Sarah Boyack

17 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any consultation has taken place regarding increasing the connectivity between Ayr and Stranraer railway stations and the Cairnryan ferry terminal, for the purposes of increasing passenger traffic on journeys between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Significant public consultation and stakeholder engagement was undertaken as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), published in December 2022. STPR2 will inform the Scottish Government’s transport investment programme in Scotland o…

17 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Transport Scotland and (b) ScotRail Holdings has entered negotiations with Stena Line on increasing the availability of "Rail and Sail" tickets between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail and Stena Line. ScotRail advises that it regularly meets with Stena Line to review potential service changes and ensure tickets are available on rail retail systems. Details of these tickets can be found via Rail & …

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the cost of decarbonising all local authority buildings.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Regular engagement takes place with the COSLA Environment and Economy policy board. Most recently this included presenting a paper to the board on 23 June providing an update on local authorities progress with their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies…

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of it decarbonising all of its buildings.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As stated in response to S6W-19919, S6W-19920, S6W-19921, S6W-19922 and S6W-19923 on 9 August 2023, the 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy estimates the cost of decarbonising Scotland’s buildings at £33 billion. Costs will be dependent on the route taken to dec…

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to local authorities of decarbonising all of their buildings.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As stated in response to S6W-19919 on 9 August 2023, the 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy estimates the cost of decarbonising Scotland’s buildings at £33 billion. We will work in partnership with the wider public sector to build on Local Heat and Energy Effici…

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to NHS boards of decarbonising all of their buildings.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As stated in response to S6W-19919 and S6W-19920 on 9 August 2023, the 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy estimates the cost of decarbonising Scotland’s buildings at £33 billion. The cost of decarbonising the NHS will vary amongst individual Health Boards and t…

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost of decarbonising all of Scotland's schools, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy estimates the cost of decarbonising Scotland’s buildings at £33 billion. Costs will be dependent on the route taken to decarbonising buildings, including whether they connect to a heat network or install individual heating…

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to universities of decarbonising all of their buildings.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As stated in response to S6W-19919, S6W-19920 and S6W-19921 on 9 August 2023, the estimated cost of decarbonising Scotland’s buildings is ? £33 billion. While universities are autonomous institutions, with responsibility for their own estate, provision and ma…

12 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost to all arm's length external organisations of decarbonising all of their buildings.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As stated in response to S6W-19919, S6W-19920, S6W-19921 and S6W-19922 on 9 August 2023, the 2021 Heat in Buildings Strategy estimates the cost of decarbonising Scotland’s buildings at £33 billion. We will work in partnership with the wider public sector to f…

11 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the opinion of Lord Young, following a hearing at the Court of Session, that Circularity Scotland acted unlawfully in setting the return handling fee for the Deposit Return Scheme.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The judicial review was brought against Circularity Scotland, which is a private, non-profit entity, created by industry to act as the scheme administrator for DRS. The Scottish Government was not involved in the proceedings. The court has found that CSL wro…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many public–private partnerships are in place to develop and deliver district heat networks across Scotland.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: This is a matter for individual private and public organisations as the Scottish Government is not part of any public-private partnerships directly developing heat networks in Scotland. Other public bodies may be part of public-private heat network delivery p…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £300 million provided for Scotland's Heat Network Fund, which opened in February 2022, has been allocated to projects.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Heat Networks are large scale infrastructure projects requiring multiple years of development before reaching capital readiness and beginning construction. Therefore, we have committed multi-year funding though Scotland’s Heat Network Fund (SHNF) which makes …

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government in the last year regarding the UK’s progress towards achieving the 2030 gas emissions targets.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government regularly discusses net zero policy and progress towards targets with the UK Government. The primary vehicle for our engagement with the UK Government is the Net Zero Inter-ministerial Group (IMG), which meets regularly and involves al…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it is taking to address any green skills shortages, in light of reported concerns that not doing so will undermine Scotland’s and the UK’s progress towards a green economy.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Nearly every sector of the economy, from finance to chemistry to engineering, has a vital role to play as we transition to a net zero economy. This is why green skills are central to the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. In…

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work with the UK Government to deliver the zero emission vehicle mandate.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The consultation on the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate and CO2 regulations for new cars and vans closed on 24 May 2023. The UK and devolved governments are currently analysing the responses to the consultation ahead of the publication of a response from all f…

30 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how many businesses may be affected by Circularity Scotland going into administration.

