- Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it is planning to build on its leadership role in the Under2 Coalition and progress the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration in the run-up to COP27 in Egypt.
Answer
Scotland will continue to play a leading role in the Under2 Coalition and we will use our position as co-chair to drive climate ambition and delivery from all non-party governments, states and regions towards net zero, which prioritises a just transition and a resilient future.
This includes playing a leadership role within the Coalition to increase support for the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration, which Scotland was the first government to commit to. We are also progressing its aim within Scotland ahead of COP27 through:
- the Good Food Nation Bill introduced to Parliament in October 2021,
- further development of our local food strategy following public consultation in late 2021, and
- working with the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership to support progress towards the Scottish Food and Drink Sectors Industry Net Zero Commitment launched at COP26.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role of rooftop solar and storage in local electrical distribution networks, to support the electrification of heat and transport.
Answer
There has been no specific evaluation of the role of rooftop solar and storage in local electrical distribution networks to date. However, in the Bute House Agreement, the Scottish Government committed to set out a vision for the future of solar in Scotland, in consultation with the sector. As we develop this vision over the coming months, we will consider the role of solar in the delivery of a just transition to net zero, including exploring the role that solar technology could play in supporting the decarbonisation of heat and transport, as well as any impacts on local distribution networks.
Also to note, in the Heat in Buildings Strategy, we committed to carry out research to understand the extent to which the deployment of secondary technologies alongside zero emissions heating systems could help to optimise operational performance, minimise energy consumption and reduce end user fuel costs. This research is underway, and seeks to understand the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of heat batteries, electric batteries, and thermal storage cylinders when installed alongside a range of zero emissions primary heating technologies; both independently of and combined with microgeneration technologies such as solar PV and solar thermal. We expect to publish this research this year.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the (a) work on the forthcoming Scottish Biodiversity Strategy is being influenced by the COP15 process and (b) new strategy will directly tackle the five drivers of biodiversity loss, as identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Answer
We published a high level statement of intent on biodiversity on 14 December 2020 in order to take account of delays in agreeing a new global biodiversity framework at CoP15. We are closely engaged in discussions with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations on negotiation of the new framework.
The Statement of Intent signals our ambitions for biodiversity in Scotland, our international action, and announces our commitment to publish a new biodiversity strategy by October 2022 which will define high level outcomes to address the ongoing decline in biodiversity. This will be supported by a delivery plan published within six months of the new strategy.
The direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services provide a useful high-level summary framework, and alongside other analyses such as Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 and the State of Nature report for Scotland provide a substantial evidence base around which to design our new strategy. However, it is a thorough and comprehensive understanding of Scotland’s particular needs which will most effectively shape our strategic framework and enable us to deliver improvements in biodiversity in Scotland.
- Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the winners of the ScotWind offshore wind leasing auction by Crown Estate Scotland, what assessment it has made of the timeframe for the consenting process.
Answer
The Scottish Government has an objective to determine Electricity Act section 36 applications within nine months, where possible. It is important to clarify that this timeline is dependent on the submission of a complete, fit for purpose application that fully addresses all issues raised by Scottish Ministers and consultees during the pre-application period including the scoping process. That is why we are encouraging applicants to engage early with both the regulator and relevant stakeholders.
Details of the consenting process for offshore wind developments can be found here:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/marine-scotland-consenting-licensing-manual-offshore-wind-wave-tidal-energy-applications/
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus Robertson on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of its international and European relations spending plans for the next two years.
Answer
The International and European Relations budget of £33.3m for 2022-23 will be spent pursuing our engagement at home and internationally to enhance Scotland's reputation and increase economic success, prosperity and wellbeing, and promote Scotland as a great place to live, visit, work, study and do business. The Scottish Budget and supporting documents have been published on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-2022-23/documents/ and a detailed breakdown of how this has been distributed across the various International and European Relations budget lines can be found in the Scottish Budget 2022-23 - Level 4 Data document (rows 71 to 89 on the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture tab).
Spending in future years will be considered and implemented through the Resource Spending Review and subsequent 2023-24 budget setting process
- Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any skills mismatches in the labour market in Scotland, in light of reported data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) stating that the number of job vacancies is at a record high, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) report, Working Lives Scotland, stating that 28% of all employees feel overqualified for their job.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06210 on 22 February 2022. 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: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of secondary schools currently have access to a mental health counsellor.
Answer
The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government.
The commitment to invest in school counselling ensures that every secondary school has access to counselling services, whilst also improving the ability of local primary and special schools to access counselling. Our local authority partners have confirmed this is now in place across Scotland.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 10 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the identification of Ardeer as a potential site for nuclear energy production.
Answer
My officials met with UK Government and the UK Atomic Energy Agency officials on 1 February 2022. UK Government officials provided an outline of the objectives of the competition and the likely timelines for the conclusion of the site selection process. My officials will continue discussions with UK Government and UK Atomic Energy Agency Officials as required.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the most recent recorded crime statistics showing a rise in violent crime.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the disruption to ferry services in the West of Scotland that has reportedly resulted in significant supply issues and interruptions to the lifeline service.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022
