Parliamentary questions
Pauline McNeill
2,364 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04743 by Mairi Gougeon on 11 November 2020, whether NatureScot has advised that the eggs of the critically endangered flapper skate, which have recently been found off the northwest coast of Scotland, should be safeguarded in a marine protected area.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: NatureScot has provided statutory conservation advice for a flapper skate nursey area identified in the Inner Sound highlighting that the habitat is of national importance. They recommended that the Scottish Government implements permanent spatial protection …
16 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04743 by Mairi Gougeon on 11 November 2020, what its position is on NatureScot's advice regarding the protection of the critically endangered flapper skate, which has recently been found off the northwest coast of Scotland.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: NatureScot has provided statutory conservation advice for a flapper skate nursery area identified in the Inner Sound. Scottish Ministers are currently considering what action should be taken to provide interim protection to the flapper skate nursery area and …
15 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether a security company has been contracted to work on the international quarantine policy, and, if so, (a) which company and (b) how much money it will receive from each person in hotel quarantine.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The UK Government has awarded a contract enabling the call-off of security services in respect of the managed isolation programme, including in Scotland. The company appointed through that contract to provide security services in Scotland is G4S. The costs of…
12 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government at what intervals its policy on quarantining for international arrivals will be reviewed.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We will keep these rules under regular review alongside the other international travel restrictions. Ministers must review the need for restrictions imposed under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 at least …
12 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has a planned end date to the current hotel-based quarantine rules.
Answer · Michael Matheson: New and comprehensive quarantine rules are essential to prevent new variants from entering the country and undermining the roll out of the vaccination programme. Restricting national and international travel allow us to lower the risk of new variants undermin…
12 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to support people with the financial costs of quarantining in a hotel.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We are actively working with the UK Government to ensure financial support can be provided to eligible travellers. The UK system that enables travellers to book managed isolation facilities and pay associated fees has been set up at pace and changes need to b…
12 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) recent discussions it has had and (b) discussions it plans to have with the UK Government regarding HS2.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I held discussions with the Minister of State for Transport on? 19 May 2020 and 20 September 2020 regarding HS2. Transport Scotland Officials and Department for Transport Officials are working in partnership with HS2 Ltd and Network Rail to identify further …
12 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the recent approval of the second phase, 2a, of HS2 and how this could benefit Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: This Scottish Government has not made any specific representations to the UK Government regarding the recent announcement that HS2 Phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe has gained Royal Assent. We have consistently supported HS2 and welcome the increased ben…
11 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been produced for GPs regarding the disposal or return of unused COVID-19 vaccines.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We have been clear we expect health boards to minimise wasted doses of vaccine, and have provided them with best practice advice on how to achieve this. Some wastage is unavoidable for a variety of reasons based on the characteristics of the vaccine, logisti…
11 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support small businesses that are ineligible for any COVID-19 business support funds.
Answer · Kate Forbes: We understand the concerns of businesses that are not eligible for the Strategic Framework Business Fund or other COVID-19 specific schemes. That is why we created and have increased the funding for the Local Authority Discretionary Fund to £120 million. It’s…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what process is in place to ensure that those who have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as a result of using left over supply will receive their follow up vaccination at the appropriate time.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Upon receiving the first vaccination patients will be given a reminder leaflet which will be issued with the date of their follow up appointment to receive their second dose. All vaccinations are held on an individual’s medical records.
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been carried out in order to refinance or enhance discretionary business funding via local authorities.
Answer · Kate Forbes: We have increased the Local Authority Discretionary Fund from? £30 million to £120 million.
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will update the public on progress with the COVID-19 vaccination programme on a recurring basis.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Data on COVID-19 and on our COVID-19 vaccination program is published weekly on the Scottish Government Website and is available here : Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . This is in addition to frequent televised br…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that a significant number of businesses remain unable to access government funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or have received limited support in the last 10 months.
