- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 May 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 19 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on which of the key recommendations it is looking to progress from the report State of The Nation: Heart Valve Disease in Scotland by Heart Valve Voice, which was released in December 2021.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 19 May 2022
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how much of its budget has been allocated to support community ownership development of (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind energy projects in each of the last 10 years.
Answer
Community Ownership : For the purposes of answering this question Community Ownership is where a community develops owns and operates the renewable energy asset.
CARES Funding : The Scottish Government’s main mechanism for supporting community energy projects is the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) which provides loan and grant funding to assist community groups in developing renewable energy projects which support the growth of community and locally owned energy in Scotland.
Funding for wind energy projects in the last ten years under CARES is as follows:
Community Energy Projects | Value of funding |
On-Shore Wind | £7,427.752.92 |
Off-Shore Wind | nil |
EIF Funding: The Scottish Governments Energy Investment Fund (EIF), which closed on 31 March 2022, provided commercial funding for renewable and low carbon energy solutions including support for community owned renewable energy projects and was managed on behalf of the Scottish Government by the Scottish Investment Bank, which is part of Scottish Enterprise.
Funding for wind energy projects provided through EIF in the last ten years is as follows:
Community Energy Projects | Value of funding |
On-Shore Wind | £16,267,792.05 |
Off-Shore Wind | nil |
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of the (a) owner and (b) operator of each of Scotland’s (i) onshore and (ii) offshore wind energy projects.
Answer
Crown Estate Scotland manage leasing of the Scottish seabed, and we will ask their Chief Executive to write to you directly with this information.
The Scottish Government are aware of the UK Government Renewable Energy Planning Database which will hold information on the operator of individual sites across the UK. This information can be accessed via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-energy-planning-database-monthly-extract and the most recent update took place in December 2021.
Scottish Renewables, as the renewable industry representative body in Scotland, hold a directory of their members which may be useful in collating this information. The Scottish Government would also suggest that further detail could be obtained by contacting Scottish Renewables directly.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) adherence to Fair Work First criteria and (b) commitments to supporting domestic supply chains are set out as conditions for applicants for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy licences.
Answer
In determining an application for a marine licence (under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009) the Scottish Ministers must have regard to protection of the environment and human health, prevention of interference with legitimate uses of the sea and such other matters as the Scottish Ministers consider relevant. Marine licences do not include conditions in relation to Fair Work First criteria and commitments to supporting domestic supply chains. Such conditions cannot be applied to s.36 consents issued under the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction, operation or extension of generating stations either.
ScotWind applicants were required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) setting out the anticipated level and location of supply chain impact for their projects. We have now seen these statements yield commitments by developers to invest an average projection of £1.5bn in Scotland across each of the 17 ScotWind offshore wind projects. Developers can update their Statements throughout the development phase. Failure to deliver the commitments laid out in the final SCDS can trigger remedies ranging from financial penalties to an inability to progress to seabed lease.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Cerulean Winds and (b) NOV Inc regarding fair work and supporting domestic supply chains, in light of the reported Memorandum of Understanding signed with Lamprell to provide fabrication, assembly and outfitting for three 1GW floating windfarms off the west coast of Shetland and in the central North Sea.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not held discussions with Cerulean Winds nor NOV Inc as they do not have consented developments under construction. It is therefore premature to discuss contracts for projects which do not yet exist. Developers will be required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement with bids for the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas decarbonisation (INTOG) leasing rounds when it opens this year. Similarly to ScotWind, developers will need to outline the supply chain activity they commit to undertaking within Scotland, the UK and overseas.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that offshore renewables jobs are created in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government is determined to maximise the economic opportunity for the Scottish supply chain from our offshore wind potential.
We will drive forward offshore wind skills development – working with stakeholders to focus on the opportunities for diversification and skills transfer from our oil and gas sector, in line with our commitment to a Just Transition.
The introduction of ScotWind’s Supply Chain Development Statements demonstrates how serious the Scottish Government is about holding developers to account if they do not honour their supply chain commitments and create green jobs .
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the A82 Tarbet to Inverarnan project.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains committed to upgrading the key strategic route along the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan. By improving regional connectivity the proposed scheme will help the economy prosper and promote equality by providing fairer access to the Highlands and Islands.
Transport Scotland recently published an interactive Story Map to provide updated information regarding the scheme and to keep the public informed of progress as the project develops. While there is still a lot of development work to be carried out, which is being informed by our enhanced understanding of the specific complexities associated with improving this iconic route, we continue to push forward the preparation stages to deliver this scheme as soon as possible.
Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for its progress can be set in accordance with the availability of funding.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth during the debate on National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) on 19 April 2022, what the timeframe will be for the revised draft NPF4 and accompanying delivery programme.
Answer
The Scottish Government appreciates the wide interest shown from across society in Draft National Planning Framework 4. The detailed responses received through the Parliamentary scrutiny process and the public consultation are currently being considered. Once the analysis of responses is complete, we will be able to assess the scale of change required to produce a final NPF4. At that point, an update on the forward timetable will be provided.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop an occupational health improvement strategy for the NHS in Scotland similar to that which is reportedly in place in other UK nations.
Answer
We are currently working with the NHS to consider a national occupational health improvement strategy for Scotland.
While this work is carried out, we continue to complement the wellbeing support available at a local level through our national wellbeing resources. These include the National Wellbeing Hub, a 24/7 National Wellbeing Helpline, confidential mental health treatment through the Workforce Specialist Service and funding for additional local psychological support.
We are also providing further support for practical measures to aid rest and recuperation alongside additional resources such as Coaching for Wellbeing and grief and bereavement support.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 April 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 11 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether the next Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey or equivalent will (a) gather and (b) publish data about (i) the use of and (ii) attitudes towards vaping products and e-cigarettes.
Answer
There are currently no plans to recommission the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Attitude Survey (SALSUS).Over the past 4 years, the Scottish Government has been working with local authorities in developing a Health and Wellbeing Census.This Census is currently underway in Scottish schools and contains some key, high-level data which were previously collected in SALSUS.This includes questions on e-cigarettes, with both S2 and S4 pupils being asked about their frequency of use of these products. An additional question on usage and where these products were purchased is also asked of S4 pupils.
Results from the 2021-22 HWC are expected to be published towards the end of 2022.
