Parliamentary questions
Sarah Boyack
2,373 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its (a) officials and (b) ministers raised any concerns with (i) Circularity Scotland, (ii) SEPA and (iii) Zero Waste Scotland regarding Biffa's role in the Deposit Return Scheme, following Biffa's acquisition by Energy Capital Partners on 27 January 2023.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Biffa were contracted by Circularity Scotland Ltd to provide logistics for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. This was a commercial arrangement between two private businesses - this is entirely appropriate for a scheme that has industry responsibility at its h…
22 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its £500 million strategic investment to help create thousands of green jobs and deliver the full economic potential of offshore renewables projects, as announced on 17 October 2023, whether it will propose the scheduling of time for a ministerial statement, or use other …
Answer · Gillian Martin: It is important that we take the time to work closely with industry, with investors and with our partners across the public and private sectors to ensure that we get our approach to this right. This process is already well-underway and we will update parliame…
22 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its £500 million strategic investment to help create thousands of green jobs and deliver the full economic potential of offshore renewables projects, as announced on 17 October 2023, is new investment or funding already committed in previous budgets.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I can confirm that this is new investment, not funding already committed in previous budgets. It will stimulate and support private investment in the infrastructure and manufacturing facilities which will be critical to the growth of a world-leading offshore …
22 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set any targets on the number of jobs to be created through the £500 million strategic investment to help create thousands of green jobs and deliver the full economic potential of offshore renewables projects, as announced on 17 October 2023.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Our aim is to maximise the number of green jobs and we are considering how we can best work collaboratively with the renewables sector to do that. The latest report from the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) [June 2023], predicted jobs in this sector in …
20 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when any revisions to its onshore wind carbon calculator will be published.
Answer · Neil Gray: In the Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2022, the Scottish Government committed to assess the operation of, and if necessary update or replace the carbon calculator. This work is currently ongoing and its outcomes will be published in due course.
20 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much peatland has been restored, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22335 on 7 November 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…
20 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much carbon has been emitted as (a) a direct and (b) an indirect result of development on peatland, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22335 on 7 November 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…
20 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what processes are in place to ensure the accuracy and reliability of data inputted into its onshore wind carbon calculator by a prospective developer.
Answer · Neil Gray: When an application for consent is received, the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) completes a data check in accordance with the relevant guidance. The carbon calculation is then published and available to view online. All applications submitted and received using …
20 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much peatland has been excavated, according to data within onshore wind applications consented to by the Energy Consents Unit, within the last 10 years.
Answer · Neil Gray: 95 wind applications have been consented by Scottish Ministers, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, in the last ten years. Effects on peatland (where relevant) are assessed on a case by case basis in accordance with current methodology and available…
17 Oct 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce retail crime.
4 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what preliminary work it has carried out on a circular economy strategy in advance of consideration of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Zero Waste Scotland reviewed existing legislation in Europe and beyond and the duty it places on governments to publish circular economy or similar strategies, which is available at the following link Insights into Statutory Obligations of Circular Economy S…
4 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what preliminary work it has carried out on circular economy targets in advance of consideration of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Preliminary work so far has focused on identifying and considering targets in other countries and initial proposals for a circular economy indicators framework. Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has published: - a review of target setting legislation across Europe …
4 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much money it anticipates will be made available to local authorities in Scotland as a result of extended producer responsibility for packaging contributions.
Answer · Lorna Slater: Under extended producer responsibility for packaging, local authorities will receive the full net cost of operating an efficient and effective collection service for household packaging waste, paid for by producers. This is estimated at £1.2bn per annum UK-wi…
4 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there have been any changes to ministerial responsibilities since 15 June 2023, and, if so, whether it will list the changes.
Answer · Shona Robison: The current lists of Ministerial responsibilities are provided on the Scottish Government website at Cabinet and Ministers - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . Where Ministers have recused themselves from an issue within their portfolio to avoid an actual or percei…
2 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether its Infrastructure Investment Plan is compatible with the emissions targets set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, in light of a reported breach of statutory duties identified by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland and Good Law Project.
