Paul Sweeney

27 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the 465 million euros allocated from the European Social Fund for the period 2014-2020 has (a) been spent and (b) returned to the EU as unspent or decommitted funds.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: To date, the Scottish Government has committed 393m of European Social Fund (ESF) grant support towards projects that boost smart and inclusive growth across Scotland. The expenditure of the 2014-2020 ESF programme, which is based on paying claims that meet t…

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considered introducing regulations to prevent the price gouging of accommodation during the COP26 conference.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government is acutely aware of reports of excessively high pricing in the accommodation sector in Glasgow during the COP26 summit and there are existing policies in place designed to address this issue. Responsibility for consumer protection pol…

21 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to increase its contribution to the Personal and Nursing Care allowance in order to reduce the amount that self-funders are expected to pay for residential accommodation in residential care settings.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has committed to bringing Free Personal and Nursing Care rates for those self-funding residential care into line with the National Care Home Contract. We are currently consulting on this as part of the National Care Service consultatio…

12 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, within Control Period 6 of the East Kilbride Corridor Enhancement project, whether it still plans to deliver (a) double-tracking of the single-line section between East Kilbride and Busby railway stations, (b) the relocation of Hairmyres railway station to a new location approximately 6…

Answer · Graeme Dey: Within the current control period, 2019 – 2024, it is the intention to (a) deliver the full electrification of the existing single track route between East Kilbride and Glasgow central and b) to deliver the relocation of Hairmyres railway station approx. 600 …

11 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allow professionals who support people seeking asylum to request proof of COVID-19 vaccination status on behalf of their clients.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: A representative may support someone with the process of accessing proof of COVID-19 vaccination status. However, the person requiring a certificate will ultimately need to confirm their identification either via the App or by calling the Covid Status Helplin…

11 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how people who are seeking asylum but are without a passport or driving licence can access proof of vaccination through its COVID-19 vaccination status app, and whether improving such access will be considered a matter of priority when developing updates.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The vaccine offer is universal in Scotland. For asylum-seekers who have received COVID-19 vaccines in Scotland, they can request their record of vaccination be sent to them by calling the Freephone COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565. These paper certi…

7 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding reports that access to second-day PCR testing, following arrival into the UK from abroad, is cheaper in England, and what steps it is taking to mitigate any such disparity in affordability between Scotland and England.

Answer · Maree Todd: As with the rest of the UK, fully vaccinated travellers arriving into Scotland from non-red list countries are required to take a test no later than the end of day 2 after their arrival. Currently, the test needs to meet a minimum standard which tends to mean…

6 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S6M-01293 (A Net Zero Nation) on 21 September 2021, whether it will provide a substantive response to the comments raised regarding for what reason no new railway lines have been constructed in Glasgow in the last 15 years.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Glasgow already benefits from an extensive rail network. With a total of 155 stations in the Glasgow City Region it is the busiest suburban rail network in Britain outside London. Therefore the focus of investment has very properly been on the development of …

6 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S6M-01293 (A Net Zero Nation) on 21 September 2021, whether it will provide a substantive response to the comments raised regarding whether it will commit to having a fit-for-purpose industrial strategy for the development of a vertically-integrated renew…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to ending our contribution to climate change within a generation. Our Programme for Government sets out our aim to generate 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources, and to have decarbonised our …

6 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much each group funded under the new Equalities and Human Rights Fund for 2021-24 received, and what work each group has been funded to undertake.

Answer · Shona Robison: The organisations funded under the Equality and Human Rights Fund are taking forward work that meet the aims and objectives of the fund, which are: To fund, support, develop and learn from civil society organisations and partnerships that: 1. Develop and de…

30 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people who have received the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine are considered fully-vaccinated under its international travel and managed isolation guidance.   

Answer · Graeme Dey: accines are approved through an established four nations basis framework and the current approved vaccines are those used by the NHS as part of the UK rollout, as well as those approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the US Food and Drug Administrati…

30 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment in its correspondence to the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee in 2020 that Scotland’s enterprise sector was working with the Enterprise and Skills Strategic Board Analytical Unit to improve the measurement of performance of Scotland's enterprise agencies, w…

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Strategic Board works with the enterprise and skills agencies to improve performance measurement in a number of ways:The Board produces its Annual Analysis to coincide with its Strategy Day. This includes a comprehensive analysis of Scotland’s performance…

29 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will respond to the calls being made by trade unions and activist groups and allocate an additional £17 million in funding this year to support the local authority services currently managed by Glasgow Life.

