Stephen Kerr

3 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether an environmental report has been conducted into the impact of the closure of the Queensferry Crossing due to risks of falling ice.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: No specific environmental report has been undertaken in relation to the impact of the closure of the Queensferry Crossing due to risks of falling ice. However, a detailed investigation has been undertaken by Transport Scotland, which tested solutions and miti…

3 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on the launch of the MV Glen Rosa in 2024.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government did not allocate any separate direct funding for the launch of the MV Glen Rosa. All related costs and resource decisions were made independently by Ferguson Marine.

25 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it propose the scheduling of time for a ministerial statement on funding for hospice care, in light of reports of tens of thousands of emails received by MSPs over the weekend of 23-24 November 2024.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government highly values the vital support independent hospices provide to people and their families, as well as supporting other health and social care services and teams delivering palliative care and care around dying.We know Scottish Hospices…

19 Nov 2024 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what progress has been made on the development of a Scottish Parliament app.

15 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Scottish Funding Council provides funding for College Employers Scotland, and what information it has regarding the objectives of this organisation.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) provides funding to College Employers Scotland (CES) to support a fair and sustainable implementation of National Pay Bargaining through a shared partnership agenda and work plan with the trade unions.In terms of objectives …

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated number of spectators will be at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and how this compares with the 2014 edition of the event.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will deliver a programme of 10 sports hosted within 4 venues in Glasgow. The programme and location of those sports are still to be finalised but Commonwealth Games Scotland anticipate that approximately 500,000 tickets wil…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery fits alongside its plans for a Just Transition for Grangemouth.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government remains commitment to securing a long term, sustainable future for the Grangemouth industrial cluster, and highly skilled workforce located there. This is outlined in our draft Grangemouth Industrial Just Transition Plan which was publ…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what projections it has made regarding the impact of the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery on the size of the town's population.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Our focus remains on mitigating any impact, to the best of our ability, that Petroineos’ decision to close the Grangemouth Refinery will have on the locality and wider economy. Petroineos’ consultation with their workforce is ongoing and, followin…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it started mitigation works for the potential closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We have been engaging with the shareholders of the Grangemouth Refinery business over many years on future options for the site, demonstrated in a track record support for low carbon technologies at the site. Via Scottish Enterprise, since 2021 we have suppor…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it spent on the guidance, School uniform and clothing in Scotland: Guidance for schools and education authorities, which was published in September 2024.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In September 2024, the Scottish Government published guidance for schools and education authorities on school uniform and clothing. This was published alongside supporting resources for pupils and parents and carers. The total cost of publication was £2…

14 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the reported £28 million that it has spent on the National Care Service.

Answer · Maree Todd: The National Care Service is an ongoing programme of work with funding allocated as set out in last year’s Budget.The reported £28 million reflects the amount of funding allocated to developing the National Care Service proposals since August 2021…

12 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position regarding investment in the future of Scotland's nuclear industry.  

6 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many of last year's newly qualified teachers have a permanent contract to teach in a Scottish school.

4 Nov 2024 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any increased risk to public safety resulting from industrial action by the Scottish Police Federation.

22 Oct 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in place for local authorities that may be unable to fulfil any legal requirements for a balanced budget in the forthcoming financial year.

9 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made any contract extension for the Chief Entrepreneur.

Answer · Kate Forbes: A new contract was provided for the Chief Entrepreneur earlier this year. The procurement notice was published as per our standard procurement processes. There has been no further extension to this contract.

9 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to recruit a new Chief Entrepreneur.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Following the recent resignation of Mark Logan from the role of Chief Entrepreneur, Ministers will now take time to consider how the role can be optimised in future.

9 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the Chief Entrepreneur.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Chief Entrepreneur has been fundamental to the development of some of our most ambitious economic policies, including but not limited to: the building of a new policy agenda embodied by the Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review; the Entrepreneurial Campus Bluepr…

1 Oct 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of its international offices.

27 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it anticipates the impact will be on employment in the event that the Forties Pipeline System closes in 2030.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-30259 on 8 October 2024. 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-committee…

27 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect Scotland's energy security in the event that the Forties Pipeline System closes in 2030.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-30259 on 8 October 2024. 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-committee…

27 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Forties Pipeline System may close as early as 2030.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Offshore oil and gas licensing and consenting and issues pertaining to fuel security, as well as the associated fiscal regime, are currently reserved to the UK Government.Our Energy System and Just Transition: Independent Analysis highlights the need for care…

17 Sep 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Just Transition Commission's recent report on the future of Grangemouth.

16 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to reduce waiting times at A&E.

Answer · Neil Gray: We remain determined to deliver improved A&E performance and are working with Health Boards to reduce delays by enhancing patient flow at our acute sites. Through our Urgent and Unscheduled Care Collaborative Programme, work is underway to strengthen arra…

16 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is being given to staff in the NHS who feel burnt out.

Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Government funding of over £2.5m has been committed to support the mental health and wellbeing of health and care staff in 2024-25. These resources include a 24/7 compassionate listening service, confidential mental health treatment through the…

16 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the budget for external affairs is reportedly being increased when the budget for mental health services is being reduced. 

Answer · Angus Robertson: As I told Parliament on 3 September, this Government has consistently warned of the significance of the financial challenge ahead. In the face of this challenge, the Scottish Government has stepped in to support people and services where it has been needed mo…

16 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any funding will be made available for the Commonwealth Games in 2026. 

Answer · Neil Gray: No public funding is required from the Scottish Government for the delivery of Commonwealth Games 2026 and the Scottish Government will not provide any financial underwriting. The Commonwealth Games Federation will cover the majority of costs using compensati…

16 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to address the reported drop in school attendance.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-29483 on 18 September 2024. 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-commit…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what outstanding work is remaining on the R100 programme.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: To date, the R100 contracts have delivered connections to more than 45,200 premises across Scotland, along with an additional 13,558 non-contracted premises connected while Openreach is delivering R100 contract build.For those who live or work in premises bey…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the original target was for the R100 programme, and what its position is on whether this has been met.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Reaching 100% (R100) programme aimed to ensure that every home and business could access a superfast broadband connection by the end of 2021 and this was achieved through a combination of the three strands that comprise the R100 programme - the over &poun…