Scottish Parliament – Page 38 – The NEN

Love Your Liver roadshow coming to Edinburgh next week

‘Love Your Liver’ campaign – Network Rail Doncaster

One in five adults in Scotland may be walking around with liver disease and be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages, warns the British Liver Trust.

The Love Your Liver mobile screening and scanning unit will be visiting six locations disease across Scotland between 15th to 20th May 2022.

Members of the public are invited to the Love Your Liver roadshow at the following locations where they can assess their risk of getting liver disease, find out what preventative measures they can take to keep their liver healthy and be offered a free liver scan.

Inverness Falcon Square, Eastgate Shopping Centre, IV2 3PP Sunday 15/5/22

Perth High Street (outside Debenhams), PH1 5UL Monday 16/5/22

EDINBURGH

Mound Precinct, EH2 2EL Tuesday 17/5/22

Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, EH99 1SP Wednesday 18/5/22

Glasgow Argyle Street (outside Superdrug), G2 8AG Thursday 19/5/22

Ayr Heathfield Retail Park, KA8 9BF Friday 20/5/22

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive, British Liver Trust, said, “One in three of us are at risk of liver disease and the numbers of people being diagnosed increased at an alarming rate during the pandemic.

“Liver damage develops silently with no signs or symptoms and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left until symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible.

“The Love Your Liver roadshow is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of liver disease and the first one hundred people to attend will receive a free non-invasive scan. Approximately 20% of the people we scan need to have further checks.”

The British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three simple steps to Love Your Liver back to health:

Drink within recommended limits and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week
Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates and fat, and take more exercise
Know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk.

The roadshow comprises a mobile unit where people can take a free online screening test and find out if they are at risk. Free liver health scanning will also be available using a non-invasive device.

There will be expert guidance on how to keep your liver healthy from healthcare professionals who will be on hand to provide advice on diet, exercise and healthy living.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of these free events should attend between 10am and 4pm.

If you wish to be scanned please arrive early as places are limited.

If you can’t attend the event you can still find out if you are at risk and check your liver health online by doing the online screening test at:

 https://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener

Foysol Choudhury MSP gets up to speed with broadband

Holyrood drop-in session highlights the national digital network’s plans for Scotland’s ultrafast future and commitment to apprenticeship programme

Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury met engineers and apprentices from Openreach to discuss the roll out of full fibre broadband and the economic benefits fast, reliable connectivity is bringing to Scotland’s economy during a drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament.

The Lothian MSP was updated on work being done to upgrade the country’s broadband network – including across the Lothians, where 190,000 properties now have access to the new, ultrafast technology. He also met apprentices Hayley Goldthorpe and Jack Cotton to hear first-hand about their experiences.

Openreach recently announced it will create and fill around 500 more Scottish jobs during 2022 – including around 390 apprenticeships – as it continues to invest billions of pounds into its UK broadband network, people and training.

Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Reliable connectivity is a hugely important feature of life in modern Scotland and a necessity for people living and working across Lothian. Openreach engineers and apprentices are working tirelessly to roll out full fibre broadband to more local homes and businesses each week.

“The event in parliament was a great opportunity to quiz management about the priorities ahead and the challenges in more complex areas of build – and discuss how policy changes could help. It was great to learn more about opportunities that can be unlocked, especially for remote and rural communities, by ultra-reliable full fibre broadband.”

According to thinkbroadband, the UK’s largest independent broadband news and information site, nearly 95 per cent of Scots can currently access superfast broadband at 30Mbps+.

At the beginning of the year Openreach announced that more than half a million Scottish homes and businesses can connect to its new gigabit-capable, full fibre network.

Around 40 locations across Lothian – from Edinburgh to Gullane, Loanhead and Dechmont – are included in its plans to reach 25m premises with the technology by the end of 2026.

The drop-in session was hosted by Fraser Rowberry, Openreach’s Chief Engineer for Scotland, who thanked Emma Harper MSP for sponsoring the event.

Fraser Rowberry said: “We know that reliable, ultrafast internet connections can have a transformative effect on businesses, online learning and people’s daily lives. That’s why we at Openreach are committed to rolling them out to homes and business premises across Scotland.

“Research from Cebr last year evidenced the hugely positive economic impact universal connections could have in Scotland. A comprehensive full fibre network could enable 76,000 people to re-enter the workforce and contribute billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.

“We were delighted to be able to take that positive story to MSPs and set out our vision and plans for bringing ultrafast broadband to more of Scotland.”