Answer · Lorna Slater: As part of deposit return scheme governance, the Scottish Government meets regularly with businesses stakeholder across the producer, wholesaler, retailer and hospitality sectors. Many of these businesses have told us that, because of the 11th hour decision b…

30 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide support for any businesses, including contractors and suppliers of Circularity Scotland, that are experiencing financial loss as a result of the company going into administration.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The imposition of unworkable conditions, including the removal of glass, at the 11th hour by the UK government meant that we had no choice but to delay Scotland’s Deposit Return scheme. Administrators (Interpath) were appointed on 21 June, and are currently …

30 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met with the administrators appointed to oversee Circularity Scotland.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Officials from the Scottish Government met with the administrators of Circularity Scotland on 23 June 2023 and also on 3 July.

30 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met with any businesses that have been financially impacted as a result of Circularity Scotland going into administration.

Answer · Lorna Slater: As part of deposit return scheme governance, the Scottish Government meets with a range of stakeholders via the Ministerial Assurance Group, Executive Oversight Group and Producer, Retailer and Hospitality Sectoral Groups. Many of these businesses have told u…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was first informed that Circularity Scotland was going into administration.  

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government was first informed that Circularity Scotland was likely to go into administration late on 19 June 2023 and was formally told that they were appointing administrators on 20 June 2023. The administrators confirmed they had been appointed…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date Circularity Scotland informed Scottish Enterprise that it was at risk of going into administration.  

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is not aware on which specific date Circularity Scotland first informed Scottish Enterprise that it was at risk of going in to administration.

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) ministers and (b) officials met with Circularity Scotland in (i) April, (ii) May and (iii) June 2023, and, if so, what was discussed at these meetings.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Ministers and officials did meet with Circularity Scotland in April, May and June. A range of issues were discussed at these meetings including matters relating to operational aspects of the Deposit Return Scheme, milestones and planning, and the impacts of t…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was first informed by Circularity Scotland that it had financial challenges.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland informed the Scottish Government in March 2023 that a substantial delay to the scheme would pose significant financial challenges for them. This issue was highlighted to the UK Government via a letter to the Prime Minister which urged the…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (c) South of Scotland Enterprise has awarded any funding or grants to Circularity Scotland.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The respective Enterprise Agencies are best placed to answer this question. This question should be directed to them.    

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date (a) SEPA and (b) Zero Waste Scotland was informed that Circularity Scotland was going into administration.

Answer · Lorna Slater: SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland were informed that Circularity Scotland was going in to administration on 20 June 2023.

19 Jun 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, when it and its agencies were informed of Circularity Scotland's financial position, including the company's reported need to send staff home.

15 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much expenditure Circularity Scotland incurred during the financial year 2022-23.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland Limited is a private not for profit company set up by industry. As an independent private company, it is not required to report to the Scottish Government. Therefore the Scottish Government does not hold any information on expenditure inc…

15 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much expenditure Circularity Scotland incurred for day-to-day expenditure in (a) May and (b) April 2023.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland Limited is a private not for profit company set up by industry. As an independent private company, it is not required to report to the Scottish Government. Therefore the Scottish Government does not hold any information on day-to-day expe…

15 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, whether it has undertaken any planning for a situation where Circularity Scotland would have a year-end deficit.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Circularity Scotland Limited is a private not for profit company set up by industry. As an independent private company, it is not required to report to the Scottish Government and is responsible for its own financial planning. Therefore the Scottish Governmen…

15 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, whether it has carried out contingency planning for a situation where Circularity Scotland would cease trading.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government assesses and monitors a range of risks relating to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland and takes appropriate action. Circularity Scotland is now in administration and the Scottish Government is considering the next s…