Parliamentary questions
Beatrice Wishart
693 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
7 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the Gateway Review of the Deposit Return Scheme.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Gateway Review into the Deposit Return Scheme began on 14 June 2021. We will provide an update to Parliament on the go-live date following summer recess.
7 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35197 by John Swinney on 1 March 2021, whether it will provide this information broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Probation can be completed through either the one year full time Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) or a flexible route. Probationers entering via a flexible route are not included in this analysis as they are not identified separately in the teacher census. Thes…
7 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-36077 by John Swinney on 24 March 2021, what meetings have been held since that date.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: During the pre-election period Scottish Ministers only met with SQA when both attended the the COVID-19 Education Recovery Group (CERG): https://www.gov.scot/groups/covid-19-education-recovery-group/ . I continue to attend these meetings alongside SQA Chief…
7 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-33536 by John Swinney on 10 December 2020, whether the summary of the returns and analysis has been published and, if so, where.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: A copy of all local authority returns and an analysis of the returns was published in May 2021. The material was published as part of a Freedom of Information release and the local authority returns and analysis can be found in parts 1 and 2 of the released d…
7 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the (a) remit and (b) expected publication dates of the equality impact assessments that have been conducted by (i) it and (ii) the SQA regarding the 2021 Alternative Certification Model.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: An Equality Impact Assessment to support the decision to replace the National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher examination diet in 2020-2021 with an Alternative Certification Model will be published on the Scottish Government website shortly. SQA has undertaken…
3 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Shetland Fishermen's Association paper, 'ICES-plus': Improving scientific advice in Scottish fisheries management.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Marine Scotland scientists provide the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) with data, evidence and expertise in relation to stocks of interest to the UK providing the basis for international advice. These scientists already contribute …
27 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to address long-COVID.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is crucial that the decisions we take are based on the latest available evidence and are aligned to clinical guidance. Our approach is for people to have access to the support they need for assessment, diagnosis, care and rehabilitation in a setting that …
25 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration will be given to updating the COVID-19 guidance for businesses that provide close contact services, to reflect the different levels of restrictions that are in place across the country.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The COVID-19 sectoral guidance for close contact services is kept under constant review to reflect the latest public health advice and the latest information for all Strategic Framework levels. All close contact services are able to operate in Level 3 and bel…
20 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to COVID-19 vaccinations for under-18s ahead of the start of the 2021-22 university and college term.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: All of our decision making in the approach to responding to Covid-19 is guided by the latest scientific evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) , advice from Health Protection Scotland and our Chief Medical Officer. The Joint Comm…
18 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether, in future contract discussions with lifeline ferry service providers, it will consider removing seasonal fares for island residents.
Answer · Graeme Dey: A review of ferry fares policy is being undertaken as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP), the successor to the current Ferries Plan (2013-22). This will consider issues such as seasonality and inform future ferry service contracts.
13 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials met with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) (i) management or (ii) representatives to discuss the outcomes of the Island Communities Impact Assessment on air traffic control, and whether it will share the minutes and outcomes from…
Answer · Graeme Dey: Ministers have not discussed the outcomes of the Island Communities Impact Assessment on HIAL’s Air Traffic Management 2030 Strategy with HIAL. Officials attended the HIAL Board meeting on 25 February 2021 where the issue was discussed. The minutes of the mee…
13 May 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to produce a Fuel Poverty Strategy.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We remain committed to finalising the Fuel Poverty Strategy later this year and an update on the resumption of work to produce it was sent to the Convener of the Local Government and Communities Committee on 22 March 2021. Further information on the work to d…
15 Mar 2021 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its discussions have concluded with the OECD regarding publication timetables relating to its review of Curriculum for Excellence.
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS Shetland over the installation of a MRI scanner at Gilbert Bain Hospital.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: The National Imaging Equipment Group, National Procurement and Health Facilities Scotland support our NHS Boards with expert knowledge relating to the imaging equipment lifecycle. This helps to ensure that risks are mitigated and pulls in various experts from…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many teaching posts that have been funded each year by Pupil Equity Funding have been (a) fixed-term or temporary and (b) permanent appointments.
Answer · John Swinney: The Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) has been in operation since 2017 but information on the type of employment for teaching posts funded by PEF has only been collected by the Scottish Government since 2018. The following table shows the number of permanent and tempor…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-27612 by Maree Todd on 23 September 2019, what percentage of the 435 equity and excellence leads are in post; how many of the posts are vacant, and on what date all posts were filled, including where the post-holder has since moved on.