Answer · Shona Robison: Scottish Ministers accept that the documentation published to date falls short of the requirements of Section 94A of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. Scottish Ministers are committed to complying fully with these requirements and are engaging with Envi…
29 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21471 by Neil Gray on 29 September 2023, whether it will provide a list of the 41 working groups that fall under the remit of the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio.
Answer · Neil Gray: The working groups that fall under the remit of the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio are: 1. A trading Nation Delivery Working Group 2. All Age Employability Steering Group 3. Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill steering Group 4. Constru…
27 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding funding to address the housing shortage resulting from population growth.
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which minister will have responsibility for its Green Industrial Strategy.
Answer · Neil Gray: Our Green Industrial Strategy will set out how the Scottish Government will help businesses and investors to realise the enormous economic opportunities of the global transition to net zero. I will lead the development of the strategy, supported by ministeria…
18 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill interacts with extended producer responsibility for packaging.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to transitioning to a zero waste and circular economy and is taking steps to do so within the legislative options available. The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill and extended producer responsibility for packaging are disti…
15 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many active working groups there are that fall under the remit of the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio.
Answer · Neil Gray: There are 41 active working groups that fall under the remit of the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio.
15 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many active working groups there are that fall under the remit of the Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands portfolio.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: There are currently a number of Scottish Government working groups that fall under the remit of Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (RALRI). The following non-exhaustive list includes currently active groups that would fall under RALRI portfolio and are ma…
15 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many active working groups there are that fall under the remit of the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Noting that Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition (TNZJT) is a significant portfolio, there are currently a number of Scottish Government working groups that fall under the remit of TNZJT. The following non-exhaustive list includes currently active groups t…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding a potential ban on disposable vapes and any requirements that may apply under the Internal Market Act 2020.
Answer · Lorna Slater: On 13 September 2023, at the initiation of the Scottish Government, Ministers and senior officials from across the UK met to discuss single use vapes. They discussed the available evidence, recognised shared challenges, and committed to work together on a ran…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding what the UK Government’s position would be regarding any legislation agreed to by the Scottish Parliament that would ban disposable vapes.
Answer · Lorna Slater: On 13 September 2023, at the initiation of the Scottish Government, Ministers and senior officials from across the UK met to discuss single use vapes. They discussed the available evidence, recognised shared challenges, and committed to work together on a ran…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding any implications for policy in Scotland, to reports that the UK Government could set out plans to ban disposable vapes as early as the week commencing 18 September 2023.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government’s 2023-24 Programme for Government, published on 5 September 2023, outlined our commitment to take action to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and to tackle the environmental impact of single use vapes, including consult…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on banning single-use vapes.
Answer · Lorna Slater: On 13 September 2023, at the initiation of the Scottish Government, Ministers and senior officials from across the UK met to discuss single use vapes. They discussed the available evidence, recognised shared challenges, and committed to work together on a ran…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its reported plans to amend the Energy Performance (EPC) system, what consideration it has given to how to deal with properties that are off grid, and whose EPC rating may change depending on gas costs, and whether any such properties will be penalised.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Earlier this year, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) wrote to the Scottish Government setting out a series of recommendations for the reform on EPCs, noting that the current energy efficiency rating on EPCs is a measure of energy costs, not energy efficiency…
12 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many houses are below the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C rating, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) provides estimates of the number of homes which have an EPC rating below band C. For figures at the local authority level the Scottish Government uses a three year pooled data set to ensure sufficient sample sizes. …
8 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20525 by Graeme Dey on 28 August 2023, on what date it received the review, and when it expects to publish the review alongside the recommendations.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Review of Purpose Built Student Accommodation has now concluded. The recommendations from the review are currently being considered by the Scottish Government. We will write to the group members on proposed next steps shortly.
5 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to those whose applications for energy efficiency grants and loans have been unsuccessful, including in relation to any future applications process, and advice for next steps.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Where an application to the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan scheme is unsuccessful, the applicant will be informed why they have been unsuccessful. Applicants have the right to appeal and can provide further information to help progress their applic…