Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-12330

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a full list of active groups and sub-groups within the Finance and Economy portfolio.

The list of active groups and sub-groups within the Finance and Economy portfolio includes:

Apprenticeship Approval Group (AAG)
Business Support Partnership
Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan - Implementation Steering Group
Clyde Mission Strategy Group
Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill steering Group
Creative Industries Leadership Group
Developing the Young Workforce Employers Forum
Digital Collaborative Governance Group
Economic Leadership Group
European Structural and Investment Funds Programme Board
European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee
European Structural and Investment Programme Monitoring Committee Working Group
European Structural and Information Technology Board
Financial Services Growth and Development Board
Flexible Workforce Development Fund Senior Strategic Group
Foundation Apprenticeship Enhancement Group
Green Freeports Programme Board
Industry Leadership Chairs Group
Innovation Strategy Steering Group
Input-Output Expert Users Group (IOEUG)
Lifetime Skills Offer Steering Group
Life Sciences Scotland Group
Ministerial Trade Board
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Portfolio Board
National Strategy for Economic Transformation Skilled Workforce Programme Board
Public Sector Network Steering Group
Regional Economic Policy Advisory Group
Retail Industry Leadership Group
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Group Board
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Standards And Frameworks Group
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Employer Engagement Group
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Employer Equalities Group
Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) Apprentice Engagement Group
Scottish Business Growth Group
Scottish Cities Alliance Chief Executive Officers Group
Scottish Cities Alliance Delivery Group
Scottish Cities Alliance Leadership Group
Scottish City Region and Growth Deal Delivery Board
Scottish Economic Statistics Consultation Group
Scottish Government and Business Organisations Meeting
Scottish Government Labour Market Evidence Programme
Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services
Skills Ministerial Group
Strategic Leadership Group for Advanced Manufacturing
Sub-Scotland Economic Statistics Group
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group
Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo)
Young Persons Guarantee Equalities Subgroup
Young Persons Guarantee Employer Advisory Group
Young Persons Guarantee Implementation Planning Group

Please note these groups will be kept under review.

Question reference: S6W-12344

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the affordability of replacing a direct emissions heating system, including installation and retrofit costs, for older and hard-to-treat off-gas-grid properties.

The Heat in Building Strategy shows that including fabric upgrades the estimated average building-level cost of installing a zero emission system, such as an air source heat pump, is just over £12,000. The cost for an individual dwelling can vary depending on the building type, materials, existing levels of energy efficiency and type of heating systems being replaced; and we recognise that retrofit costs for hard-to-treat properties are likely to be higher than the average.

Further analysis of the estimated capital and running costs of zero emissions heating systems has been undertaken as part of the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Heat in Buildings Strategy, which can be accessed at: Heat in buildings strategy: business and regulatory impact assessment - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

We continue to develop the evidence base on the costs of different low and zero emissions heat options suitable to different properties across the Scottish building stock. For example, we are undertaking research to better inform our understanding of the cost of installing energy efficiency measures and replacing direct emissions heating systems in homes. While there is no fixed definition of a HTT home, this research includes traditional tenements and homes off the gas grid. This research is due to complete early next year.

As set out in the answer to S6W-12343 on 5 December there is a range of support available to all properties including for older and hard-to-treat off-gas-grid properties.

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

Question reference: S6W-12342

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the cost of living crisis, whether it will give consideration to delaying the introduction of the New Build Heat Standard proposals regarding conversions for off-gas-grid homes and businesses, in order to protect consumers from the costs associated with installing a new zero direct emissions heating system.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11865 on 17 November 2022. Our New Build Heat Standard will apply to all new buildings seeking building warrant approval from 1 April 2024, as well as conversions of existing buildings – however, only where certain criteria are met. Installing new zero direct emissions heating systems will reduce the exposure of consumers to the costs associated with volatile fossil fuel prices.

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 .

Question reference: S6W-12365

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Caledonian Sleeper service is a commercial asset.

Question reference: S6W-12679

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Includem’s open letter titled "Simply Scran", how it will work with local authorities to eradicate school meal debt.

We recognise that rises in the cost of living are putting a huge strain on some families and they are facing unforeseen challenges. We are working with our partners in local authorities to fully understand the issue of school meal debt.

Councils have the power to make discretionary offers of free school meals to families, where they are experiencing financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances, who do not meet the regular eligibility criteria. We would urge local authorities to continue to do all they can to resolve any payment issues without withdrawing meals from pupils.

Question reference: S6W-12678

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Includem’s open letter titled "Simply Scran" and its call for three nutritious meals a day, how it will work with local authorities to ensure that, in light of rising costs of living, school meals will continue to be of good nutritional value to children and young people regardless of where they live.

All food and drink served in all education authority and grant aided schools must meet the standards set out in the 'Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020'. The Regulations are based on scientific evidence and dietary advice and are designed to ensure children and young people are provided with an appropriate amount of energy and key nutrients to support their healthy growth and development.

Question reference: S6W-12265

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to (a) launching an inquiry to assess the potential value of retrofit over demolition and (b) the introduction of a demolition levy, in light of the Chartered Institute of Building’s report, Levelling the playing field, not Scotland’s built environment: a case for retrofit over demolition, which states that introducing a demolition levy could catalyse a shift in priority to favour retrofit projects and fund green initiatives.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of retrofitting existing buildings, as noted in our Town Centre Action Plan review and Housing to 2040 Strategy. We are aware that current VAT rules may incentivise demolition over retrofitting. However, VAT policy is currently reserved to the UK Government. As such, we have called on the UK Government to address this issue, but to no avail. We called on the UK Government to issue changes in a letter of 19 March 2021, but this request was declined in a response received in May 2021.

The Scottish Government will, of course, continue to consider what it can do to address the current imbalance, including through the promotion and facilitation of retrofitting within our policies. However, it is clear that the key powers lie with the UK Government.

The Scottish Government welcomes the report from the Chartered Institute of Building. We too have been clear that coordinated action is needed to tackle the challenge of building decarbonisation. We will carefully consider the report, including the recommendation of introducing a demolition levy in Scotland. However, a change to the VAT structure remains the preferred solution. As the imbalance is caused by the design of the VAT system, this would be most efficiently and effectively resolved through VAT reform.

The Scottish Government will continue to call on the UK Government to address the current imbalance.

Question reference: S6W-12320

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has indicated when any investigations into the Park Inn tragedy of 26 June 2020, in Glasgow, will conclude.

The investigation by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident is ongoing and no final decisions have been taken regarding any court proceedings. There are a number of complex issues raised by those circumstances which require to be carefully considered and it is not possible to provide a definite timescale for those enquiries being concluded.

Question reference: S6W-12457

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote uptake of the winter (a) COVID-19 booster and (b) flu vaccination in areas of low uptake.

Question reference: S6W-12237

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to issuing guidance regarding the Deposit Return Scheme’s online takeback service.

In line with the principle of industry responsibility for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), it is for retailers (in consultation with the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland Ltd) to decide how to comply with the obligation to provide a takeback service for scheme articles sold online. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published guidance to support retailers in complying with their obligations:

https://www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/waste/deposit-return-scheme/retailers/online-retailers/

However, as set out in the answer to S6W-12236 on 1 December 2022, we are considering measures to reduce the burden this obligation places on industry, and are working closely with SEPA to ensure that the guidance is updated if necessary as a result of this work.

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 .

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