Jackie Baillie

19 Jul 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many workplace parking spaces there are in each of its 12 buildings.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The workplace parking spaces at the 12 buildings of the Scottish Government estate covered by the Travel Survey in 2012 are as follows: Building Parking spaces 5 Atlantic Quay (Glasgow) 65 Bothwell House (Hamilton) 5 * Denholm House (Livingston) 118 …

18 Jul 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it requires those arranging national sporting events, such as the Scottish Open, to provide access for disabled people who are attending as spectators.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government believe that a fairer Scotland can only be realised when we secure equal rights for everyone: tackling inequality is one of the Scottish Government's three priorities. We are supporting the many ways people celebrate, express and enjoy…

17 Jul 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been created by the Workplace Equality Fund in each month since its launch in February 2018, broken down by protected characteristic.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The purpose of the Workplace Equality Fund, launched in 2018 is not as a job creation scheme but is to support employers to engage in initiatives to reduce workplace inequalities and address long standing barriers particular groups face in entering and pro…

24 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the visitor numbers for Dumbarton Castle have been in each year since 2010.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Dumbarton Castle is a Property in Care under the management of Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the lead public body on matters relating to Scotland’s historic environment. Since your query relates to an operational issue, this is a matter for HES, the a…

24 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much Historic Environment Scotland has invested in (a) Dumbarton, (b) Stirling and (c) Edinburgh Castle in each year since 2010. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Dumbarton Castle, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castles are Properties in Care under the management of Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the lead public body on matters relating to Scotland’s historic environment. Since your query relates to an operationa…

24 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the artefacts that belong to Dumbarton Castle, and where these are archived.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Dumbarton Castle is a Property in Care under the management of Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the lead public body on matters relating to Scotland’s historic environment.   Since your query relates to an operational issue, this is a matter for HES, th…

24 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop a visitor centre at Dumbarton Castle.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Dumbarton Castle is a Property in Care under the management of Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the lead public body on matters relating to Scotland’s historic environment. Since your query relates to an operational issue, this is a matter for HES, the a…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Department of Health to ensure that the medicines supply to Scotland will not be disrupted by a no deal Brexit.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23970 on 5 July 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies are in place to ensure that people across the country will be able to access the medicines that they require if there is a no deal Brexit.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The UK Government has overall responsibility for EU exit contingency planning and in particular for entry and any customs control at the UK Border. The UK Government continues to fail to rule out a no deal exit from the EU. By necessity, therefore, the Scotti…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding integrated joint boards have in reserve to mitigate the impact of a no deal Brexit on health services and medicines supply.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: While IJBs have the power to hold reserves, these funds are used to support local services. Detail on reserves are publically available on individual IJB websites. The latest consolidated position reports that IJBs have general contingency reserves of £27.5 m…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to S5W-23182 by Roseanna Cunningham 22 May 2019, whether it has directed the Water Industry Commission for Scotland to increase water charges above the rate of inflation for an extended period of years from 2021 and, if so, (a) for how many years and (b) at what le…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government sets out the Principles of Charging but does not direct the Water Industry Commission for Scotland to set a level of charges. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland will publish its Draft Determination for 2021-27 in May 2020 for p…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23176 by Roseanna Cunningham on 22 May 2019, how it will make an assessment of the affordability of future water charges on water charge payers in the most economically-challenged communities if it does not keep data on how many charge payers in eac…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Citizens Advice Scotland report, “Charting a new course: a study in developing affordability policy for water and sewerage charges”, provides an initial understanding of customers facing affordability issues. The Scottish Government will continue to liste…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-20906 by John Swinney on 17 January 2019, whether the reports and minutes of the Scottish Service Children Strategy Group are published and, if so, where.

Answer · John Swinney: Officials have continued to meet regularly with representatives of the MoD to discuss a wide range of educational matters within the remit of the Scottish Service Children Strategy Group. As agreed by the group, the minutes and papers are not published.  

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority regarding Brexit-related risks and what funding it has allocated to deal with these.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is carefully considering the implications of leaving the EU with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. This includes discussion of risks relating to the possible loss of EU justice and home affairs tools and measures, and …

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-23062 by Roseanna Cunningham on 22 May 2019, whether it will engage with (a) Age Scotland, (b) Citizens Advice Scotland and (c) other third sector organisations to ensure that consumers are fully involved in the consultation.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-21548 on 26 February 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusine…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what preparations it has made to response to a no deal Brexit.

