Paul Sweeney

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to secure further supplies of Imvanex and Jynneos in order to be able to offer a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine against monkeypox to those living in the Glasgow region who are considered to be at risk of exposure, currently understood to include gay an…

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Government are working with the UK Health Security Agency to secure further allocations for Scotland from additional vaccine supplies arriving in the UK, to protect high risk groups against monkeypox. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be able to req…

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many instances of registered social landlords merging there have been in the Glasgow region since (a) 2014 and (b) 2010.

Answer · Shona Robison: a) The number of mergers and transfer of engagements of RSLs based in Glasgow between 2014 and September 2022 is 5. b) The number of mergers and transfer of engagements of RSLs based in Glasgow between 2010 and 2014 is 0.

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether the Scottish Housing Regulator is aware of Reidvale Housing Association's strategic options appraisal, and what action it can take to ensure the regulator publishes any such document on its website.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is aware that the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) publishes an engagement plan for every Registered Social Landlord which is publicly available on their website. Their engagement plan for Reidvale Housing Association covering the peri…

6 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what responsibilities community-owned housing associations have to provide their members and service users with details of proposed mergers.

Answer · Shona Robison: There are a range of responsibilities on Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to engage and provide information to their members and service users about proposed mergers or transfer of engagements. RSLs are required by legislation to consult and seek the appro…

1 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a consultation on the introduction or piloting of bans or other restrictions on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5t in weight from overtaking on Scottish trunk roads.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to undertake a consultation on the introduction or piloting of bans or other restrictions on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5t in weight from overtaking on Scottish trunk roads.

24 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm a capital finance package for the proposed Scottish Event Campus (SEC) expansion, which secured Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP) from Glasgow City Council in June 2021, and what its position is on whether its timeous construction is critical to maintaining …

Answer · Angus Robertson: We recognise the importance of the Scottish Events Campus as one of the world’s top conference and events venues, as recently exemplified in the successful hosting of COP26. It is clear that the SEC makes a vital contribution not just to Glasgow’s economy, bu…

23 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason annual house completion rates (combining private and social housing) per 100,000 population in the Glasgow City Council area have reportedly not recovered to pre-2008 levels and continue to lag behind rates in other Scottish cities.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is for Glasgow City Council as the statutory housing and planning authority to set out local housing requirements. The Glasgow Local Housing Strategy 2017 sets a Housing Supply Target of 15,000 new homes over five years, including 7,500 new affordable home…

23 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long the process for a family to adopt a child in Scotland should normally take.

Answer · Clare Haughey: There are no prescribed timescales within regulations in Scotland for the adoption process to be completed. Where adoption is the right route for a child or young person, the Scottish Government want this to happen as swiftly as possible. However, we recogni…

23 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what expectations it has of local authorities regarding the timescales associated with connecting children seeking adoption with families who have applied for adoption.

Answer · Clare Haughey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10585 on? 22 September 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-comm…

23 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long each step of the adoption process should take for children and families seeking adoption through adoption services.

Answer · Clare Haughey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-10585 on? 22 September 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-comm…

19 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that charities that normally qualify for water charge rebates, but were involved in dispersing grants in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, have had their turnover artificially inflated to above £300,000, meaning they no longer qualify, and whether it will…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The water and sewerage charges exemption scheme is open to charities which have an income of less than £300,000. Eligibility is assessed based on gross income information as obtained from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and there are no di…

16 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Project Neptune report will be published.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Project Neptune was published on 8 September 2022 and can be accessed: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/strategic-framework-of-options-for-the-chfs-network-project-neptune/

16 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the National Drugs Mission Oversight Group met for the first time, and what the schedule of three-monthly meeting dates for the group is.

Answer · Angela Constance: The National Mission Oversight Group met for the first time on 30 June 2022. The next meeting is scheduled for 22 September 2022. The Group will meet every three months and dates of meetings will be agreed in advance for the following year. The National Missi…

16 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to expand lived and living experience representation on the National Drugs Mission Oversight Group, given that three of the 20 members are described as lived and living experience representatives.

Answer · Angela Constance: The National Mission Oversight Group is supported by many areas of expertise including; academics, lived and living experience representatives, international expertise, clinicians and third sector organisations Three members of the group are specifically app…

16 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure impartial scrutiny from the National Drugs Mission Oversight Group, given that it is chaired by the Minister for Drugs Policy and in light of reports that the membership of the group is at the invitation of the Minister.

Answer · Angela Constance: Following the first Oversight Group meeting in June, David Strang, former chair of the Drug Death Taskforce, has accepted my offer to become Chair of the group, ensuring its independence from government. I will of course continue to attend as a member of the …

15 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to support Glasgow City Council to establish a city-wide Common Housing Register, expanding upon the Glasgow North West pilot of 13 housing associations in 2017.

