Claire Baker

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what remote learning provision is available for pupils who are unable to attend school due to them self-isolating or shielding.

Answer · John Swinney: Individual schools and local authorities are responsible for arranging learning for children who have to self-isolate or quarantine. In order to widen the online learning options available to schools, the Scottish Government, Education Scotland and the Assoc…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the manageable level of teacher absence to ensure that schools remain open at all protection levels, and what steps have been taken beyond the general public advice that has been published to minimise COVID-19 infection rates among teachers and other scho…

Answer · John Swinney: Recent SAGE advice, based on ONS data and published on 13 November, indicates no difference between the positivity rates of pre-school, primary and secondary school staff, relative to other worker groups. Our updated guidance on reducing risks in schools is …

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the £97 million in UK Government consequentials announced on 5 July 2020 has been allocated as packages of support for the arts, culture and heritage sectors, and how much is still to be distributed.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since the announcement of the £97m in UK Government consequentials, the following support packages and funds have been allocated:£15m Culture Organisation and Venues Recovery Fund£5m + £3m Creative Freelancer Hardship Fund£3.5m Independent Cinemas Recovery an…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a fixed allowance for the Business Contingency Fund.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We committed £11 million to the Contingency Fund when it was announced as part of the COVID-19 Restrictions Fund. A first phase of awards through this fund was announced on 27 October which provided grants of up to £50,000 for nightclubs and soft play centres…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence informed its decision to have cinemas fully close under Level 3 restrictions in its COVID-19 Strategic Framework.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A wide range of evidence was considered in developing the Strategic Framework, and this informed the decision to close cinemas under Level 3 and Level 4. Evidence from contact tracing, international experience and scientific research suggests that many socia…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when further phases of the Business Contingency Fund will be announced.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We are continuing to consider where the remainder of the Contingency Fund would be most effectively deployed in supporting businesses impact by restriction and an announcement on this will be made in due course.  

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what types of businesses, other than gyms and those in hospitality, are currently eligible for support through the Business Support Fund.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Strategic Framework sets out the package of business support from 2 November providing grants of up to £3,000 for businesses required to close by law, and grants of up to £2,100 for those businesses that remain open but are required by law to modify the…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance on eligibility it has provided to local authorities in relation to the Business Contingency Fund.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Guidance on distributing the first phase of the Contingency Fund which awarded grants to nightclubs and pay to play soft play centres was issued to councils and included detailed eligibility criteria developed in partnership with local authorities and sectora…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend eligibility for the Business Support Fund beyond gyms and hospitality businesses to include other types of businesses that are also unable to operate due to restrictions on people meeting indoors.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Strategic Framework sets out the Scottish Government's package of business support measures from 2 November. The Strategic Framework Business Fund offers grant support of up to £3,000 for businesses required to close by law, and grants of up to £2,100…

5 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work has been carried out since March 2020 to make pupil learning resources available online for all subjects and levels.

Answer · John Swinney: During Term 4 2020-21, Education Scotland facilitated subject network discussions across all curriculum areas to ascertain and identify what was working for teachers and learners. This led to the current and ongoing work where Education Scotland is working wi…

4 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is meeting its duty under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to ensure the protection and enhancement of the health of the Scottish marine area.

2 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to making routine COVID-19 testing available for care home visitors.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: As outlined to Parliament on 25 November, lateral flow devices will be used to offer testing to designated care home visitors on the day of their visit. This will be rolled out to 14 early adopter care homes across five Local Authorities by 7 th of December, …

28 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many S (a) 4, (b) 5 and (c) 6 pupils have left school education in each month (i) of each of the last three academic years and (ii) since August 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: The following tables show the number of school pupils leaving publicly funded secondary schools in 2016-17 to 2018-19 by month and stage of leaving. Pupils leaving date is collected in Skills Development Scotland (SDS) ‘Opportunities for All’ dataset and is b…

26 Oct 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is responding to reports that BiFab is on the brink of collapse.

