Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-23024

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 4 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is in place for parents who have experienced baby loss and who are self-employed.

A range of financial support is provided through Social Security Scotland. This includes Funeral Support Payment, a one-off payment providing support to low-income families in receipt of a qualifying benefit, including self-employed parents, for a baby stillborn after 24 weeks or who died after birth.

These families may also be eligible for Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment up to £707.25. If the parent is in receipt of Scottish Child Payment they will receive payment equivalent to the value of entitlement in the 12 weeks prior to the child’s death.

An agreement is in place between Scottish Government and COSLA that local authorities in Scotland will not charge burial or cremation fees for children aged 0-17 or stillborn babies.

Question reference: S6O-02854

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support is in place for people with long COVID.

Question reference: S6W-22981

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what grant support Scottish Enterprise is currently providing to long-established manufacturing businesses in Scotland that are seeking to invest in, and grow, their operations in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-22774

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent decision by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) not to recommend Kaftrio for funding on the NHS, and what impact it considers this decision could have on patients with cystic fibrosis.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is collaborating with the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) on a joint multiple technology appraisal (MTA) of cystic fibrosis (CF) medicines, including Kaftrio®. The NICE recommendations that were published on 3 November are draft and could change following the current consultation period.

Existing patients and new patients who are started on a CF medicine while the MTA is ongoing will continue to have access to the medicine after NICE and the SMC issue their final recommendations, irrespective of the outcome.

In addition, this week the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) extended the licence for Kaftrio and Kalydeco to include children aged two to five years old. This extension helps address the unmet needs of younger children with cystic fibrosis.

Question reference: S6O-02769

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce air pollution levels in urban towns such as Coatbridge.

Question reference: S6O-02656

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to allocate more funding to local authorities in its 2024-25 Budget to enable them to maintain and invest in local services, including sport and leisure facilities.

Question reference: S6W-21595

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the paramedic workforce, in light of reports that rest breaks are not being offered for those on shift.

All staff have the right to a rest break if they work more than 6 hours a day. I recognise the challenges this poses for ambulance crews and a protective measure has been put in place. Where they have passed their rest break window and/or been called out whilst on a rest break, a fully protected rest break should be offered to these staff.

Compliance with rights to rest breaks are matters for employers and I have been clear that all trade union partners need to work with the Scottish Ambulance Service to resolve any ongoing issues.

We continue to work with leaders across health, as well as hearing directly from trade unions to understand where the current pressures are, and what further actions can be taken to mitigate the impact on staff.

Question reference: S6O-02581

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the recent summit on tackling violence in schools.

Question reference: S6O-02470

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 August 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to local authorities from its 2023-24 Budget to prevent the closure of local services in light of rising energy and running costs, including to prevent the closure of swimming pools.

Question reference: S6W-19442

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 11 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are plans to raise the maximum threshold of income, which currently stands at £25,000 gross annual income, in order to qualify for the Student Awards Agency Scotland Part-time Fee Grant.

The Scottish Government is considering the income threshold for access to the Part-Time Fee Grant in light of the current changing financial landscape and the issues relating to individual earnings. This will form part of a wider review of student support for part-time learners, highlighted in the Initial Priorities paper of the Purpose and Principles for Post-School Education, Research and Skills, published on the 28 June.

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