Michael Matheson

24 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) Falkirk Council regarding the final sign-off of the Falkirk Growth Deal.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Officials are in regular contact with both the UK Government and Falkirk Council regarding the signing of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal. Discussion continues at pace to align Ministers and Falkirk Council to secure a date for the signing to bring th…

24 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to bring forward Falkirk Growth Deal projects, in light of reports of the Grangemouth refinery closure.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Project development and delivery are led by Falkirk Council and other local partners. Officials are in regular communication with both the UK Government and Falkirk Council regarding the signing of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal. Partners are current…

12 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it is having with the UK Governmentregarding the Subsidy Control Act 2022, including amending this legislation toaddress recent concerns raised by the bus manufacturing industry in Scotland.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Scottish Government officials have regular engagement with officials from the Department for Business and Trade. As you are aware, Subsidy Control is a reserved matter and it is our understanding that UK Government have no current plans to amend the Subsidy C…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on mitigating any UK Government (a) reductions and (b) changes to benefit entitlements in each of the last three years.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In the last three complete financial years (2021-22 to 2023-24), we have invested almost £250 million mitigating the impacts of UK Government policy such as the bedroom tax and benefit cap, and shortfalls in Local Housing Allowance rates through Discret…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further support it plans to provide to supported businesses.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Supported Businesses make an important contribution to the Scottish economy. Not only through the goods and services they deliver, but also by providing meaningful employment, training, and social support for those who may otherwise be excluded from the workp…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in addition to the actions set out in the Programme for Government 2024-25, what further action it is taking to support the acceleration of (a) renewable energy and (b) grid infrastructure projects.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: As well as continuing to seek further legislative powers from the UK Government that will allow us to create a more efficient consenting system, we are also working closely to review consenting processes for larger scale energy proposals, in line with the com…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, whether it is considering providing (a) further financial support and (b) other resources for research into (i) neuroblastoma and (ii) other cancers that affect children.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government’s ten year Cancer Strategy published in 2023 sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to improving patient pathways from cancer prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care, and this includes our…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it (a) has had and (b) plans to have with the UK Government regarding further support for pensioners in Scotland, in light of the impact of the UK Government's decision to make the Winter Fuel Payment means tested.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Following the publication of the UK Government’s equality analysis on the impact introducing means-tested Winter Fuel Payments, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 20 September urging the UK …

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further discussions it has had with the ChargePlace Scotland operator, SWARCO, regarding further reports of issues with the roll-out of the new Stripe payment system over summer 2024, and whether compensation has been offered to any affected customers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) operator, SWARCO Smart Charging, introduced the STRIPE payment system in April 2024. Transport Scotland were made aware of technical issues during the introduction period which affected some CPS customers. In line with agreed in…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in addition to the £144.5 million that has already been announced, what further financial support it will provide to local authorities to maintain teacher numbers.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government has provided record funding of over £14 billion to local councils this year – a real-terms increase of 2.5% compared with the previous year. This includes £145.5 million to maintain teacher numbers and £242 mill…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, whether it is considering including the recycling of recyclable PET or PP plastic plant pots in household kerbside recycling in its code of practice.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The new Household Recycling Code of Practice will be co-designed with local authorities and other stakeholders to deliver modernised and more consistent waste and recycling services across Scotland.The co-design process will provide opportunities to consider …

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding its announcement of £22 billion of potential budget reductions and any impact that this will have on Barnett consequential funding.

Answer · Shona Robison: The First Minister and I met the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28 August, following the Chancellor’s statement on 29 July that outlined a £22 billion shortfall in the UK public finances.I will be having further discussions with the Chief Secretar…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27175 by Gillian Martin on 13 May 2024, whether it still plans to publish the recommendations of the Transmission Network Short Life Working Group, and, if so, when.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government does still plan to publish the recommendations of the Transmission Network Short Life Working Group (SLWG).Alongside this, we will also publish the Terms of Reference of the Transmission Steering Group (TSG), which have recently been f…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of all uniforms supplied to NHS Scotland have been manufactured by supported businesses in each of the last three years.

Answer · Neil Gray: Supported businesses have produced approximately 33% of uniforms supplied to NHS Scotland over the last three years.

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider (a) the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and (b) how it will take forward any recommendations or findings within its remit.

Answer · Paul McLennan: A Ministerial Working Group, chaired by myself, has been set up to support the Scottish Government in considering the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Report and how its 58 recommendations could apply in a Scottish context. Where necessary, we will take further actio…

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what mandated minimum percentage of uniforms must be produced by supported businesses in the provisions of the NHS Scotland uniform contract.

