Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-10931

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 August 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when it will make known its intentions regarding the future provision of bus passes for people over 60, so that those approaching this age can plan for their future travel needs.

The Scottish Government launched its Consultation on Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People and Modern Apprentices on Friday 25 August. The Consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on Friday 17 November 2017.

The consultation is just that, a consultation. No decisions will be made until all responses have been fully considered.

However, I can confirm that if it is then decided to make changes to the Concessionary Travel Scheme, everyone who has a bus pass will keep it. We are not taking bus passes away from those who have one and we will not make any adverse changes to eligibility for people with a disability.

Question reference: S5W-10556

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 August 2017
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 21 August 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered offering reusable alternatives as part of its free feminine sanitary products pilot scheme; what the reasons were for not taking this approach, and whether it plans to keep this issue under review.

Question reference: S5W-09709

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 June 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 22 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the view that, by the time they are 16, all school pupils should be able to (a) provide at least a basic definition of democracy, (b) identify the different levels of government in Scotland and the UK, including the different voting systems, and (c) show awareness of political parties and at least some of their policies, and what action it (i) is taking and (ii) plans to facilitate this.

The Scottish Government believes that Political Literacy is central to citizenship education. It is the particular combination of attributes and capabilities, skills, knowledge and understanding that helps learners to become responsible citizens and to participate in society's decision making processes. It is the means by which young people can make informed choices about the kind of society they want to live in.

Education Scotland, the Government Agency responsible for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence, provides teaching resources and case studies to support the development of political literacy. (see- https://education.gov.scot/Documents/cfe-briefing-14.pdf) Approaches to learning typically include discussions, debates, voting, topic work and interdisciplinary studies, personal research and reflection and the use of partnership working.

It is the role of the Electoral Commission to promote voter registration and engagement for all eligible voters. In preparation for the Scottish Local Government Elections on 4 May this year, the Electoral Commission made available a #ReadyToVote Toolkit which was specifically designed to promote voter engagement among 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland. This was the first time that
16-17 year olds had been able to vote in local council elections and the toolkit was designed to encourage this age group not only to register to vote, but also to ensure that they clearly understood how to cast their vote using a ballot paper. The pack also included activities to help young people gain a better understanding of the provision of council services.

Question reference: S5W-09657

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 21 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the revised funding eligibility criteria for language courses that will be required following the introduction of individual training accounts.

The Scottish Government is consulting with training providers and Skills Development Scotland on a Definition of Eligible Learning for the Individual Training Accounts (ITA) scheme which will ensure that every ITA is used towards courses that either help people get into work or help people in low paid work progress. The final version will be published on the SDS website https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/).

Question reference: S5W-09679

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 15 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to better integrate and align employability provision following the £1 million of funding announced in December 2016.

The devolution of certain employability powers provides the opportunity for better integration and alignment of employability services with other provision. We know that those furthest removed from the labour market face a range of barriers to accessing sustained employment and we want to see an approach that is much more person-centred.

Today I will launch the Employability Innovation and Integration Fund, supported by a £2.5 million funding package – an increase of £1.5 million from that I announced in December 2016. The Scottish Government is seeking proposals from partner bodies responsible for delivering community planning partnership priorities.

The Scottish Government is looking for organisations to deliver projects over a 12-18 month period. Our focus is on joining up employment and skills support with health and social care, justice and housing services. Our aim is to develop new, collaborative and innovative approaches which demonstrate how the integration and/or alignment of employability and skills training services with health and social care, justice and/or housing services would contribute to an area’s regeneration or development. We seek to do this in particular by delivering better employment outcomes for groups experiencing inequality in the labour market.

I am hopeful that we will see a range of proposals from across Scotland and intend to announce successful proposals later in the year.

Question reference: S5W-09304

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 31 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether language courses will be eligible for funding through Individual Training Accounts when these replace Individual Learning Accounts in October 2017.

Question reference: S5W-09303

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 31 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether people who currently qualify for Individual Learning Accounts will be eligible for Individual Training Accounts when these replace the former in October 2017.

Question reference: S5O-01009

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risks to Scotland's economy of businesses leaving the country if there is no access to the EU single market and a so-called hard Brexit strategy is pursued by the UK Government.

Question reference: S5O-00948

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 3 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to raise awareness among legal and paralegal professionals regarding parental alienation caused by divorce and separation.

Question reference: S5W-08785

Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 3 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the provision of hepatitis C treatment in prisons.

The Scottish Government engages in regular discussions with NHS Boards regarding the provision of hepatitis C treatment to all parts of the population, including prisoners, through the Hepatitis Clinicians, Coordinator and Executive Lead groups in the Scottish Health Protection Network. The provision of hepatitis C treatment, including to prisoners, is a priority for the Scottish Government and the number of people accessing treatment has increased significantly since the introduction of the Hepatitis C Action Plan 2008, and as a result of successive policies.

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