Rhoda Grant

21 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Scottish Land Fund has remained unspent at the end of each of the last five financial years.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) has had a budget of £10 million per annum over the last five financial years - being a total of £50m. The programme is managed so as to achieve an annual outturn figure that is as near as possible to budget in each financial year…

21 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications to the Scottish Land Fund have been rejected in each of the last five financial years.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Land Fund supports urban and rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets. It has a two-stage application process. At Stage 1 groups are asked for basic information about…

21 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made to the Scottish Land Fund in each of the last five financial years.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Land Fund supports urban and rural communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets. It has a two-stage application process. At Stage 1 groups are asked for basic information about…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reports that land is being marketed for purchase for its potential for climate mitigation and access to public subsidies, whether it will consider a strategic intervention in land markets, in order to secure land for transfer to communities.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The way in which land is owned, managed and used is centrally important to many of our national priorities, especially in meeting the twin challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises and supporting thriving communities and a green recovery. Everyone has…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers current land ownership patterns to be socially and economically just.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government has made significant progress in addressing injustices in land ownership, specifically through the 2016 Land Reform Act. However, we recognise that there is more to do and are committed to land reform on an ongoing basis. As set out in…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that increased community ownership of land and other assets will increase community wealth, and if so, how it considers that this will be achieved.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We are committed to community wealth building in Scotland that will help deliver a stronger, more resilient and sustainable wellbeing economy. One of the five pillars of community wealth building is the socially productive use of land and property which cons…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that increasing the Scottish Land Fund significantly in the early years of the current parliamentary session will be the most effective way of ensuring that communities can compete for the ownership of land, given that there is an increasing number of wealthy private…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We are committed to increasing the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) to £20m by the end of this parliament and the profile for this is currently being considered as part of the ongoing budget. The SLF provides important support to communities and between 2016 and 202…

22 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will carry out a consultation on its proposed Land Reform Bill.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We are committed to a further Land Reform Bill in this Parliament and a full and comprehensive public consultation will be run prior to its introduction in order to allow key stakeholders and the public an opportunity to provide their views. We are beginning …

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a dedicated freight vessel on the Stornoway-Ullapool route.

Answer · Graeme Dey: As I have confirmed to Parliament, I am open to constructive and viable suggestions for improving matters and we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage to increase resilience across the network. Chartering an additional freigh…

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on the causes of the MV Loch Seaforth's withdrawal from service, and whether it is satisfied that all of the measures recommended by the vessel's builders were undertaken during its annual maintenance.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The breakdown on the MV Loch Seaforth caused unacceptable disruption for our island communities. It is imperative the causes of that breakdown are understood and lessons properly learned so that we avoid this situation arising again in future. The cause of th…

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on its plans to (a) charter or (b) purchase one or more vessels to support the existing Caledonian MacBrayne fleet.

Answer · Graeme Dey: In relation to short term issues, we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage, including consideration of the suitability of the MV Pentalina and looking at other credible, affordable and viable options to improve resilience.

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on the costs incurred as a result of the MV Loch Seaforth's engine failure, and where the responsibility for this sits.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The cause of the breakdown remains subject to ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until that investigation is complete.  

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet with representatives of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss (a) short-term and (b) medium-term proposals for the improvement of ferry services (i) to, (ii) from and (ii) within the Western Isles.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland (TS) and the Scottish Government Islands Team meet regularly with elected members and officers of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss a range of ferries issues including future planning and have also engaged on the Comhairle's Local Transp…

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on the state of the two vessels currently under construction at the Ferguson Marine yard; the projected dates of completion, and the projected costs involved.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Tim Hair, Turnaround Director of Ferguson Marine, updated the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee on the delivery timetable and budget for vessels 801 and 802 in March 2021. The next of the regular quarterly updates on progress, as requested by the commi…

19 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when phase 3 of the Connecting Scotland programme will open for applications for (a) laptops, (b) devices and (c) training. 

Answer · Kate Forbes: Phase 3 of Connecting Scotland will launch on Monday 7 June 2021.

19 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many households have received (a) a device, (b) data and (c) training, as part of its commitment to provide support to 60,000 households by the end of 2021, as part of its Connecting Scotland programme.

Answer · Kate Forbes: As of 13 May 2021, 36,064 devices and 32,332 data packages have been provided. All Connecting Scotland customers have access to training and support. Interim results from our follow-up survey indicate that around half of Connecting Scotland customers found th…

19 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £48 million budget for the Connecting Scotland programme has been allocated to provide (a) devices, (b) data and (c) training to 60,000 households.

