Colin Beattie

7 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is regarding the impact in Scotland to reports that the UK Government is considering a post-Brexit removal of workers’ rights.

30 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the value of each local authority's reserves in real terms in 2022-23, and how this compares with the equivalent value in 2006-07.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The information regarding the value of each local authority's reserves in real terms in 2022-23, and how this compares with the equivalent value in 2006-07 is set out in the following table. LOCAL AUTHORITY RESERVES          2006-07 Real Terms 2022-23 Real…

30 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, following the implementation of the Young Person’s Guarantee and Kickstart Scheme in 2020, how many opportunities have been provided for deaf young people, including those with mild or moderate hearing impairments, through (a) the Kickstart Scheme and (b) funded local partnerships throu…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Since the launch of the Young Person’s Guarantee in November 2020, we have provided additional funding, with the aim of supporting new and enhanced opportunities for young people, through Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs). In 2022-23, Local Employabilit…

30 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, following the implementation of the Young Person’s Guarantee and Kickstart Scheme in 2020, how many funded college sector places have been taken up by deaf school leavers, including school leavers with mild or moderate hearing impairments.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In 2020-21 academic year, the estimated number of school leavers who self-identified as deaf/having a hearing impairment was 170, which represented 0.6% of all school leavers who were enrolled in college. Of the estimated 680 school leavers recorded for Young…

30 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, following the implementation of the Young Person’s Guarantee and Kickstart Scheme in 2020, how many funded apprenticeship places have been (a) offered to and (b) taken up by deaf school leavers, including school leavers with mild or moderate hearing impairments.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Official statistics from our national skills agency, Skills Development Scotland show that there were 26 Modern Apprentice (MA) Starts, in the 16-19 age grouping, who were recorded as having a hearing impairment and were recorded as being school pupils prior …

15 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will raise awareness of the Water Safety Action Plan ahead of the summer to ensure people stay safe in and around Scotland’s waters.

8 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reported labour shortages and significant cost increases on materials will have on social housing construction in Scotland.

1 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to local authorities as part of its Covid Recovery Strategy to help them resume normal services and manage staff absences.

25 May 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy for Scotland.

4 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on implementing the delivery of its National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

29 Apr 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government plans to mark Deaf Awareness Week 2022.

27 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what duty local authorities have to assist disabled people who reside in mobile or park homes under the Chronically Sick And Disabled Persons (Scotland) Act 1972.

16 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent levels at which business rates begin to be paid for the rateable value of individual properties in Scotland, and how that compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.  

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Budget 2022-23 ensures the lowest poundage in the UK for the fourth year in a row and supports a generous package of reliefs. Table 1 shows the tax rates and thresholds that will apply in 2022-23. There are also a number of rates reliefs availa…

15 Mar 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the consultation on a draft national plan to end the need for food banks.

23 Feb 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact on Scotland's Covid Recovery Strategy due to the UK Government's decision to end the legal requirement to self-isolate for people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

27 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review and reconsider the Control of Entry arrangements for community pharmacy services, in light of reported calls that this may provide a fairer, equal and transparent process for applicants whereby local interests and needs are prioritised over competitor interests.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is committed to developing and implementing within this parliamentary term a revised contracting framework for community pharmacy NHS pharmaceutical services, underpinned by a review of existing Control of Entry, funding arrangement an…

19 Jan 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its proposals on green ports as part of the wider investment to support a green recovery.

21 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of funding can be provided by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to stabilise and develop the site of Mavisbank House in Loanhead; what engagement HES is undertaking with relevant stakeholders to take forward development of this site; what short-term developments HES anticipa…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Historic Environment Scotland has already played a lead role in looking at the options for development at Mavisbank House, through its partnership with the Landmark Trust in the ultimately unsuccessful funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund…

20 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the waiting time for surgery for Priority 4 gynaecology patients, in light of some patients being informed that the waiting time for some procedures is currently over 100 weeks.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As you know, the NHS in Scotland is under unprecedented pressure, particularly as a result of this latest Covid wave, and a number of services have been stood down in order to support urgent and emergency demand. The latest data shows Boards are reporting a …

8 Dec 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed works at Sheriffhall roundabout as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

24 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what targeted support it is providing to communities to help deal with antisocial behaviour.

12 Nov 2021 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what consideration has been given to the length of time taken to process motions and questions submitted by MSPs.

Answer · Maggie Chapman: Since the start of Session 6, the Chamber Desk has seen an upturn in the number of questions and motions submitted. In particular, the number of Urgent Questions being lodged has increased significantly. These factors have had an impact on the previous patter…

2 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported Crown Office findings that there has been a 9% increase in reported charges with a "domestic abuse identifier" during the COVID-19 pandemic, what action it is taking to support victims of domestic violence.

27 Oct 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support opportunities for the cultural sector to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic this winter.

11 Oct 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that it is using every opportunity to use government funding to promote fair work and pay people the real living wage.

Answer · Ivan McKee: We have consistently pushed the boundaries in our procurement activity to achieve payment of the real Living Wage to those employed in public contracts, and have provided extensive guidance and support to public bodies on this issue. We are making payment of…

16 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is providing to the 450 employees of the company, People’s Energy, in light of it having ceased trading, and what support is being provided to any of the company's vulnerable customers who may be at risk of fuel poverty.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Skills Development Scotland who lead on SG’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative have been actively engaging with the company and staff, providing support to individuals who may be impacted.

15 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Covid recovery secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding action to support the hospitality sector to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

23 Aug 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further guidance and support it will provide to community groups to help them meet the goal of net zero emissions.

14 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide help, guidance and support to the Riverside Medical Centre in Musselburgh, to assist it in providing an acceptable standard of health service to its patients.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Whilst Scottish Ministers set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, responsibility for service delivery rests locally with Health Boards and GP practices. Practices are contracted to provide general medical services by their local health board and not…

11 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Ministerial Taskforce for Population.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Today, the Scottish Government’s Ministerial Population Taskforce has published Scotland’s first ever national Population Strategy. This document is called ‘A Scotland for the Future: The Challenges and Opportunities of Scotland’s Changing Population’ and can…