Sarah Boyack

28 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-20007 and S6W-20008 by Fiona Hyslop on 14 August 2023, whether ScotRail considers (a) climate and sustainability objectives and (b) the potential for greater modal shift when making operational decisions about service patterns and potential consum…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The Member may wish to contact ScotRail directly.

28 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), what action it has taken to (a) progress recommendation 40, which recommended improving access to Stranraer and ports at Cairnryan and (b) encourage greater use of public transport.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: STPR2 is a long term framework for investment in transport infrastructure, which will drive decision making for Scotland’s strategic transport system.Recommendation 40 notes that safety, resilience and reliability improvements are made on both the A75 a…

26 Nov 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to increase access to diabetes tech for patients in NHS Lothian.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing access to diabetes technologies. We have provided significant investment to all NHS boards and this year alone will support over 2000 people to receive hybrid closed loop systems. This funding from the Scotti…

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it measures social value in determining planning consent for energy projects.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Applications relating to the construction and/or operation of a generating station which may require section 36 consent, are considered on a case-by-case basis in line with legislation, which includes the Electricity Act 1989, and in some cases, the Electrici…

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it can ensure that pumped storage hydro schemes (a) maximise power generation and (b) minimise water usage, and whether it would prioritise the most water-efficient schemes.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Large-scale, long-duration electricity storage, such as pumped hydro storage, will play a critical role in lessening our dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation, supporting our net zero ambitions.It will help to maximise our significant renewabl…

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it prioritises any wider system benefits, including the level of affordable community benefits, of onshore renewable projects when assessing planning applications.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Applications relating to the construction and/or operation of a generating station which may require section 36 consent, must be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with any applicable legislation, which includes the Electricity Act 1989, and in some c…

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of consideration it gives to hydraulic head height when determining planning consent for pumped storage hydro projects.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The assessment of any impacts of a proposal, relating to the construction and/or operation of a generating station which may require section 36 consent, must be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with legislation, which includes the Electricity Act 19…

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that communities can benefit from pumped storage hydro projects.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Through our Good Practice Principles for Onshore Developments, the Scottish Government continues to encourage developers to offer community benefits as standard on all renewable energy projects. This includes pumped storage hydro projects, and we welcome the …

20 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it will provide an update on how much of the £1.8 billion that was committed for decarbonising buildings through its Heat in Buildings strategy has been (i) allocated and (ii) spent and (b) it is committed to spending any remaining amount during the current parliam…

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Scotland’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, outlines our ambitious programme that reflects the scale and the size of the challenge to reduce emissions from our buildings. Our commitment to allocate £1.8bn over this parliament…

20 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the reasons why it decided against externally reviewing the Community Right to Buy scheme.

12 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Carnegie UK’s Life in the UK 2024: Scotland report, which found that collective wellbeing scores in 2024 remain largely unchanged from those reported in 2023.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The goal of the Scottish Government is to help people live happier and healthier lives with higher living standards, building a fair, green, growing economy that promotes the wellbeing of all Scotland’s people. Therefore, we welcome Carnegie UK’s …

12 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in light of Carnegie UK research, which shows that people on lower incomes and disabled people have much lower wellbeing than the average person in Scotland.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The goal of the Scottish Government is to help people live happier and healthier lives with higher living standards, building a fair, green, growing economy that promotes the wellbeing of all Scotland’s people. Therefore, we welcome Carnegie UK’s …

12 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve trust in government, in light of Carnegie UK research finding that 37% of people in Scotland have low levels of trust in the Scottish Government.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We recognise that reduced levels of trust is a challenge facing governments around the world. Evidence shows that a key driver of trust is people feeling they have a say. One way we are working to improve levels of trust is through our Open Government Action …

8 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the Local Power Plan, and whether it will provide support for local authorities in Scotland to take advantage of any potential opportunities as a result of the plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners to continue to grow the community and local energy sector and ensure the delivery of renewable energy comes with benefits for people in Scotland.On 17 October the Scottish Government signed a Joint…

8 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on timelines for future ScotWind leasing rounds.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The response to both the concluded ScotWind and INTOG leasing rounds provides Scotland with a hugely exciting opportunity to transform its generating capacity, with 30GW of generating potential and significant revenue opportunities. Our focus is on delivering…

8 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any discussions with Crown Estate Scotland about replicating the UK Government partnership announcement with The Crown Estate for future ScotWind leasing rounds. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government already has a well established partnership with the Crown Estate that was fundamental to the Scotwind and INTOG licensing rounds for offshore wind. Our current focus is not on new leasing opportunities but delivering Scotland’s s…

