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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-04223

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to extend the non-domestic rates exemption for renewables microgeneration in relation to renewable energy installations that have a capacity of up to 50kW, and, if so, within what timescale this will be implemented.

The Scottish Government provides the most generous and comprehensive non-domestic rates relief package for renewable energy producers in the UK, including a number of existing policies aimed at incentivising investment in low carbon technologies, such as heat networks and renewable electricity generation. As part of this package we deliver a non-domestic rates exemption for renewables with a capacity of up to 50kW, which supports microgeneration producers, and businesses that retrofit micro renewable schemes to reduce their carbon foot print. This exemption is not time-limited, unlike other parts of the UK, making it the most generous exemption for renewable microgeneration in the UK.

All our non-domestic rates policies are kept under review. Decisions on any non-domestic rates policies will be set out in the Scottish budget alongside other government priorities in light of affordability.

Question reference: S6W-04143

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is being given to a reduction or abolition of additional business rates specifically charged to businesses providing “through the wall ATMs” on top of standard business rates.

The valuation of all non-domestic property is a matter for independent assessors, and the Scottish Government has no locus to interfere in that independent process. We have no current plans to alter the specific treatment of ATMs in the non-domestic rates system.

The Scottish Government provides the most generous non-domestic rates regime in the UK, and in 2021-22 delivered an unprecedented reduction in the poundage mid-revaluation; returning it to pre-COVID levels, which saves Scottish Businesses over £120 million compared with a standard inflationary increase.

We already deliver a number of non-domestic rates measures that support ATM sites and the buildings they are located in, such as shops. This includes up to 100% Small Business Bonus Scheme relief, which is the most generous such relief in the UK. ATM sites in rural areas are exempt from rating in Scotland, and therefore are not liable for non-domestic rates.

Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, each local Council has wide-raging powers to create rates reliefs to reflect local needs. This may apply to a sole business, sector or area. The relief may be an adaptation of an existing national relief scheme or a unique standalone scheme.

Question reference: S6W-04109

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the procurement of (a) vending machines and (b) other resources required for a deposit return scheme.

Development and implementation of the IT systems required to deliver Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a matter for the individual organisations that will play a role in delivering DRS, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Circularity Scotland Ltd, and wider industry. In particular, procurement of reverse vending machines is a matter for retailers choosing to operate automatic return points.

SEPA is working with retailers to help them understand their obligations as return points operators under the Regulations and in compliance with other applicable environmental regulations.

Question reference: S6O-00443

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Stirling’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2025, following its inclusion in the longlist for selection.

Question reference: S6O-00427

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the reported backlog in at-home COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine appointments in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Question reference: S6O-00445

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in relation to A Culture Strategy for Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-00436

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that construction firms adhere to the highest building standards.

Question reference: S6O-00425

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to tackle the reported backlog of colorectal cancer screening.

Question reference: S6O-00428

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the measures it has been taking as part of the Women’s Health Plan to improve access for women to appropriate support, speedy diagnosis and best treatment for endometriosis.

Question reference: S6O-00442

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the music industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.