Sandra White

14 Dec 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We are making excellent progress in extending access to superfast broadband across Scotland and remain on track to deliver 95% fibre coverage by the end of 2017. That progress is supported by findings from Ofcom's Connected Nations 2016 report which indicat…

7 Dec 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it provides to employers regarding apprenticeship accreditation.

15 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what training opportunities are available for people over the age of 25.

8 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the new UK Government benefit cap on people in Scotland.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government has serious concerns about the significant increase in the number of households affected by the benefit cap, a six fold increase on numbers affected by the previous cap. This is yet another cut from the UK Government which will impact …

20 Sep 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding tackling hate crime.

20 Jun 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that people with mental health issues are treated with the same dignity and respect as physically disabled people.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: For the 15% of total UK social security spending which will be devolved, we are absolutely determined that dignity and respect for people will guide everything we do in the Scottish social security system we will set up. We are working with organisations repr…

8 Jun 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce legislation regarding responsible parking on footways.

7 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employs, and how this compares with September 2006.

Answer · Shona Robison: Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high. As at March 2016, 34,198.1 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff were employed in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – a 3.1 per cent increase since September 2006.* *…

29 Feb 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what effect its proposed local tax reform will have on local authority finances.

Answer · Marco Biagi: Our package of local tax reforms will ensure local authorities continue to be properly funded while becoming more accountable.

18 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes Scotland’s festivals internationally.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government works closely with key delivery partners including Creative Scotland, VisitScotland, British Council Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh alongside individual festivals and cultural organisations to promote a collective international profi…

18 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many children have taken part each year in the Celtic Connections festival's education programme.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Celtic Connections have reported, based on their box-office figures, that since 1998 over 220,000 children from all over Scotland have benefited from the Celtic Connections education programme, attending free workshops, concerts and other events in an initiat…

18 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the value of the Celtic Connections festival is to the economy.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: An independently run economic impact study was undertaken on behalf of Celtic Connections in 2014 by research consultancy Culture Republic. The study, which conducted a programme of quantitative research using face-to-face administered interviews with festiva…

18 Jan 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided to the Celtic Connections festival in each year since 2011.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I support Celtic Connections and Showcase Scotland by regularly attending and speaking at their events where she is able to promote the aims and value of the festivals. Since 2011, Celtic Connections and Showcase Scotland have received funding from Creative…

18 Jan 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider exempting the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art from the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.

5 Jan 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Glasgow City Council and what issues were discussed.

Answer · Alex Neil: The First Minister met Councillor McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, on 9 December 2015 to discuss matters of mutual interest as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.

30 Nov 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government on the progress of the Scotland Bill.

23 Oct 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Air Accident Investigation Branch report into the helicopter crash at the Clutha Vaults, what steps it can take to bring closure for the families involved.

7 Sep 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Government's refugee taskforce.

20 Jul 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress each university has made since 2011 on increasing access to courses for students from each income decile.

Answer · Angela Constance: Income data is collected only for those students who apply for income assessed support and for this reason it is not possible to provide the data requested. However, as an alternative, it may be helpful to consider data published by the Scottish Funding Cou…

1 Jun 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about the welfare of people held at the Dungavel detention centre in light of recent protests held there.

17 Mar 2015 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is making good progress and, as members are aware, a major milestone will be reached in summer 2015 with the works at the Winchburgh Tunnel. This will however mean a change from usual operations on the route …

23 Feb 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed parking provision and transport links for staff and visitors at the new South Glasgow Hospitals.

19 Jan 2015 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor the pay of university principals.

5 Jan 2015 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on events following the bin lorry crash in George Square on 22 December 2014.

3 Nov 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the decision to hold a vote on the future of the European Arrest Warrant before 20 November could impact on justice in Scotland.

22 Sep 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how full fiscal autonomy would impact on its strategic planning for areas that fall under the Infrastructure, Investment and Cities portfolio.

15 Sep 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will have on the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government believes that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could deliver economic benefits for Scotland and has been engaging with the UK Government to maximise the benefits of TTIP for Scotland. Economic gains should not…

1 Aug 2014 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken regarding the situation in Gaza.

28 Jul 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to build on the success of the Commonwealth Games.

2 May 2014 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the benefits to Scotland’s education sector are of being part of the EU.