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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-21757

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an analysis of responses to its recent consultation on rates reform.

The Scottish Government has today published two reports. Firstly, an independent analysis report [ https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787815797/ ] of the 148 responses submitted to the Barclay Implementation: A consultation on non-domestic rates reform . Secondly, the final report of the Barclay Implementation Advisory Group [ https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787815674/ ]. Where permission has been given to publish a consultation response this can be found on the Scottish Government Consultation Hub [ https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-communities/non-domestic-rates/ ].

The Scottish Government aims to introduce the Non Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament before Easter Recess. The provisions in the Bill, subject to parliamentary approval will result in a non-domestic rates system that will better support business growth, long term investment and reflect changing market places.

Specifically the Bill will make provision:

for a Business Growth Accelerator relief;
for three yearly revaluations - after the next revaluation on 1 April 2022;
for reforms to improve the appeals system and reduce speculative appeals;
for an increase in the information gathering powers of the Scottish Assessors through the creation of a new civil penalty with concomitant rights of appeal; and a widening of the category of persons an Assessor can approach for information;
for an increase in the information gathering powers of Local Authorities through the creation of a new civil penalty with concomitant rights of appeal;
for local authorities to initiate debt recovery at an earlier stage of the financial year;
for GAAR (general anti-avoidance regulation) as an additional tool that can be utilised in those cases where abuse cannot be tackled through refinement of existing legislation using existing powers;
for changes to charity rate relief - mainstream independent schools will no longer be eligible to apply for mandatory charitable rate relief, independent special schools and specialist independent music schools will not be affected by this change;
by way of an enabling power for the Scottish Ministers to issue statutory guidance to local authorities regarding the granting of sports club relief; and
the closing down of several tax avoidance tactics identified by the Barclay Review relating to non-domestic reliefs.

Barclay Recommendations that will not be covered by the forthcoming Bill, but had previously been included in the implementation plan:

An out-of-town levy to charge businesses based predominantly online or out-of-town a business rates supplement. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, confirmed in the Scottish Budget that the Scottish Government would not be taking forward this recommendation; and
Proposal to impose a 10% supplementary charge on property that has been vacant for over 5 years will not be taken forward; proposal to restrict empty property relief for listed buildings to 2 years will be taken forward but the threshold will be 5 years and this can be dealt with by secondary legislation.
The proposal to increase the current 42 days rest period for empty property will be progressed and this can be dealt with by secondary legislation.

Question reference: S5O-02876

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 7 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government austerity measures have had on its overall budget, and how this has impacted the local government settlement.

As a result of the amendments agreed at Stage 2 of the Budget, total spending power for local government will increase by around £620 million in 2019-20 – providing a real terms increase in spending power on both resource and capital for local authorities.

This enhanced settlement for local government has been possible despite the continued impact of UK Government austerity, which means that after removing the uplift in Health funding, the Scottish Government’s total fiscal block grant will be lower in real terms in
‎ 2019-20 compared to 2018-19 .

Question reference: S5W-21052

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans testing fisheries management measures relating to nephrops in inshore fisheries.

In June 2018 the Scottish Government announced the outcome of an Inshore Fisheries Pilot consultation. At this time three Inshore Fisheries Pilots were announced.

A seasonal restriction on mobile gear fishing near Mull;
A restriction on creel numbers in the Outer Hebrides; and
Zonal fishing management arrangements in waters off Arbroath and Montrose.

Since then, Marine Scotland officials have worked with local fisherman from the Inner Sound of Skye area, resulting in a revised proposal to test management of the nephrops fisheries in this area.

This proposal has the potential to offer some unique learning opportunities and to help inform our future fisheries strategy. I’m therefore pleased to announce a consultation on this proposal, and encourage all local fishers and stakeholders to respond.

The consultation will be circulated to stakeholders and published on the Scottish Government website later today:

https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/inshore-fisheries-pilot-for-inner-sound-of-skye

Question reference: S5O-02662

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to tackle the illegal puppy trade.

Question reference: S5W-20094

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Clare Haughey on 22 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the full report of Dr Anne MacDonald’s research into out-of-area placements and delayed discharges for people with a learning disability.

I am pleased to announce the publication of Dr Anne MacDonald’s report today. I am very grateful for her work on this issue over the last two years. There is a general consensus that we need to do better and I am delighted that Dr Macdonald’s report gives us and Integration Authorities the information and tools to achieve this. We are committed to considering, with partnerships, how to implement this report and, crucially, committed to improving the lives of these individuals and their families.

Question reference: S5W-19969

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 November 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 16 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress being made with the integrated health and social care workforce plan.

We are making good progress with the integrated workforce plan. A draft has already been circulated to stakeholders and we continue to work closely and constructively with them as we develop the plan towards finalisation.

It is important to ensure that the plan’s contents meet with stakeholders’ expectations. To ensure they have sufficient opportunity to comment on and contribute to the plan we are extending our planned engagement period. Consequently, the publication date for the plan is therefore likely to move from December to January 2019.

Question reference: S5O-02567

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 15 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the structural issues at the Station Hotel in Ayr.

South Ayrshire Council contractors continue to encapsulate the Station Hotel building to minimise the risk it poses to public safety. Encapsulation of the Hotel roof will commence shortly to further reduce this risk, enabling the reinstatement of all rail services through and to the south of Ayr.

The task force established and chaired by Transport Scotland remain focused on ensuring any long-term resolution plan identified not only addresses the needs of rail passengers, particularly to south of Ayr, but also contributes to the economic prosperity of the region.

Question reference: S5O-02465

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 October 2018
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Respiratory Improvement Taskforce.

Question reference: S5W-19232

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 October 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to deliver a BPS loan scheme in 2018.

Today, over £241 million will arrive in the bank accounts of 10,684 farmers and crofters all over Scotland through the 2018 BPS loan scheme. This is before the CAP payment window opens and is the earliest we have made funding available. We are paying loans three weeks earlier than we started last year.

Significantly, the Scottish Government will be the first administration in the UK to start making payments this year. We are paying 90% loans from 5 October. Northern Ireland is offering 70% advance payments from 16 October, and Wales isn’t paying until December.

We have made 15,367 loan offers worth over £298 million.

We are committed to ensuring that all eligible farmers and crofters receive an offer of a loan by the end of October.

Some farmers and crofters are yet to respond to the letter offering them a loan. We will continue to encourage them to do so.

Question reference: S5W-19120

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 September 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 1 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on restricting the promotion and marketing of targeted food and drink that is high in fat, sugar or salt where they are sold to the public.