22 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle the reported backlog of people requiring urgent mental health support.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We recognise that long waits are unacceptable and we remain committed to meet the standard that 90% of patients start treatment within 18 weeks of referral. We have asked all Boards to set out their plans and trajectories for meeting the waiting times standa…

21 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S6M-01293 (A Net Zero Nation) on 21 September 2021, whether it will provide a substantive response to the issues raised regarding alternative engineering solutions to the reconstruction of the Woodside viaducts on the M8 in Glasgow at the reported expense…

Answer · Graeme Dey: The M8 Woodside Viaducts are essential links in the M8 central Scotland urban motorway, vital for the economy and connectivity of Scotland. Therefore, the repair of the viaducts and removal of restrictions is high priority. A number of potential remedies were…

21 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on waiving the requirement for fully-vaccinated UK residents to take a COVID-19 PCR test on return to Scotland from international travel to amber list countries if their trip was for fewer than five days.

Answer · Maree Todd: As with the rest of the UK, fully vaccinated travellers returning to Scotland from countries other than those on the red list are required to take a day two test regardless of the length of their trip. The risk of transmission of the virus remains regardless …

20 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is undertaking in partnership with the UK Government and telecoms companies to improve digital inclusion in the Glasgow region.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government is taking a range of action to improve digital inclusion across Scotland, including in the Glasgow region. We know that cost is one of the greatest barriers to getting online, closely followed by a lack of skills. Since May 2020 the S…

17 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether an individual travelling to Scotland who has received two COVID-19 vaccinations, but has received a different vaccine for each dose, will still count as fully vaccinated with regards to travel and isolation guidance.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Inbound international travel restrictions were eased across the four nations on 4 October. These changes mean that people who have received two doses of different vaccines are regarded as having completed a full course of the vaccine and therefore are treated…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what obligations there are on employers in relation to their workforce if a member of their staff returns a positive COVID-19 test result.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We expect businesses to take appropriate action to minimise the risk of transmission (to other employees and to customers) where a member of staff tests positive. Employers should also take appropriate steps and work with Test & Protect to identify any potent…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether guidance allows for employers to dismiss positive COVID-19 lateral flow tests taken by employees unless the individual has returned a positive PCR test result.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government’s guidance for employers on Test & Protect is regularly updated. This sets out the support that employers should give to employees who are required to self-isolate. It also sets out steps that employees can take if they feel that their…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the QR code for its COVID-19 vaccine certification system is wholly compatible with vaccine certification apps in (a) Germany and (b) all other countries.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government have been working with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the Border Force to ensure to ensure that our QR codes are accepted and compatible at international borders where required. Currently only a small number of cou…

14 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider including water safety training in the school curriculum.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Within schools, Curriculum for Excellence's flexible guidelines allow teachers to decide upon the content of lessons that best meets the local needs and circumstances of all children and young people in attendance. However, we are working with stakeholders to…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce a contactless (cEMV) ticketing system across all stations on Scotland's Railway, in addition to the current ITSO smartcard and m-ticket app.

Answer · Graeme Dey: ScotRail is exploring potential options to provide contactless ticket infrastructure on the rail network as part of a mix of products to offer passengers. Contactless payment is already accepted at all stations on ScotlRail’s network for tickets. Mobile ‘pho…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will intervene in the determination of the planning application, 21/02141/FUL, under consideration by Glasgow City Council, in light of reported concerns that it may (a) breach (i) the Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan and (ii) Glasgow's City Development Plan and (b) preven…

Answer · Tom Arthur: The primary responsibility for dealing with planning applications and local planning matters rests with Glasgow City Council as local planning authority. It is for the planning authority to interpret and implement relevant planning legislation and guidance a…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the planning application, 21/02141/FUL, under consideration by Glasgow City Council, in light of this being for the construction of residential units on the site of the proposed Garngad Chord, which was in the scope of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (…

Answer · Graeme Dey: As this is a live planning application it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the case so as not to prejudice the decision making process. The Garngad chord was initially considered as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGI…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reopening the disused Finnieston railway station on the operational North Clyde Line.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Future transport investment decisions, such as the reopening of the former station at Finnieston, are being considered within the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). As concluded in the Initial Appraisal: Case for Change for the Glasgow City R…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reopening the disused (a) Glasgow Cross and (b) Glasgow Green railway station on the operational Argyle Line.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Future transport investment decisions, such as the reopening of the former stations at Glasgow Cross and Glasgow Green, are being considered within the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). As concluded in the Initial Appraisal: Case for Change …

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential for reopening the disused Parkhead North railway station on the operational North Clyde Line.

Answer · Graeme Dey: As concluded in the Initial Appraisal: Case for Change for the Glasgow City Region, the re-opening of disused rail lines and associated stations within Glasgow City Centre was one of the interventions recommended for the next stage of appraisal. This option i…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with BT regarding the removal of its obsolete network of KX and KX+ series of telephone boxes in Scotland.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The removal of public call boxes (PCBs) is subject to the rules in the telephony universal service obligations. In order to remove PCBs BT has to go through a consultation process with local authorities. There is no direct role for Scottish Government. As tel…

8 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to respond to the Sands campaign, #AlwaysThere, and whether it will action the call from Sands to introduce the "Continuity of Carer" model of care for women who have previously experienced baby loss.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00570 on 21 June 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written…