Questions · Pauline McNeill

25 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will offer to Scotland-based musicians to cover any additional costs of touring that they might face because of Brexit.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises the additional barriers that Scotland-based touring musicians are likely to face as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU, including the potential need for visas and work permits. We are working closely with the sector to co…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the approach by the SQA for pupil assessment gives teachers the appropriate freedom required to mark pupils fairly, in light of the situation and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The professional judgement of teachers is the key feature of this year’s National Qualifications assessment process. SQA has provided the key evidence requirements and associated national assessment standards that are critical to ensuring the fair and consist…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the SQA alternative assessment model programme is an exam diet.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: There is no externally assessed and marked examination diet this year. However, it is necessary for learners to be assessed to provide evidence to demonstrate their level of attainment and to allow teachers and lecturers to use their professional judgement to…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the SQA regarding the current assessment procedure.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The former Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills met with SQA on a number of occasions and I have had an early discussion with the SQA Chief Executive on matters relating to the delivery of SQA’s functions. The Scottish Government is a member of the Nat…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) the frequency of testing taking place in schools and (b) whether the volume of assessments set out by the SQA in a short period is a fair approach to assessing pupils grades, in light of the missed class time in the last year.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The National Qualifications 2021 Group was established in October 2020 with members from across the education system. The group is comprised of representatives of teachers, lecturers, learners and parents, working alongside Local Authorities, Scottish Qualifi…

18 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have not presented for their scheduled (a) first and (b) second scheduled COVID-19 vaccination.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We do not currently publish this information. The vaccination data published is subject to continual review, development and quality assurance. PHS are exploring the feasibility of publishing data on the number of people who have not attended their vaccine ap…

17 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been paid out from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund.

Answer · Shona Robison: As of 17 May 2021, the sum of £410,171.22 has been paid from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund. The total value of successful applications is £472,404.72, with the remaining funds in the process of being paid. This is part of a range of measures to support tenant…

17 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many tenants have received loans from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund.

Answer · Shona Robison: As of 17 May 2021, there have been 145 tenants that have received a loan from the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund and there are a further 27 successful applications that are in the process of being paid. This is part of a range of measures to support tenants.

22 Mar 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that local authorities with the highest deprivation rates are least likely to approve Self-Isolation Support Grant applications.

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the annual homelessness statistics before the pre-election campaign recess.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government has announced it will publish its annual 'Homelessness in Scotland: Update to 30th September 2020' statistical publication on 23 March 2021. This publication covers data for the period 1 April to 30 September 2020, alongside data from …

8 Mar 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister for what reason the Scottish Government has chosen not to extend the reduction to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax beyond March.

3 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35219 by Michael Matheson on 1 March 2021, what information it has on how much the UK Government pays for security for each person in hotel quarantine, and what this represents as a percentage of the overall cost of quarantine.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has not yet received details from the UK Government of the costs of security associated with the Managed Isolation programme, and therefore does not yet know what this represents as a percentage of the overall cost of quarantine. Howev…

3 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35154 by Mairi Gougeon on 2 March 2021, what flexibility COVID-19 vaccinators have regarding the disposal of unused doses before they become unsuitable for use, including vaccinating people who attend the centres on an unscheduled "walk-in" basis.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Guidance has been issued to boards on the correct process for managing waste. This was circulated to boards at the end of January. A contingency plan should be put in place to manage the risk when less vaccine than expected is used during a clinic. Examples …

3 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-35154 by Mairi Gougeon on 2 March 2021, whether its guidance for COVID-19 vaccinators is publicly available, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: A copy of the guidance at present is not online, but is currently being prepared for publication and will be available at: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) The guidance at present has been shared widely across programme and boar…

2 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether businesses offering mobile phone repairs and other similar businesses are eligible for COVID-19 business support funding, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Strategic Framework Business Fund offers grants only for businesses required to close by law, and grants for those businesses that remain open but are specifically required to modify their operations by law. Non-essential retail businesses are eligible fo…

25 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund, and how many of these have been unsuccessful.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: As at 1 March 2021 there have been 678 applications to the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund. Of these applications 243 have been unsuccessful, against a total of 113 successful applications. 5 applications were ineligible for support (three no longer in the propert…

24 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government extending the Stamp Duty holiday until July 2021, what plans it has to take similar action regarding the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT).

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance confirmed in the Scottish Budget 21-22 that the ceiling of the nil rate band for residential property transactions will return, as planned, to £145,000 for transactions with an effective date from 1 April 2021.