Answer · Maree Todd: As outlined in the answer to S5W-35589 on 12 March 2021, The Scottish Government provide funding to local authorities to recruit equity and excellence lead posts across all 32 local authorities. The allocation of posts and provision of funding have been set b…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-24895 by Maree Todd on 23 September 2019, how many of the eligible population it estimates to be two-years-old; whether it will provide an update on the take-up among this cohort; how this compares to the targets set in August 2020, and how it is be…
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government does not have access to the full UK Government administrative data required to provide a definitive figure for the number of eligible two year olds in Scotland. Using October 2016 data from HMRC, it was estimated that there were aroun…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the ratio of pupils to school support staff has been in each year since 2007-08, broken down by local authority.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government collects data on 30 categories of school support staff ranging from Pupil Support Assistants to Swimming Pool Manager/Operators. The Scottish Government does not hold data on other staff that may be employed in schools, for example, ja…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32314 by John Swinney on 20 October 2020, on how many occasions Ministers or their representatives have met with the SQA since that meeting; on which dates, and whether it will publish the minutes of any meetings.
Answer · John Swinney: I have met with SQA on 8 occasions since 11 June 2020 on the following dates: 03-07-2020 30-07-2020 04-08-2020 10-08-2020 01-12-2020 10-12-2020 12-01-2020 25-01-2021 Minutes are not routinely taken of these meetings. Officials meet regularly with SQ…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on discussions it has had with local representatives regarding fixed links in Shetland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with officers from Shetland Island Council and Zetrans, the Regional Transport Partnership, to discuss a range of transport issues. As part of our engagement on the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-33536 by John Swinney on 10 December 2020, whether it will publish an analysis of the returns before the end of the current parliamentary session.
Answer · John Swinney: In response to the COVID pandemic and the impact on children and young people’s mental health, our local authority partners made excellent progress in the provision of mental health support for young people, including the programme to provide access to counse…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35078 by John Swinney on 18 February 2021, how many meetings it has had with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); on what dates, and whether it will publish the minutes of the weekly meetings.
Answer · John Swinney: As stated in the answer to question S5W-35078, the Scottish Government National Co-ordination Team has been in regular communication with the OECD throughout the Review. Meetings have typically taken place once a week although, subject to the point in the rev…
11 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any (a) updated reports it has received from institutions regarding the allocation of the Higher Education Discretionary Fund and (b) information it has received in relation to (i) demand and (ii) justifications for applications.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: Further analysis of spending on the 2020-21 Higher Education Discretionary Fund is due to be undertaken at the end of this financial year. Officials will arrange to share this with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre once the information is available f…
8 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work (a) has been carried out and (b) is planned to raise public awareness regarding the requirements to install interlinked fire alarm systems.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: We will continue to work with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as well as local authorities and retailers, to ensure people have the support and advice they need to meet the new requirements. Our regularly updated online Q and A has been providing advice…
6 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met its commitment to create around 350 counsellors in school education and to ensure that every secondary school has counselling services.
Answer · John Swinney: The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. The approximate figure of 350 counsellors is the commitment related to the number of secondary schools in Scotland. The Scottish Government is c…
6 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-34023 an S5W-34990 by Michael Matheson on 17 December 2020 and 17 February 2021 respectively, whether it will provide an update on whether the Air Discount Scheme will be extended beyond 31 March 2021.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to the continuation of the Air Discount Scheme in order to make travel for residents of the Highlands and Islands more affordable. I am happy to announce that the scheme will continue until 31 March 2026. The discount rate…
6 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the definition of a practitioner is in the context of the Scottish Practitioner Forum, and whether each member of the forum is a practitioner under that definition.
Answer · John Swinney: As set out in the Remit for the OECD Review of Curriculum for Excellence, published on 26 February 2020, the Scottish Practitioner Forum includes representatives and stakeholders engaged in delivery of Curriculum for Excellence, from local authorities, teache…
6 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35292 by John Swinney on 25 February 2021, whether it will publish the request from the OECD for a project advisory group.
Answer · John Swinney: It is standard practice, as part of the OECD’s methodology for Reviews such as this, for the Review country to establish an Advisory Board to guide the work on the Review and to ensure that current educational practitioners play a key role in the review proce…
6 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many members the Scottish Practitioner Forum has; who each member represents; how many are currently employed as teachers, and at what level.
Answer · John Swinney: The membership of the Scottish Practitioner Forum, including their current roles, is set out in the reply to S5W-35800 on 17 March 2021. Members do not represent any association or profession but provide views based on their experiences as practitioners. The…
6 Mar 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how each member of the Scottish Practitioner Forum was selected, and what prior (a) contact and (b) involvement each member had with the Scottish Government or its agencies.
Answer · John Swinney: Nominations were sought from leadership teams in the Teacher Professional Associations, Colleges Scotland, Universities Scotland, Community Learning and Development Managers Scotland, the Association of Directors of Education, the Scottish Qualifications Auth…