Annabelle Ewing

22 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers community social work as integral to supporting and empowering families to provide a stable and nurturing environment for children and young people, as part of its priority to eradicate child poverty.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government recognises that social work has the greatest impact where practitioners are embedded in communities. This enables them to recognise and understand the challenges people in communities face on a day to day basis, including the existence…

22 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the findings of the community social work pilot approach undertaken by Fife Council, and whether it is considering providing additional resources to local authorities to pilot this approach.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government is aware of the Community Social Work pilot undertaken by Fife Council and recognises the approach is known to support positive outcomes. Ms Ewing will be aware of the challenging fiscal climate we are operating in at this time, which …

22 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on community social work, and whether it has considered piloting this approach across Scotland.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government recognises that the community social work approach may provide assistance for people experiencing a range of circumstances. We know that children, young people and families benefit when they can access the support they need when and wh…

22 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) what the benefits are of community social work and (b) whether a transition to such a model across Scotland would benefit families in the most deprived areas.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: A] The Scottish Government believes that the community social work model remains an important approach and undoubtedly, in the right circumstances, offers a targeted early response to tackle a wide range of issues which may in some circumstances lead to crisi…

8 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of Hospital at Home Funding on 8 August 2024, how much funding NHS Fife originally applied for, and how the distribution of funding was decided that resulted in NHS Fife receiving £18,100.56, in light of it being the third largest NHS board area.

Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Government funding has been provided to improve the resilience and sustainability of Hospital at Home services for older people in Scotland. Distribution of funds is decided in collaboration between Scottish Government and Healthcare Improvement Scot…

26 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, based on the most recent data available, what the uptake is for the Young Carer Grant in (a) Fife and (b) the Cowdenbeath constituency.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The latest estimated take-up rate for Young Carer Grant in Scotland in 2022-23 is 75%. Social Security Scotland routinely publish Official Statistics on the number of carers receiving a payment for Young Career Grant. Whilst these statistics include informati…

26 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many young people it estimates are eligible for the Young Carer Grant in (a) Fife and (b) the Cowdenbeath constituency.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland publishes official statistics for the number of payments for Young Carer Grant by Local Authority but not at constituency level. In the financial year 2023-24, Social Security Scotland made 280 payments totalling £99,217 to clients in…

26 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting the Young Carer Grant to those that are eligible for the payment, and whether it has consulted with (a) young carers and (b) other stakeholders on recent public campaigns.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Since launching in October 2019, 12,305 Young Carer Grant payments worth £4.0 million have been made to young carers in Scotland. Social Security Scotland promotes Young Carer Grant in a targeted way, including by working in partnership with local carers cen…

12 Jun 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Developing the Young Workforce programme in the Cowdenbeath constituency.

22 May 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support cultural activities in the Cowdenbeath constituency.

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, whether it has met with (a) ExxonMobil and (b) Shell since it announced plans for the development of a Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran, and, if so, what was discussed.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27341 on 15 May 2024. 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-committees/…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, whether it plans to establish a board to oversee the development of the Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran, similar to the Grangemouth Future Industry Board.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government intends to establish a board to oversee and co-design the development of the Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran and will take cognisance of any learnings from the Grangemouth Future Industry Board.  

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, what discussions it has had with (a) ExxonMobil, (b) Shell, (c) Fife Council, (d) SEPA and (e) trade unions, to date, regarding the development of a Just Transition Plan for Mo…

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran is at very early stages of proposal, a comprehensive stakeholder engagement exercise will form a critical component of the work plan. The Scottish Government has had early engagement regarding the proposal with business…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, whether it will outline the timetable for the development of the Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran.

