- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 1 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the 2021 UN Production Gap Report, which concludes that governments plan to produce more than twice the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and what its position is on the proposed Cambo oil field, in light of the report's conclusion.
Answer
We are committed to ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change by 2045, and to ensuring we do it in a way that is just and leaves no-one behind.
The science is clear that the world cannot go on extracting fossil fuels indefinitely if the necessity of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees is to be achieved.
The presumption should be not to develop new oilfields unless there is rigorous assessment showing that it is both necessary and consistent with our obligation to limit warming to 1.5 degrees and in the overall interests of fast and just transition. We have consistently said that the Cambo field should not be given the green light, but should be subject to a rigorous climate compatibility assessment to ensure that it is consistent with emissions reductions targets, the Glasgow Climate Pact commitment to limit warming to 1.5 degrees and in the interests of a fast and just transition.
The challenge for all countries therefore is how quickly the transition from fossil fuels to renewable and low carbon alternatives can be achieved - and to ensure that the transition is a just one. We are undertaking a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero, ensuring an approach that supports and protects our energy security and our highly skilled workforce whilst meeting our climate obligations.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to add the COVID-19 booster vaccination to the vaccination status app, and whether proof of the booster vaccination will be required for (a) international travel and (b) domestic use.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04128 on 30 November 2021. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 22 November 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2021
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to a SEPA investigation uncovering the single largest illegal export of household waste from Scotland, resulting in Saica Natur UK Limited being fined £20,000.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2021
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 22 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met trade unions representing bus drivers to discuss recruitment, retention and fair work.
Answer
I last met trade unions representing bus drivers on 5 October 2021 when these issues were raised and discussed. The Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work, who holds regular roundtable discussions with the STUC and affiliate unions, including those which represent bus drivers, last met with STUC on 7 October and is due to meet them again on 25 November. Ministers value an open and constructive dialogue with our trade union partners and will continue to engage on these issues.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported survivability bias in the Cancer Patient Experience Survey to ensure that experiences of patients with a less survivable cancer are captured, and whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care plans to make a statement on the issue.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03854 on 19 November 2021. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to join the National Pancreatic Cancer Audit.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03853 on 10 November 2021. 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: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 05 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 19 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to announce the composition of the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, committed to establishing a Green Heat Finance Taskforce by the end of 2021. The purpose of the Taskforce is to develop a portfolio of innovative financial solutions involving the private, public and third sectors for building owners in Scotland to ensure that by 2045, our homes and buildings no longer contribute to climate change, as part of the wider just transition to net zero.
The Taskforce will forge a new partnership approach between the Scottish public sector, heat decarbonisation experts and the financial sector to explore potential new and value for money innovative financing mechanisms for individual and community level investment in zero emissions heat. The Taskforce has a crucial role in shaping how the transition to zero emissions heat in Scotland’s buildings is financed, therefore the membership of the Taskforce will be drawn from expertise including green finance, the heat and energy efficiency sector and consumer groups. Further details of the composition of the Taskforce will be provided by the end of 2021.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 40 electric vehicle charging units per week are out of action due to faults, and that many of these chargers do not have maintenance contracts
Answer
Most faults on the ChargePlace Scotland network are transient and in the majority of cases require no physical intervention. This means that a high proportion are closed down swiftly and effectively. On a network of now over 2100 units in size, an average of 30 faults a day are raised, the majority closed within 48 hours.
In addition to adding new sites, Transport Scotland’s grant funding for this year will focus on further network resilience opportunities, with authorities tasked to firstly ensure warranty and maintenance contracts are in place, scope out potential expansion at busy/key charge point sites before adding any new sites to the network.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 05 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government who will be appointed to the Green Heat Finance Taskforce.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, committed to establishing a Green Heat Finance Taskforce by the end of 2021. The Taskforce will forge a new partnership approach between the Scottish public sector, heat decarbonisation experts and the financial sector to explore potential new and value for money innovative financing mechanisms for investment in zero emissions heat. The Taskforce has a crucial role in shaping how the transition to zero emissions heat in Scotland’s buildings is financed, therefore the membership of the Taskforce will be drawn from expertise including green finance, the heat and energy efficiency sector and consumer groups.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research by Professor Denis Henshaw on the link between air pollution and child cancer.
Answer
It is widely documented that air pollution has a negative impact on health. However air pollution does not cause recognisably distinctive diseases and the sorts of illness that air pollution can exacerbate can also be affected by multiple other factors. The relationship between air pollution and health is extremely complex, and it is not possible to say with any certainty what impact air pollution can have on a specific individual. We do know that the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
We welcome Professor Henshaw’s call for more research into the link between air pollution and child cancer, to further solidify whether there is a correlation.
