate and control the online sale and delivery of knives so that they cannot be obtained by our young people.
Officials from the Scottish Government and Home Office will now explore this issue further to ensure that any action that emerges has the maximum impact and addresses public safety concerns.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2017
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2017
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to protect children and young people online.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2017
