Parliamentary questions
Beatrice Wishart
693 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on promotion of the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme to date, broken down by spend on the national marketing campaign and spend on other costs.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: A national marketing campaign for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was launched in autumn 2022. This has helped to increase awareness and understanding of the scheme and encouraged more young people to apply. PR and marketing activity was also undert…
9 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on the national marketing campaign for the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, broken down by type of marketing.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In addition to extensive stakeholder communications already undertaken, the national marketing campaign for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was launched in autumn 2022. This has helped to increase awareness and understanding of the scheme and encour…
8 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details regarding the announcement of an Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement Distribution Group will make recommendations on the allocation mechanism for the funding at their next meeting on 15 November. COSLA Leaders will be asked to give their final sign-off on…
8 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which organisations or individuals will be eligible to access the Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: That will be for our Local Authority partners to decide. The £1.4 million Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund was developed acknowledging islands are uniquely exposed to the current cost crisis. In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA S…
8 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Island Cost Crisis Emergency Fund will be available.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In line with due process, the joint Scottish Government/COSLA Settlement Distribution Group made recommendations on the allocation mechanism for the funding at their meeting on 15 November. COSLA Leaders will be asked to give their final sign-off on 25 Novemb…
26 Oct 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many live homeless applications there were in each local authority area on Christmas Day in 2021, and how many (a) adults and (b) children any such applications related to.
Answer · Shona Robison: A table giving the number of homelessness applications live as at 25 December 2021, by local authority and the associated number of adults and children is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. No 63756)
19 Oct 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Island Communities Impact Assessments (ICIAs) have been carried out relating to Scottish Government (a) bills, (b) policies, (c) strategies and (d) services.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11671 on? 8 November 2022. You can find ICIAs completed by the Scottish Government on the publications section of the Scottish Government website alongside other impact assessments. All answers to written Pa…
19 Oct 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how frequently (a) island local authorities and (b) other relevant authorities have been involved in Island Communities Impact Assessments (ICIAs) relating to Scottish Government (i) bills, (ii) policies and (iii) strategies.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government regularly engages with island local authorities and key stakeholders during the development of bills, policies and strategies. You can find ICIAs completed by the Scottish Government on the publications section of the Scottish Govern…
12 Oct 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that households with digital landlines are able to contact emergency services and make calls from such landlines in the event of a power cut.
Answer · Ivan McKee: It is important to note that resilience of the Communications Sector, which includes telecommunications and internet, is reserved and therefore the responsibility of the UK Government. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is operator-owned and the op…
12 Oct 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that all assets that rely on copper landline networks will continue to run after the switchover to digital landlines and in the event of a power cut.
Answer · Ivan McKee: It is important to note that resilience of the Communications Sector, which includes telecommunications and internet, is reserved and therefore the responsibility of the UK Government. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of mobile and broadband…
12 Oct 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration will be given in the Islands Connectivity Plan to amending the Transport Scotland process for annually opening bookings on the Northern Isles ferry routes, to change this to earlier in the year, rather than November, to allow customers to plan and book travel ove…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The timing of the opening of the booking system is set out in the contract with Serco NorthLink Ferries and is aimed at opening the booking system for a full 12 months to provide maximum flexibility for customers. In principle we would be open to exploring br…
23 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that the potential impacts of its proposed restrictions on the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt were assessed using data that is in part almost 10 years old.
Answer · Maree Todd: An evidence based approach is central to the development of our policy to restrict promotions on less healthy food and drink. Scottish Government published economic modelling that estimated that removal of price promotions such as temporary price reduction…
23 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the cost of food of its proposed restrictions on the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt.
Answer · Maree Todd: An evidence based approach is central to the development of our policy to restrict promotions on less healthy food and drink. Further to our 2018/19 consultation , we recently consulted again on our proposals on restricting the promotions for foods high i…
23 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered commissioning up-to-date data on the potential impacts of its proposed restrictions on the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt.
Answer · Maree Todd: An evidence based approach is central to the development of our policy to restrict promotions on less healthy food and drink. We are using a wide range of evidence and data sources to consider the potential impacts of restricting promotions, ensuring we have…
23 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on small producers of its proposed restrictions on the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt.