Answer · Shona Robison: We continue to see Common Housing Registers as a key way of simplifying and maximising access to social housing. It is up to individual local authorities and housing associations to determine the most effective application process and allocation policy for al…

13 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will permit Scottish Canals to access ongoing Sustrans funding to maintain, for a period of 50 years, the new Stockingfield Bridge over the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Like all Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Scottish Canals are required to seek approval from the Scottish Government for funding proposals above agreed threshholds. This ensures that larger projects are both affordable and in the best interests of wider public…

12 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the operating model of Scottish Canals is fit for purpose to enable the public body to invest in the long-term future of the canal network.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Office for National Statistics confirmed Scottish Canals as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) effective from April 2020. Scottish Canals has a responsibility to ensure that it conducts its core business of maintaining and improving Scotland’s canal ne…

12 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provided to Scottish Canals in the transition to its change of status to a non-departmental public body.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In the lead-up to Scottish Canals’ formal recognition as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) in April 2020 and continuing since then, the Scottish Government has sought to provide as much assistance as possible to assist the Organisation in familiarising it…

12 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will permit Scottish Canals to retain its annual operating surplus in order to continue to sustainably fund long-term and multi-year regeneration projects, such as the Claypits Local Nature Reserve.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Like all Non-Departmental Public Bodies, Scottish Canals has to comply with the requirements of the HM Treasury Consolidated Budgeting Guidance Framework which does not allow for underspends to be carried over financial years. Scottish Canals is allocated a…

12 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that Scottish Canals has the financial support required to reduce the reported £50 million backlog of repair works to maintain the historic canal network.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scottish Canals, as with all public bodies, is operating in an unprecedented challenging environment for public funds. Despite this, the Organisation has benefitted from significant increases in both its resource and capital Grant in Aid budget allocations in…

11 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that fair work principles are upheld in the renewable energy sector.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: While employment law remains reserved to the UK Government, we will use our Fair Work policy to promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland, including within the renewable energy sector. We have concluded a public consultation on the a…

11 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to encourage staff retention in renewable energy, in light of the reported absence of trade union recognition in some parts of this sector.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Trade unions are key partners in delivering our economic and social aspirations. We will continue to promote strong trade unions and collective bargaining arrangements in all sectors, including the renewable energy sector. We have made a clear commitment to p…

11 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether companies contracted under ScotWind development projects are required to recognise collective bargaining arrangements, and, if they are not, whether it will commit to encouraging such companies to implement fair work practices.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: ScotWind leasing is administered by Crown Estate Scotland who have confirmed that all companies that have a ScotWind seabed agreement with Crown Estate Scotland are required to comply with all applicable laws including meeting their obligations under employme…

10 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to businesses to pursue innovation, in light of UK Innovation Survey 2021 data showing that 39% of businesses in Scotland were innovation active in 2018-20 compared to 44.9% for the UK as a whole.

Answer · Ivan McKee: We are committed to become a world leading, innovation nation, which will help us grow our economy and create sustainable, green jobs. As the recent figures from the UK Innovation Survey show, there is still work to be done. That is why this year we will pub…

10 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to pursue the recommendations of the Business Purpose Commission for Scotland's report, Now is the Time for Purpose.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has made a commitment in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation to “Build on the findings from the Business Purpose Commission Report, to inform how businesses can deliver positive impacts on prosperity, wellbeing – includin…

27 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to ensure transparency around the loss of life in dispersal accommodation for asylum seekers and in immigration detention in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: Asylum and immigration are reserved to the UK Parliament and handled by the Home Office. This includes the operation of asylum accommodation and support provision as well as immigration detention across the UK. The Scottish Government supports calls for a pub…

27 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government to advocate for a comprehensive monitoring and review system for asylum seeker deaths in temporary hotel accommodation in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: Asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament. The Scottish Government has raised a variety of issues impacting people seeking asylum with the UK Government, including on asylum accommodation and the use of hotels to accommodate people seeking asylum. Sco…

27 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit, in partnership with local authorities, to publishing annual figures on loss of life of asylum seekers in temporary hotel accommodation in Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: Asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament. The Scottish Government does not hold data on deaths of people seeking asylum in any type of accommodation.

27 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to full cooperation and participation in the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Asylum Provision in Scotland with particular reference to failings in the provision of care to New Scots during the Covid pandemic.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is aware of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Asylum Provision in Scotland. The Scottish Government has not yet received any request to participate in the Inquiry, but will respond positively and appropriately, should we do so.