Parliamentary questions
Stephen Kerr
2,595 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on supporting the agriculture sector since 1 January 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government published the Rural Payment Strategy Timetable for 2020 scheme year payments in November 2020 with payments to farmers and crofters starting in December 2020, the earliest point since 2015. All elements of the 2020 payment strategy we…
21 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the £180 million provided by the UK Government to support the transition of leaving the EU has been allocated.
Answer · Kate Forbes: From 2017 to the end of 2021 we have received a total of £194.8m in EU Exit preparation consequentials. Spend, both in preparation and post-EU Exit, has been on staff supporting activities such as legislative preparations, and supporting stakeholders and par…
21 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated to Keep Scotland Beautiful in each year since 2016.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Keep Scotland Beautiful has delivered a range of initiatives on the Scottish Government's behalf and has been allocated the following funding since 2016 to enable it to do so: 2016-17 £11,147,463 2017-18 £11,152,455 2018-19 £11,131,472 2019-20 £8,642,939 …
21 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what Scotland-wide campaigns there are for schoolchildren regarding littering.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: On 31 May, Zero Waste Scotland in partnership with Scottish Government and Keep Scotland Beautiful launched the second phase of the anti-littering campaign, Scotland is Stunning, which targeted families and young people enjoying the outdoors. Zero Waste Scot…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it made the decision to allow (a) 16,500 fans to attend the British & Irish Lions rugby match at Murrayfield and (b) 2,000 fans to attend Scottish football matches, and what the reasons are for the difference between these two figures.
Answer · Maree Todd: The British & Irish Lions match and EURO 2020 were flagship events approved by the Scottish Government through an events gateway process. Flagship events are internationally significant events which maintain Scotland’s longer-term profile as a host of major e…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what scientific evidence is being used to determine the capacities permitted at football stadiums.
Answer · Maree Todd: It is a matter for local authorities to consider/assess individual applications on spectator proposals having considered particular circumstances of the current regulations and latest guidance. This requires Event organisers to apply in line with the require…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that (a) there are adequate COVID-19 tests available for schools and (b) COVID-19 testing rates in schools improve once pupils return.
Answer · Maree Todd: Before the Summer break, schools and education leaders were advised to provide all staff and secondary pupils with a pack of Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) test kits prior to going on leave that they can use to restart testing in the week prior to return. In add…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what the guidelines are for physical distancing in college and university laboratories.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Physical distancing requirements were removed on 09 August when all areas in Scotland moved beyond Level 0, although some precautionary measures will continue to be in place. The cross-sectoral guidance for laboratories and research facilities has been replac…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on quarantine requirements for international students.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Requirements for entering Scotland are currently aligned on a Four Nations basis and differ depending on whether the individual arrives from a red, amber or green listed country. All arrivals are required to provide a negative Covid-19 test in the three days…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to facilitate a full return to in-person teaching at colleges.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Drawing on the expert advice provided through the Covid-19 Advisory Sub-Group on Universities and Colleges, we have been working intensively with student bodies, institutions and trade unions to now have published guidance, which supports the wider resumption…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) the First Minister, (b) the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (c) and its special advisors have had with Yes.scot campaign employees.
Answer · George Adam: No meetings with Yes.scot campaign employees have taken place with the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, or Special Advisors.
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the date of the independent-led inquiry into its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to a Scottish public inquiry, and will begin to take the necessary steps during our first 100 Days in office to establish such an inquiry. Since the UK inquiry was announced we have been considering how the Scottish inquir…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the mandated minimum service standards are for Scottish Enterprise.
Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government’s expectations of Scottish Enterprise are set out in a framework document which expands on the agency’s responsibilities and statutory functions under the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990. Scottish Enterprise has service l…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were waiting for routine surgery from NHS Scotland, as of 1 July 2021.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Data published by Public Health Scotland shows that at 31 March 2021, the number of patients waiting for treatment as an inpatient or day case was 94,781. The number of patients waiting over 12 weeks at 31 March 2021 was 61,901 (65.3%). Further breakdown of …
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were waiting for diagnostic procedures from NHS Scotland as of 1 July 2021.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Information on the number of patients within NHS Scotland who were waiting for diagnostic procedures as of 31 March can be found here: NHS waiting times - diagnostics - Quarter ending 31 March 2021 - NHS waiting times - diagnostics - Publications - Public He…
16 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what meetings (a) cabinet secretaries, (b) junior ministers and (c) special advisors have held with the media outlets The National and the Sunday National, since the beginning of the current parliamentary session.
