- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2024
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 5 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Scottish justice system is "close to collapse" and that solicitors are taking industrial action.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 5 June 2024
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 23 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government which minister will take decisions on any matters relating to the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture portfolio that the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has recused himself from.
Answer
I will take decisions on the portfolio matters that the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has recused himself from, with the exception of a single issue where I also have a conflict. On this matter, decisions will be taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance.
The detail of these is reflected on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation on climate
targets, as announced by the net zero secretary in her ministerial statement on
18 April.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on its (a) Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and (b) renewable energy targets, what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding Auction Round (i) 6 and (ii) 7 of the Contracts for Difference process.
Answer
The parameters set out by the UK Government for offshore wind in AR6 were a step in the right direction but the subsequent budget announcement was disappointing and more must be done to ensure lost ground is regained.
We have regular engagement with the UK Government and have been clear they must also provide clarity on the longer-term approach that will be taken to support the renewables sector, both onshore and offshore, in order to provide the certainty needed to secure investment in the Scottish supply chain. To secure project delivery as well as investor and supply chain confidence, we have also stressed that the UK Government must provide timely grid connections and strengthened grid infrastructure.
Our commitment to invest up to £500 million of public sector funding over the next 5 years demonstrates that the Scottish Government is already doing what it can within our limited budget to support market certainty and support the delivery of our tremendous offshore wind ambitions.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on its (a) Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and (b) renewable energy targets, what its position is on the proposal for the introduction of Sustainable Industry Rewards in Auction Round 7 of the Contracts for Difference process.
Answer
We welcome the UK Government’s plans to introduce a Sustainable Industry Reward into the Contracts for Difference scheme.
The Scottish Government responded to the initial consultation in January 2024, welcoming the UK Government’s work to introduce these reforms and raising key issues on the definition of deprived areas in Scotland as well as implementation timescales and flexibility.
Throughout our engagement with UK Government on this, we have been clear that any reward mechanism should encourage early investment in manufacturing and infrastructure rather delaying it, creating certainty and allowing the supply chain to ready itself to support the delivery of our tremendous offshore wind ambitions.
We will continue to work with the UK Government to ensure Scottish interests are represented.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 29 April 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government who the member in charge is of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
Gillian Martin MSP, Minister for Climate Action, is leading on the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill for the portfolio. As Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I remain the member with oversight.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2024
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture secretary has had with the finance secretary regarding future funding for culture, in light of its commitment to invest an additional £100 million in the sector.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2024
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the Climate Emergency Economic and Investment Leadership Group that was announced in the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.
Answer
The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) provided an important springboard for net zero skills planning and significant progress has been made since its publication, notably in strengthening the evidence base through the CESAP Pathfinders, which provides a better understanding of the skills requirements in the transition to net zero, focusing on investment, demand, and provision across the CESAP sectors.
A separate Economic and Investment Leadership Group has not been established however, an Implementation Steering Group (ISG) was established in 2021 to bring together senior experts from across industry, academia, and public-sector agencies. The group has fostered collaboration and promoted innovative approaches in priority sectors for building a fair, green and growing economy.
Significant work has also started on the commitment for Scottish Government to take responsibility for skills planning at a national level and to strengthen regional skills planning. This commitment will be a key mechanism for supporting the transition to net zero.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to establish a Green Jobs Skills Hub, as outlined in the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.
Answer
The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) provided an important springboard for net zero skills planning and we have made good progress since its publication, notably in strengthening the evidence base through the CESAP Pathfinders , which provides a better understanding of the skill requirements in the transition to net zero, focusing on investment, demand, and provision across the CESAP sectors.
While a standalone Green Jobs Skills Hub has not yet been established, Skills Development Scotland continue to engage with employers across Scotland to disseminate evidence and insights to support them in the transition to net zero.
Skills Development Scotland also established additional online capacity through My World of Work to enable individuals to search for green skills and green job opportunities.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Friday, 05 April 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 29 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for electricity generators under 50MW were submitted to planning authorities under the Electricity Act 1989 in (a) 2015, (b) 2019, (c) 2022 and (d) 2023.
Answer
Applications for electricity generating stations with a capacity of 50MW or less submitted to planning authorities are determined in accordance with procedures set out under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. Consent under the Electricity Act 1989 is exclusively required for electricity generating stations with a capacity greater than 50MW.
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of applications for electricity generating stations with a capacity of 50MW or less submitted to planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. However, this information could be obtained from individual planning authorities.
The Scottish Government does publish information on the total number of planning applications for electricity generation determined by planning authorities. The number of applications determined in each year is recorded from 1 April to 31 March.
Number of planning applications for electricity generation |
Year | Major | Local |
2014-15 | 21 | 626 |
2015-16 | 17 | 561 |
2016-17 | 10 | 178 |
2017-18 | 9 | 123 |
2018-19 | 9 | 180 |
2019-20 | 12 | 94 |
2020-21 | 26 | 123 |
2021-22 | 31 | 106 |
2022-23 | 42 | 177 |
1 The figures provided for 2014-15 to 2019-20 do not include applications which were determined using a processing agreement.
2 Major applications are any development where the generating capacity exceeds 20MW but does not exceed 50MW.
Further information on planning applications determined by Planning Authorities can be found at: The Scottish Government - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
