- Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus Robertson on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it has taken and (b) steps it is considering to support the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, in light of reports of aid entering the region reaching a historic low and a persistent risk of famine, and Israel's parliament voting to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in the region.
Answer
Over the past year, the Scottish Government has committed £1m for Gaza and the wider Middle East, including £750k for UNRWA and a further £250k to the Disasters Emergency Committee, Mercy Corps and SCIAF. This money will provide food, water, medical assistance and shelter to displaced people across the region.
Given the intolerable suffering in Gaza, the fact that humanitarian access continues to be systematically blocked is unconscionable. Israel's decision to ban UNRWA will undoubtedly further undermine living conditions in Gaza. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and unfettered access to vital humanitarian aid for civilians across Gaza.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to increase breast health awareness.
Answer
NHS Inform provides information regarding breast health, such as on the possible signs of breast cancer with recommendations to contact a GP with any concerns. All women aged 50-70 in Scotland are invited for breast screening every three years.
Evidence shows that the majority of breast cancers are diagnosed in women aged 50 and over. Women aged 71 and over can self-refer for breast screening, should they choose to. Information regarding the benefits of attending screening appointments is included in the invitation to screening appointments, as well as on NHS Inform.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 15 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Dorothy Bain on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of medical mishap have been investigated by forensic pathologists in Aberdeen in the last year.
Answer
COPFS’ case management database does not recognise the category of death of ‘medical mishap’. However, in the majority of medical deaths where there are concerns about the circumstances there would be no requirement for the post mortem examination to involve forensic pathologists.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 15 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Dorothy Bain on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to ensure the (a) timely and (b) accurate completion of post-mortem examinations in Aberdeen.
Answer
COPFS work closely with the mortuary team and locum pathologists to ensure that post mortem examinations taking place in Aberdeen are completed within the target turnaround time in the majority of cases. Regular performance updates are provided to COPFS and stakeholders work collaboratively to address any performance issues.
All post mortems are completed by experienced NHS consultant pathologists following the Royal College of Pathologist guidance and standards.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Leylodge Against Industrialisation.
Answer
In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Leylodge Against Industrialisation.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the reported concerns that the proposed energy infrastructure consenting reforms may prioritise speed over thorough environmental assessments.
Answer
The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient, not less robust. Environmental assessment standards will remain unchanged. Scottish Ministers will continue to determine each proposal on a case-by-case basis, following review of the application information, consultation responses and representations made by members of the public.
- Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has given to Clyde Gateway in each year since it was established, broken down by the purpose of the funding.
Answer
The Scottish Government has awarded over £210 million of regeneration funding to Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company (URC) from 2007 for the purpose of supporting the delivery of its 20-year operating plan. This includes direct support through annual capital and resource funding to develop and regenerate key sites identified in the plan, support core running costs and other activities it delivers in support of local communities.
Grant awards were made in each financial year are provided in the following table:
Financial Year | Capital funding £000 | Resource funding | Comment |
2006-07 | 3,022 | | |
2007-08 | 5,000 | | |
2008-09 to 2010-11 | 57,000 | | Three-year funding from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2011 |
2011-12 | 11,554 | 746 | |
2012-13 | 17,725 | 1,525 | |
2013-14 | 19,525 | 1,525 | |
2014-15 | 9,290 | 1,850 | |
2015-16 | 1,816 | 184 | |
2016-17 | 3,070 | 500 | |
2017-18 | 5,000 | 500 | |
2018-19 | 5,000 | 500 | |
2019-20 | 6,130 | 500 | |
2020-21 | 6,000 | 1,000 | £500k revenue funding provided to support COVID-19 response. |
2021-22 | 9,000 | 500 | |
2022-23 | 5,500 | 500 | |
2023-24 | 5,000 | 500 | |
2024-25 | 1,000 | 500 | |
Additionally the Scottish Government agreed to a contribution of £3.8 million in capital funding from the Net Zero portfolio in 2024-25 toward the ongoing remediation works at Shawfield.
We understand that Clyde Gateway in delivering their strategic operational plan have, since their formation in 2007, developed numerous projects to support the communities. Information on all of the grants Clyde Gateway may have received from additional Scottish Government funding streams and funding bodies supported with Scottish Government funding is not held centrally in the format requested.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Deeside Against Pylons.
Answer
In my capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I can confirm that I have not met Deeside Against Pylons.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact that the UK Government's inheritance tax changes for family farms will have on the availability of land in Scotland to build energy infrastructure.
Answer
It is disappointing that there had been no prior indication of this change to Inheritance Tax or engagement with the Scottish Government given that Scotland will be hit by the proposed changes brought in by the UK Government.
The Scottish Parliament recently debated this and agreed to call on the UK Government to reverse the changes – and urgently commit to undertake and publish impact assessments on the cumulative impact of its budget proposals on Scotland.
Given the lack of available data on the impact of this decision, there should now be an immediate review of this policy, informed by close engagement with the agricultural sector and devolved governments.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what steps will be taken to ensure that statutory consultees have the necessary resources to provide timely and thorough input if they have to deal with an increased number of applications due to the energy infrastructure consenting reforms.
Answer
Statutory consultees are key stakeholders in the consenting process.
The ‘Verity House Agreement’ and the ‘New Deal for Business’ have set out how the Scottish Government intends to work collaboratively with local authorities and others to deliver a just transition to net zero.
The reform process launched by this consultation creates an opportunity to re-set the expectations on the bodies providing essential support to the application process, taking account of their views, suggestions and their specific circumstances.