- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 October 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its plans for onshore wind in Scotland.
Answer
We intend to launch the consultation of the draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement later today, in line with the commitments we set out in the Programme for Government.
The consultative draft of the Policy Statement will be available to view on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781802014990 from today and the consultation questions will be available on Citizen Space at https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/onshore-wind-policy-statement-refresh-2021/ . The consultation will be live for 12 weeks from today until 21 January 2022.
The draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement (OnWPS) sets out the Scottish Government’s ambitions for onshore wind in Scotland out to 2030 in the context of our 2045 net zero emissions commitment. It outlines the huge potential for this technology, and assesses the significant economic opportunity of future deployment, particularly in light of green recovery aspirations. Scotland has excellent onshore wind expertise and is recognised as having one of the best wind regimes anywhere in the world in which to deploy projects.
The consultative draft of the OnWPS has been informed by stakeholder consultation and engagement and seeks views on specific questions, in particular on the Scottish Government ambition to secure an additional 8-12 Gigawatts of installed onshore wind capacity by 2030.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Dorothy Bain on 28 October 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce speed awareness courses for motorists as an alternative to driving licence penalty points and, if so, by what date.
Answer
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) are currently engaged with criminal justice partners, including the Police Service of Scotland, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to develop relevant infrastructure and guidance for the possible introduction of Speed Awareness Courses in Scotland.
The possible introduction of Speed Awareness Courses in Scotland requires enabling legislation. The United Kingdom Government has introduced the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is currently being considered by the House of Lords. The Bill includes provision for police forces in England and Wales to recover costs from drivers who are the subject of a road traffic diversionary courses.
Whilst the Bill does not include substantive provision to allow Police Scotland to recover costs from drivers, the Bill makes provision for the Secretary of State to make such provision for Scotland, similar to that provided for in England and Wales, by statutory instrument. Any such provision by statutory instrument would require to be made following passage of the Bill.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 October 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential (a) quality and (b) quantity of private rented housing provision in (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde following the introduction of its proposed rent controls.
Answer
Once firmer options for the design of rent controls are developed, including through a full public consultation, we will carefully consider the potential impact on the quality and quantity of private rented housing at a national and sub-national level. We will be gathering evidence and engaging with stakeholders in the private rented sector to develop a range of Impact Assessments, including a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 October 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its ministers have had with private rented sector representatives in the (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde Council area regarding proposals to introduce rent controls.
Answer
We have met with a range of private rented sector representatives, including those representing tenants and landlords, and will continue to do so as we progress work on implementing an effective national system of rent controls, including those representing the North Ayrshire and Inverclyde areas. Our aim is to ensure quality, affordability and fairness for everyone who rents a home, whilst carefully examining potential unintended consequences.
This policy is still being developed and will also be consulted on publicly within the new draft Rented Sector Strategy due to be published at the end of this year, providing further opportunities for all stakeholders to share their views. Upon consideration of the consultation responses, a final Rented Sector Strategy will be published later in 2022 and deliver a key commitment, set out in Housing to 2040 , Scotland’s long term vision for housing.
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 September 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 October 2021
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there continues to be a delay to the implementation of the provisions in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibiting pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs.
Answer
The implementation of the parking elements of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic and preparations for European Union exit. This particularly impacted the development of guidance and regulations and the related consultation processes however my officials are continuing to consult with local authorities to develop both the secondary legislation required to allow them to enforce the national pavement prohibition as well as the Parking Standards Guidance which will underpin the Act.
Additionally, we need to consult with the public on some areas contained within the secondary legislation. Local authorities will be required to undertake an assessment to identify and progress any exemptions to the pavement parking prohibition they consider necessary. We are actively working with Local Authorities to undertake this work and Scottish Ministers have provided the requested £2.4 million of funding to enable this to be progressed in a timeous manner.
The majority of the secondary legislation is likely to be in place by 2022. Some aspects however, such as the appeals process for those who wish to appeal a ticket issued for pavement parking, may not be in place until summer 2023.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 September 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by George Adam on 28 October 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister’s ex-chief of staff, who left the role in May 2021, received any payment, additional to her monthly salary, when leaving the role.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02466 on 28 September 2021 which explained that t he First Minister’s former Chief of Staff resigned on the suspension of parliament for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election in line with the Special Advisers Code of Conduct and model contract. I n line with GDPR requirements, the Scottish Government does not provide personal data such as the levels of payments made to individual staff.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that welfare entitlements and other benefits such as council tax exemptions are taken up by care experienced young people.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021
- Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy ensures that all new affordable housing is built to be as energy efficient as possible.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021
- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are currently in place to ensure the protection and preservation of war memorials.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2021
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to NHS boards that are currently experiencing pressures ahead of winter.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021