Answer · Kate Forbes: We understand the concerns of businesses that are not eligible for the Strategic Framework Business Fund or other COVID-19 specific schemes. That is why we created and have increased the funding for the Local Authority Discretionary Fund to £120 million. It’s…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what scope there is to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has been very clear from day one that the pace of our national vaccine programme is dependent on vaccine supply and delivery timescales and we continue to work closely across the 4 nations to ensure this is as smooth as possible. The …
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the rationale is for the COVID-19 vaccination programme timetable, and what its response is to reports that members of some frontline groups, including police officers and firefighters, have not been given priority grouping.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Guidance in the planning of vaccine delivery. This evidence based guidance advises that the single greatest risk of mortality from COVID-19 is increasing age, and that …
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for the utilisation of left over COVID-19 vaccines.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We have been clear we expect health boards to minimise wasted doses of vaccine, and have provided them with best practice advice on how to achieve this. Some wastage is unavoidable for a variety of reasons based on the characteristics of the vaccine, logisti…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how (a) Public Health Scotland, (b) NHS boards and (c) other stakeholders will support people seeking asylum who are experiencing difficulty travelling to or accessing COVID-19 vaccination sites.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35137 on 5 March 2021. 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/2…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that all people who are seeking asylum, regardless of immigration or asylum support status, will have access to the COVID-19 vaccines.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35137 on 5 March 2021. 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/2…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions (a) Public Health Scotland, (b) NHS boards and (c) other stakeholders have had with accommodation providers to ensure access to the COVID-19 vaccines for people who are (i) refugees and (ii) seeking asylum.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is clear that everyone who is resident in Scotland is entitled to access health care. This includes people who are seeking asylum. Our goal is to ensure all adults in Scotland are included in this Covid-19 vaccination programme. We wil…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people who are (a) refugees and (b) seeking asylum are included in each COVID-19 vaccination priority group.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is clear that everyone who is resident in Scotland is entitled to access health care, this includes people who are seeking asylum. Our goal is to ensure all adults in Scotland are included in this Covid-19 vaccination programme. We are…
10 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures (a) Public Health Scotland, (b) NHS boards and (c) other stakeholders are taking to ensure that information promoting the COVID-19 vaccines is made available to people who are (i) refugees and (ii) seeking asylum and addresses fears caused by misinformation, and in what lan…
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35139 on 11 March 2021. 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/…
8 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it has met with trade unions to discuss the impact of its policies to tackle COVID-19.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Ministers across the Scottish Government have had a number of meetings with the trade unions relevant to their portfolios to consider and inform policies to tackle Covid 19, and its impact on workers and the wider economy and society. In addition to these, I …
8 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any meetings with the wider aviation industry to discuss the impact of its policies to tackle COVID-19.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35039 on 23 February 2021. 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…
8 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with airports in Scotland regarding the COVID-19 quarantine policy, and on what dates it has had meetings with representatives of these airports since the start of the pandemic.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Throughout this pandemic, the Scottish Government has had regular and extensive engagement with airports, airlines and aviation-related stakeholders on a wide range of matters, including quarantine.
8 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the new Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) takes effect on or before the signing of missives prior to registration on the land register.
Answer · Ivan McKee: As confirmed in Scottish Budget 2021-22, the ceiling of the nil rate band for residential Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) will return to £145,000 for transactions with an effective date from 1 April 2021. The effective date of a transaction is the …
5 Feb 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has about postponing or cancelling this year’s prelim exams, given the interruption to schooling since the start of the term in January 2021.
Answer · John Swinney: Since the announcement of the introduction of remote learning on 4 January, the National Qualifications 2021 Group, which draws its membership from the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, Colleges Scotland, Education Scotland, the Educational I…
18 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding has been given to mental health charities during the COVID-19 pandemic to help their services respond to any increase in demand.
Answer · Clare Haughey: The Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan published in October 2020 outlines the actions we are taking forward in response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19. Over £1.1 million additional funding has been made available directly to third sector men…
11 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it is aware of regarding the degree to which COVID-19 is spread by people who are asymptomatic, and how any such research has influenced its public health policies during the pandemic.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission of COVID-19 occurs, which is a challenge for suppressing the virus as there is a risk of individuals mixing with others, whilst not presenting symptoms. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the tra…
5 Jan 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comment by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs on 23 December 2020 regarding the £100 million fund for vulnerable communities (Official Report, c. 94) that he "would be happy to get Aileen Campbell, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities…
Answer · Aileen Campbell: The First Minister announced the Scottish Government's Winter Plan for Social Protection on 30 November 2020, comprising a £100 million package of measures to support people and communities over the winter period. A breakdown of investment was outlined by th…