14 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for people who are finding it difficult to pay increased domestic heating and power bills as a result of working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions and advice.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is aware of the increases that many consumers will be seeing to their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 situation. In March 2020, we provided an additional £42 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund which provides crisis grants …

14 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging employers to take account of increased domestic heating and power bills when paying staff who are working from home.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: We recognise it has been an extremely challenging time for everyone across Scotland and we are grateful to employers and employees in continuing to support Scotland’s efforts in controlling coronavirus. They can do this by continuing to work from home, where …

14 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how the increase in working from home as a result of COVID-19 will impact on fuel poverty levels.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: In September we published experimental analysis modelling the potential impact of various aspects of COVID-19 on rates of fuel poverty, including increased energy usage due to being in the home more. The estimates are intended to provide an overall sense of t…

14 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to prevent an increase in fuel poverty as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government recognises that due to Covid-19, there will be increased pressures on many household energy bills both as a result of increased usage when people are spending more time at home, including for homeworking, and/or reduced incomes. We als…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the academics who attended the roundtable event on its approach to international development, which was held on 1 October 2020 .

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: A list of the academic institutions represented at the academics roundtable on 1 October, together with a summary note of the discussions at that meeting, can be found on this webpage: https://www.gov.scot/policies/international-development/2020-covid-19-rev…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with civic society representatives in (a) Scotland and (b) partner countries on the review of its approach to international development.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The list of events which I will hold or attend, as part of the Scottish Government review of its approach to international development, are set out on the Scottish Government’s website: https://www.gov.scot/policies/international-development/2020-covid-19-re…

7 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what open access events it has held or plans as part of the review of its approach to international development, and what opportunity there is to provide written submissions to the review.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The list of events which I will hold or attend, as Minister for Europe and International Development, as part of the Scottish Government review of its approach to international development, are set out on the Scottish Government’s website: https://www.gov.sc…

2 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government following the First Minister’s comments at a media briefing on 14 August 2020 that “I know, absolutely all of us know, that atmosphere in pubs and restaurants is important, so we are willing to work with the sector to see if it might be possible to agree a more nuanced position based on …

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The current position of no background sound in hospitality, including low level music and audio from television, is a measured and cautious approach to reduce risk. As per First Minister's comments, it is being kept under review and government has engaged wit…

2 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date awards from the Grassroots Music Venues Stabilisation Fund will be made.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Awards from the Grassroots Music Venues Stabilisation Fund were announced on 22 September. Disbursement started on 30 September, with all but one award made within two weeks. Almost 60% of awards were made within one week. The majority of those that were not …

2 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what planning it is carrying out to support pilot performances for live performance venues and companies.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Following the First Minister’s announcement on 21 September of further measures to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19, the Scottish Government has paused the pilot events programme. Prior to this, discussions had been underway with a number of…

2 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue guidance to enable music venues to reintroduce live performances.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Guidance for the performing arts and venues sector, including music venues, on safe re-opening during the coronavirus pandemic was published on 21 August 2020. Depending on their specific circumstances, music venues may also need to reference the guidance for…

2 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether face-to-face music tuition in homes is permitted under the most recent COVID-19 guidelines.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Private teaching in people’s home is considered a commercial meeting, rather than social, and is permitted subject to the tutor carrying out appropriate risk assessments and implementing mitigations to ensure alignment with relevant guidance. All of the Scot…

28 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the economic and cultural impact of the BBC on Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the appointment of the new chair of the Corporation, including the role that the Commissioner of Public Appointments will play in the process, and whether it…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Given Scottish Ministers’ formal consultative role in reviewing the BBC Charter and our strong interest in its independence and effective governance, I have written to the UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport ahead of the appointments p…

16 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that independent foodbanks have seen at least a doubling in demand for emergency food parcels compared with last year.

9 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £97 million in UK Government consequentials announced on 5 July for the arts, culture and heritage sectors is still to be allocated, and when a decision will be made on the allocation of any remaining funding.

3 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role the National Partnership for Culture has had in allocating the £97 million in Barnett consequentials that arose in July 2020, which it has confirmed will be issued to the arts, culture and heritage sector.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The National Partnership for Culture has had no role in allocating funds from the £97m in Barnett consequentials. However, at its second meeting on 23 July, which was attended by Scottish Government officials, the National Partnership for Culture discussed t…