Effective oversight of good food nation policy and plans is essential, says Holyrood Committee

Effective oversight of the good food nation policy and plans is essential to achieving the good food nation ambitions, according Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee, in a report published this week.

In its report on the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill, published on Thursday, the Committee says that parliamentary approval on the national plan ministers are required to create would “give Parliament its place in the good food nation plan process and provide parliamentary accountability of the Scottish Government in achieving its good food nation aims.”

The Committee also agreed that there is a need for an oversight body to oversee the implementation of the Bill and asks for urgent clarity as to whether the Scottish Government intends to designate one, either by means of a new or existing body.

The Committee says it is concerned that consideration of an oversight body is in the early stages and that it should be included within the Bill – along with clarity around the role the body will play in supporting and monitoring local authorities progress against their plans. It says that ‘further information, and reassurance, about this oversight function is essential.

Speaking as the report was launched, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said; “Without increased oversight of the Scottish Government’s good food nation policy and plan, it is impossible for us to reassure stakeholders that the wide ranging concerns they expressed during evidence sessions, particularly in relation to resource, policy cohesion, the link between national and local plans and targets and outcomes, will be addressed.

“We accept that this is a framework bill but strengthened oversight throughout the planning process will be key to the success of our ambition for a food system that works for the people of Scotland.”

The report also asks the Scottish Government to provide a financial statement which lays out the costs that are likely to fall to relevant authorities in relation to the creation, development and implementation of good food nation plans and how this will be resourced.

During evidence sessions, many local authorities were concerned about the lack of information provided with Public Health Scotland saying that ‘significant resource’ would be required. Argyll and Bute Council supported this, saying that, “without adequate resources, the plan will ultimately become a piece of paper with ambitions on it.”

Other recommendations made in the report include:

That high level objectives which reflect the broad vision and ambitions for the good food nation policy be included in the Bill
The Committee agrees that the right to food be incorporated via forthcoming human rights legislation but that the Bill should align closely with the proposed right to food, especially until a statutory right to food is in place.
That consultation undertaken by either Scottish Ministers or local authorities on draft good food plans must be as wide, inclusive and participatory as possible.
Consultation methods for both national and local plans should be ‘tailored for each specific audience’ acknowledging that ‘one size will not fit all’.
That the Scottish Government ensures that relevant authorities have access to information and advice to support the development of their plans.

Scotland’s youngest petitioner to give evidence to MSPs this morning

The Scottish Parliament’s youngest petitioner, 7-year-old Callum Isted, will give evidence to MSPs on the Citizens Participation and Public Petitions Committee this morning.

Callum, who is a pupil at Dedridge Primary School in Livingston, submitted a petition to the Committee calling on the Scottish Government to replace disposable water bottles in Scotland’s primary schools with a sustainable, reusable option.

At it’s meeting today (Wednesday 9 March), the Committee will hear about the success Callum had in raising money to buy reusable water bottles for his own school and what action he would like to see taken on the issue.

Convener of the Committee, Jackson Carlaw MSP said: “Creating a public petition lets the Parliament know about the issues that are most important to people across Scotland.

“At 7 years old Callum is our youngest ever petitioner and he’s already campaigned for – and brought about – positive change in his own school.

“Now he wants to see that change extend across the whole of Scotland. I look forward to hearing more from him today and what he hopes we can do to help his campaign achieve wider success.”

Callum’s petition was also raised with the First Minister last week, when the Convener’s Group questioned her on issues around Covid-19 recovery and net zero.

Callum said: “I am going to Parliament on 9th March 2022. I am going to ask the Committee for two things:

to give every primary school pupil in Scotland a Klean Kanteen;
2 to fix the broken taps in schools so that we can use the bottles properly.

“I am feeling confident and excited to be able to speak to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee and maybe Nicola Sturgeon.”

The meeting will be broadcast live at 09.30 am and the Committee will also consider a number of other petitions including taking evidence on protecting Scotland’s native woodland.

Scottish Parliament to host International Women’s Day event

Over 130 women will gather in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow for an event ahead of International Women’s Day.

The theme of this year’s event will be to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women during the pandemic. Held with support from the Scottish Women’s Convention, the event will begin at 2pm on Saturday 5 March. It will also be broadcast live.

Chaired by the Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, women who have come from communities across the country, will hear from a number of speakers including:

The Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister;
Professor Linda Bauld, The Bruce and John Usher Chair of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh;
Actress Carmen Pieraccini;
Brenda King MBE.

The Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This event will bring together women from across Scotland to celebrate their achievements and share their collective ambition to build a better and more sustainable country as we start to think about our recovery from the pandemic.

“Women from the world of politics, academia and entertainment will share their perspective. My hope is that the day will raise aspirations of what we can achieve together.”

Agnes Tolmie, Chair, Scottish Women’s Convention, said; ““The SWC has been showcasing Women in Scotland’s contributions to their communities throughout the pandemic. We are proud of the range of achievements of women during one of the most difficult periods of our history.

“We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase women in Scotland’s achievements. We will also hear how women have become empowered to be part of the solution to making Scotland a greener, fairer nation.”

The event will be available to watch on SPTV from 2pm on Saturday 5 March.

Indicative timings are below:

2.00pm Welcome by the Presiding Officer

2.05pm Opening remarks from Agnes Tolmie

2.10pm First Minister, the Rt. Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2.30pm Professor Linda Bauld

Cross Party Panel of MSPs

3.00pm Pam Gosal MSP

3.05pm Maggie Chapman MSP

3.10pm Christina McKelvie MSP

3.15pm Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP

3.20pm Panellist Q&A

3.50pm Brenda King MBE

4.00pm Carmen Pieraccini

4.15pm Event close

Holyrood supports delay to Deposit Return Scheme – but questions remain over delivery

The Scottish Parliament voted last night (Wednesday 23 February) to support the Government’s proposed delay to Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.

The 16-month delay until August 2023 means many bottles will go unrecycled and littering of our beaches will continue for longer than expected, and concerns remain over whether this new date will be met.

Progress towards a national Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland has been hampered by delays since the powers to create it were first created in 2009.

The industry-led scheme and past government overseers had made little progress when Lorna Slater, Minister for the Circular Economy, was given responsibility for the project in September last year.

Despite assurances from the Minister that the scheme can be delivered to this new date, the Scottish Government’s own assessment of the project suggests serious challenges still remain, leaving the successful delivery of the project in doubt.

A report written by civil servants in December 2021 cited several risks, including the need to resolve a battle with HMRC on VAT for the scheme and Circularity Scotland Limited securing resources to develop its corporate and operational systems.

Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Lorna Slater was given little choice but to delay the scheme, however if she fails to hold industry to this new deadline the political legitimacy of the Greens in government will be severely damaged.

“The Deposit Return Scheme is the biggest test of industry’s commitment to a circular economy in Scotland so far. Failure to deliver, after they have been granted every request to delay, will prove that stronger persuasion is required to ensure industry embraces a more sustainable future.”

Scottish Parliament marks minority ethnic ‘emerging leaders’’ success

Thirteen ‘emerging leaders’ from the Scottish Parliamentary Service (SPS) staff were recognised yesterday at a certification event hosted by the Presiding Officer.

The staff were the first group to attend a new course created by Edinburgh College and the Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators (SAMEE). The course supports minority ethnic employees in achieving their full potential now and in the future.

The scheme also aims to ensure the Parliamentary Service more closely reflects Scotland’s population by developing existing minority ethnic talent within the organisation.

While the 2021 election saw a more diverse group of MSPs elected, diversity monitoring within the Parliament as an employer found an ethnicity pay gap caused by a lack of minority ethnic staff in more senior positions.

Speaking after the certification event, Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Diversity matters, and I am proud to recognise the achievements of our first intake of colleagues participating in this innovative and progressive scheme.

“I am very pleased to encourage them as they advance their careers at the heart of Scottish public life.”

Find further details about the emerging leaders scheme.

A Parliament for All

Holyrood’s Presiding Officer has launched an audit that will review the representation and participation of women in the Scottish Parliament.

Based on work developed by both the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, all of Holyrood’s parties will be represented on a board that will oversee this work, consider the audit’s findings and make recommendations for change.

Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP, said: “Last May’s election returned our most representative and diverse Parliament to date. We know, though, from viewing the Parliament’s make up from 1999 until now, that this welcome progress can’t be taken for granted.

“This is an important opportunity to have a broad look at how the Parliament takes account of barriers to equal representation in its work.”

Working with Holyrood’s political parties, parliamentary staff, pre-eminent academics and Engender, the audit will cover a wide range of issues. These will include the number and position of women parliamentarians, participation and intervention levels in Chamber business and the impact of parliamentary procedures and policies.

Fiona Mackay, Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh and one of the academic advisers to the board, said: “When the Scottish Parliament was created in 1999, it was internationally praised for its world-leading levels of women’s representation, and its attention to equal opportunities and participation.

