Mercedes Villalba

27 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with COSLA regarding its Edinburgh Process Fund.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Discussions between the Scottish Government and COSLA took place in April 2023 regarding the allocation of funding through the Edinburgh Process strand of the Nature Restoration Fund.

27 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its £65 million annual Nature Restoration Fund was allocated in the 2022-23 financial year.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) comprises £65 million for the current Parliamentary term. In 2022-23, the Nature Restoration Fund made its annual allocation of £13.5 million available through two main strands, each of which is further sub-divided, as follow…

27 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities applied to the £1.5 million pot to top up their direct allocation of funding from the Edinburgh Process Fund, in order to deliver larger scale, multi-year nature restoration projects, in 2022-23, and, of these, which local authorities received funding, and …

Answer · Lorna Slater: Five local authorities applied to the competitive top up fund in 2022-23, requesting funding for a total of twelve projects. Each local authority that applied was awarded funding for one of their projects, as detailed in the following table: Local Authority …

27 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue to distribute funding to (a) national parks and (b) local authorities, as part of its Edinburgh Process Fund, in 2023-24.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government and COSLA have recently agreed that Local Authorities will receive an allocation from the Nature Restoration Fund to continue the Edinburgh Process strand in 2023-24. We will be writing to Local Authorities and our two National Parks s…

27 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what allocation of funding Scotland's (a) two national parks and (b) 32 local authorities received from its Edinburgh Process Fund in 2022-23, and what formula was used to distribute such funding.

Answer · Lorna Slater: In relation to the allocation of funding for the national parks and local authorities, I refer the member to S6W-09126 on 29 June 2022, in response to Mark Ruskell MSP. In reference to (b), the distribution methodology for the 2022-23 ‘Edinburgh Process’ belo…

27 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring it puts in place for funding allocated to national parks and local authorities from its Edinburgh Process Fund.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Monitoring is conducted via returns which local authorities and the National Parks are required to complete, following the end of each financial year, setting out how Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) money has been used.  

26 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with taxi driver union representatives in Dundee to discuss grants and funding for the purchasing of electric vehicles, in order to help them meet their obligations in relation to the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has not held specific discussions with taxi driver union representatives in Dundee to discuss loan funding for the purchase of electric vehicles in relation to compliance with the Low Emission Zone. The Scottish Government provide ann…

26 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16075 by Kevin Stewart on 6 April 2023, which confirmed that no Dundee taxi drivers had been successful in applying for the Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund due to their vehicles' unsuitability for retrofitting, what additional support it will provid…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government provides annual funding to Energy Saving Trust (EST) an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency, to provide a range of services including delivery of the Switched-on Taxi Loan on behalf of Scottish Ministers. …

26 Apr 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the Energy Skills Passport for offshore energy workers.

22 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government's Spring Budget announcement regarding the provision of funding support for swimming pools in England, whether it plans to provide similar financial assistance for swimming pools in Scotland, and, if so, what specific support can be directed at pools such a…

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15997 on 25 March 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-committee…

22 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14445 by Neil Gray on 7 February 2023, what discussions it has had with officials at Aberdeen City Council to try and maintain the six libraries scheduled for closure at the end of March 2023, and what its position is on how any such closures would …

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Library policy is devolved to local authorities, who have a statutory duty to ensure there is adequate provision of library services for their residents. Scottish Government officials work closely with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), whi…

22 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15236 by Neil Gray on 1 March 2023, what support it will provide to Aberdeen City Council, in light of the announcement that it proposes to close six libraries by the end of March 2023.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: We are aware of Aberdeen Council’s decision and acknowledge how difficult this is for the libraries, their staff and the communities they serve. The Scottish Government places great importance on public libraries and we believe everyone should have access to …

21 Mar 2023 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what benefits are available for SPCB and MSP staff.

Answer · Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB offers a range of benefits to SPCB staff and similar or identical benefits also underpin the employment relationship between MSPs and their staff.  These benefits include generous annual leave, sick pay and maternity, paternity and adoption pay entit…

20 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many taxi drivers in Dundee were successful in applying for Energy Saving Trust's (a) Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund and (b) Switched on Taxis Loan.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government provides annual funding to Energy Saving Trust (EST) who are an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency. EST then administer the Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund and the Switched-on Taxi Loan on behalf of Scott…

20 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the closure of the 2022-23 round of the Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund for taxis, what further funding it plans to provide to support the retrofit of taxis impacted by the introduction of Low Emission Zones, and by what date any such funding will be made available.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The LEZ Retrofit fund has recently closed for new applications in financial year 2022-23. As we review budgets for 2023-24, we ask that taxi owners who are interested in applying for future funding should register their interest via the Energy Saving Trust w…

16 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported findings from the charity, Cats Protection, that 29% of pet cats in Scotland are not microchipped, which is higher than the overall UK figure, what consideration it has given to the compulsory microchipping of pet cats.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has established a working group to consider the microchipping of cats alongside the UK Government’s recently published draft legislation. Scottish Ministers will carefully consider their findings once published. The Sco…

14 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it proposes to support any tenants in social housing who are now being notified by their landlords of significant increases to their rent payments from April 2023. 

