Sarah Boyack

16 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities are not in whole or in part subscribed to Scotland's national electricity supply framework arrangements.

Answer · Ivan McKee: All 32 local authorities use the national Framework for the Supply of Electricity, however if local authorities are also getting electricity from another source or another contract, then Scottish Government do not have visibility of this and this information …

10 Sep 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle antisocial behaviour in Lothian.  

4 Sep 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to achieve its net zero and just transition goals.

4 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the recent postponement to the Medium Term Financial Strategy will result in a further delay to a replacement eye hospital for Edinburgh.

Answer · Neil Gray: There is no change to the position on NHS Capital Projects as a result of the postponement of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.In December 2023, given the extremely challenging capital funding position, NHS Boards were instructed to pause any project develo…

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Forth Ports regarding securing green jobs in Edinburgh.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is working closely with Forth Green Freeport and Forth Ports as a consortium member, to ensure that it delivers maximum positive impact as soon as possible, including at the tax site in Leith where a renewable energy hub is being devel…

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with ports regarding the development of its Green Industrial Strategy.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Green Industrial Strategy recognises ports are key enablers for the energy transition. Ports have a critical role to play in supporting the growth of Scotland’s offshore wind sector and growing our hydrogen production and export capabilities, which …

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out any assessment of the economic impact of delaying the publication of its Green Industrial Strategy.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We committed to publishing the Green Industrial Strategy in summer 2024. The strategy was published on 11 September, following summer recess and the launch of the 2023-24 Programme for Government.The strategy aims to ensure Scotland gets the maximum possible …

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out any assessment of the economic impact of the reportedly increasing length of time being taken for a section 36 energy consent determination.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: In respect of offshore consenting, we have been planning for an increase in offshore wind applications for some time and aim to determine offshore wind farm applications within 12 months where possible, however we have been clear that more complex application…

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects a consenting decision to be reached in relation to the Berwick Bank offshore windfarm.

Answer · Kate Forbes: A decision on Berwick Bank will be taken by Ministers in due course. We cannot comment on a live application but we are committed to a robust decision making process for offshore wind farms which considers the need for development alongside potential impacts …

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role it expects ports to play as part of its proposed Green Industrial Strategy.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Green Industrial Strategy recognises ports are key enablers for the energy transition. Ports have a critical role to play in supporting the growth of Scotland’s offshore wind sector and accelerating investment in related infrastructure, manufacturin…

28 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs it expects the Forth Green Freeport deal to create.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Forth Green Freeport’s recently submitted full business case details ambitions to create 34,500 direct jobs, comprising 16,000 direct jobs and 18,500 jobs supported indirectly in supply chains and through wages, and up to £7.9 billion in investmen…

19 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the four most recent applications for a late registration for a Community Right to Buy have reportedly been refused.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The reasons for not approving the four most recent late applications are detailed in the decision notice for each. These can be found in the Register of Community Interest in Land (RCIL), which is held on the Registers of Scotland website. It is free to acces…

19 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers considered the option of undertaking an independent review of the Community Right to Buy, and, if so, what the reasons were for deciding against this option.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Ministers considered a range of options for conducting the review of Community Right to Buy. The selected option – a review led by the SG Community Right to Buy team – was chosen as the best, and most cost-effective, way to ensure the flexibility …

19 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its review of the Community Right to Buy will examine the role of the Scottish Government in the administrative processes of the Community Right to Buy and the internal legal interpretations of the statute and court decisions.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The review will examine all aspects of the four existing community rights to buy - Community Right to Buy, Crofting Community Right to Buy, Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land, and the Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Devel…

19 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what policy development was undertaken by (a) Marine Scotland and (b) Crown Estate Scotland in the months leading up to the 2024 General Election in preparation for the prospect of Great British Energy being created and any strategic relationship and role that the Crown Estate in Scotlan…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: No policy development work on this subject was undertaken by these bodies prior to the 2024 General Election. Subsequent to the General Election, the Scottish Government has engaged with the new UK Government and has made clear that GB Energy should deliver c…

