Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-32449

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on Highlands and Islands air routes of the COVID-19 restrictions, and what action it is taking to protect the region’s aviation connectivity.

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic we have kept in close contact with airlines, airports and other stakeholders to understand the impact of Covid-19 on air services. We have significantly increased our subsidy of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to ensure that their airports remain open throughout this period to serve their communities’ travel needs. During the lockdown period we funded a skeleton service for the Highlands and Islands in order to maintain essential connectivity. While services are currently operating on a commercial basis, we are keeping the situation under constant review and will intervene again if necessary.

Question reference: S5W-32444

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the findings were of the analysis by it and Skills Development Scotland regarding the number of (a) workplace and (b) student modern apprenticeships that were not completed following maternity leave.

Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) consist of on-the-job training for current or new employees that leads to an industry approved qualification. All Modern Apprentices are employees, rather than a student or on a work placement.

The published minutes of the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Working Group in September 2019 noted that analysis of pregnancy and maternity MA data from 2012-13 to 2018-19 showed more people on MAs taking maternity leave, an increase of 89%, and higher levels returning to their apprenticeship (16%).

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) agreed to carry out further analysis to identify any barriers preventing MAs returning to complete their apprenticeship following maternity/ paternity leave. This was actioned by SDS, however they have stated that there were too few apprentices who did not continue with their apprenticeship due to pregnancy/maternity for this information to be statistically viable.

Building on the work already carried out to support apprentices who are pregnant or on maternity leave, SDS have shaped work in this area committing within their to:

Promote good practice in supporting pregnant employees to employers and providers
Update provider guidance on supporting individuals to complete their apprenticeship following maternity leave

Question reference: S5W-32438

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what employment protection will be offered to women on a placement on its proposed Job Guarantee Scheme who become pregnant.

We remain committed to tackling pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace and encourage all employers to comply with relevant employment and equalities legislation as well as the Scottish Government’s Fair Work policies. We will be continuing to promote Fair Work policies and advice, prepared by organisations represented on the Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Working Group, to employers, including those who are supporting the delivery of the Young Person’s Guarantee, to ensure best practice on the recruitment, retention, and support of pregnant employees and working mothers.

Maternity benefits (Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance) remain a reserved matter for the UK Government. For as long as employment law remains reserved, we will continue to press the UK Government for the devolution of full employment powers.

Question reference: S5W-32440

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when its Pregnancy Maternity Discrimination Working Group last met, and how the group is addressing the reported increase in discrimination against women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pregnancy and Maternity Discrimination Working Group last met on 16 June 2020. The agenda included a presentation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on issues in pregnancy & maternity for workers that have arisen during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was the twelfth meeting of the working group.

It is intended that there will be a further meeting of the group before the end of the year to allow a continued opportunity for engagement and further work required to address pregnancy and maternity discrimination during and beyond the Covid-19 crisis.

Question reference: S5W-32106

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 26 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what actions were agreed as a result of the meeting convened by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism on 14 September 2020 with public agencies to discuss issues associated with camping, pressure on rural communities and the local environment, particularly in relation to the Highlands and Islands.

The group agreed to identify how public bodies, communities and national park and local authorities might work closer to identify long term solutions to visitor management at rural pinch points and scenic areas.

The group agreed to consult with wider interests, including the private sector, and to identify solutions and make recommendations to Ministers along 2 workstreams – one aimed at addressing education, engagement and enforcement and one to examine a national visitor management plan and an overview of collective visitor facilities provision. This group will report back in November.

While the responsibility for adequate service provision is ultimately for the local authority or national park authority involved, we recognise that many areas of rural Scotland have seen an uplift of visitors in recent years. This group will therefore build on the work of the successful £9m Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund which has helped realise material solutions at rural pinch points through the installation of infrastructure such as car parks, toilets and motorhome waste disposal points.

The group agreed to identify how public bodies, communities and national park and local authorities might work closer to identify long term solutions to visitor management at rural pinch points and scenic areas.

The group agreed to consult with wider interests, including the private sector, and to identify solutions and make recommendations to Ministers along 2 workstreams – one aimed at addressing education, engagement and enforcement and one to examine a national visitor management plan and an overview of collective visitor facilities provision. This group will report back in November.

While the responsibility for adequate service provision is ultimately for the local authority or national park authority involved, we recognise that many areas of rural Scotland have seen an uplift of visitors in recent years. This group will therefore build on the work of the successful £9m Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund which has helped realise material solutions at rural pinch points through the installation of infrastructure such as car parks, toilets and motorhome waste disposal points.

Question reference: S5W-32206

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 14 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the qualification criteria will be to apply for the Self-Isolation Support Grant.

Applications for the new Self Isolation Support Grant (SISG) opened on 12 October. The Self-Isolation Support Grant is a new grant of £500. It will be offered through the existing Scottish Welfare Fund, administered by local authorities in Scotland.

In order to be eligible for the Grant, you must:

Have been told by the Test and Protect Service to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
Be employed or self-employed
Be unable to work from home and face a reduced income as a result of self-isolating
Currently receive, or have been awarded but not yet received a payment of Universal Credit or legacy benefits.

People who are not eligible for the Support Grant may still apply to their local authority for a crisis grant through the existing Scottish Welfare Fund.

Question reference: S5W-32403

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 October 2020
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the vacancy level is for environmental health officers in each local authority area, and how this compares with each the last three years.

Question reference: S5W-32402

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 October 2020
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how the various changes in regulations and restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are being met by environmental health officers, including what additional training has been required.

Question reference: S5W-32400

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 October 2020
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the environmental health officers in each local authority are female, also broken down by the proportion of those recruited as a result of the additional resources it announced on 22 September 2020.

Question reference: S5W-32404

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 October 2020
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) sickness and (b) absence level is for environmental health officers in each local authority area, and how this compares with each the last three years.

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Chamber and committees