Sandra White

6 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the organiser of the Celtic Connections festival has sought advice or support from it regarding any difficulties faced by foreign artists coming to Scotland since the EU membership referendum.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government supports cultural organisations facing difficulties around EU exit, and supports non-UK artists coming to Scotland to participate in our international festivals. The Scottish Government has longstanding concerns with the UK Government’…

6 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the economic impact is of the Celtic Connections festival on (a) Glasgow and (b) the rest of Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The most recent Celtic Connections Economic Impact Assessment was carried out by Tourism Resources Company for Glasgow Life and published in August 2019. The report showed that Celtic Connections generated over £3.75m of net direct expenditure to Glasgow and …

6 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it provides to the Celtic Connections festival.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Celtic Connections is a recipient of Creative Scotland’s Regular Funded Organisations (RFO) funding, where it has received £550,000 every three years since 2015. Prior to that between 2012-2015 they were awarded a total of £510,000 from the former Scottish Ar…

17 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of SEPA, and what issues were discussed.

3 Oct 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with families of paediatric cancer patients affected by the infection outbreaks at the Royal Hospital for Children and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: On Saturday 28 September and Tuesday 1 October 2019 I met with a number of families of paediatric cancer patients, and some young patients themselves who have been treated at the Royal Hospital for Children and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. I was able …

23 Sep 2019 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will offer to staff and customers of Thomas Cook, in light of the company ceasing trading.

17 Sep 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on there being a requirement for a two-thirds majority in any future independence referendum.

11 Sep 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has had from the UK Government regarding the policing of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow in 2020.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government is pleased that Glasgow has been confirmed as the host city of COP26, given its excellent reputation, strong global presence and ambitious plans for climate change. The Scottish Government is working closely with the United Kingdom Go…

12 Jun 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to address the housing needs of older people.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: This Government champions independent living for older people within their community. Living in the right home with the right support can be the key to enabling people to live safely and independently at home. Last year, in partnership with COSLA, we launched…

5 Jun 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of FirstGroup.

23 Apr 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Electoral Commission regarding encouraging EU citizens living in Scotland to register to vote in the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

2 Apr 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of its older people’s framework.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: Today the Scottish Government published A Fairer Scotland for Older People – A Framework for Action:www.gov.scot/isbn/9781787815438 This Framework identifies the issues that older people have told us are key to ensuring they are healthy, happy and secure in…

26 Mar 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the DWP regarding progress with changing the state pension age for women in Scotland born in the 1950s.

7 Mar 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of its Gender Pay Gap Action Plan.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Later today, the Scottish Government will publish A Fairer Scotland for Women: Gender Pay Gap Action Plan. Our action plan outlines the cross Government approach and sets out the steps we will take in partnership with our stakeholders, to tackle the causes o…

6 Mar 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the DWP regarding progress on changes to the state pension age for women born in the 1950s.

21 Feb 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Health Protection Scotland has concluded its investigation into the water contamination issue at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which was originally identified on 29 January 2018.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Health Protection Scotland has now completed its investigation at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital regarding the water contamination issue and, following the commitment made to Parliament last year, I am now making the report available: www.gov.scot/p…

4 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the Celtic Connections festival.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Celtic Connections received £100,000 of funding from the Scottish Government Festivals EXPO fund in 2019, to support a series of concerts entitled ‘ Above the Surface ’ which featured music from a new generation of musicians. Celtic Connections has also rece…

4 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the 2019 Celtic Connections festival.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The most recent Celtic Connections Economic Impact Assessment, was carried out by EKOS Limited for Glasgow Life and published in June 2016. The report showed the following results:Celtic Connections 2016 generated expenditure of £5,537,195 from visitors from …

22 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis the culture secretary has carried out regarding the impact of Brexit on the arts and creative sector in Scotland.

16 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the Transport (Scotland) Bill.

8 Jan 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve air quality in urban areas.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy sets out a series of actions for Government, Transport Scotland, local authorities and others to further reduce air pollution across Scotland. Financial and other support is provided to local authorities to assist them wi…

18 Dec 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how a no deal Brexit could impact on Scotland's economy.

18 Dec 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further relief and support it will provide to businesses affected by the recent Glasgow School of Art fire.

Answer · Derek Mackay: In July 2018 I announced a Recovery Fund of up to £5m available to businesses affected by the fires at Glasgow School of Art and near Victoria's Nightclub. A total of 200 businesses have already received more than £3m from this Fund, providing much-needed rel…

11 Dec 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to enable local authorities to have the power to review local development plans.

28 Nov 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities regarding flexibility in the provision of funded childcare at nurseries.

2 Nov 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the development and publication of educational resources on Israel-Palestine.

Answer · John Swinney: The development of educational resources on Israel/Palestine began in 2015. Following a much publicised incident involving a primary school homework exercise, a working group was established to scope out appropriate education materials dealing with the confli…

24 Oct 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives from the Home Office to discuss the resources that Scotland's local authorities require to support asylum seekers.  

26 Sep 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the reported list of flags that it could be a criminal offence to fly.

18 Jun 2018 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with relevant bodies regarding the recent fire and ongoing situation at the Glasgow School of Art.

4 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the people of Palestine through its International Development Fund.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government’s new International Development Strategy, published in 2016, focuses our work on four partner countries with which we have strong historic and contemporary links to ensure our £10 million International Development Fund has the greatest…