Answer · Gillian Martin: As outlined, the Scottish Government will develop a Just Transition Plan for the Mossmorran industrial complex following delivery of the Grangemouth Just Transition Plan. Work will commence in early 2025 and as such, detailed timetable is not yet available, h…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, how it will develop its Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran, in collaboration with the (a) operators, (b) trade unions, (c) employees and (d) local community.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government will evaluate the approach taken in developing the Grangemouth Just Transition Plan and derive lessons learned when planning engagements with Mossmorran stakeholders. We will apply a place-based approach that will ensure that the views…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, when it expects the Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran to be published.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has committed to developing a Just Transition Plan for the Mossmorran industrial complex following delivery of the Grangemouth Just Transition Plan. Work will commence in early 2025. This will allow for a thorough evaluation of the app…

7 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy on 18 April 2024, whether it will outline who has been involved in the proposal for a Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran, and who will be involved in the creation of the plan going forward.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Mossmorran Just Transition Plan proposal is at very early stages of consideration and will be initiated fully following delivery of the Grangemouth Plan. The Scottish Government has held early discussions with both operators at the Mossmorran complex rega…

20 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26028 by Joe Fitzpatrick on 15 March 2024, how it will ensure that the regeneration budget allocated for 2024-25 is targeted at projects in local authority areas such as Fife, to ensure an equal spread of funding across the country.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: As a result of the challenging capital funding position Scottish Ministers have had to make difficult decisions and, unless there is a significant reversal of the UK Government's cuts to capital allocations, no new project funding for the Regeneration Capital…

20 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26028 by Joe Fitzpatrick on 15 March 2024, whether it can explain any discrepancies in the distribution of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, in light of Fife Council being the third most populous local authority, but only receiving 1.54% of the t…

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Both the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme targeted support toward disadvantaged and fragile rural communities. They have been delivered on a competitive basis, open to all local authorities and C…

20 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed Misogyny Bill will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government will introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Working Group on Misogyny and the Criminal Law later this year, informed by responses to last year's consultation on draft legislative provisions to give effect to thos…

19 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had regarding the proposed re-instatement of a direct ferry link between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the multi-agency group on commercial sexual exploitation has been established, and, if so, what the membership of the group is, and whether the remit of the group will include consideration of the criminalisation of the purchase of sex.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The new multi-agency group on commercial sexual exploitation held its first meeting on 27 March 2024. The membership of the Group includes representatives from the third and public sector. Details about the group can be accessed here: https://www.gov.scot/gr…

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to complete the roll-out of prostitution "exit hubs", and how long the pilot project will last.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The development of a new support pathway for those with experience of prostitution is a key component of “Scotland’s strategic approach to challenging and deterring men’s demand for prostitution and supporting the recovery and sustainable exit of those involv…

12 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding what cultural events and activities it has planned to mark the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike. 

6 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25697 by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 March 2024, how much funding has been awarded through the (a) Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and (b) Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme in the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The funding awarded through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) over the last five years, from 2019-20 to 2023-24 by local authority area, is detailed in the following table. This table excl…

6 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25697 by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 March 2024, what criteria are used for awarding funding through the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Applications to the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) are assessed by an Independent Panel against:the basic eligibility criteria;ability to meet the aims and objectives of the programme;readiness to make use of available grant; andwider s…

6 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25697 by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 March 2024, how many projects in the Cowdenbeath constituency have received funding through the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme since it was established, and how much each project received.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme has not supported any projects within the Cowdenbeath constituency since its launch in 2021. However it has supported one project in the Fife local authority area, the Ravenscraig Skills Hub, with nearly £500k…

6 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25697 by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 March 2024, how the remaining £22.8 million of the £45.8 million of funding for 2024-25 will be split between the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Funding of £1 million has been prioritised to support Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company from the budget available to support regeneration programmes. Ministers are considering the implications of the budget and options for the delivery of the remaining…

6 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25697 by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 March 2024, what criteria will be used in the forthcoming round of Regeneration Capital Grant funding.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Ministers are considering the implications and options for delivery of the regeneration budget in 2024-2025 and we have yet to make decisions on a future application round for the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

6 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25697 by Joe FitzPatrick on 4 March 2024, how many projects in the Cowdenbeath constituency have received Regeneration Capital Grant funding since it was established, and how much each project received.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has supported four projects in the Cowdenbeath constituency since the fund was established as detailed in the following table: Project Name Location Grant awarded £ Lochgelly Regional Cycling Circuit - Community Use Bui…