“Now is a good time to take stock. This audit, based on a well-tested comparative framework, will let us know how well Scotland has done over the long haul. And, crucially, what work still needs to be done to make it an inclusive parliament for the 21^st Century.”

Eilidh Dickson, Policy and Parliamentary Manager, Engender, said: “Women are underrepresented in almost all areas of our democracy, resulting in policy decisions which not only ignore women, but actively deepen inequality.

“By examining the make-up of committees, gathering data on who is being invited to give evidence, and understanding where gender mainstreaming is being ignored, we can work towards a Scottish Parliament which can act as an exemplar for women’s equality. We are delighted to be involved in the project.”

Work on the audit will begin immediately with a report detailing recommendations for improvement due by the end of 2022.

Audit Board Membership

Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP

Alex Cole Hamilton MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Eilidh Dickson, Policy and Parliamentary Manager, Engender

Fiona Mackay, Professor of Politics, University of Edinburgh

Jeremy Balfour MSP, Scottish Conservative Party

Karen Adam MSP, Scottish National Party

Maggie Chapman MSP, Scottish Green Party

Dr Meryl Kenny, Senior Lecturer in Gender & Politics, University of Edinburgh

Monica Lennon MSP, Scottish Labour Party

Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics & Gender at Royal Holloway

Susan Duffy, Head of Engagement & Communications, Scottish Parliament

Tracey White, Group Head of Legislation & Parliamentary Business, Scottish Parliament

Academic Advisory Group to the Board –

Sarah Childs is currently Professor of Politics & Gender at Royal Holloway, University of London, and will move to the University of Edinburgh in May 2022. Her research centres on the theory and practice of women’s representation, gender and political parties, parliaments and institutional change.

An eminent author, her latest book is Feminist Democratic Representation. She also authored The Good Parliament Report in 2016, advised the Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion that met between 2016-18 and worked on the pilot (2018) which instigated permanent change to Standing Orders to allow proxy voting for babyleave (2020).

Dr.Meryl Kenny is Senior Lecturer in Gender and Politics at the University of Edinburgh and Co-Director of the Centre on Constitutional Change (2021-22). She has published widely in the areas of gender and political institutions, political representation and recruitment, and Scottish politics.

Meryl convenes the University of Edinburgh’s Gender Politics Research Group (which hosts the genderpol blog); sits on the steering group of the University’s genderED initiative; and is a member of the steering group of the cross-party Women5050 campaign for legal gender quotas in Scotland.

Fiona Mackay is a Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh, and currently Dean and Head of the School of Social and Political Science. Mackay is founding director of genderED, the University of Edinburgh’s interdisciplinary hub for gender and sexuality studies. She researches gender, politics and policy at Scottish, UK and international levels. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Engender is a feminist policy and advocacy organisation, working to increase women’s social, political and economic equality, enable women’s rights, and make visible the impact of sexism on women and wider society.

More information at engender.scot

Holyrood report spotlights mental health of expectant and new mothers and expresses concern over access to support services

The mental health of pregnant women, new mothers and their families, including those affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of an infant, has been highlighted by a Scottish Parliament Committee.

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s inquiry into women’s mental health experiences before, during and after the birth of a child (otherwise referred to as the perinatal period) highlights a number of issues faced by new mothers over the support they have received, particularly during the pandemic.

In particular, the inquiry found there was a sharp rise in birth trauma incidences reported since the pandemic began. The Committee calls on the Scottish Government and NHS Boards to redouble their focus on delivering services that directly address birth trauma.

The Committee also looked into the of support for those suffering from miscarriage, stillbirth or death of an infant. During its inquiry, the Committee received evidence of some women affected by baby loss who reported being treated close to women giving birth to healthy babies, causing additional trauma to the women affected.

The report calls for accelerated action to establish specialist baby loss units and, in the meantime, for new national protocols to be set up “that ensure families affected by baby loss are consistently treated with respect and compassion and in a trauma-informed way”.

Alongside a focus on community care, the Committee also examined access to specialist Mother and Baby Units (MBUs), of which there are currently two in Scotland. The Committee emphasises the benefits of providing wider access to MBUs for new mothers with complex needs and they express support for the creation of a new MBU serving the north of Scotland.

Gillian Martin MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “Up to 20% of women in Scotland experience negative mental health impacts before, during and after giving birth and the aim of our inquiry was to shine a spotlight on this important issue and to see what more should be done to support these women.

“We heard of concerns in certain health board areas with the support structure in place for parents and families impacted by miscarriage, still birth and the death of an infant, and feel more action is needed to give them appropriate support.

