Question ref. S6W-08811
Asked by: Adamson, Clare, Motherwell and Wishaw, Date lodged: 25 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to provide an update on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Training Strategy for Scotland.
Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 May 2022
A report on the STEM Education and Training Strategy will be published on the Scottish Government website today - www.gov.scot/isbn/9781804353592
The report highlights progress made on a range of STEM-related education and training initiatives; including those areas where progress has been more challenging. Among other things the report notes recent work on responding to the Logan Review of the Scottish Technology Ecosystem, progress on the Young STEM Leader awards initiative and a new round of STEM education grants.
The report also sets out our intention to continue to operate under the current STEM strategy until 2025, and we will continue to publish annual reports until then.
Question ref. S6W-08491
Asked by: Griffin, Mark, Central Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken a feasibility assessment and consultation to consider a new system for the registration of boiler sales and installations, for the purposes of managing the phase-out of fossil fuel boilers. R
Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 26 May 2022
As set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government has committed to phasing out the need to install new or replacement boilers in off-gas grid homes from 2025 and in on-gas grid areas from 2030.
The Scottish Government continues to consider a range of possible means to implement this commitment – including forming views on the feasibility of creating new systems to register the sale and/or installation of boilers.
We will consult on a proposed approach in the coming year.
Question ref. S6W-08478
Asked by: Clark, Katy, West Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that (a) CalMac Ferries, (b) passengers and (b) the recognised trade unions will be consulted on the design of (i) accommodation berths, (ii) catering facilities, (iii) engine and (iv) other operational aspects of the Ro-Pax vessels that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has commissioned through the contract issued on 3 May 2022.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 25 May 2022
The engagement processes for the project are already well established, ensuring all interested parties and stakeholders are able to contribute throughout the project’s development. They will follow the recent example of the successful engagement carried out as part of the New Islay Vessel Project which this project follows.
CMAL, liaising with Mallaig Harbour Authority and Transport Scotland, organised a webinar (16 March 2022) to engage with stakeholders on the project and its progression which included a question and answer session.
CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL) is one of the partners in the tripartite working group responsible for this project and actively contribute to the decision making process on a range of matters. They are also responsible for ensuring there is input from the trade unions.
More information on this procurement is available at: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363
More information on the project is available at: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/
Question ref. S6W-08479
Asked by: Clark, Katy, West Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether the contract for the design of Ro-Pax vessels that was issued for tender by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on 3 May 2022 commissions designs for (a) large and (b) small ferries that are primarily for service on the (i) Clyde and Hebrides, (ii) Northern Isles and (iii) inter-island public ferry routes.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 25 May 2022
The contract notice ‘Consultancy Services for the Concept Design of a Ro-Pax Vessel’ is for the design of a ‘Ro-Pax’ vessel to serve the Mallaig to Lochboisdale route as part of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.
More information on this procurement is available at: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363
More information on the project is available at: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/
Question ref. S6W-08477
Asked by: Clark, Katy, West Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the anticipated value is of the contract for Consultancy Services for the Concept Design of a Ro-Pax Vessel, issued for tender by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on 3 May 2022.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 25 May 2022
No anticipated contract value has been provided in the tender information. It would not be appropriate to disclose this information during a live procurement.
More information on this procurement is available at -
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363
More information on the project is available at:
https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/
Question ref. S6W-08506
Asked by: Wishart, Beatrice, Shetland Islands, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to increasing the discount under the Air Discount Scheme in light of the cost of living crisis.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 25 May 2022
We are pleased to have funded the significant 50% discount through the scheme since 2016, helping residents of our remote and island communities that rely on these connections. We anticipate over £10 million of discounts being provided in 2022-23 and believe that this substantial expenditure is an important investment in islands connectivity. We currently have no plans to increase the discount rate for the Air Discount Scheme.
Question ref. S6W-08522
Asked by: Golden, Maurice, North East Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to strengthen existing requirements for waste pre-treatment to extract as much recyclable material as possible.
Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 25 May 2022
The Pollution, Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012) (the “PPC regulations”) require that permits for the incineration or co-incineration of municipal waste contain such conditions as SEPA considers necessary to ensure, where practicable, that no waste including non-ferrous metals or hard plastics is incinerated or co-incinerated.
The recently published report on the Review of the Role of Incineration in the Waste Hierarchy makes a provisional recommendation on strengthening requirements for pre-treatment for residual waste. We are carefully considering all recommendations made in the report and will set out our initial response in June.
Question ref. S6W-08560
Asked by: Griffin, Mark, Central Scotland, Date lodged:
Submitting member has a registered interest.
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors (a) landlord and (b) stock exits from the private rental sector, and what its policy is for managing these exits.
Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 25 May 2022
The Scottish Landlord Register provides data on the number of private landlord registrations, for example in relation to the number of new applications, renewals made and the number of properties these relate to.
The Scottish Government uses this information to monitor the number of registered landlords operating and properties in Scotland, and to appropriately distribute the applications fees to the relevant local authorities.
The information is also used more broadly to help with gaining insights and understanding of the Private Rented Sector and its regulation in Scotland, alongside other official statistics on the sector such as results from the Scottish Household Survey, which can help to monitor trends over time in overall stock levels of private rented sector households.
Question ref. S6W-08518
Asked by: Mochan, Carol, South Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Role of Incineration in the Waste Hierarchy in Scotland, and, in particular, recommendation 4, which states that no further planning permission should be granted to incineration infrastructure unless balanced by an equal or greater closure of capacity.
Current Status:
Answered by Lorna Slater on 25 May 2022
We are carefully considering the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Role of Incineration in Scotland’s Waste Hierarchy. We will set out our initial response to the recommendations in June 2022.
Question ref. S6W-08504
Asked by: Griffin, Mark, Central Scotland, Date lodged: 12 May 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to assess the viability, and design policy and legislation to deliver compulsory sale and rent orders.
Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 25 May 2022
Local authorities already have broad compulsory purchase powers which are used for a range of purposes, including restoration of property which may be vacant, derelict or unsafe. Scottish Government officials continue to support and advise local authorities in this important work. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we are committed to modernising the compulsory purchase order process to make it clearer, fairer and faster for all parties, and to support the delivery of projects that are in the public interest. We will continue to engage with local authorities and other stakeholders to identify the most effective levers as the work progresses.
We are also considering the matter of compulsory sales orders as part of this. Any new powers would need to be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights with careful consideration given to the compatibility with existing powers – this includes any proposals for Compulsory Rental Orders.