Claudia Beamish

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2019 decision paper, Prospects for Prices ,by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, what qualifications and expertise the staff of the Commission had in reducing carbon and other emissions to conclude that Scottish Water’s plans were consistent w…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2019 decision paper, Asset Replacement, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, whether a strategy for water and waste water asset replacement that seeks to increase the consumption of resources in order to increase the rate at which assets can…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: As outlined in the “Asset Replacement” decision paper, an appropriate asset maintenance and replacement strategy will underpin customer service and environmental performance. The asset maintenance and replacement strategy will have to meet communities’ expect…

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2020 decision paper, Prospects for Prices, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, what its definition is of “economically optimal” and how does that relate to climate optimal.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the independent economic regulator, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2019 decision paper, Asset Replacement, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, what assessment the Commission made of the compatibility of the creation of the additional capital assets and the emissions created by spending more on the ongoing m…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of publication of the 2019 decision paper, Asset Replacement, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, what estimate SEPA made of the (a) carbon and other emissions that would be caused by the establishment of the £6 billion of additional assets envisaged in the strategy …

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the independent environment regulator, SEPA, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2019 decision paper, Prospects for Prices, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, what evidence the Commission used in the analysis that suggests meeting net-zero emissions will cost more in asset replacement.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2019 decision paper, Prospects for Prices, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland what evidence the Commission was citing and what analysis it carried out when it stated that relying on short term interventions to maintain assets will result in …

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

23 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the 2019 decision paper, Prospects for Prices, by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, what analysis the Commission undertook of the need for significant innovation in the way that water and waste water services are delivered in order to meet the ch…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: This is a matter for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, and I have asked them to respond directly in writing to your question.

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the risk of any part of Scottish Water being sold off to US corporations under a US-UK trade deal.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Water policy in Scotland is fully devolved to the Scottish Parliament and there is no risk of any part of the business being privatised. Scottish Water will remain in the public sector and continue to operate in the interests of its customers, the people of S…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the risk of any part NHS Scotland being opened up to outsourcing and privatisation, including to US corporations, under a US-UK trade deal.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Any future trade deals must recognise the specific characteristic of the NHS in Scotland – including the very reduced role of private providers compared to the NHS in England – and must not open up the NHS to further privatisation. The Scottish Government an…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the risk of the Scottish Medicines Consortium not being able to control medicine prices under a US-UK trade deal.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament's devolved responsibility for the NHS, social care and public health services and interventions, must be protected. The UK Government must not risk access to medicine through changes to pharmaceutical pricing an…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has carried on the possible impact of a US-UK trade deal on Scotland's economy.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government’s assessment is that the UK’s pursuit of a US-UK trade deal when compared with our EU membership delivers a net negative impact on GDP and employment in Scotland. Our 2018 publication, Scotland's place in Europe: people, jobs and inve…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on Scotland's (a) economy and (b) people, what discussions it had with the UK Government regarding the risk that (i) food standards, (ii) animal welfare, (iii) environmental standards and (iv) public services might be compromised under a US-UK trade deal…

Answer · Ivan McKee: Scottish Government Ministers have made clear to the UK Government, in person and in correspondence, our red lines concerning a UK-US free trade agreement. These are:protecting our public servicesprotecting our environment and positively contributing to achie…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the UK Government will not ask to protect food and environmental standards in its trade deal negotiations with the US, what plans it has to protect the (a) livelihoods of Scotland's farmers and (b) health of Scotland's consumers from any risk associated with pos…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is clear that maintaining Scotland’s high food and environmental standards is of paramount importance, and that any trade deal not protecting these standards risks our reputation for provenance and quality. The NFU President Minette Ba…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what timescales have been agreed for the delivery of Energy Transition Fund projects.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Energy Transition Fund (ETF) is a five year programme beginning in 2020. Some of the projects benefitting from this new investment will complete within that 5 year time scale. Larger projects with multiple phases of development may complete over a longer …

