Parliamentary questions
Sarah Boyack
2,373 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on its aim for at least 124,000 homes to have low-carbon heating systems installed by 2026.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: As is laid out in our Heat in Buildings Strategy (published 7 October 2021), the 124,000 aim relates to zero emissions heating systems: “we want to see – as a minimum – zero emissions heat installations scale up to provide a total of at least 124,000 systems…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many low-carbon heating systems were installed in domestic properties in 2022.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: According to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme’s publicly-accessible MCS Data Dashboard, there were 5,326 MCS certified small-scale low-carbon heating system installations in 2022. The MCS figures come with the following caveats:For the purposes of an…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of climate change on local authority funding.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In 2023-24 local authorities will receive funding through the local government finance settlement of nearly £13.5 billion. Local authorities also have a range of revenue raising powers that are not available to other public services. The Scottish Government’…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met COSLA to discuss any impact of climate change on local authority finances.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Ministers will continue to meet COSLA and individual local authorities on a regular basis to cover a range of issues, including adaptation to the impact of climate change. The Scottish Government is committed to working with COSLA and SOLACE to agree a New D…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on identifying the skills required in sectors of the economy that are key to achieving net zero.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met COSLA to discuss any impact of climate change on local authority functions.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17263 on 4 May 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-committees/w…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any future funding requirement of local authorities for climate resilience.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17264 on 4 May 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-committees/w…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the construction sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the transport sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the consequences of climate change were factored into the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: NPF4 encourages, promotes and facilitates development that adapts to the current and future impacts of climate change so that our places are more resilient. Our response to climate change has shaped the long-term spatial strategy and national developments and…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met COSLA to discuss climate adaptation.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17263 on 4 May 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-committees/w…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the energy sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any green skills gap in each local authority area.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the manufacturing sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on extending its focus on net zero to include climate adaptation, as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Separate to establishing the legislative framework for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 also sets statutory requirements to produce a Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme (SCCAP) every five years. These…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the agricultural sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a Net Zero, Wellbeing economy and a highly skilled workforce is critical to this ambition. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation is clear that we must adapt our education and skills system to beco…
11 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15995 by Christina McKelvie on 11 April 2023, how many times the working group has met since 29 June 2022.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: As detailed in my reply to question S6W-15995, on 11 April 2023, the Ministerial Working Group met on 29 June 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https…
11 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15995 by Christina McKelvie on 11 April 2023, which minister will have lead responsibility for its proposed Wellbeing and Sustainability Bill.
Answer · Shona Robison: I will have lead responsibility for the proposed Wellbeing and Sustainability Bill.
11 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15995 by Christina McKelvie on 11 April 2023, when the working group will next meet.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The date of the next Working Group on PCSD meeting has yet to be set. We are looking to arrange the next meeting of the Working Group in Autumn 2023.
5 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the latest ministerial reshuffle, what the current membership is of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the Climate Emergency.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The membership of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the Climate Emergency comprises:Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition (Chair)Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for FinanceCabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and EnergyCabine…
5 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending its Inclusion Health Action in General Practice programme to include deprived communities outside of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Inclusion Health Action in General Practice is a new programme, which will be evaluated. In the first instance funding will be targeted to practices in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde due to it having the most widespread blanket deprivation in Scotland. 81 of t…
5 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to undertake a consultation on its Housing Bill prior to introduction, and, if so, when any such consultation will be launched.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The content of the Bill has not been finalised but the majority of the measures being considered for inclusion have already been subject to consultation. In late 2021, the New Deal for Tenants consultation was issued seeking views on a wide range of rented se…
5 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders it has met since January 2022 to discuss its plans to introduce the power for local authorities to implement a Transient Visitor Levy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Ministers and Scottish Government officials have discussed matters relating to the forthcoming Visitor Levy Bill with a wide range of stakeholders including the Association of Scotland's Self Caterers, UK Hospitality, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the B&B As…
5 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in providing the powers to local authorities to introduce a Transient Visitor Levy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: We will fulfil our commitment to introduce the Visitor Levy Bill in the current Parliamentary Year.
4 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Culture and Major Events Directorate has had with (a) ScotRail and (b) Transport Scotland, regarding planning for rail services during the Edinburgh festivals in 2023.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: There have been no recent discussions between the Scottish Government Culture and Major Events Directorate (a) ScotRail and (b) Transport Scotland. However Culture and Major Event Officials, along with relevant transport stakeholders, routinely take part in …
4 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the cost of living crisis on the Edinburgh festivals in 2023.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government recognises the profound impact the current cost crisis is having across Scotland. While we have had to make difficult choices to live within budgets, we have also listened to the concerns raised by the wider culture sector across Scot…
4 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13155 by Patrick Harvie on 10 January 2023, whether it will bring forward its proposed Housing Bill prior to the summer parliamentary recess.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: As per my answer to S6W-13155, the Government plans to introduce a new Housing Bill as soon as possible after the summer recess. The exact timing and scope of that Bill is currently subject to consideration as we continue to deliver our emergency response to …
31 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on what the (a) short- and (b) long-term impact will be of the reported pause to Scotland’s involvement in the Venice Biennale, in light of the exhibition's reported role in promoting Scottish arts and culture worldwide over the last 20 years.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government recognises the important international platform offered by the Venice Biennale to promote the best contemporary art and architecture from Scotland on the world stage. The decision by Creative Scotland and the other Scotland + Venice p…
31 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Cabinet meetings took place in 2022, and how many times the Lord Advocate attended such meetings.
Answer · Shona Robison: During 2022 Cabinet met 41 times. A Law Officer attended 27 of these meetings: the Lord Advocate on 18 occasions and the Solicitor General on behalf of the Lord Advocate on nine occasions.
30 Mar 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the First Minister's appointment, whether it plans to continue publishing its Building a New Scotland series.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Yes.