Stephen Kerr

30 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools last met, and when the minutes of that meeting will be published.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools met on 7 December 2022. The minutes of the meeting can be accessed at: Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools (SAGRABIS) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is encouraging (a) local authorities and (b) schools to raise awareness of the planned rocket launch in Shetland in autumn 2023.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14346 on 3 February 2023. 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-committ…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is using the planned rocket launch in Shetland in autumn 2023 to encourage the uptake of STEM subjects.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has identified the space sector as a key priority in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation and Inward Investment Plan. We recognise its potential to support regional economic development across Scotland. We are supportive o…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has given to local authorities regarding the welcoming of Ukrainian refugees into their education services.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: All children and young people living in Scotland are entitled to an education whatever their immigration status. We are proud of the welcome that Scottish local authorities have given to displaced people from Ukraine, welcoming more than 3,000 children and yo…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has given to local authorities regarding the welcoming of Ukrainian refugees into their housing services.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has published online guidance which explains to local authorities’ their responsibilities to displaced people from Ukraine under the Homes for Ukraine (and Scottish Super Sponsor) scheme. This guidance can be found online here: Person…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has given to GPs regarding the welcoming of Ukrainian refugees into their services.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10150 on 29 August 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-committ…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it has given to dentists regarding the welcoming of Ukrainian refugees into their services.

Answer · Maree Todd: All Ukrainian displaced persons have the right to access free NHS dental care in Scotland. They are also entitled to register as a NHS patient with a General Dental Practitioner, depending on whether the practice is taking on new NHS patients. For children a…

16 Jan 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government has taken to bring the strike action by teachers to an end.

13 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has ceased publication of monthly reports on its expenditure over £25,000, since the last publication date of December 2021.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government remains committed to transparency and officials are working hard to restore this regular reporting. The reports for January, February and March 2022 are being published now, with subsequent months to follow.  

9 Jan 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to mitigate the impact of recent teacher strikes on children's education.

21 Dec 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to reduce antisocial behaviour in the Central Scotland region.

13 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of every (a) individual and (b) organisation the Education Reform Programme Board has met since its inception up to 9 December 2022.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The role of the Education Reform Strategic Programme Board is to provide advice and support to the programme, ensuring its successful and safe delivery. The strategic board and three delivery boards have been established to lead, design and deliver work to …

13 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the (a) provision and (b) maintenance and servicing of free bikes, since the 2021 election.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Provision, maintenance and servicing of bikes comes from our budget to support Active Travel in 2021-2022, that amounted to £115.5m in total, and in 2022-2023 that amounted to £150m. Specifically we have three programmes which focus on the provision, service…

7 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to promote locally-sourced, organic food for school meals throughout Scotland.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: All local authorities are under a statutory duty to have regard to any guidance, such as ‘Better Eating, Better Learning’, issued by Scottish Ministers on the application of the principles of sustainable development when providing food or drink or catering se…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its anticipated outcomes are of appointing a Chief Entrepreneur, and what the timetable is for delivery.

Answer · John Swinney: The outcome which the Scottish Government anticipated would be delivered through its appointment of a Chief Entrepreneur was to have someone with exceptional experience of growing start-up companies to scale with the credibility and influence necessary to com…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings its Chief Entrepreneur has had with education institutions since his appointment.

Answer · John Swinney: The Chief Entrepreneur has had 9 meetings with education institutions since his appointment, not including daily engagements through email, social media and wider events. These engagements reflect the urgency and drive which the Chief Entrepreneur has brought…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings its Chief Entrepreneur has had with businesses since his appointment.

Answer · John Swinney: The Chief Entrepreneur has had 24 formal meetings with businesses since his appointment, not including daily engagements through email, social media and wider events. These engagements reflect the urgency and drive which the Chief Entrepreneur has brought to …

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the annual salary is for its new Chief Entrepreneur role, and what (a) expenses and (b) support the post-holder is entitled to.

Answer · John Swinney: The Chief Entrepreneur will be remunerated at a rate of £2,000 per day for a maximum of 100 days per year. He is entitled to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in relation to travel and subsistence and will be supported by a small team providing diary manage…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applicants were considered for its new Chief Entrepreneur role.

Answer · John Swinney: Professor Logan was selected for this role in line with the Scottish Ministerial Code, which enables Ministers to make appointments providing they are satisfied that the preferred candidate is being appointed on the basis of merit. Professor Logan was selecte…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the job description is for its new Chief Entrepreneur role.

Answer · John Swinney: The Chief Entrepreneur ensures entrepreneurship is embedded in the economy, and that partnerships with industry and investors are prioritised and strengthened. A full remit was published at the time of his appointment and can be found in the following press r…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to provide training and skills development for people who want to enter the field of ecommerce.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government understands that 13,000 new recruits are needed every year to fill digital technology roles, including roles in e-commerce. That is why we have invested over £4 million since 2020, via Skills Development Scotland, to broaden the digita…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve the collection of data and information in the field of ecommerce.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The main source of insight into e-commerce in Scotland is the Digital Economy Business Survey (DEBS), which has been conducted approximately every three years since 2014. We are currently considering the scope and frequency of future surveys, which will provi…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much turnover has been generated by ecommerce businesses in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Data is not collected in this way, because many firms engaged in e-commerce are likely to also be trading in other ways. However, the Digital Economy Business Surveys (DEBS) carried out in 2017 and 2021 offers some insight. These surveys contain estimates of …

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many ecommerce businesses have been founded in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Data is not collected in this way, because many firms engaged in e-commerce are likely to also be trading in other ways. However, in 2021, 35% of businesses in Scotland made sales via e-commerce, compared to 30% in 2017. (Source: Digital Economy Business Surv…

23 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times a Modern Apprenticeship contract has been terminated in line with clause (a) 22.1.2.1, (b) 22.1.2.2 and (c) 22.1.2.3, as set out under section 22, Termination for Reputational Damage, on page 25 of the Skills Development Scotland publication, Modern Apprenticeship Programm…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has operational responsibility for the Modern Apprenticeship programme and administer funding, on behalf of the Scottish Government. SDS have confirmed that no Modern Apprenticeship contracts have been terminated in line wit…

21 Nov 2022 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to avoid industrial action by teachers.

17 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-06244 by Patrick Harvie on 23 February 2022, whether it will provide an update on how many bikes have been repaired through the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme in each year since 2020.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme (SCRS) is delivering 30,000 cycle repairs or services to people in Scotland, focusing on those that need the support the most. Repairs and servicing are provided through a network of over 300 shops, retailers, community organisati…

17 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-06245 by Patrick Harvie on 23 February 2022, whether it will provide an update on how many free bikes have been given to school pupils since May 2021.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The total number of bikes issued to date is 2857. The bikes include adapted and non-standard bikes to cater for a range of needs. In addition, fleet bikes delivered by Sustrans Scotland to participating schools, but not given to any individual child, have be…

17 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on active travel in each of the past five years.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The following table provides the information on how much was spent on active travel in each of the past five financial years: Financial Year Total Active Travel Budget (in millions) 2021-22 £114.8 2020-21 £98.9 2019-20 £80.7 2018-19 £80.0 2017-18 …

17 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the projected annual spending on active travel is for each of the next five years.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Full details of active travel funding for the next five years has not yet been agreed and will form part of the annual Scottish Government’s Budget process. The Active Travel budget for 2022-23 increased by £35 million to £150 million and the Bute House Agree…