- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 January 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide its assessment of CO2 emissions data from all energy generation sources in Scotland over the last five years in a format that allows a comparison of total CO2 emitted by each type of (a) energy generation and (b) fuel used, where applicable.
Answer
The annual Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics publication is the main source of data used to assess territorial emissions of greenhouse gases in Scotland. Although each annual publication is accompanied by a spreadsheet containing all background data at its full resolution, it is not currently possible to distinguish between types of generation or fuels using these data.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 January 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the current waiting time is for an echocardiogram in each NHS board.
Answer
Public Health Scotland (PHS) releases a quarterly publication presenting statistics on the number of patients waiting for one of the eight key diagnostic tests, which are covered by the national six-week standard. Further information on these tests and the latest available statistics up to the 30 th September 2021 can be found here:
Diagnostic waiting times - Waits for key diagnostic tests 30 November 2021 - NHS waiting times - diagnostics - Publications - Public Health Scotland
In addition, PHS collects data on patients waiting for six other tests not covered by the national six-week standard, including Echocardiography. However, these data are not routinely quality assured and completeness may vary by Board. Verified data for patients waiting for an Echocardiogram is therefore not available centrally.
- Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government when local stakeholders and members of the public will be invited to contribute to the development of its Islands Connectivity Plan, scheduled for publication in 2023, in light of reported concerns raised in the community about seasonal fares, freight capacity and the level of service that islanders currently receive on the Northern Isles route.
Answer
The Islands Connectivity Plan, to replace the current Ferries Plan, will be produced during 2022 and engagement and consultation on this will enable substantial public and community input.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the findings from the Decarbonising the Scottish transport sector report commissioned by Transport Scotland, which concluded that a significant reduction in aviation demand is required to meet Scotland’s 2030 emissions reduction target, will inform the final aviation strategy.
Answer
The report by Element Energy noted that a combination of increased up-take of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and behavioural change is the lowest risk pathway to achieving the 33% reduction in aviation emissions needed to meet Scotland’s emissions targets. Our consultation to inform the development the aviation strategy, which closes on the 21 January, includes questions on how the Scottish Government can help to reduce the environmental impact of aviation and meet our climate change targets. The responses to the consultation, alongside other relevant evidence and wider Scottish Government policy, will inform decisions on the final content of the strategy.
- Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to reduce the number of miles travelled by car by 20%.
Answer
The commitment to reduce car kms by 20% by 2030 (against a 2019 baseline) as set out in the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan update (CCPu) published in December 2020 remains unchanged, either in terms of measurement or time scale.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/securing-green-recovery-path-net-zero-update-climate-change-plan-20182032/documents/
The 20% Reduction in Car Km Route Map published on 13 January 2022 outlines the approach to meeting this commitment.
https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/a-route-map-to-achieve-a-20-per-cent-reduction-in-car-kilometres-by-2030/ .
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how much the implementation of its proposed regulations for short-term lets is expected to cost local authorities.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05400 on 24 January 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: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) (i) noise and (ii) air pollution and (b) environmental and health risks to communities near airports will be addressed in its aviation strategy.
Answer
We are carrying out a consultation to inform the development of an aviation strategy, so at this stage no decisions have been made about the final content. While the discussion document focuses on four key areas; the transition to low and zero emission aviation, Scotland’s international connectivity, Scotland’s domestic connectivity and airfreight, we are also asking people what else they think should be included.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance is available to Stena Line in light of the potential impact of staff absences on sailings from Cairnryan over the Christmas and new year period.
Answer
The Scottish Government approved an application from Stena Line for a critical workers exemption to allow essential workers to volunteer to leave self-isolation and return to work. Workers in businesses and organisations providing vital public services can volunteer to leave self-isolation and return to work, in certain limited circumstances, to allow vital services to continue. Exemptions are possible where staff shortages are in danger of putting essential functions and services at risk.
On 29 December, a priority system was reintroduced for workers in critical sectors, including maritime transport, to access PCR tests. This allows people who meet the criteria, including key Stena Line staff, to access priority slots within the online booking system.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will designate Stena Line ferry services from Cairnryan as a vital service, and therefore exempt from the 10-day self-isolation rule if staff are fully vaccinated and have a negative lateral flow test, in order to ensure those services continue to operate.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the critical importance of the Stena Line ferry service from Loch Ryan Port to Belfast. On 22 December the Scottish Government approved an application from Stena Line for an exemption to allow their essential workers to volunteer to leave self-isolation and return to work. Under the critical workers exemption process, before a staff member who is a close contact of a positive case can return to work there are a number of requirements they must adhere to, including having had their second COVID-19 vaccination more than 14 days previously and have evidence of a negative PCR test.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many teachers currently have long COVID.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information.
We recognise the negative impact that long COVID can have on the health and wellbeing of those affected. We are taking action to ensure that people are supported in the most appropriate way possible. The Advisory Subgroup on Education and Children’s Issues takes account of long COVID in their deliberations.
ONS’ long COVID estimates by employment sector aren’t broken down by nation – all estimates by employment sector are at UK level only.