Mark Ruskell

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timescale for its commitment to designate at least one new National Park in Scotland by 2026.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The deadline for nominations from communities and organisations that would like their area to be considered for designation as a new National Park was 29 February 2024. Nominations were received from the Galloway, Lochaber, Loch Awe, Scottish Borders and Tay …

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the introduction of a working group for the delivery of the Onshore Wind Sector Deal for Scotland, and the forthcoming publication of a paper identifying the skills needed to deliver Scotland’s climate ambitions.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Oversight and governance of the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal (SOWSD) is led by the Scottish Onshore Wind Strategic Leadership Group (OWSLG). The OWSLG is accountable for delivery of the Sector Deal, including review and approval of the work programme. T…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to decarbonising the heating of at least one million homes by 2030.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has already confirmed to Parliament – at the launch of our consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill in November 2023 – that decarbonising 1 million homes by 2030 is not achievable. This was based on a reassessment, in the…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to secure 11GW of installed offshore wind by 2030.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Scotland has a current total reported potential pipeline of over 40 GW of offshore wind projects. Our Offshore Wind Policy Statement (2020) set out the Scottish Government’s ambition for 8-11 GW of offshore wind in Scotland by 2030. This is currently being r…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to secure 8GW to 12GW of installed onshore wind by 2030.

Answer · Gillian Martin: As of December 2023, Scotland’s operational onshore wind capacity is around 9.5 GW. Within the project pipeline there is additional 13.9 GW of potential onshore wind capacity in Scotland. This consists of:1.7 GW under construction.4.8 GW awaiting construction…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to generate 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030 and decarbonising the energy system almost completely by 2050.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP) will set clear ambitions for increasing Scotland’s renewable energy capacity. It will outline a route map of actions for the Scottish Government, the UK Government and others to take to deliver these ambiti…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the timeframe for the creation of a Just Transition Plan for the Mossmorran industrial site developed in partnership with the operators of the plant, workforce and the local community.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has committed to developing a Just Transition Plan for the Mossmorran industrial complex, work will commence in early 2025. This will allow for a thorough evaluation of the approach taken at Grangemouth to maximise learning and outputs…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will report on the climate compatibility assessment for the dualling of the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen to assess direct and indirect impacts on the climate and the environment.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the A96. This is despite stark challenges we face as a result of the severe budgetary restrictions imposed by the UK Government including an almost 9% cut in our capital budget. The current plan is to fu…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on what percentage of greenhouse gas emissions was produced by private jets departing from and arriving at Scotland’s airports between 2018 and 2023.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The information requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Government does publish annual Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics, which include domestic and international aviation, but it is not possible to break these down by scheduled or non-scheduled flight…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17938 by Kevin Stewart on 25 May 2023, whether it will provide an update on how many journeys have been completed by young people using a free bus pass through the Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, based on the latest information av…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: As of Tuesday 30 April 2024, there had been a total of 137,014,833 journeys made under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17939 by Kevin Stewart on 25 May 2023, whether it will provide an update on how many young people have now received a free bus pass through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme, broken down by local authority area, based on the late…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: As of 1 May 2024, there were 732,654 cardholders under the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme. The following table shows the number of cardholders broken down to local authority level. Aberdeen City 30,715 Aberdeenshire 36,247 Angus Counci…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timeline and process towards delivering its commitment to introducing Low Emission Zone (LEZ) schemes in (a) Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen, and (c) Dundee.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Low Emission Zones (LEZs) were formally introduced in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow on 31st May 2022, with grace periods beginning at this point. Enforcement in Glasgow began on 1 June 2023 (with an additional year for residents within the zone). E…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent correspondence it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding the impact of its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme in reducing emissions from private car use and improving air quality levels.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with officials from Glasgow City Council, to discuss progress and learning around the impact of its Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Statutory reports on LEZ performance and air quality monitoring are expected from Glasgow…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the impact of speed cameras in improving driver behaviour, in light of Safety Cameras Scotland’s reported decision to deactivate 119 speed cameras across Scotland’s transport authorities.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government plans to investment £7.53m through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme (“the Programme”) in 2024/25. This is the highest level of investment in the Programme since 2007 and almost double the investment ten years ago in 2014. This acts…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20438 by Fiona Hyslop on 29 August 2023, whether it will provide a progress update on the National Speed Management Review.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The National Speed Management Review is due to be completed in the coming weeks and we will then consider the proposed outcomes. The review process will thereafter include a stakeholder and public consultation to consider their views on whether any changes t…

2 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23523 by Angela Constance on 11 December 2023, whether it will be publishing an evaluation report on Police Scotland’s pilot of the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) Programme in Dundee.