Answer · Maree Todd: An evidence based approach is central to the development of our policy to restrict promotions on less healthy food and drink. Further to our 2018/19 consultation , we recently consulted again on our proposals on restricting the promotions for foods high i…
21 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10424 by Humza Yousaf on 20 September 2022, what consideration it has given to its prioritisation of the review of the NHS patient travel reimbursement scheme in light of the cost of living crisis.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Financial support for travel is available for patients and authorised escorts, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements. Health boards are responsible for reimbursing patient travel expenses, in line with Scottish Government guidance, and pa…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-06269 by Mairi McAllan on 9 March 2022, whether it will provide an update on its support for global action on loss and damage, particularly regarding the work of its Climate Justice Resilience Fund to programme a £1 million contribution to loss and …
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Through our £1 million partnership with the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF) we have begun to support communities to address the impacts of loss and damage in Bangladesh, the Pacific Region and Malawi. This includes supporting the rights and needs of cl…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to expanding eligibility for the Air Discount Scheme to include apprentices resident in eligible areas who have to travel away from home for the purposes of their apprenticeship.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: There are no plans to extend the Air Discount Scheme to cover travel by apprentices. Where employers and learning providers are unable to fund travel and subsistence costs for apprentices attending off job formal learning opportunities, Skills Development Sco…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with the UK Government regarding financial support to the fish processing industry, in light of escalating energy costs.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the impact rising energy costs is having on the seafood sector in Scotland. With energy being a reserved matter, the powers to offer financial support to the fish processing industry — and indeed all industries acro…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to support the fish processing industry to continue to successfully operate in the face of escalating energy costs.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is actively in discussion with seafood processing businesses to establish where we can support investments through the Marine Fund Scotland to support the sustainable development of Scotland’s Blue Economy, including to assist energy s…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to establish an economic link requirement for fish landings by Scottish vessels into Scotland.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Following consultation, the Scottish Government is amending economic link provisions to deliver greater socio-economic benefit to our coastal communities. Scotland’s fishing quotas are a national asset and deliver sustainable economic benefit beyond those at…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting NHS boards to develop specialist myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) services.
Answer · Maree Todd: Given the range of symptoms which can be presented by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), we know there’s no ‘one-size fits all’ response. Our approach is to support people with ME/CFS to access care and support in a setting that is…
20 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress in implementing new NICE guidelines on the diagnosis and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11067 on 3 October 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-committe…
7 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding is specifically allocated as contingencies for any additional spending not anticipated by Social Security Scotland in current budget lines.
Answer · Shona Robison: Social Security Scotland does not hold contingency funding. The budget for Benefit Expenditure is set against the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s forecasts. Any volatility arising from demand-led benefit expenditure is managed at a consolidated level, utilising …
7 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it seeks to ensure that new claims for Adult Disability Payment to Social Security Scotland do not duplicate existing Personal Independence Payment claims.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: People living in Scotland in receipt of Personal Independence Payment do not need to make an application for Adult Disability Payment. Social Security Scotland will transfer their awards for them, and in such circumstances before the person would otherwise be…
7 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the (a) longest, (b) average and (c) shortest time taken will be to process new applications for Adult Disability Payment claims during the first six months of the transition to Social Security Scotland.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: Information relating to processing times of new applications is published as part of routine statistics publications on Adult Disability Payment. The most recent publication provides information covering the period from 21 March to 31 July 2022. These statist…
7 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many new claims for Adult Disability Payment it estimates will be received during the first six months of operation by Social Security Scotland.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: Adult Disability Payment opened for new applications across Scotland on 29 August 2022, following successful pilots that began in March. The Scottish Fiscal Commission is responsible for forecasting spending on Adult Disability Payment and publishes estimate…
7 Sep 2022 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it was last in contact with Shetland Islands Council and what was discussed.
5 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement that single adult bus fares in England will be capped at £2 between January and March 2023, whether it will consider a similar approach in Scotland.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In Scotland, we invest £300 million annually to provide free bus travel for over 2 million people, including all children and young people under 22, disabled people and everyone over 60. We haven’t raised the age at which older people qualify for free bus tra…
1 Sep 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that there are sufficient numbers of caseworkers to assess all claims to Scotland’s Redress Scheme within the stated six-week timeframe.
Answer · John Swinney: There is no target timescale for the time from an application being received by Scotland’s Redress scheme and it being processed through to being complete and ready to transfer to Redress Scotland, who are the non-departmental public body which assesses and m…