Chamber and committees

While the use of hernia mesh remains accepted practice across the UK, the Scottish Government is aware of the concerns that have been expressed by patients and others about the use of mesh in a non-transvaginal setting. As such, the Scottish Government took the action as outlined in response to question S5W-20179 on 21 December 2018.

In addition, the Scottish Health Technologies Group which is part of NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland has agreed to a request from the Scottish Government to examine the use of mesh in inguinal hernia repair. This will be an extended assessment which will review published information as well as the views of patients, public and clinician representatives. The Group aims to report in January 2020.

The Scottish Health Technologies Group provides advice on the evidence about the clinical and cost effectiveness of existing and new technologies likely to have significant implications for patient care in Scotland. This advice should support the planning and decision making processes in Health Boards. The Group’s meetings are open to members of the public and media to observe. This enables stakeholders and members of the public to understand how evidence is assessed and interpreted, how consultation comments are taken into account and how the Group provides advice.

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

Maintenance of the local road network is the responsibility of local authorities to allocate resources on the basis of local priorities. The vast majority of funding to local authorities from the Scottish Government is provided via a block grant and we do not stipulate how local authorities should utilise their individual allocations. It is therefore the responsibility of each local authority to manage their own budget and to allocate the financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.

The Scottish Government’s available funding in 2019-20 is lower in real terms than in 2018-19. Despite this cut the Scottish Government have continued to ensure our partners in local government receive a fair funding settlement. The Scottish Government is delivering a funding package of £11.2 billion for local authorities, a real terms increase of £310 million for essential public services in Scotland.

Aberdeenshire Council will receive £480.7 million to fund local services in 2019-20. Taken together with their decision to increase council tax by 3 per cent, they will have an additional £23.3 million (5.1 per cent) to support services compared to 2018-19.

The Scottish Government believes strongly in the strategic, system and economic value of pumped storage hydro capacity.

Scotland already has around 30 GWh of pumped storage hydro capability, with more in the pipeline. Alongside the proposed expansion of Cruachan, we have recently consented Glenmuchlock, in Buccleuch Estate, and Coire Glas, near Fort William.

We believe that investment in new and expanded pumped storage hydro in Scotland will greatly enhance the flexibility and resilience of our electricity network and power supplies. These major infrastructure projects will have considerable economic and industrial value to Scotland.

Pumped storage hydro also plays a crucial role in the security and operability of our electricity system. Its flexibility can help balance the variability of renewable output, where needed.

We have repeatedly called, and will continue to do so, for the UK Government to exercise its powers to ensure a viable route to market that will provide sufficient revenue certainty to underpin the investment case for developers of pumped storage hydro projects. We believe this would be of great benefit to GB energy consumers, by ensuring the resilience of electricity supplies, as well as complementing growth in renewable energy generation.

A number of branded tick removers were purchased by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) to aid promotion of the 'avoiding bugs and germs outdoors' webpage on NHS Inform. These have been distributed throughout the summer to organisers of and/or exhibitors at various events including the World Orienteering event in Perthshire, agricultural shows including the Royal Highland Show, science festivals including Glasgow Science Festival, and to those organising educational programmes on outdoor activity in schools.

A quantity were supplied to the National Trust for Scotland for distribution via their Countryside Teams and through their explorer backpack project. A quantity were also supplied to Ramblers Scotland for distribution as part of their Out There Award Scheme.

The Scottish Government continues to engage closely with senior representatives from industry, Government and consumer groups to help achieve our goals as set out in the recently published Networks vision to 2030.

An important part of that engagement will take place through the Energy Networks Group which we aim to have first meeting before the end of the year as part of the revised structure providing support to the Scottish Energy Advisory Board.

We believe that Scotland’s experience makes us well placed to lead on the networks’ role in the energy transition to a net zero economy.

The Scottish Government co-authored a report, in partnership with Scottish Renewables, that details the benefits of pumped storage hydro. This report can be found here: https://www.scottishrenewables.com/publications/benefits-pumped-storage-hydro-uk/ .

The report aims to push the need for a route to market, especially to UK Government, so far, without success.

While we cannot comment on the specifics of the proposed expansion of Cruachan, pumped storage hydro is one of the best proven technologies available at scale to provide the required flexibility our electricity system requires.

Pumped storage hydro can provide a wide range of benefits, including, reliable energy storage, alleviating congestion cost and economical security of supply. The Scottish Government supports its continued development as we transition into a low-carbon energy future.

Our Power went into administration in January 2019 with their customers transferred to Utilita Energy. When an energy supplier goes out of business, the GB energy regulator Ofgem uses a competitive process called the Supplier of Last Resort (SOLR) to select a new supplier that it thinks can provide the best deal for consumers. While responsibility for SOLR rests with Ofgem, the Scottish Government would be happy to raise any consumer concerns with them.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all energy consumers, including the most vulnerable, can access the advice and support they need. Any consumer who is facing difficulty with their energy supply can get help and support from Citizens Advice who can refer case to the Extra Help Unit if needed. The consumer helpline can be contacted on 03454 04 05 06.

Consumer fairness is a key priority for the Scottish Government. We continue to call on the UK Government for an equitable energy market that serves all consumers fairly regardless of location, circumstance or meter type.

I recently responded to Ofgem’s consultation on effective competition in the domestic retail market, highlighting that the CMA’s package of remedies has not delivered consistently for consumers in Scotland. We continue to work with Ofgem to ensure full consideration is given to how distinct characteristics of the Scottish market can impact on consumer’s ability to engage in the energy market.

In particular, Scotland has a comparatively high number of consumers using electric heating. We are committed to providing targeted support for these consumers, which is we fund Home Energy Scotland who are rolling out an enhanced advice service for electric heating consumers. This service will help users to make informed choices about which supplier is best for them.

The regulation of energy markets for electricity and gas are matters that remain reserved under the Scotland Act (1998). We are, however, committed to using our devolved consumer advocacy powers to best effect and are developing new ways to ensure Scottish consumer interests are effectively heard and acted on at the UK level. The Scottish Government’s recently published Energy Consumer Action Plan will make sure that needs and expectations of Scottish energy consumers drive change in the evolving energy market as we transition to a net zero economy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W- 25022 on 20 September 2019. 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