The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-00193

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to accelerate the rate at which staff working in schools will be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Question reference: S6W-00190

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Sea Eagle Management Scheme payments are paid from the NatureScot budget and not from the Scottish Government's agriculture budget, in light of these payments being primarily to support farming.

The Sea Eagle Management Scheme is not an agricultural financial support scheme. It has historically been provided by NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage) to provide practical support which includes advice, loan of scaring equipment and research for livestock farmers and crofters who suffer impacts across the sea eagle breeding range.

One of the objectives of the current White-tailed Eagle Action Plan is to consider whether support of farm and croft management relating to sea eagles should be included in future agri-environment programmes. This will help to develop the right conditions for the sustainable co-existence between sea eagles and sheep farming in ways which benefit the biodiversity, economic and social interests of Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-00191

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Sea Eagle Management Scheme payments are not directed solely to farms and croft landholdings where there are independently verified livestock predation incidents established by veterinary post-mortem analysis.

The Sea Eagle Management Scheme is not a compensation scheme and therefore does not require verification of predation. It is not possible to retrieve all carcasses in suspected predation incidents as sea eagles generally take prey back to their nests. The aim is to support farmers and crofters to manage livestock in the presence of sea eagles and to minimise the risks of possible predation through that management. Applications to the scheme are accepted only where there is known sea eagle activity and after discussions between expert contractors and the applicant to assess the level of sea eagle activity and possible impacts.

Question reference: S6W-00290

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for individuals whose circumstances require them to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination in a different UK nation from where they received their first dose.

Those who change address from any part of the UK after a first vaccination are advised to register with a local General Practitioner (GP) as soon as possible at their new address in order that they become known to their local Health Board. A Community Health Index (CHI) number is generated for new permanent patients. When a clinical record becomes available an appointment will be scheduled and an invitation letter sent out to the patient in line with priority grouping.

Those registered as temporary patients with a GP in Scotland do not have a CHI number generated and records remain within their chosen local practice. In this case we are advise they contact the vaccination helpline on 0800 0308013 (available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week), indicating in their call that they are from another UK country and are a temporary resident in Scotland. Helpline staff will ask the patient for the necessary information required to allow for Practitioner Service Division (PSD) to create a CHI number and in turn pass their details onto the patient’s local Health Board for an appointment to be scheduled and an invitation letter sent out to the patient.

The Scottish Government is clear that people should be able to be vaccinated where they are currently staying in the UK, even if they are registered with a GP elsewhere. Our understanding is that this reciprocal arrangement is reflected across the four nations. Officials are undertaking work with their four nations counterparts to ensure clear pathways for, and efficient vaccination of, eligible people regardless of their country of GP registration or ordinary residence.

Question reference: S6W-00627

Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-00433

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 11 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how much the SQA charged each local authority for providing its services in the 2019-20 session, and how much it will charge each local authority for the 2020-21 session.

I have asked SQA to respond. The charges per local authority are:

	Total Charges	Total Charges	Levy Amount	Non- Levy	Non- Levy
	2019-20	2020-21		2019-20	2020-21
Local Authority	£	£	£	£	£
ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL	705,222.25	699,017.00	698,265.00	6,957.25	752.00
ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL	1,177,229.25	1,185,000.00	1,169,834.00	7,395.25	15,166.00
ANGUS COUNCIL	555,398.25	552,189.00	549,886.00	5,512.25	2,303.00
ARGYLL & BUTE COUNCIL	445,413.50	443,867.00	443,348.00	2,065.50	519.00
SCOTTISH BORDERS COUNCIL	545,625.00	546,656.50	1,483,687.00	- 938,062.00	- 937,030.50
CLACKMANNANSHIRE COUNCIL	240,288.25	240,466.00	238,057.00	2,231.25	2,409.00
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL	446,553.75	443,668.00	793,610.00	- 347,056.25	- 349,942.00
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL	802,989.25	795,046.50	612,578.00	190,411.25	182,468.50
DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL	620,854.25	622,603.00	602,382.00	18,472.25	20,221.00
EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL	609,791.50	610,740.00	678,524.00	- 68,732.50	- 67,784.00
EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL	682,681.00	681,193.00	487,911.00	194,770.00	193,282.00
EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL	496,080.50	491,256.00	764,774.00	- 268,693.50	- 273,518.00
EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL	768,361.00	765,247.50	699,680.00	68,681.00	65,567.50
CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL	1,505,928.75	1,491,888.25	1,707,654.00	- 201,725.25	- 215,765.75
FALKIRK COUNCIL	707,678.75	703,365.75	2,135,236.00	- 1,427,557.25	- 1,431,870.25
FIFE COUNCIL	1,726,263.75	1,721,912.00	1,145,115.00	581,148.75	576,797.00
GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL	2,153,260.00	2,149,264.00	385,443.00	1,767,817.00	1,763,821.00
HIGHLAND COUNCIL	1,153,573.00	1,155,695.00	425,177.00	728,396.00	730,518.00
INVERCLYDE COUNCIL	387,147.25	387,967.00	709,006.00	- 321,858.75	- 321,039.00
MIDLOTHIAN COUNCIL	428,181.75	426,894.50	1,766,850.00	- 1,338,668.25	- 1,339,955.50
THE MORAY COUNCIL	482,969.75	482,338.00	112,028.00	370,941.75	370,310.00
NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL	725,249.00	718,423.50	645,358.00	79,891.00	73,065.50
NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL	1,781,996.50	1,774,265.00	886,239.00	895,757.50	888,026.00
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL	112,504.00	112,028.00	540,772.00	- 428,268.00	- 428,744.00
PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL	649,650.50	646,325.00	126,785.00	522,865.50	519,540.00
RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL	891,900.00	887,668.00	593,086.00	298,814.00	294,582.00
SHETLAND ISLANDS COUNCIL	127,303.75	128,010.50	1,545,723.00	- 1,418,419.25	- 1,417,712.50
SOUTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL	596,613.50	594,437.50	473,217.00	123,396.50	121,220.50
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL	1,555,156.50	1,553,114.50	480,912.00	1,074,244.50	1,072,202.50
STIRLING COUNCIL	478,519.00	477,069.50	443,668.00	34,851.00	33,401.50
WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL	968,179.25	962,863.00	953,766.00	14,413.25	9,097.00
WESTERN ISLES COUNCIL	146,237.50	145,530.00	145,530.00	707.50	-