19 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions took place between Marine Scotland and Crown Estate Scotland in the year leading up to the 2024 General Election, and whether any discussions included the possibility of new borrowing powers being granted to the Crown Estate and any opportunity or implication of this for…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As Scottish Government sponsor directorate, the Marine Directorate meets regularly throughout the year with Crown Estate Scotland to maintain robust governance, accountability and positive relationships, ensuring the public corporation is effective, invests t…

7 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the next quarterly report for the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The next Social Housing Net Zero Heat Quarterly Report will be published in October and will update on the fund’s progress over Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of this financial year.

7 Aug 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the next Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund checkpoint will be.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: Alasdair Allan: Currently, there is no date set for the next funding checkpoint of the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund. When a date has been set it will be communicated to stakeholders through the fund website and stakeholder channels.

19 Jun 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Creative Scotland.

17 Jun 2024 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported claims that its net zero targets are at serious risk if solar is not reinstated to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme.

13 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress on the allocation of funding from its commitment to spend £1.8 billion during the current parliamentary session on decarbonising Scotland’s buildings.

Answer · Gillian Martin: 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 at least £1.8bn over this parliament wi…

13 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the reasons for its decision to no longer make house builders eligible for funding from the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme from 1 August 2024.

Answer · Gillian Martin: With sustained demand for the scheme and in the context of the real terms cuts to the Scottish Government’s capital funding – as well as drastic reductions in financial transactions – these changes were necessary to ensure that funding is best focused on inte…

13 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how much funding is currently available to be allocated as part of the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme.

Answer · Gillian Martin: An annual capital and financial transactions budget is allocated to the Heat in Buildings programme, which covers a range of funding programmes. The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme is allocated an element of this budget. The HES Grant and Lo…

13 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the reasons for its decision to no longer provide new referrals for solar PV and energy storage systems to the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme from 6 June 2024.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government recognises that solar power has an important role to play in decarbonising our energy supply and supporting a just transition to net zero, however, we cannot meet our climate targets without ending the use of polluting heating systems …

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the skills passport for offshore energy workers with (a) SSE Renewables and (b) other members of the Global Wind Organisation that hold contracts in Scotland’s offshore wind industry.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has engaged with the industry-led Offshore Energy Skills Passport through the project steering group led by Renewable UK and Offshore Energies UK. This group also includes representation from the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), the Off…

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council regarding the development of the skills passport for offshore energy workers in Scotland.

Answer · Gillian Martin: SOWEC routinely discusses skills and jobs as part of its agenda. During the SOWEC meeting of 13 May, it was agreed that SOWEC would issue a letter of support for the Skills Passport. A letter has been drafted and this will be issued in due course once approve…

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on the NHS’s hyperbaric treatment capacity for offshore divers in north east Scotland of NHS Grampian’s reported cessation of the contract for the hyperbaric facility in Oban.

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS National Services Scotland as commissioner of hyperbaric services and NHS Grampian who provide and co-ordinate the Hyperbaric Medical Unit in Scotland completed a full risk assessment exercise. Within this they reviewed the impact of the service level agr…

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the availability of hyperbaric treatment facilities within the NHS for offshore divers working in waters off the Scottish coastline.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Review of NHS Hyperbaric Medicine Services in Scotland is ongoing. Scottish Government officials have been in contact with NHS National Services Scotland as commissioner of these services and NHS Grampian who provide and co-ordinate hyperbaric medical service…

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs that will be created in Scotland by the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) programme.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The potential impacts, including that of job creation, of the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (“INTOG”) leasing round are currently being assessed through the sectoral marine planning process. The INTOG sites together with the commercial-scale sites lease…

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the number of qualified offshore commercial divers residing in Scotland.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Diving at Work Regulations are enforced by the Health & Safety Executive, a UK Government agency. This is therefore a reserved matter and the Scottish Government do not hold such information.