Answer · Patrick Harvie: At the end of 2022 the Scottish Government reached agreement with social landlords that average rent rises across the social sector in Scotland for 2023-24 would be around 6%, recognising the balance to be struck between acute cost pressures faced by tenants …

1 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the community of Torry, in Aberdeen, to protect community initiatives such as Big Noise.

Answer · Neil Gray: In the most challenging budget settlement since devolution, we are providing nearly £13.5 billion in the 2023-24 Local Government Settlement. The settlement includes £436.9 million for Aberdeen City Council to fund local services, which equates to an extra £2…

1 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a reported increase in cases of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, what action it is taking to highlight the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy, and what funding it is making available for support and services for any families affected.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has provided funding of over £520,000, over the past four years, to support the establishment of an FASD Hub in Scotland with the aim of providing support, training and advice to families, carers and professionals supporting children a…

1 Mar 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it plans to provide for student mental health services within universities and colleges in light of Scottish Funding Council funding for mental health support ending in July 2023.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: No decision has yet been taken with regard to Scottish Government funding to support student mental health services within colleges and universities beyond the end of the current Academic Year. We have met our manifesto commitment to provide more than 80 add…

28 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of (a) the UK Government's proposed legislation to prevent public institutions from imposing their own international boycotts and (b) its statement in response to PE1803: Right to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), on 11 August 2020, that it would, “strongly encourage the…

Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Government officials have had limited engagement with UK Government officials about the UK Government’s plans to introduce legislation to prevent public institutions from imposing their own international boycotts. The Scottish Government view remain…

23 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the October 2022 Deposit Return Scheme: Gateway Review: Final Report, referred to by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity during the debate on motion S6M-07975 on Wednesday 22 February 2023, will be published on its website.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Both the Final Report (May 2022) and the Action Plan Assurance (October 2022) for the Gateway Review for the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme were published on the Scottish Government website on 14 December 2022.  

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the (a) licensing and (b) operation of hydrogen-fuelled (i) ferries and (ii) crew transfer vessels from ports in Scotland.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland officials have been in discussions with UK Government officials regarding regulatory and legislative requirements for a range of future vessel technologies and fuels, including hydrogen. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for…

22 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to ensure that the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Steering Group makes a full assessment of the skills needs of (a) seafarers and (b) operators of ferry services in Scotland.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan is central to creating a future workforce that can support our transition to a net zero economy and ensure workers are equipped with the skills that employers will need in a green economy. The Implementation Steering …

14 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress Scottish Water is making with (a) woodland creation, (b) woodland management and (c) peatland restoration on its land, as part of its Net Zero Emissions Routemap.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water, I have asked Douglas Millican, Chief Executive, to respond. His response is as follows: Scottish Water completed an exercise with the James Hutton Institute in 2021-22 to understand the current carbon capt…

14 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress public authorities are making in complying with their duty to promote sustainable forest management under section 2 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: To support public authorities compliance with the duty created under Section 2 Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018, the Scottish Government and its forestry agencies have consulted on and published Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019-2029, which pr…

7 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding applicable safety standards to protect (a) offshore workers and (b) seafarers from Scotland working on internationally flagged vessels in waters over 12 nautical miles from the Scottish coastline.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government expects the highest safety and crew welfare and employment conditions for all workers employed in offshore and maritime industries. Safety standards for offshore workers in the UK Continental Shelf are regulated in Great Britain by th…

6 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-13235 and S6W-13236 by Mairi Gougeon on 20 December 2022, when it anticipates that (a) the report from the UK Animal Welfare Committee regarding the welfare of farmed fish at slaughter will be published and (b) any recommendations in the report…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government understands that the UK Animal Welfare Committee report is close to completion. A publication date has not been set but is anticipated later this year. The Scottish Government, as previously stated, will explore the need for any change…

6 Feb 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of reports of people being forced onto prepayment meters, what steps the Scottish Government is taking to support vulnerable people in Scotland with rising energy costs.  

27 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the Forest Research study, Revised valuation of flood regulation services of existing forest cover to inform natural capital accounts, on the benefits of Scotland's woodlands in assisting with flood prevention measures, how it plans to incorporate the prot…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: It is not entirely clear as to which formal plans the questions refers, however the Bute House Agreement sets out our commitment to the introduction of a Land Reform Bill by the end of 2023. One of the proposals in the Bill is the introduction of compulsory L…