Sarah Boyack

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council regarding contracts for the delivery of floating offshore wind sites through the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) programme for decarbonising offshore oil and gas installations.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government discussed INTOG at Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC) meeting on 6 March 2024. As SOWEC chair, stakeholders were notified of the revised timeline for the updated Sectoral Marine Plan for offshore wind energy (SMP-OWE) which…

12 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of (a) the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council, (b) the oil and gas industry and (c) trade unions to discuss employment rates for people from Scotland working in the offshore energy industry.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government engages regularly with all three of these stakeholder groups, as well as with other bodies, to discuss a range of issues related to ensuring a just energy transition, including rates of employment and other workforce considerations. T…

10 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how frequently its ministers receive reports from its Marine Directorate on contaminants in marine animals.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The findings from contaminant testing undertaken in the Scottish marine environment, are reported to the Scottish Ministers in the form of Scotland’s Marine Assessment 2020 and the OSPAR Quality Status assessments, the most recent of which was published in …

10 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contaminant analysis work it is undertaking on marine animals in Scottish waters, in light of reports that fish in English waters have been contaminated with prescription and illegal drugs.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government regularly monitors for hazardous substances in the Scottish marine environment. Hazardous substances highlighted to be of particular concern and routinely monitored include heavy metals (cadmium, mercury and lead), polychlorinated biph…

4 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what systems it has in place to monitor the performance of the Energy Consents Unit.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The performance of the Energy Consents Unit has recently been considered through the Onshore Wind Sector Deal and the Transmission Network Short Life Working Group. Work is ongoing to implement the actions derived from the recommendations of both groups. At a…

4 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average length of time is for a section 36 energy consent application for an (a) onshore proposal over 50MW and (b) offshore proposal to receive a determination.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The approximate average length of time, since 2015, for a section 36 energy consent application to receive a determination is as follows. Onshore proposals over 50MW:Onshore wind – 33 monthsBattery Energy Storage System (BESS) – 14 monthsHybrid (Solar and BE…

29 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Scottish justice system is "close to collapse" and that solicitors are taking industrial action.

22 May 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation on climate targets, as announced by the net zero secretary in her ministerial statement on 18 April.

9 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which minister will take decisions on any matters relating to the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture portfolio that the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has recused himself from.

Answer · Kate Forbes: I will take decisions on the portfolio matters that the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has recused himself from, with the exception of a single issue where I also have a conflict. On this matter, decisions will be taken by th…

7 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture secretary has had with the finance secretary regarding future funding for culture, in light of its commitment to invest an additional £100 million in the sector.

1 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on its (a) Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and (b) renewable energy targets, what its position is on the proposal for the introduction of Sustainable Industry Rewards in Auction Round 7 of the Contracts for Difference process.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We welcome the UK Government’s plans to introduce a Sustainable Industry Reward into the Contracts for Difference scheme. The Scottish Government responded to the initial consultation in January 2024, welcoming the UK Government’s work to introduce these ref…

1 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on its (a) Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and (b) renewable energy targets, what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding Auction Round (i) 6 and (ii) 7 of the Contracts for Difference process.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The parameters set out by the UK Government for offshore wind in AR6 were a step in the right direction but the subsequent budget announcement was disappointing and more must be done to ensure lost ground is regained. We have regular engagement with the UK G…

29 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government who the member in charge is of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Gillian Martin MSP, Minister for Climate Action, is leading on the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill for the portfolio. As Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, I remain the member with oversight.

24 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to establish a Green Jobs Skills Hub, as outlined in the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) provided an important springboard for net zero skills planning and we have made good progress since its publication, notably in strengthening the evidence base through the CESAP Pathfinders , which provides…

24 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current status is of the Climate Emergency Economic and Investment Leadership Group that was announced in the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) provided an important springboard for net zero skills planning and significant progress has been made since its publication, notably in strengthening the evidence base through the CESAP Pathfinders, which pro…

22 Apr 2024 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what potential impact the proposed Berwick Bank offshore windfarm not being included in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 will have on achieving Scotland’s climate targets.

11 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to allocating £80 million on carbon capture, utilisation and storage, in light of no provision being made in the Budget for 2024-25.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Our Emerging Energy Technologies Fund supports the development of CCUS and negative-emissions technologies and has been offered to support the Scottish Cluster Carbon Capture Project accelerate its effort to help Scotland’s just transition to net zero. We rem…

8 Apr 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in implementing its Diabetes Improvement Plan.  

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of working hours was spent on processing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) request for screening under section 8 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The processing of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening request under section 8 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 involves work across a number of teams within the Energy Consents Unit. We do …

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of working hours was spent on processing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) scoping request under section 12 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The processing of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) scoping request under section 12 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 involves work across a number of teams within the Energy Consents Unit. We do n…

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average time was for a response to a scoping opinion request submitted under section 12 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Applications which make their way through the application journey on the energyconsent.scot portal are assigned a single case number which is retained from the pre-application period, all the way through to a determination decision. The dates at which a scop…

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for electricity generators under 50MW were submitted to planning authorities under the Electricity Act 1989 in (a) 2015, (b) 2019, (c) 2022 and (d) 2023.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Applications for electricity generating stations with a capacity of 50MW or less submitted to planning authorities are determined in accordance with procedures set out under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. Consent under the Electricity Act …

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to each NHS board in each of the last three years to support an increase in the provision of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

Answer · Jenni Minto: In the last three years, the Scottish Government has invested £19.6 million of additional funding specifically to increase the provision of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. This funding consisted of £5.1 million in 2020 to 2021 and £14.5 million…

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of patients with diabetes it anticipates will be offered the option to transfer to a hybrid closed loop system as part of their insulin management during the financial year 2024-25, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Jenni Minto: It is for each individual NHS Board to determine how they plan to meet the needs and priorities of their local populations. The Scottish Government is committed to increasing access to diabetes technologies. We are continuing to work with key stakeholders to …

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Lothian to transfer patients with diabetes from their current treatment to a hybrid closed loop system, where this is appropriate for them.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing access to diabetes technologies. Between 2016 and 2022, we invested £29.6 million specifically for diabetes technologies. This is in addition to baseline funding to NHS boards. In 2023 we also invested £350,…

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on achieving priority 8 of its Diabetes Improvement Plan "to accelerate the development and roll-out of innovative solutions to improve treatment, care and quality of life of people living with diabetes".

Answer · Jenni Minto: The implementation of the Diabetes Improvement Plan is underway and supported by the Scottish Diabetes Group. Regarding Priority 8, the Scottish Government has provided £19 million of additional funding to NHS Boards to support the roll out of technologies s…

3 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is putting in place for any patients with diabetes who have taken part in a hybrid closed loop system study and have recently been informed that they must revert to their previous care once the study has completed, due to a lack of funding.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone living with diabetes is able to access the care that they need to live their lives well. This includes increasing access to diabetes technologies. Between 2016 and 2022, we invested £29.6 million…

28 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many new overflow monitors have been installed by Scottish Water since its Improving Urban Waters Routemap was published in 2021, broken down by year.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their reply is as follows: I refer the member to the answers to S6W-15158 on 3 March 2023 and S6F-02135 on 19 May 2023 for information on Scottish Water’s approach to installin…

22 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19781 by Lorna Slater on 21 July 2023, whether it still plans to publish an update to its Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.

Answer · Lorna Slater: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24021 on 19 December 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…

22 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards the commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Achieving the commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 (30 by 30 commitment) is a key component in our ambition to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and substantially restore it by 2045. The target has already been achieved at sea with the su…