- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how much public funding has been provided to third sector organisations in each year since 1999, broken down by organisation.
Answer
Scottish Government expenditure is allocated across portfolios to various sectors, including the third sector, to improve a wide range of outcomes. Spending is not all specifically classified as to whether or not it is allocated to third-sector organisations to deliver services. Consequently the figures requested are not available.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many (a) houses and (b) flats in Scotland have been demolished in each year since 1999.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information at this level of detail. Latest published Scottish Government annual estimates on demolitions from 1999-00 up to the year 2020-21 are available on the Housing statistics: Conversions and demolitions webpage. This information is provided by local authorities but does not include a breakdown by houses or flats.
Note that these estimates are not considered comprehensive. Estimates of demolitions of local authority housing are thought to be generally accurate, however local authorities differ in their ability to provide comprehensive estimates of demolitions of private sector and housing association homes. As such, these estimates should be considered as the minimum level of demolition activity in Scotland.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the status will be of legally protected sites for nature, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), that fall wholly or partially within the outer 45km boundaries of Scotland’s two Green Freeports, the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport.
Answer
Green Freeports in Scotland will be required to the comply with existing environmental legislation and regulations. The legal protection of sites for nature, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), will not be changed as consequence of the decision to give Green Freeport status to all or part of any site.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Health and Safety Executive on issues of workplace bullying.
Answer
As health and safety legislation is reserved we regularly cooperate with the Health and Safety Executive to promote workplace safety. This includes using our devolved healthcare powers to promote and support safety in the workplace, our Fair and Healthy Work for All Strategy, and continuing to represent the opinion of the Scottish Government on worker safety to the HSE.
The Scottish Government believes that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to develop the Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind for Innovation and Targeted
Oil and Gas Decarbonisation
(INTOG).
Answer
The Initial Plan Framework for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas decarbonisation (INTOG) was published on 22 February 2022 and set the parameters used by Crown Estate Scotland to shape their leasing process.
Following the closure of the INTOG lease application window on 18 November 2022, the Marine Scotland Directorate is undertaking assessments to understand the potential impact from proposed INTOG projects on the marine environment and other marine sectors which will inform the development the draft Sectoral Marine Plan for INTOG. Public consultation on the draft plan is targeted for later in 2023.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) energy companies and (b) their representatives on issues regarding the force-fitting of prepayment meters.
Answer
While policy on energy markets is a matter reserved to the UK Government and the responsibility for supplier guidance sits with Ofgem, the Scottish Government opposes the forced installation of prepayment meters, which increases the risk of self- rationing and self-disconnection. The additional costs associated with prepayment meters also lead to increased debt.
We are engaging with Ofgem regarding its request to suppliers to immediately halt forced installations and remote switching to prepayment meters until 31 March 2023, as well as its consultation on the rules and guidance on the use of prepayment meters by suppliers. We will use this engagement to ensure that the rights and interests of Scottish consumers are fully considered.
Last year, the First Minister chaired two energy summits which were attended by energy suppliers. We continue to build upon the progress made at these summits, and are looking to suppliers for assurance that they are exploring all possible options to support struggling customers, especially those living in vulnerable circumstances.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by George Adam on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposing parliamentary business on days when strike action is being taken by workers in the Scottish Parliament.
Answer
The Scottish Cabinet determines the proposed programme of Government business with due regard to current circumstances, including any decisions taken by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body regarding the operation of the Parliament. It is for the Parliamentary Bureau and, ultimately, the Parliament as a whole to agree the terms of the business programme.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to Recommendation 7 in the first report of the independent review of the role of incineration in the waste hierarchy, what consideration is being given in discussions with local authorities regarding the development of solutions to manage residual waste ahead of the landfill ban in 2025.
Answer
The independent review of the role of incineration in the waste hierarchy recommended that in view of the upcoming ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste, Scottish Government should work with local authorities to ensure they have a solution to manage their residual waste in 2025. The ban is in line with Committee on Climate Change recommendations and will come into force on 31 December 2025.
Through work overseen by a dedicated Programme Board (which includes representation from Cosla, SOLACE, SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland), we are continuing to support local authorities to collaboratively secure landfill ban compliant residual waste treatment options. We are doing this by facilitating collaborative procurement and funding provision of additional technical, procurement and legal support.
We will continue to work closely with local authorities and commercial operators to support those that do not currently have solutions to treat their residual waste ahead of the forthcoming ban.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on whether any local authorities are currently considering exporting waste as a measure in response to capacity gaps arising as a result of the 2025 landfill ban on biodegradable municipal waste.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the range of options considered by local authorities for the treatment of residual waste ahead of the forthcoming ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste.
Local authorities are responsible for the provision of local waste services and are, therefore, best placed to comment on contractual arrangements for waste services.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many recipients of a STEM teacher education bursary were offered a permanent teaching post upon completion of the one-year Teacher Induction Scheme, in each academic year since 2018-19.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information as the recruitment and deployment of all staff in local authority schools is a matter for individual Councils.