Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-06100

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the Islands Energy Strategy.

We will consult on the draft Islands Energy Strategy during the summer of 2022.

The Strategy will set out an approach to supporting island residents and communities to decarbonise, and to develop renewable energy solutions that can promote resilience, enhance sustainability, and meet their energy needs.

In developing the draft Strategy, we will engage with our island stakeholders, to ensure we reflect their differing needs and priorities and work alongside the Carbon Neutral Islands initiative to maximise impact and shared learning.

Question reference: S6W-05844

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Islands Energy Strategy, including its timetable for consulting on the draft strategy.

We will consult on the draft Islands Energy Strategy during the summer of 2022.

The Strategy will set out an approach to supporting island residents and communities to decarbonise, and to develop renewable energy solutions that can promote resilience, enhance sustainability, and meet their energy needs.

In developing the draft Strategy, we will engage with our island stakeholders, to ensure we reflect their differing needs and priorities and work alongside the Carbon Neutral Islands initiative to maximise impact and shared learning.

Question reference: S6W-06063

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government which of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies it expects, in accordance with the document, Guidance on due diligence: human rights, to have undertaken human rights checks on organisations that have successfully bid for offshore wind projects under the ScotWind leasing round announced on 17 January 2022.

Question reference: S6W-06062

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the reported £700 million revenue from the ScotWind offshore wind leasing auction is projected to be received in the financial year 2022-23.

Budget allocations are agreed and published as part of the annual Scottish Budget process, with option fee income expected to be recognised over a number of years, to a maximum of ten years in line with the lease period.

To date a prudent estimate of ScotWind fees has been included in the 2022-23 budget of circa £41 million. The total figure will be finalised once leasing payment recognition has been confirmed.

These monies support the 2022-23 budget and underpin projects set out within the budget in line with the Programme for Government commitment to invest some of the ScotWind revenues to help tackle the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change as we transition to Net Zero.

Question reference: S6W-06065

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the reported £700 million revenue from the ScotWind offshore wind leasing auction will be entirely ringfenced to support the transition to net zero and investment in infrastructure to maximise the supply chain job opportunities in Scotland from the auction.

As stated in the recent Programme for Government, some of the ScotWind revenues will be utilised for actions which tackle the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change, creating a legacy for the future, and some monies have already been identified to underpin projects in the 2022-23 budget in line with this commitment. Beyond these monies Scottish Ministers will consider carefully how the ScotWind revenues should be invested to maximise the benefits to the people of Scotland.

Question reference: S6T-00519

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
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.

Question reference: S6T-00513

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
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.

Question reference: S6F-00842

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the report by Andrew Webster QC into the handling by Scottish Borders Council of school assault allegations, in particular those relating to the abuse of vulnerable children in the Tweeddale Support Unit.

Question reference: S6F-00832

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

Question reference: S6F-00816

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent report on the Scottish Crofting Commission.

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