- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that there are larger, fewer and more flexible challenge fund streams for net zero-related projects at a local level that are better configured to support a holistic and place-based response to climate change.
Answer
The Scottish Government has recognised the challenge with navigating the net zero funding landscape and we are working to simplify and streamline it through a funding alignment programme that commenced in 2022.
We also published a directory of climate change funding for public sector organisations in August 2022. This helps local authorities and other public bodies to identify funding to support their delivery of net zero. It highlights opportunities in a range of areas including transport, heat and waste and provides key contacts and links to information on accessing the funding. The directory is available on the Sustainable Scotland Network website and will be reviewed this year to ensure the information is up to date and to consider any improvements that can be made to make it easier for local authorities and other public bodies to navigate.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of NHS boards currently utilise intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT) in primary care to improve early detection of liver disease.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information. This is a matter for Health Boards locally.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Highland Council regarding the condition of roads in the Highland Council area.
Answer
Transport Scotland officials attend a quarterly liaison meeting with the Highland Council regarding trunk road matters within their area. In addition to the quarterly meeting, the Highland Council road officers get in touch with Transport Scotland officials as and when required.
The local road network is the responsibility of local authorities and they will allocate resources on the basis of local priorities.
- Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what specific support it provides to local authorities to address any potholes caused by deteriorating roads.
Answer
The local road network is the responsibility of local authorities and they will allocate resources on the basis of local priorities. The vast majority of funding to local authorities from the Scottish Government is provided via a block grant and we do not stipulate how local authorities should utilise their individual allocations. It is therefore the responsibility of each local authority to manage their own budget and to allocate the financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.
Despite UK Government cuts, the Scottish Government has protected Councils in the most challenging Budget since devolution to provide nearly £13.5 billion in the 2023-24 Local Government Settlement – a cash increase of over £793 million or 6.3%, which is a real terms increase of £376 million or 3%.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will release a statement on updating legislation on the use of snares.
Answer
We will bring forward further proposals on snaring in good time to allow any necessary consultation and introduction at Stage 2 of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of patient attacks on staff at the Langhill Clinic psychiatric care unit in Inverclyde, in light of reports that there have been almost 300 attacks on staff by patients since January 2020.
Answer
Health Boards are responsible for the health and safety of NHS staff. Scottish Government officials have been assured by NHS Greater Glasgow and Cycle (NHS GGC) that they have the necessary controls, protocols and support in place to protect staff. We will continue to work closely with NHS GGC to monitor the safety and wellbeing of staff at the Langhill Clinic.
NHSScotland has joined the multi-agency Your Safety Matters (YSM) initiative, led by Police Scotland. YSM aims to minimise incidents of violence and aggression in workplaces, through campaigns, sharing resources and good practice.
Abuse towards NHS staff is unacceptable, and the courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with those who carry out such appalling behaviour on emergency workers.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether Marine Scotland funding for marine litter removal from the beach at the top of Loch Long, following storms, is still in place.
Answer
There is currently no funding allocated for marine litter removal at Arrochar, Loch Long. This work is eligible for funding through Marine Fund Scotland https://www.gov.scot/policies/marine-and-fisheries-grants/
- Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support the decontamination of land in the Shawfield area of the Rutherglen constituency.
Answer
Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company is leading on carrying out remediation of the wider Shawfield area. To date, 13.5 hectares of land have been successfully remediated. The Scottish Government is in active discussion with Clyde Gateway to explore potential solutions to deal with the remaining contamination across the Shawfield area.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Emma Roddick on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the devolved responsibilities of the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees will be.
Answer
The devolved responsibilities for Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees are published on gov.scot: Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 28 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any engagement with Liberty Steel Group Holdings UK Ltd regarding the reported concerns of dilapidation and vandalism affecting its Clydebridge Steelworks site in Cambuslang.
Answer
I can confirm that the Scottish Government regularly engage with Liberty Steel Group Holdings UK Ltd regarding their operations.
We are aware that last year there were instances of break-ins occurring at the Clydebridge site which were reported to the police and continue to be under investigation. Following this Liberty Steel Group put new security arrangements in place which have prevented subsequent attempts to break into the premises.
I understand that Liberty Steel Group are also undertaking work to remove graffiti from the outside of the building and are maintaining an open dialogue with Police Scotland regarding the security of the site.