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the Global Underwater Hub, announced as part of the Energy Transition Fund, contributes to maintaining and advancing Scotland’s international position in floating offshore wind, tidal and wave energy technologies.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Global Underwater Hub will play a significant role in furthering Scotland’s and the UK’s net zero ambitions, connecting companies, universities and R&D institutions across the UK to leverage the collective strength of the UK’s underwater industries – from…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that projects funded through its Energy Transition Fund reduce overall emissions from the energy sector.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Energy Transition Fund will support a range of initiatives capitalising on the energy expertise within the North East to accelerate the delivery of a range of emissions reduction technologies. Projects that will be supported include innovation projects l…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Energy Transition Fund is already fully allocated to projects, or is open to further applications, and within what timescales grants from the fund have been awarded.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Specific projects have been identified for investment from the Energy Transition Fund (ETF). The projects have been developed by regional partners in the North East of Scotland. Among these are an Energy Transition Zone in Aberdeen; the Global Underwater Hub;…

16 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, announced as part of the Energy Transition Fund, starts development of a green hydrogen industry in Scotland.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub has been identified as one of the major projects to be considered for funding within the £62 million Energy Transition Fund (ETF). Projects like the Hydrogen Hub which help to anchor the development of a green hydrogen industry in Sc…

15 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much public funding has been invested in peatland management and restoration in each year since 2007.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government has invested £33 million since 2012-13 in restoration of peatlands via Peatland Action and the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme under the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Peatland restoration is an important nature-based solution t…

11 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing for workers whose job always requires PPE for respiratory protection but who are going without due to unprecedented demands for PPE.

Answer · Clare Haughey: It is for employers to provide appropriate PPE where it is required based on assessed risk. The health and safety of our workforce in all sectors is a priority for the Scottish Government and if there is evidence of specific concerns in particular industries …

4 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-29445 by Paul Wheelhouse on 28 May 2020, whether it will be revising its energy strategy to align with its updated climate change targets and the delayed Climate Change Plan.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Yes, we will. As I have said in a number of fora previously, but to put that formally on record, we will revise Scotland’s Energy Strategy, which I published in December 2017, to ensure that our Strategy:reflects our commitment to a green recovery from the Co…

21 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much CO2 savings it estimates will be made in the current parliamentary session as a consequence of its energy efficiency measures.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: While our response to COVID-19 is far from over, our response to global warming and climate change continues. The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to our world-leading climate change targets. These include a 75% reduction in our national emiss…

20 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are to support eco-ambitious building projects that might be at risk because of the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local authorities and other funding bodies and institutions.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to our world-leading climate change targets. The Climate Change Plan update, which sets out actions on how we will meet these targets, was due to be laid in Parliament on 30 April, but was necessarily postp…

15 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities have used the Spaces for People initiative, and whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding that each has received.

Answer · Michael Matheson: A breakdown of the local authorities that have received funding from the Spaces for People fund and the amount allocated to each is provided in the following table. Local Authority Amount awarded Aberdeen City Council £1,760,000 Angus Council £50,000 D…

15 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with local authorities regarding the reopening of recycling centres as a means of addressing issues relating to fly tipping across Scotland, particularly in rural areas and on farmland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: On 27 May we published guidance, jointly developed with COSLA, on reopening and operating HWRCs. On 1 June, Local Authorities reopened over three-quarters of household waste recycling centres across Scotland, with services available in every Local Authority a…

6 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether the rearranged COP26 conference will be held in Glasgow.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We have received assurances from the UK Government that they are planning for COP26 to take place in Glasgow.  

6 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its economic recovery plan in response to the COVID-19 outbreak will gather input on issues related to biodiversity.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Safeguarding and enhancing Scotland’s biodiversity is key to the Scottish Government’s green agenda and will form an important part of our economic recovery plans. Through supporting a green recovery we can drive progress towards the vision and outcomes of S…

6 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the remit for the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, which has been set up in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, includes advising on biodiversity.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The remit of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery is to advise on the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, including:measures to support different sectoral and regional challenges the economy will face in recovery; andhow business practice will ch…

4 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the remit for the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, which has been set up in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, includes (a) advising on decarbonising the economy and (b) moving towards a wellbeing economy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The remit of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery is to advise on the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, including; - measures to support different sectoral and regional challenges the economy will face in recovery; and - how business practice…