Answer · Kate Forbes: A total of £48 million has been committed to reach the target of 60,000 households. The proportion allocated to each is: (a) devices – 36% (b) data – 54% (c) training and support – 6%

19 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria for successful applications to phase 3 of the Connecting Scotland programme will be.

Answer · Kate Forbes: In the next phase, Connecting Scotland will provide any or all of device, internet connection and package of support to those who are:digitally excluded – do not have an appropriate device and/or are not connected to the internet at home; andon low incomes so…

19 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how phase 3 of the Connecting Scotland programme, to provide laptops, data, and training will be administered; how much money has been allocated to phase 3, and how many (a) devices, (b) data, (c) training sessions will be available in this phase.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Connecting Scotland is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). SCVO set up and manage the application, assessment, contracting and distribution of devices. Local authorities assess applications from public and th…

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, what powers it has to ensure that the community in East Lochaber and Laggan can acquire the land on the site of the former Alcan Estate and the Smelter, which is owned by the GFG Alliance.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government’s Community Land Team has provided detailed advice and guidance to the East Lochaber and Laggan Community Trust (ELLCT) regarding a possible community right to buy application over the land asset owned by the GFG Alliance. However the …

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it estimates Scottish Water will require to add to its annually planned investment spending in (a) 2021-22 and (b) in any subsequent year to utilise (i) investment that it has been unable to undertake in 2020-21 and (ii) any remaining investment that it has not utilised from any…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Water sets out its plans for investment each year in its Delivery Plan. Its Delivery Plan for 2021-22 and 2022-23 is currently being prepared and will be published when it is finalised in April 2021.  

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the assumed level of investment is that Scottish Water will make in each year from 2021-22 to 2026-27 arising from the agreement by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland of the final determination of charges for 2021-22 to 2026-27.    

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Final Determination of charges for 2021-22 to 2026-27 by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland set out that over that period it would enable Scottish Water to invest £4.5bn (in 2017-18 prices). As referred to in the answer to S5W-36064 on 18 March 20…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on target to meet its 2032 emissions targets.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is fully committed to meeting the world-leading emissions reduction targets set in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. Our update to the 2018 Climate Change Plan, published in December 2020, articulate…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many electric car charging points there are in the Highlands and Islands, and how many will be required by 2032 to meet its emissions targets.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Within the Highlands and Islands area there are currently 129 electric vehicle charge points on the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) network, which has been developed by Scottish Government, the majority of these are publicly available. However, it is worth noting …

9 Mar 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect jobs in the Highlands and Islands.

26 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long after a preferred new corridor for the Rest and Be Thankful has been agreed and announced, a full timetable for the replacement of the Rest and Be Thankful will be published.

Answer · Michael Matheson: As with all projects, we must ensure that we follow the correct statutory process to ensure a fair and transparent assessment of options and impacts on local communities and road users. The full timetable for the project will evolve as we go through the asses…

26 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date in Spring 2021 a new corridor for the Rest and Be Thankful will be agreed and announced.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The necessary design and assessment work is well underway to identify an alternative to the current A83 route and find a long-term solution to the challenges created by the Rest and Be Thankful section of the road. We anticipate announcing a preferred corrido…

26 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further temporary measures will be put in place to sustain the current Old Military Road and the Rest and Be Thankful while the replacement of the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is being agreed and built.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring continuity of access to the Argyll and Bute region. We have committed to progressing a long term solution to landslide risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful and an announcement on a preferred corridor is d…

25 Feb 2021 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what measures have been put in place to allow Members and their staff to pack up their offices before the election recess.

Answer · David Stewart MSP (on behalf of the SPCB): In responding to the Covid Pandemic, we have put in place a range of measures to keep Holyrood safe.  This includes reducing how often and how many Members and staff are at Holyrood.   Special arrangements have been put in place to allow Members and t…

25 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, whether the daily COVID-19 figures for The Highland Council area are combined with those for the Argyll and Bute Council area; what the reasons are for its position on this matter, and what its position is on whether it would be more informative and reassuring to people in both council …

Answer · Jeane Freeman: It is important that people can access COVID-19 data about their local area, and the Scottish Government aims to make data open and accessible wherever possible. On the Public Health Scotland COVID-19 dashboard, all data apart from hospital and ICU admission…