Sarah Boyack

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to putting in place further discounts for students to access public transport.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government provides the most generous concessionary fare scheme in the UK, investing £300 million annually to provide free bus travel for over 2 million people. Over 2.3 million people, including everyone under 22 and aged 60 and over and eligibl…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has put in place for student housing cooperatives.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has no role in the provision of student accommodation, whether in purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and university and college halls of residence, the private rented sector or student housing cooperatives. However, we are dete…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on increasing the (a) number and (b) capacity of student housing cooperatives.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14431 on 9 February 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…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has in place to (a) monitor and (b) record how many students are homeless in the (i) higher and (ii) further education sector.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14430 on 9 February 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…

25 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many students faced homelessness at some point in 2022, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. While the Scottish Government does collect statistics on homelessness, these do not include specific information relating to student homelessness. A full review of the homelessness data collections aime…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to proposals from Midlothian Council to remove free musical instrument lessons for some pupils.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government remains committed to the removal of fees associated with instrumental music tuition so income is not a barrier to children and young people taking up an instrument. Access to instrumental music tuition is for local authorities to deter…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholders it has met to discuss the Bute House Agreement commitment to require home and building upgrades at the point of sale, change of tenancy, and refurbishment to meet a standard equivalent to EPC C, on a mandatory basis from 2025, and on what date it met each stakeholder.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: As committed to in this year’s Programme for Government, the Scottish Government will consult in detail on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill in the coming year. This consultation will seek views on proposals on how homes might be required to meet at leas…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment made in the Bute House Agreement, what progress is being made to require home and building upgrades at the point of sale, change of tenancy, and refurbishment to meet a standard equivalent to EPC C, on a mandatory basis from 2025.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Since the Bute House Agreement was signed in August 2021, the Scottish Government has been developing a range of proposals to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard equivalent to EPC C. This standard will be introduced in 2025 subject to Parliament pa…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to consult on the Bute House Agreement commitment to require home and building upgrades at the point of sale, change of tenancy, and refurbishment to meet a standard equivalent to EPC C, on a mandatory basis from 2025.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government committed in this year’s Programme for Government to consult in the coming year on our proposals for the Heat in Buildings Bill. This consultation will include details on how we plan to phase in a minimum energy efficiency standard a…

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support and advice it will provide to households and buildings in conservation areas to comply with the Bute House Agreement commitment to require home and building upgrades at the point of sale, change of tenancy, and refurbishment to meet a standard equivalent to EPC C, on a manda…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising Scotland’s historic buildings, while recognising the special characteristics of our buildings and places. As set out in our Heat in Buildings Strategy, the Scottish Government is working with Historic Envi…

23 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to make a decision on whether to establish a public inquiry into the 2014 and 2018 Glasgow School of Art fires, in light of the correspondence with the Scottish Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, in 2022, and the reported ongoing co…

Answer · Angus Robertson: Careful consideration is being given to the call for a public inquiry, and the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs will respond to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s correspondence on this matter in due …

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of its data reconciliation project, as outlined in its publication, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: statistics – December 2022.

Answer · Neil Gray: In November the Scottish Government began a data reconciliation project with the aim of gathering detailed case-level updates on the progress and outcomes of property checks by Local Authorities for the Expressions of Interest from volunteer hosts. This data …

19 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next publish statistics in relation to the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland.

Answer · Neil Gray: The next Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: Statistics – January 2023 experimental statistics publication was released at 9:30am on 26 January. Scottish Government publishes a list of forthcoming publications which is updated weekly, and is available her…

18 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which routes will not see peak fare rail prices removed as part of the trial from April 2023.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14172 on 31 January 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…

18 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which routes will see peak fare rail prices removed as part of the trial from April 2023.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The rail peak-fares pilot will apply to the whole Scottish rail network for a six month period, during the next financial year. Work on the precise methodology and design is underway with Transport Scotland officials working closely with Scottish Rail Holdin…

12 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13629 by Neil Gray on 12 January 2023, when it expects to provide the update mentioned in the response, and whether this will be by the end of January 2023.

Answer · Neil Gray: An update on the Expressions of Interest data reconciliation project is planned to be published by the end of February 2023.  

11 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what key performance indicators it has in place for its international offices.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government’s international offices use five shared strategic objectives to inform the activity and evaluation of their work. These are: Scotland's international reputation is improved;Scottish businesses are trading internationally more effective…

2 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it reportedly published less information in its publication, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: statistics, in December 2022 compared with previous months.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme in Scotland: statistics, in December 2022, explains that the Scottish Government are currently conducting a data reconciliation project to gather updates on the checking, matching and availability statuses of expressions of inte…

28 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to monitor and evaluate its eight international offices and Scotland House, London.

Answer · Angus Robertson: Each Scottish Government international office submits a monitoring and evaluation report every financial year. Offices use a range of both qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure their performance; monitor their effectiveness; ensure they are achie…

28 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether relevant stakeholders, including PLACE and community councils, were consulted before it took the decision to delay the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.

Answer · Shona Robison: We are not delaying the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing. Licensing schemes opened in October 2022, and new hosts must now apply for, and obtain, a licence before accepting bookings or receiving guests. Local authorities continue to recei…

28 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it is delaying the implementation of commercial short-term let licensing by six months.

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13624 on? 20 January 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-commit…

30 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress had been made regarding the reform of the Traffic Regulation Orders system.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Amended Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) regulations were introduced in November 2021 for use by all Road Authorities to help tackle the main issues that had been raised by the TRO Review Group. The Scottish Government continues to engage with a …

23 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of all international trips taken by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture since his appointment up until 31 December 2021, and what the cost was of each flight for him and any accompanying staff for each trip.

Answer · Angus Robertson: Ministerial engagements and expenses, including those for overseas travel, are proactively published by the Scottish Government. This can be accessed via the Scottish Government website . I made no international trips as a Minister between my appointment i…

23 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of all international trips taken by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture since 1 January 2022, and what the cost was of each flight for him and any accompanying staff for each trip.

Answer · Angus Robertson: Ministerial engagements and expenses, including those for overseas travel, are proactively published by the Scottish Government three months in arrears in line with the Ministerial Code. This can be accessed via the Scottish Government website . Travelling…

23 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the minutes of the New Scots Core Group’s (a) July 2022 meeting and (b) (i) January and (ii) February 2022 workshop.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The New Scots refugee integration strategy is built on partnership and collaboration, led by the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Scottish Refugee Council, and involves a wide range of partners across different sectors. The New Scots Core Group brings toge…

23 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) working groups and (b) advisory groups there currently are within the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture portfolio, and whether it will provide a list of these groups.

Answer · Angus Robertson: There are currently three working groups, nine advisory groups and one that is both a working and advisory group within the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture portfolio. These are as follows: ? Working Groups ? • Public Interest Journalism Working G…

21 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on implementing the recommendations of the National Review of Care Allowances.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government continues to work closely with COSLA to find a way forward on the introduction of a Scottish Recommended Allowance for foster and kinship carers. This will improve consistency and transparency for looked-after children, their families…

21 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since the recommendations were made by the National Review of Care Allowances Group.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government continues to work closely with COSLA to find a way forward on the introduction of a Scottish Recommended Allowance for foster and kinship carers.    

21 Nov 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that refugees from Ukraine have suitable accommodation on arrival in Scotland.

15 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11932 by Neil Gray on 15 November 2022, for what reason it will not publish a breakdown of the allocations made.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government will publish a breakdown of the 11.2 million committed to local government to increase the capacity of local resettlement teams, support refurbishment of properties and support integration work, once payments to all local authorities a…