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29945 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, for what reason it did not make provision for community energy suppliers to be added to the generation mix in the contract awarded to EDF, in light of its support for community wealth building, and how the p…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The national electricity framework covers circa 300 organisations across Scotland, covering all sectors – Local Government, Central Government, NHS, Universities and colleges. Any energy supplier needs to have the capacity to supply and service all orga…

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29941 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, for what reason no provision exists within the National Electricity Supply Contract to provide local community-owned renewable electricity to clients, and what priority it gives to allowing clients to secure…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The strategy for the provision of electricity under the national framework agreement was developed and agreed in partnership with the User Intelligence Group (UIG). The UIG consists of representatives from across the public sector and they define the core pur…

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29938 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether local authorities can (a) build and generate their own supply to offset their requirement to purchase electricity from the single supplier and (b) sell or sleeve their independent supply in the wider…

Answer · Ivan McKee: Local authorities are able to build and generate their own electricity supply. Any local authority considering the option to build and generate their own electricity supply should advise Scottish Procurement and the Supplier once they have committed to the de…

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29936 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, who the members are of the Risk Management Committee that owns the current risk managed hedging strategy; whether the committee has considered any community wealth building advantages of adding community ene…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Risk Management committee includes a mix of procurement, financial and energy personnel from the following organisations – Scottish Government, Scottish Prison Service, Police Scotland, University of Edinburgh, Advanced Procurement for Universities …

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29938 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether it has established (a) whether each local authority has any option to source another supply within their area, outwith the National Electricity Supply Contract, and (b) what benefits contracting with…

Answer · Ivan McKee: (a)The National Electricity Supply Framework is not mandatory, so organisations can source another supply out-with the framework agreement. If they do leave the framework they need to comply with the terms and conditions which set out the notice period requir…

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29944 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether it is possible to amend the current National Electricity Supply Contract to include provision for clients to reduce their demand for electricity from the single supplier within the framework, if they…

Answer · Ivan McKee: As part of the framework process, in the run up to the start of every financial year, the supplier works with each individual customer to determine their estimated consumption for the next financial year. If the volume is going to decrease or increase the sup…

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29940 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, for what reason the National Electricity Supply Contract prohibits clients from replacing a proportion of their single supply with a proportion of locally produced renewable energy.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The National Supply of Electricity Framework does not prohibit customers from using locally produced renewable energy.If a client wishes to use locally produced renewable energy then they can advise the Scottish Procurement Team and the Supplier. The volumes …

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29944 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether it will be exercising its first 12-month extension to the existing National Electricity Supply Contract.

Answer · Ivan McKee: A decision on exercising the first extension is still to be made, once this decision has been reached then the supplier will be informed.

7 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29941 by Ivan McKee on 24 September 2024, whether procurement law requires the Scottish Government to treat all energy providers equally and without discrimination; if so, for what reason no power is procured from community-owned energy providers, a…

Answer · Ivan McKee: Yes, Scottish Government is compliant with all procurement regulations.The electricity framework was advertised openly and fairly in Public Contracts Scotland and therefore the competition was open to all suppliers. It is up to each individual bidder to deter…

21 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12859 by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022, what further progress has been made regarding the reform of the Traffic Regulation Orders system.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There are currently no imminent plans to make any further amendments to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) system, following the amended Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) regulations which were introduced in November 2021.The Scottish Government wi…

17 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessments have been undertaken to determine the cost of cladding remediation across Scotland.

Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish Government has been actively assessing the issue of cladding on high-rise buildings across the country. As part of its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents, several steps have been taken to determine the scale and cost of cladding remed…

17 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings in the Lothian region have been identified as having flammable cladding.

Answer · Paul McLennan: Only a Single Building Assessment meeting the Scottish Standards can identify what cladding if any a building has and further identify whether the cladding is unsafe.There are 107 entries in the pilot phase of the Cladding Remediation Programme. Entries may c…

17 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many buildings in the Lothian region have been identified as requiring cladding remediation.

Answer · Paul McLennan: In our pilot programme, all 107 pilot entries are undergoing necessary pre-assessment checks, if in scope they will proceed to a developer or Government led Single Building Assessment (SBA). We have identified 12 pilot entries in scope, without a linked devel…

17 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on cladding remediation, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Paul McLennan: Information on the level of spend by the Cladding Remediation Programme is proactively published and broken down by local authority.Latest published data shows the aggregated spend by local authorities on single building assessments, fire risk measures and re…