Answer · Angela Constance: An evaluation of Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) has been commissioned and publication is expected in Autumn 2024.  

25 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any steps that sportscotland is taking to (a) assess the impact of artificial sports pitches on (i) the natural environment and (ii) human health and (b) identify long-term alternatives to artificial sports pitches.

Answer · Maree Todd: Artificial grass pitches play an important role in the delivery of sport and physical activity across Scotland, helping the nation to lead more active, healthy lives. Well maintained artificial pitches allow for year-round, intensive use and can provide signi…

25 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether SEPA has assessed any impact of flea and worm treatments used for companion animals on the environment.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: SEPA have developed a new analytical technique to screen environmental water samples for a range of chemical substances, including a range of pesticides and pharmaceuticals (human and veterinary). Through targeted screening methodology, this helps identify a…

25 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when SEPA last met with the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) cross-government group regarding fipronil and imidacloprid levels detected in UK surface waters, and what steps it is taking to reduce these levels in Scotland.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: SEPA is a member of the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group. The group last met on 31st January 2024 to continue discussions and undertake process mapping to understand the current evidence, as well as regulatory and non-regulatory tools available …

17 Apr 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to deliver a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025 on all appropriate roads in built-up areas.

16 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support the economic and creative growth of Scotland’s unscripted screen sector.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government remains focused on strengthening our screen sector and creating the conditions for continued growth across production, development, talent, and skills, including in unscripted production. We have funded, and continue to fund, Screen S…

23 Mar 2024 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) whether SPCB staff are permitted to wear disability awareness lanyards.

Answer · Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB): Colleagues with adjustment passportscan wear Sunflower lanyards and/or pins or badges but must also wear a parliament issued purple lanyard. It’s estimated that 70-80% of disabilities are hidden, including physical and mental health, sensory such as visual,…

21 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on funding commitments for the research priorities identified in the report of the James Lind Alliance's Priority Setting Partnership for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which was published in May 2022.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government has no plans to create specific funding commitments for the research priorities identified in the report of the JLA PSP on ME/CFS Within the Scottish Government, funding of Health and Care Research comes under the remit of the Chief S…

21 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the pilot of the NHS Education for Scotland training module on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS Education for Scotland expect this module to be ready for publishing on their website and available to members by June 2024. Updates will be detailed in their newsletter to Practice Based Small Group Learning (PBSGL) members.

21 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to create a working group with relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the NICE guidance on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government fully supports the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on diagnosing and managing ME/CFS. We wrote to all Scottish health boards following its publication to raise awareness of the guidance and encourage …

21 Mar 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when the Fair Fares Review will be published.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is pleased to announce that today we will publish the Fair Fares Review. The Review sets out a range of actions to be taken in the short, medium and long term to make our public transport system more available, accessible and affordab…

13 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its work to support the enhancement of Channel 4's operations in Scotland, what its position is on Channel 4’s reported proposals to Ofcom for it to retain its 91% production quota for England and introduce a 65% London quota, and what representation it has made to (a) Channel…

Answer · Angus Robertson: While the Scottish Government welcomes Channel 4’s progress to enhance its operations in Scotland, in particular with the creation of a creative hub in Glasgow in 2019, it has been our long-held view that Channel 4 should have a higher quota for network produ…

26 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in what ways it encourages the installation of solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Actions which we have taken and are undertaking to enable greater deployment of solar in Scotland are provided in Annex G of the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan. Through our Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme, domestic owner occu…

22 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22254 by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023, whether it will provide an update on what measures have been implemented to manage non-native gamebird releases where there is potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from infected gam…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: On 11 August 2023, Ministers launched the Wild Bird HPAI Response Plan that sets out how the Scottish Government and its partners will respond to any further outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds in Scotland, and this plan remains a live one, with the aim of incorp…

21 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Prison Service’s work to address reported noise disturbance at HMP Stirling.