Parliamentary questions
Jackie Baillie
9,397 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) budget and (b) outturn was for the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service in each year since its establishment.
Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The information requested is set out in the following table. SMAS has a proven track record of high impact projects and track record of delivering very high returns on public investment that make an immediate and attributable difference to business competitiv…
5 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11233 by Keith Brown on 28 September 2017, how many of its staff have been seconded to the secretariat, and what financial support it has provided.
Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish Government officials are supporting Benny Higgins in taking this work forward. The core Secretariat is currently resourced by four dedicated members of staff from the Scottish Government Economic Policy Unit, augmented by a variety of additional skil…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial implications for the block grant, in cash terms, of a growth rate in Scotland that is lower than the rest of the UK.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Under the Fiscal Framework, Scotland’s block grant continues to be determined by the operation of the Barnett Formula, and is adjusted to reflect the new fiscal powers that have been devolved. The Scottish Government remains committed to doing all it can to g…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of growth rates in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK, and of the implications for the allocation of the block grant as part of the fiscal framework.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Fiscal Framework guarantees a fair and transparent mechanism to adjust the block grant to reflect the new fiscal powers that have been devolved. The agreement ensures the Scottish Government’s overall level of funding is not affected if tax receipts per h…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many statisticians it employs to collect and analyse economic data.
Answer · Keith Brown: There are 27 statistical staff employed in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to collect and analyse economic data. These staff cover a range of work streams including: National Accounts (GDP, Input-Output tables, National Accounts and Public Sector Fin…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the new Data Analytical Unit will be established; how many staff will be employed, and whether these staff will be in addition to existing statistician numbers.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has begun a recruitment process to appoint an individual to lead the Analytical Unit which will have its own dedicated staff. This appointment and resourcing of the unit is being taken forward in consultation with the Enterprise and Sk…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a full set of public sector assets and liabilities.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11772 on 25 October 2017. 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…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish Whole Government Accounts.
Answer · Derek Mackay: A commitment was given in November 2016 to produce a "tailored for Scotland" consolidated public account. The Scottish Government has designated the financial year 2016-17 as a shadow year for production of this account, with a view to publishing outputs duri…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reviewing the pre-release of access to statistics by Scottish Ministers, in light of the Office for National Statistics and the Bank of England no longer allowing this practice.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Pre-release access arrangements for Scottish Government Official Statistics are in compliance with the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice for Official Statistics and Scottish legislation (Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Order 2008…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the criteria to use emergency borrowing powers has been met and whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution plans to use this power.
Answer · Derek Mackay: No - the Scottish Government does not currently have access to the additional borrowing flexibilities provided in the Fiscal Framework. As these powers only took effect on 1 April 2017, four rolling quarters of GDP data after this date, which are part of the …
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the pilot scheme of the Best Start strategy at the Vale of Leven Community Maternity Unit is independently evaluated.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: A mechanism for evaluation of the package of recommendations that will be led by the Early Adopter Boards will be developed over the coming months by The Best Start Implementation Programme Board.
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the pilot scheme for the Best Start strategy will start at the Vale of Leven Community Maternity Unit and for how long it will run.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: 27 September and will begin planning for implementation. We expect that Early Adopter Boards will begin to implement the new model of care in late 2018. Learning from the Early Adopters will be shared to inform the roll out across Scotland.
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the birthing service will remain at the Vale of Leven Community Maternity Unit during the pilot scheme for the Best Start strategy.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: As an Early Adopter Board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be undertaking detailed planning for implementation of the recommendations in Clyde, and this will include consideration of services within the two Community Maternity Units in Inverclyde Royal Hos…
3 Oct 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to market the Vale of Leven Community Maternity Unit to a wider catchment area, specifically Clydebank.
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The decision on how to make most effective use of each maternity setting within an area is the responsibility of the NHS Board.
27 Sep 2017 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when waiting times for orthopaedic services in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be reduced.
Answer · Shona Robison: I recognise some patients are experience long waits, that is why I have made £50 million available to NHSScotland - with up to £11.2 million being made available to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This additional funding will build up their capacity and make s…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09857 by Keith Brown on 28 June 2017, what the value of each project was, and what the total value was each year.
Answer · Keith Brown: This is a matter for Scottish Development International. The information requested is not held centrally.
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10471 by Keith Brown on 25 August 2017, how many of the planned jobs were confirmed, and where these jobs were.
Answer · Keith Brown: This is a matter for Scottish Development International. The information requested is not held centrally.
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet last discussed full fiscal autonomy, and what work it has carried out regarding this issue in the last 12 months.
Answer · Derek Mackay: The September 2017 Programme for Government includes a commitment to “explore how responsibility for a broader range of taxes would enable the Scottish Parliament to take more balanced budget decisions, grow the economy and tackle poverty more effectively.” T…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), when its review of (a) sports club relief, (b) empty property relief and (c) reducing the Large Business Supplement will commence, and when it will announce …
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11499 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), how it will reform charity relief; when these reforms will be introduced, and how many current recipients will no longer be eligible.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11499 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), when it will introduce a general anti-avoidance rule for non-domestic rates.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), how many non-domestic rates overpayments have there been in each year since 1999 and what the average time has been to refund these, broken down by local aut…
Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The administrative processes in relation to non-domestic rates overpayments is entirely the responsibility of local authorities.
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), how it will ensure that local authorities refund overpayments to non-domestic ratepayers more quickly.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), when it will introduce a new civil penalty for the non-provision of information to local authorities by ratepayers.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), how it plans to provide better information regarding rates to ratepayers, and when this work will commence.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), on what date standardised rates bills will be introduced.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), how it will measure whether the assessors provide more transparency and consistency on non-domestic rates, and by what date the assessment will be completed.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), when it will publish the full list of the recipients of rates relief.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11502 on 23 October 2017. 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…
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), when it will publish its road map for the changes to the rating systems that it has agreed to.
Answer · Derek Mackay: 23 October 2017. 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/28877.aspx
25 Sep 2017 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution on 12 September 2017 (Official Report, c. 49), when the review of the Small Business Bonus Scheme will commence, and who will carry this out.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Further detail on this and the other Barclay review recommendations I confirmed were accepted in my statement to Parliament on 12 September 2017 will be published in an implementation plan by the end of this year.