Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for ��˿�� to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-24525

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to accelerate its COVID-19 winter booster vaccination roll-out, in light of the recent reported spike in COVID-19 cases.

Case rates are uncertain and vary over time with different social mixing patterns. According to the Winter COVID-19 Infection Study, prevalence of COVID-19 in Scotland showed early signs of decreasing in the two weeks to 3 Jan.

Public Health Scotland continue to gather epidemiological information on seasonal respiratory infection activity in Scotland and publish the latest data in their National respiratory infection and COVID-19 statistics report.

The Scottish Government’s decision-making throughout all COVID-19 vaccination programmes has been guided by the expert clinical advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and at present they are not recommending any additional action this winter.

The winter vaccination programme began in September 2023 and all those eligible were invited forward prior to Christmas. The vast majority of vaccinations were completed before the festive break, but appointments are available until the end of the programme on 31 March 2024. So far, over 1.38 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, equating to 56.8% of the eligible population.

As the majority of the programme is now complete acceleration is not required, with a focus between now and the end of March on encouraging eligible people who to this point have chosen not to receive vaccination to come forward. PHS and the Health Boards have developed additional communications to support this. In addition the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer have been working to encourage uptake within the health and social care workforce, to support winter resilience across health and care services.

Question reference: S6W-24528

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the effects of long COVID are informing its (a) policy on mask mandates and (b) COVID-19 winter booster vaccination roll-out.

Our guidance to stay well and help others in winter can be found here . We have no current plans to mandate the wearing of face coverings.

It is due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, driving down cases and the availability of treatments that the guidance on wearing masks was withdrawn.

The Scottish Government follows JCVI for clinical recommendations for vaccination and their current assessment of the evidence does not support the inclusion of long COVID as an eligible at risk health criteria. We intend to continue to be guided by the expert independent advice of the JCVI on this issue.

We continue to monitor studies on COVID-19 vaccination and their relationship to long COVID. There have been a selection of international studies that suggest that receiving COVID-19 vaccination, before infection, can reduce the risk of receiving a diagnosis of long COVID. It is therefore important that we continue to work to improve uptake of our COVID-19 vaccination programmes to potentially prevent more instances of long COVID, but also to continue to protect those at higher risk from severe illness, hospitalisation and death and to protect our NHS.

Question reference: S6W-24526

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reintroduce mask mandates in (a) hospitals, (b) care homes and (c) public spaces in the near future.

Scottish Government has no plans to reintroduce previous guidance on the extended use of face masks in hospitals and care homes or use in public spaces.

Our guidance remains the same; if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others – if you do need to go out, wear a well-fitting face covering. You may also wish to consider wearing, and you may be asked to wear a face covering in other settings.

Advice about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (including face masks) in health and social care settings is contained in guidance from Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland – the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NICPM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM). This advice, which is based on the current stage of the pandemic and the availability of vaccines and treatments, recommends a person-centred approach based on clinical need and risk assessment.

As part of our enhanced surveillance systems, we continue to monitor, assess and be ready to respond to COVID-19 and other health threats. Any change in response will be driven by the data and evidence gathered, as well as expert advice.

Question reference: S6W-24527

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of its present policy on mask mandates, in light of the recent reported spike in COVID-19 cases.

As part of our enhanced surveillance systems, we continue to monitor, assess and be ready to respond to COVID-19 and other health threats.

Wearing of a face covering in public spaces and on public transport stopped being a legal requirement in April 2022 and the extended use of face masks and face coverings guidance across health and social care settings was withdrawn on 16 May 2023.

Current is still in place for the public and wider guidance for and promoting a risk-based approach to building resilience to respiratory infections, including Covid-19.

Scotland continues to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and at this stage of the pandemic we are now living with COVID-19 as a respiratory infection and the Scottish Government has taken proportionate actions to do so.

Our guidance remains the same for the public; if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others – if you do need to go out, wear a well-fitting face covering. You may also wish to consider wearing, and you may be asked to wear a face covering in other settings.

In regard to health and social care settings Scotland has now reverted back to pre-pandemic guidance and health and social care staff are advised to follow the infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance on the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) which can be found in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM).

Any change in response will be driven by the data and evidence gathered, as well as expert advice.

Question reference: S6W-24320

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Level 4 tables in its 2024-25 Budget, whether it will outline what the potential impact will be of the 33.9% reduction to grants, loans and capital for vessels and piers on (a) its contract with Ferguson Marine for the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries and (b) the business case for upgrading Ardrossan Harbour.

The level of funding set out in the Scottish Budget reflects that the delivery of Glen Sannox (801) is now at an advanced stage. The costs and delivery schedules of both 801 and 802 continue to be scrutinised closely, with updates provided regularly to the Scottish Parliament.

The business case and cost review exercise for Ardrossan is expected to report outcomes in February which will then inform discussion between the funding partners on next steps.

Question reference: S6W-24377

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been undertaken of any impact of the removal of fire appliances from stations across Scotland in 2023 on the service provided to the public.

Question reference: S6W-24380

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects that the fire appliances that were temporarily removed from fire stations across Scotland in 2023 will be reinstated to service.

Question reference: S6W-24378

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the £13.6 million additional resource budget allocated to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in its Budget 2024-25 includes the £4.4 million to cover the most recent pay award.

Question reference: S6W-24379

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether any pay award for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service employees negotiated for 2024-25 will have to be funded from the £13.6 million additional resource funding proposed in its 2024-25 Budget, or whether any such pay award will be funded separately.

The budget for 2024-25 includes all costs including any pay increases agreed during that financial year.

Firefighter pay is negotiated on a UK wide basis through the National Joint Council and SFRS support staff pay is negotiated between SFRS as the employer and its recognised trade unions. In common with all public sector employers, SFRS is expected to deliver pay deals which are both fair and affordable.

Question reference: S6O-03011

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that it meets its affordable homes target by 2032.