Answer · Neil Gray: There is no minimum percentage of uniforms that must be produced by supported businesses for the NHS Scotland uniform contract. The current contract is based on the volumes ordered by health boards and so allows for fluctuations in demand.

11 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the co-design of the code of practice provided for through the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024; when the co-design is expected to start, and what level of consultation and stakeholder engagement there will be on the code of practice.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Circular Economy Act does not provide a timescale for the completion of the new Household Recycling Code of Practice. However, the Scottish Government’s draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map sets out the aim to complete the co-design process by…

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported issues caused by the new ChargePlace Scotland payment system, what action it is taking to prevent a similar situation arising again.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In accordance with the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) contract, the CPS operator will provide Transport Scotland with a written report outlining the cause, impact and actions take to rectify the issues which recently affected less than 1% of CPS members. The repo…

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether compensation will be offered by ChargePlace Scotland in relation to any inconvenience caused to drivers by its new payment system, particularly for commercial electric vehicle users, such as taxi drivers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Following the implementation of a new payment service provider, Transport Scotland were notified by the ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) operator of a technical issue that was affecting less than 1% of CPS users. The issue caused the cards of those CPS members affe…

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeframe is for the contract with SWARCO to operate ChargePlace Scotland, and what provisions are in the contract with SWARCO, including in relation to early termination for poor performance.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The current ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) framework agreement is due to end February 2025 with the call-off contract running until mid-2026. The framework agreement, which includes provisions for the circumstances in which early termination would be appropriate,…

14 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ChargePlace Scotland regarding the roll-out of its new payment system and any issues that it has caused to drivers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The ChargePlace Scotland (CPS) operator is contractually obliged to continually improve the quality of the service for drivers. This includes a necessary shift from monthly billing to pay-as-you-go payment for charging using the CPS card or mobile app. This e…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in developing a supportive framework to realise Scotland’s hydrogen export potential, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We are currently working with key industry experts and our development agencies to develop a Hydrogen Sector Export Plan that will set out the steps needed to realise Scotland's export potential. The Hydrogen Sector Export Plan will consider the short-term e…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting Scotland’s interests overseas and boosting inbound and outbound trade and investment missions to secure opportunities for Scottish companies in the international hydrogen market and drive inward investment, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government and its partners engage with and provide specialist support to companies in Scotland seeking to trade overseas, including help to attend trade shows and establish links with international project developers. We are working with Scotla…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in supporting the Scottish hydrogen supply chain through the development of a Hydrogen Economy Cluster, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government and Scotland’s Enterprise Agencies continue to work to inform Scottish supply chain companies about hydrogen sector developments and to help them to prepare for the opportunities associated with hydrogen infrastructure rollout both in …

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the establishment of a Scottish Hydrogen Innovation Network to provide support to the hydrogen research and innovation ecosystem in Scotland, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Alongside Scottish Enterprise, we are developing a Scottish Hydrogen Innovation Network (SHINE). SHINE will provide an entry point for Scottish and European companies to access Scottish research and development centres in academic and commercial settings. The…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the establishment of hydrogen transportation infrastructure to support the export of hydrogen to the rest of the UK and Europe, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Establishing hydrogen transport infrastructure is critical to achieving the ambitions set out in our Hydrogen Action Plan. The Scottish Government is working with key European partners to assess options and opportunities for the development of transport infra…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Scottish industries to use hydrogen in their decarbonisation plans, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Alongside electrification, hydrogen will be a key part of the net zero journey, particularly in transitioning many hard-to-abate sectors such as industry. The Scottish Government is developing a place-based, industry specific Just Transition Plan for the Gran…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is exploring the use of hydrogen as an energy storage and balancing asset to the national electricity grid and the national gas grid, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We are convinced that hydrogen will play an important role as an energy storage and balancing asset to the wider energy system electricity and gas grids as the share of renewable generation continues to increase. We published a report in 2023 which can be f…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made on building an evidence base to understand the extent of domestic hydrogen demand, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We are building the evidence base to help support hydrogen off-take across multiple sectors in Scotland, examining both hydrogen production and demand across Scotland’s geography through a number of key reports, such as ‘Hydrogen demand in Scotland: a mapping…

30 Apr 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in creating a visible pipeline of hydrogen projects, as set out in its Hydrogen Action Plan.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government and our Enterprise Agencies support hydrogen developers and businesses across Scotland to grow a pipeline of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production projects in Scotland and secure the accompanying supply chain opportunities. Over…