Answer · Michael Russell: As a responsible government, we are continuing to plan and prepare for all EU Exit possibilities, including ‘No Deal’. We are absolutely committed to safeguarding, as far as we are able, the interests of businesses, communities and individuals, including EU n…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £55 million that has been allocated to it to deal with Brexit preparations in 2019-20 will be spent.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government will received £54.7 million consequentials (£48.8 million resource and £5.9 million capital) as a result of the UK Government allocating £2 billion of EU Exit preparation funding for 2019-20. All Portfolios have benefited from the £54…

20 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £37 million that was allocated to it to deal with Brexit preparations in 2018-19 was spent.

Answer · Derek Mackay: In 2018-19, the Scottish Government received £37.3 million (£35.7 million resource, £1.6 million capital) in consequentials as a proportionate share of the £1.5 billion Brexit preparation funding allocated to UK Departments in each of the years 2018-19 and 20…

19 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-22790 by Aileen Campbell on 7 May 2019, when it will set out the next steps in determining changes to charity law.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: The Scottish Government consultation on changes to charity law ran from 7 January – 1 April 2019. Responses to the consultation were published on the Scottish Government’s website where the respondent’s permission was granted.   The Scottish Government pu…

18 Jun 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Social Security Committee’s recommendation that the housing element of universal credit should be paid directly to a landlord by default, with the option for a tenant to opt out.

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether ministerial cars will be exempt from the workplace parking levy.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The provisions in the Green Party amendments on workplace parking levies (WPL), supported by Scottish Government and agreed by the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee during Transport (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 session on 19 June define the occupiers …

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on giving up 90% of staff parking spaces at its and its agencies' car parks, in light of the decision by HSBC to do similar.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We welcome the action of employers which support the sustainable travel hierarchy which promotes walking, cycling, public transport and bike, car, or ride sharing in preference to single occupancy car use for movement of people. Scottish Government funds Cycl…

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has surveyed its and its agencies' staff to establish how many (a) walk, (b) cycle, (c) take public transport or (d) drive to work, and, if so, what the result was.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government carried out a staff travel survey in 2012. The survey results can be viewed online: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/01/2595 Survey data for agencies is not held centrally.

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be exemptions from the workplace parking levy and if so, for whom.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Workplace Parking Levy will only apply where a local authority choses to implement the levy. The Green Party amendments on workplace parking levies, agreed by the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Committee at the Transport (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 sess…

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many car parking spaces are available at (a) its and (b) its agencies' offices, broken down by individual sites.

Answer · Derek Mackay: (a)The breakdown of workplace parking spaces in the main buildings of the Scottish Government estate is as follows (b)The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on the parking spaces of agencies. Building Parking spaces Saughton House 346…

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who will be responsible for paying the workplace parking levy at its and its agencies' office parking sites.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Should a Scottish Government building be based in a local authority area where a workplace parking levy has been applied, the provisions in the Green Party amendments on workplace parking levies (WPL), agreed by the Rural Economy and Connectivity (REC) Commit…

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of (a) the Attainment Challenge Fund and (b) pupil equity funding.

Answer · John Swinney: Progress towards the long term outcomes of closing the poverty related attainment gap are assessed in relation to the basket of measures outlined in the National Improvement Framework. Education Scotland’s inspection reports of the nine Challenge Authorities,…

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will fill the funding gap that has arisen as a result of the suspension of European Social Funds, and, if so, when.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government is working closely with the European Commission on proposals to lift the pre-suspension of the European Social Fund as soon as possible and will keep partners updated as the activity progresses. We are examining the funding implication…

17 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Attainment Challenge Fund will be provided on a multi-year basis to allow schools to future plan.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Attainment Challenge is providing £750m over the course of this Parliament to tackle the poverty related attainment gap, providing support through the Challenge Authorities and Schools Programmes, Pupil Equity Funding and funding for Care Experie…

10 Jun 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister for what reason only £3.2 million out of a £200 million Scottish European Growth Co-Investment Programme has been spent in supporting Scottish businesses.