Cathy Jamieson

23 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with heart conditions had not received the influenza A (H1N1) vaccination before Christmas day.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30303 on 26 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

23 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with type 1 diabetes had not received the influenza A (H1N1) vaccination before Christmas day.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All health boards have indicated that vaccination has been offered to all those in the initial priority groups and a mop up exercise will continue to take place to the end of January 2010, to ensure that everyone in the initial priority groups has been invite…

23 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in at-risk groups had not received the influenza A (H1N1) vaccination before Christmas day, broken down by at-risk category.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30300 on 26 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

23 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of people in at-risk groups had not received the influenza A (H1N1) vaccination before Christmas day, broken down by NHS board area.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30300 on 26 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

23 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in at-risk groups had not received the influenza A (H1N1) vaccination before Christmas day, broken down by NHS board area.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: All health boards have indicated that vaccination has been offered to all those in the initial priority groups and a mop up exercise will continue to take place to the end of January, to ensure that everyone in the initial priority groups has been invited for…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider offering liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuel cell boilers as an option under the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-30071 on 14 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place regarding the use of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuel cell boilers for homes that cannot access mains gas.

Answer · Alex Neil: Fuel cell gas boilers, which generate electricity as well as heating and hot water, have already been the subject of discussion between officials and Scottish Gas, the managing agent for the Energy Assistance Package. </p> <p >There are several issues to be …

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place regarding improvements to the energy efficiency of households that rely on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and cannot access mains gas.

Answer · Alex Neil: Applicants to the Energy Assistance Package are offered energy savings advice, no matter what type of fuel is used for heating. Following an initial check on eligibility, applicants may be referred to survey for stage 3 or stage 4 measures. Stage 3 comprises …

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow people to have a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) heating system installed under the Energy Assistance Package if they did not previously have such a system.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Fuel Poverty Forum will consider the options offered under stage 4 as part of its review of the first year in operation of the Energy Assistance Package.</p>

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have had liquid petroleum gas (LPG) heating systems replaced under the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the question S3W-30067, answered on 14 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have applied to have liquid petroleum gas (LPG) heating systems replaced under the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Alex Neil: One hundred and forty-two callers who used LPG as their main fuel for heating were referred to stage 4 by the end of November. Of these, 29 had been installed and 76 further jobs were being progressed. Nineteen were rejected as not being eligible; of these 14…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of advice on increasing household income provided to people who rely on (a) liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and (b) heating oil.

Answer · Alex Neil: Where appropriate, applicants to the Energy Assistance Package are offered a benefits check. By the end of November, 553 older households had been helped by the pension service to increase their annual income, by an average of £921. One hundred and forty eigh…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of advice on improving energy efficiency provided to people who rely on (a) liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and (b) heating oil.

Answer · Alex Neil: The impact of advice on improving energy efficiency is generally difficult to assess. Where households who use LPG or oil are referred for insulation measures under Stages 3 or 4 of the Energy Assistance Package, the improvement to the SAP rating is recorded …

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of advice on reducing fuel costs provided to people who rely on (a) liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and (b) heating oil.

Answer · Alex Neil: Where appropriate, applicants to the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) are offered a referral to their energy supply company, which will discuss access to a social tariff and cost-effective payment methods with eligible households. Tariffs and payment methods a…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people who rely on (a) liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and (b) heating oil have been provided with advice under the Energy Assistance Package.

Answer · Alex Neil: Of the households taking up offers of help under the Energy Assistance Package, 1.7% identified their main heating fuel as either bulk liquid petroleum gas or bottled gas and 6.1% use oil. Of the households helped, 7.3% did not identify their main heating fue…

14 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with trade bodies and suppliers of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and heating oil regarding the impact of prices on low-income families who rely on these fuels to heat their homes.

Answer · Alex Neil: I have invited the fuel suppliers to discuss the voluntary development of social tariffs for LPG and oil. It is our intention that if such tariffs can be developed, people will be able ask for a referral to check their eligibility by calling the Energy Assist…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29299 by Alex Neil on 9 December 2009, whether it will specify the organisations that it met, on what dates, and the subjects discussed in each case regarding the development of a national housing trust.

Answer · Alex Neil: The meetings held with stakeholders (such as COSLA, local authorities, the Scottish Futures Trust, lenders, developers, housing associations, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and insolvency practitioners) to discuss proposals for a housing trus…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29298 by Alex Neil on 9 December 2009, what the timetable is for developing detailed proposals for a national housing trust.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust are currently discussing the housing trust proposals further with local authorities and COSLA. The timetable for any further development of the proposals will be informed by these discussions and the time nee…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when National Housing Trust – summary of proposals and Increasing Affordable Housing Supply from Limited Public Resources – The Proposed National Housing Trust Initiative were lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) and whether these papers will be made available on…

Answer · Alex Neil: These background papers on the national housing trust proposal were lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on 9 December 2009. These papers are also now available on the Scottish Government''s website at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/">h…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29298 by Alex Neil on 9 December 2009, whether it will outline the reasons given by the eight local authorities that did not offer to look at the housing trust model in more detail.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29892, on 7 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29298 by Alex Neil on 9 December 2009, which 18 local authorities indicated a willingness to look at the housing trust model in more detail.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29892, on 7 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29298 by Alex Neil on 9 December 2009, what criteria were used to identify the 26 local authorities initially approached regarding the development of a national housing trust.

Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29892 on 7 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29298 by Alex Neil on 9 December 2009, which 26 local authorities were initially approached regarding the development of a national housing trust.

Answer · Alex Neil: As part of the exploratory work by the Scottish Futures Trust, the local authorities listed below were approached informally regarding the development of a National Housing Trust. This was to seek their initial views in order to gauge whether or not there was…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many private rented sector landlords have applied for Energy Saving Scotland small business loans.

Answer · Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29121 on 1 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <u><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/A…

9 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to apply the National Home Energy Rating to the private rented sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is currently consulting on options for improving the energy efficiency of housing, including housing in the private rented sector, through its consultation on the Energy Efficiency Action Plan. These include options for setting regulat…

3 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Transport Scotland to announce the outcome of its consultation on station car parking policy.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland will publish a summary of responses to the consultation early in the new year. The report will be made available on the Transport Scotland website. Work on developing a policy on car parking will be taken forward during 2010.</p>

3 Dec 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the responses to Transport Scotland’s consultation on station car parking policy will be published.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland will ensure responses that consultees have agreed to share will be made available on the Transport Scotland website in conjunction with a summary report.</p>

25 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding to local authorities to enable them to tackle problems caused by derelict properties.

Answer · Alex Neil: Local authorities receive funding through Private Sector Housing Grant (PSHG) to help them deal with disrepair in private sector housing. In 2009-10, the total PSHG allocation was £67.335 million. Authorities are responsible for determining the priorities in …

25 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to assist people whose homes are adjacent to properties in disrepair and dereliction.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government would encourage local authorities to make use of the powers available to them under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, to provide assistance to home owners. Owners of houses adjacent to properties in disrepair and dereliction may be able…

25 Nov 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to tackle problems caused by absentee owners who allow houses and other properties to fall into disrepair and dereliction.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government would encourage local authorities to make use of the powers available to them to tackle disrepair in private sector housing.</p> <p >From 1 April 2009, local authorities have had new powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to ta…