“We had discussions with some new parents affected by baby loss who felt they didn’t receive the standard of care they are entitled to expect. That is why we are calling for every effort to be made to accelerate the establishment of specialist baby loss units

“The evidence we received suggests that during the pandemic, there was a sharp rise in incidences of birth trauma. In many instances this was a direct result of COVID-related restrictions, which limited the support women were able to receive from partners and families before, during and after giving birth.

“Our inquiry heard about the benefits of Mother and Baby Units for women who have complex mental health issues in the perinatal period and the Committee would like to see a concerted effort to widen access to these units in conjunction with the community care offer.

“We think there is a strong case to set up a new Mother and Baby Unit serving the north of Scotland but we also need to focus on issues around staffing, resources and general awareness to maximise the positive impact of perinatal mental health services and third sector organisations who support mothers.”

The Convener added:

“The extensive evidence we have gathered during the course of this inquiry has shown the importance of a preventative and community based approach to perinatal mental health. It is clear that only through accessible, joined up care across both the third sector and statutory services, women and families can get the care they need at this critical time.

“We’d like to put on record our thanks to all of the women who spoke with us and shared their stories.”

Other findings in the report include:

• concern that many women and families are currently having to wait longer than 6 weeks to access perinatal mental health support;

• the increased barriers faced by women and families from minority ethnic backgrounds, or for whom English is not their first language, and those from particularly vulnerable or at risk groups, to access perinatal mental health services;

• the critical role that stigma plays in perinatal mental health and the resulting reluctance for individuals to fully engage with healthcare professionals;

• a call for the Scottish Government to ensure further education institutions deliver perinatal mental health training as core training for all midwifery and nursing students as a priority.

HSCS062022R3 Download

MSPs seek views on COVID recovery

A call for views into the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill has been launched by several Scottish Parliament Committees.

The wide-ranging Scottish Government Bill, seeks to make permanent some of the temporary, emergency legislation introduced during the pandemic, and to extend others, which are due to expire by March 2022.

The Bill covers a number of policy areas including alcohol licensing, bankruptcy, justice, education (closing establishments and continuity of education), freedom of information, and vaccinations and immunisations.

Some key proposals outlined in the Bill include:

• maintaining provisions in the UK Coronavirus Act that enable Scottish Ministers to enact measures via public health regulations for any future public health threats, in line with powers that are already in place in England and Wales;

• maintaining provisions that grant Scottish Ministers power to restrict access to educational establishments on public health grounds;

• maintaining pre-eviction protocols relating to rent arrears in the private rented sector, placing more responsibility on landlords to ensure correct procedures are followed and that tenants are fully informed of their rights;

• allowing extended time-limits for criminal proceedings to temporarily remain in place to help the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service manage the backlog of cases arising from COVID-19; and allowing cases to continue to be heard through digital and physical means.

Four Parliament Committees will analyse the Bill. The COVID-19 Recovery Committee is the lead Committee scrutinising the Bill; while the Criminal Justice Committee will consider the justice policy measures; the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will consider the tenancy and eviction policy measures; and the Education, Children and Young People Committee will look into education related provisions.

Speaking as the inquiry was launched, Siobhian Brown MSP (above), Convener of the COVID-19 Recovery Committee, said: “This pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of our lives, from restrictions on how we live, to mass vaccinations and significant changes in how public services are delivered.

“The threat of COVID-19 meant a great number of temporary, emergency legislatives measure were introduced at speed, but with these measures due to expire in March 2022, the time is now to decide which of these in the Bill should be put in place permanently.

“We recognise the size and scope of this Bill mean a diverse range of people and organisations may wish to comment on it. That’s why respondents will have the option to complete a short survey, where they can give their views on a specific aspect of the Bill, or a longer form, more detailed option is also available.”

“The Scottish Government’s stated aim for the Bill is to support Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic but we want to make sure it does not go too far, and that any changes which are made permanent act to benefit the people of Scotland and ease pressure on the public services we all rely on.”

The Convener continued: “Given the wide-ranging nature of this proposed legislation, the Parliament was keen to ensure it was given an appropriate level of scrutiny.

“That’s why we are bringing several Committees together, who will work collaboratively and use their specific areas of expertise in order to assess the impact of this Bill as effectively as possible.”

Members of the public who wish to respond to our consultation can do so here: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/covid19/recovery-bill-survey

Stakeholder organisations can give us their views here: https://yourviews.parliament.scot/covid19/recovery-bill-detailed

The call for views closes on 25 February 2022.