Answer · George Adam: No meetings have taken place with The National and the Sunday National since the beginning of the current parliamentary session.
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date, under the current COVID-19 roadmap, congregations of worshippers will be permitted to sing and offer prayer out loud in unison.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01556 on 4 August 2021. 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…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is a legal requirement to wear a face mask in places of worship when COVID-19 restrictions are at level zero.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: Through The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) face coverings remain a mandatory legal requirement at all protection levels including at level zero, in most indoor …
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many cases of whistleblowing have been reported to the Police Scotland whistleblowing champion since the introduction of the role.
Answer · Keith Brown: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Whistleblowing complaints and discipline are matters for the designated Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Police Scotland ta…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many cases of whistleblowing in the NHS have been reported to the Independent National Whistleblowing Officer in each of the past three years.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO) was launched on the 1 st April 2021. The service is provided through the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). As INWO operates independently, the Scottish Government does not hold information on cas…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many cases of cancer have been diagnosed at stage (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 in each year since 2018, broken down by the type of cancer.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: At present, we only collect Detect Cancer Early data for breast, colorectal and lung cancers. Information on patients diagnosed with breast, colorectal or lung cancer during the two-year period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019 by cancer stage is available i…
13 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated number of rough sleepers in (a) Falkirk, (b) North Lanarkshire and (c) South Lanarkshire has been for each of the last three years.
Answer · Shona Robison: While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, the Scottish Government does not collect information on the number of people sleeping rough in each local authority area. The Scottish Government does collect data from local authorities on the numb…
13 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what new, specific and visible activities are taking place in Falkirk as a result of the work of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: In line with local partnerships’ responsibility for local suicide prevention planning and delivery, NHS Forth Valley recently appointed a strategic suicide and drug related death prevention co-ordinator who is engaging with the National Suicide Prevention Lea…
13 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many local action plans have been put into place as a result of the Local Area Suicide Prevention Action Plans: Scottish Guidance produced by the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group and COSLA.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: Local suicide prevention partnerships are at different stages of developing action plans following the publication in April 2021 of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) guidance ( https://www.cosla.gov.uk/about-cosla/our-teams/health-and-…
13 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recommendations have been made by the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group since the development and delivery of local area suicide-prevention action plans.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) published guidance to support local area suicide prevention action planning in April 2021 ( https://www.cosla.gov.uk/about-cosla/our-teams/health-and-social-care/local-area-suicide-prevention-action-pl…
13 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will give businesses to ensure continued growth in the biomass market and wider commercial renewable heat sector.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has been supporting bioenergy development in Scotland for over a decade. Our current policy continues to promote biomass (wood fuel) systems which achieve the greatest possible energy efficiencies and deliver the highest possible carbo…
12 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what national performance indicators are considered as part of the grant allocation to the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The CYPFEI & ALEC Fund aims to support activities which build opportunities and improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. The key components of the CYPFEI Fund are:Promote the GIRFEC wellbeing indicators and the implementation of the UN…
12 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the contractual/commissioning arrangements are for financial allocations to the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Youth Parliament are provided with core funding through the Scottish Government’s Children Young People and Families Early Intervention & Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (CYPFEI & ALEC) Fund. This fund is administered by the CORRA Found…
12 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its grant allocation to the Scottish Youth Parliament has increased for 2021-22 and, if so, (a) by how much and (b) for what reason.
Answer · Clare Haughey: There has been no increase to the funding allocated from the Scottish Government’s Children Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund & Adult Learning and Empowering Communities (CYPFEI & ALEC) Fund to the Scottish Youth Parliament in 2021-22.
12 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what species of trees have been planted, and in what numbers, as a result of its (a) grants and (b) tax breaks.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Under the current Forestry Grant Scheme (2014 - 2024), Scottish Forestry estimate that 160 million trees have been planted. Of these, 93.6 million were non-native conifers (predominantly Sitka spruce, Douglas fir and other species), and 10.4 million were nat…