TOTAL	24,674,800.25	24,596,008.50	24,444,101.00	230,699.25	151,907.50

Question reference: S6W-00432

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 11 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether the SQA will charge local authorities a reduced amount for its services this session, given the reduction in the number of exam settings and marking services it has provided.

The budget agreed by Scottish Ministers for SQA for 2021-22 is based on the SQA levy to local authorities and entry fees charged separately remaining at the same level as has been the case since 2012-13.

These fees provide a contribution towards the cost of awarding, rather than covering the full cost for that individual local authority, school or college. The costs of awarding National Qualifications, even this year, are greater than the contribution made by local authorities in the form of a levy.

Question reference: S6W-00314

Asked by: Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness among EU Citizens who have not yet made an application to the UK Government Settlement Scheme.

Despite Scotland voting to remain in the European Union, EU citizens are being forced to apply to retain their basic rights. This Government is supporting EU citizens through the Stay in Scotland campaign . Our marketing campaign has relaunched and includes adverts on radio and in local newspapers, helping to reach those not online. Officials have engaged with a wide range of organisations, including religious organisations, parent groups, unions and prisons, to raise awareness. We have worked closely with local authorities and care providers, including funding a caseworker at COSLA and placed a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, looked-after children and the homeless. We also deliver an advice service , with Citizens’ Advice Scotland, to support EU citizens applying for settlement.

Question reference: S6W-00595

Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 June 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.

Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today.

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 to provide a person designated by a Local Authority with a power of entry to enforce restrictions relating to stadia and events. .

The Regulations also reduce the required distances to be maintained between persons in Hampden Park, Glasgow and the Glasgow Green Event Zone during the UEFA EURO 2020 Championship period.

The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/238/contents/made

Question reference: S6W-00332

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of business debt that has arisen because of the COVID-19 restrictions, and what action it has carried out or plans to support businesses that have experienced financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

Scottish Government has been monitoring closely the economic impact of Covid on business - including business indebtedness - throughout the pandemic, and has implemented a range of measures to alleviate the resulting financial difficulties. For example, the Advisory Group for Economic Recovery was set up in April 2020, led by Benny Higgins, to provide independent expert advice on actions that will make a difference to businesses across sectors and regions throughout Scotland; Scottish Government also convened a number of discussions with banks and other private sector investors to understand better how to facilitate financing economic recovery, culminating in the February 2021 publication of “Financing the Recovery” which highlighted the need to manage debt exposure, to finance growth opportunities and to design successor loan schemes that are ambitious, flexible and responsive to the needs of the economy. The report made 10 recommendations to the UK Government and to Scottish Ministers, across four areas of focus: Economic Overview, Financing Business Survival and Resilience, Financing Opportunity and Growth, and Business Support and Collaboration. As the regulation of financial services is reserved to the UK Government, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture wrote to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury urging him to take forward some of the actions from the report, including extending forbearance measures and the introduction of a framework to manage and recover debt. A positive response was received, outlining what action is already being taken to assist recovery as we move forward.

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Question reference: S6W-00193

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Question reference: S6W-00190

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Question reference: S6W-00191

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Question reference: S6W-00290

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Question reference: S6W-00627

Question reference: S6W-00433

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Question reference: S6W-00432

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Question reference: S6W-00314

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Question reference: S6W-00595

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Question reference: S6W-00332

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