Chamber and committees

Increasing public awareness of the symptoms of Lyme disease is an ongoing priority for the Lyme Borreliosis Group which is part of the Scottish Health Protection Network. The group has produced a number of educational resources for the public which can be accessed at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/bugs-and-germs The group meets on a regular basis to discuss and take forward projects on raising awareness of Lyme disease.

Our commitment to early detection is reflected in our £42 million Detect Cancer Early (DCE) Programme that aims to increase the proportion of breast, bowel and lung cancers diagnosed early in Scotland. The Programme also aims to reduce the inequality gap as those from more deprived areas are less likely to take part in screening and are more likely to present at a later stage, when the chance of survival is lower.

Social marketing has a key role to play in the early detection of lung cancer, targeting those from areas of deprivation. Sir Alex Ferguson has fronted DCE’s marketing activity since 2013 to raise awareness of the benefits of early detection, while reminding people that lung cancer is no longer a death sentence. This has contributed to the 31.0% increase in stage one lung diagnoses in the most deprived areas of Scotland since DCE began. A new social marketing approach is now being explored with key stakeholders and leading clinicians to ensure those at higher risk of lung cancer remain alert to possible signs and symptoms of lung cancer and feel empowered to act early. A new DCE roadshow will also be targeting areas of high deprivation across Scotland this summer, to reinforce messages around lung cancer survival direct to the public.

To support primary care clinicians in diagnosing cancer early, DCE funded a clinical refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer, with updated evidence published January 2019. Eight pathways were included in the refresh, including lung. In collaboration with Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, work continues across NHSScotland to ensure the guidance is fully disseminated and adopted.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government is currently exploring what opportunities exist for Scotland to contribute to the emerging evidence base of lung cancer screening for high risk individuals. Officials have recently met with academics, the Chair of the UK National Screening Committee, and the Scottish Screening Committee to discuss ongoing studies and trials, to identify where Scotland can best add value. These discussions are ongoing and any recommendations will be carefully considered.

The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) sets the national standards and guidance for the design of new capital road schemes and maintenance works on the trunk road network. The DMRB is kept under continual review and standards are regularly updated. The age of the A77 varies and improvement and maintenance of the route is always undertaken to the relevant national standards applying at the time. The DMRB does not specifically define any measure of acceptability with respect to road condition.

In the last 10 years the Scottish Government has invested over £23 million on resurfacing the A77 between Fenwick and Stranraer. Over that time, over £15 million was invested on resurfacing the A9 between Stirling and Perth. This information is stored on a full route basis within the Operating Company unit area.

The following table provides a year by year breakdown over those full financial years;

a) This information is not held. Under Schedule 4 Part 4 of the contract between the Scottish Ministers and the trunk road Operating Companies, the Operating Companies indemnify Scottish Ministers against claims for damage. The contracts can be accessed at https://www.transport.gov.scot/transport-network/roads/the-trunk-road-network/#45651

b) Scotland TranServ commenced the contract to operate the South West Unit of the Trunk Road Network in April 2013 and since the start of the contract period there have been 336 claims for repair to vehicles arising from potholes and road defects received by Scotland Transerv. The following table provides a breakdown year by year.

From the available data recorded since the beginning of the current contract which commenced on 1 April 2013, the total area of resurfacing on the A77 between Fenwick and Stranraer is 433,476 sqm, and the A9 between Stirling and Perth is 216,935 sqm. This information is stored on a full route basis within the Operating Company unit area) The following table provides a year by year breakdown:

Scottish Enterprise is working closely with a range of businesses to explore the potential for reshoring projects in Scotland.  

The life sciences industry has worked with SDI to develop an international sales prospectus, and SDI has worked closely with account-managed inward investors to attract investment with over 700 new or safeguarded jobs created in more than 20 projects from new and existing life and chemical science manufacturing companies since 2016.  

Within the aerospace sector, an example is the Spirit AeroSystems A320 Spoiler project, announced by the First Minister in August 2017 and supported by £2.1m from Scottish Enterprise.  

In the chemicals sector, Scottish Enterprise alongside Scottish Development International and Falkirk Council, is working with industrial chemical sciences landowners in Grangemouth to promote colocation to attract Foreign Direct Investment.  

The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) works closely with a portfolio of prime manufacturers across aerospace, energy, space and pharmaceuticals on local supply chain development challenges, analysis and intervention strategies. Whilst this activity is not limited to re-shoring it seeks to identify how the Enterprise Agencies support the wider participation of companies based in Scotland in global manufacturing supply chains.

There has been significant progress made since the Manufacturing Action Plan – A Manufacturing Future for Scotland – was published in February 2016 including:

• The Scottish Government has committed £48 million towards the development of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and we are establishing an £8.9 million Lightweight Manufacturing Centre which will be a significant first step in NMIS delivery.
• Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) launched a Circular Economy Investment Fund which has funded projects to a value in excess of £1.3 million. In addition, ZWS have also launched an enhanced Circular Economy Support Service to provide SME businesses across all sectors in Scotland with a tailored consultancy service to help them explore more circular ways of doing business.
• The first call of the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund (AMCF), which will utilise £14 million of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF), was launched on 29 May 2019. AMCF aims to have a significant impact on advancing the manufacturing capabilities of SMEs leading to long-term transformational change.
• Scottish Enterprise (SE) launched a Capital Asset Review service delivered by the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS). To date, over 600 reviews have been carried out to support manufacturers to develop future-proofing investment plans. This total figure includes 64 Manufacturing 4.0 Reviews which help businesses identify and evaluate the opportunities for them around digital technologies.
• Skills Development Scotland has reviewed sectoral Skills Investment Plans with significant manufacturing components and is developing a skills plan as part of NMIS
• Over 300 leaders have participated in manufacturing best practice visits as a part of the Smart Excellence Programme to develop and promote knowledge and experience sharing.
• The re-shoring pilot projects identified did not proceed for commercial reasons but wider work, managed by SE and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), is being carried out to support more Scottish companies to achieve supply chain excellence as outlined in the Manufacturing Action Plan (MAP). SMAS is working closely with a portfolio of 10-15 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) tier 1 companies across aerospace, energy, space and pharmaceuticals on local supply chain development challenges, analysis and intervention strategies.

Outcomes expected include: helping SE and HIE to identify how to support wider participation in global manufacturing supply chains, using supply to Scottish-based tier 1 manufacturers as a launch-pad to international success, through innovations in processes, materials and products; and informing a new SE/HIE supply chain development product which can be rolled out across all manufacturing sectors.