Parliamentary questions
Liam McArthur
3,644 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for how long it expects to extend the (a) Rural Housing and (b) Islands Housing Fund.
Answer · Shona Robison: In November 2020, we announced that the Rural and Island Housing Fund would be extended beyond March 2021 with up to £30 million made available to support development of affordable homes in rural and island areas across Scotland in the current Parliamentary t…
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing to local authorities in the Highlands and Islands to support the delivery of more affordable low-carbon homes.
Answer · Shona Robison: Through our Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP), nearly £328 million is being made available to the Highland and three Island local authority areas over this Parliamentary term to support the delivery of affordable homes. Within the AHSP there is a st…
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes in each local authority area have been built through the (a) Rural Housing and (b) Islands Housing Fund.
Answer · Shona Robison: Over the last Parliamentary term, over 6,000 affordable homes were delivered in rural and island areas across Scotland through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP). Between 1 April 2016 and latest published statistics to the end of June 2021, there …
30 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish its remote, rural and island housing action plan.
Answer · Shona Robison: We have not set a date for publishing the Remote, Rural and Island Housing Action Plan. Work is at an early stage of development and we want to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the plan to ensure it delivers for remote, rural and…
29 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the roll-out of defibrillator devices in rural and island communities.
Answer · Maree Todd: Scottish Government recognises the important role of prompt defibrillation in improving outcomes from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA). We are a key partner in Save a Life for Scotland (SALFS). The partnership published an updated OHCA strategy in March…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to its 2020 islands communities impact assessment for short-term let licensing and control areas, what data it used to conclude that “noise and anti-social behaviour can be an issue in rural and island areas, particularly from larger 'party mansion' type properties”, and how it …
Answer · Shona Robison: We have heard evidence of noise and antisocial behaviour issues in rural and island areas relating to short-term lets through: correspondence, consultation responses and meetings with affected residents. Party mansions have not been formally defined, but the…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of officials from The Highland Council that the introduction of overprovision through the short-term let licensing scheme “is confusing, as the purpose would appear very similar to control areas.”
Answer · Shona Robison: We are removing the overprovision powers from the Licensing Order. Having considered representation made through the 2021 consultation, the Scottish Government is of the view that the powers given to local authorities to establish control areas are sufficient…
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its 2020 islands communities impact assessment for short-term let licensing and control areas did not assess the financial impact of such regulation on short-term let operators in island communities.
Answer · Shona Robison: Paragraphs 13.30-13.35 of our 2020 islands communities impact assessment (ICIA) sets out details on licensing related costs. The ICIA notes that, although operators in island communities may face higher costs in implementing measures to comply with the basic …
24 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish an updated islands communities impact assessment to accompany its revised short-term let licensing order.
Answer · Shona Robison: We will publish updated versions of all previously published impact assessments, including an islands communities impact assessment, ahead of the Licensing Order coming into force.
23 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what levies have been imposed by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) on law firms involved with the completion of the determination committee process in each of the last three years.
Answer · Ash Denham: This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. The information that has been requested is not held by the Scottish Government. Mr McArthur may be interested to know that a consultation seeking views on options for changes to the way legal ser…
23 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) determination committee meetings there have been in each of the last three years.
Answer · Ash Denham: This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. The information that has been requested is not held by the Scottish Government. Mr McArthur may be interested to know that a consultation seeking views on options for changes to the way legal ser…
22 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial assistance it will make available to help households in areas with high levels of fuel poverty to replace oil or LPG heating systems with low-carbon alternatives.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: By the end of 2021, we will have allocated over £1 billion since 2009 to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency, including £114 million this year alone. We continue to invest in our Warmer Homes Scotland and Area-Based Schemes (ABS). This year…
22 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will support the future replacement of oil or LPG heating systems in low-income households.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Households eligible for assistance under Warmer Homes Scotland will be offered low-carbon alternatives, where these are technically appropriate for the property. These include High Heat Retention Heating Systems, Air Source Heat Pumps, Ground Source Heat Pump…
22 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions took place with stakeholders involved in delivering fuel poverty support in rural and island areas prior to the implementation of the change in policy on the replacement of oil or LPG heating systems.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: In 2019 the Scottish Parliament set ambitious climate change emission reduction targets to net zero emissions by 2045 and a 75% reduction by 2030. This means that by 2030, emissions from homes and buildings will have to fall by 68% against current levels. Tra…
22 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many households had their oil or LPG heating system replacements cancelled as a result of its cooperation agreement with the Scottish Green Party.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: No households have had their replacement oil or LPG boilers or heating systems cancelled as a result of the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party shared policy programme commitment to immediately end public subsidy for oil and LPG boilers. All Warmer …
22 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether an island impact assessment was conducted in relation to the withdrawal of new or replacement oil or LPG heating systems through the Warmer Homes Scotland fund and Home Energy Scotland loans.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: In 2019 the Scottish Parliament set ambitious climate change emission reduction targets to net zero emissions by 2045 and a 75% reduction by 2030. This means that by 2030, emissions from homes and buildings will have to fall by 68% against current levels. Tra…
20 Sep 2021 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research stating that no recommendations to improve practice are made in nine out of 10 fatal accident inquiries into deaths in prison.
15 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board will publish its recommendations on future agricultural policy.
10 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the consultation on its draft Licensing Order and Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for short-term lets.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government will publish its response to the consultation on the draft Licensing Order and Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for short-term lets ahead of laying the draft Licensing Order in November.
1 Sep 2021 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Orkney Islands Council regarding the procurement of low-emissions ferries to replace the current internal fleet.
23 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the change to arrangements for regular smear tests for women over 50 from every three years to every five is related to capacity issues.
Answer · Maree Todd: It is not. The change to routine cervical screening intervals from three years to five years is due to the implementation of a test for high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) as the primary screening test in March 2020. The new test is more effective at identif…
23 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the scientific evidence it received to justify the change in arrangements for regular smear tests for women over 50 from every three years to every five.
Answer · Maree Todd: The cervical screening programme routinely invites anyone with a cervix who is between the ages of 25 and 64 for a test every 5 years. This is in line with the recommendation given by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), to change the primary screeni…
20 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects a COVID-19 digital vaccine app to be available to people in Scotland.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The NHS Scotland COVID Status app was released on ? 30 September. The App allows users to display their vaccination status for international travel and to gain entry to late night venues and large events within Scotland. To date it has been downloaded over 60…
16 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage and facilitate the safe disposal of disused flares and other time expired pyrotechnics (TEPs) in island and rural communities.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Disused flares and other time expired pyrotechnics are likely to be hazardous (special) waste and should be classified and managed as such. Advice on management of special waste is provided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Guidance is provided o…
27 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the remit of the Short-Term Let Working Group to “identify and resolve stakeholder issues and concerns”, what specific stakeholder issues and concerns were resolved by the group, and how was this reflected in (a) guidance and (b) any revised legislation.
Answer · Shona Robison: (a) Stakeholder concerns in respect of the guidance are included in the minute of the third meeting of the Working group in May 2021: Short Term Lets Working Group papers and minutes: May 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . The draft guidance published on 25 J…
27 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what baseline data local authorities will be required to use to establish an over-provision policy for its short-term let licensing proposals.
Answer · Shona Robison: Short-term lets can offer people a flexible and cheaper travel option, and have contributed positively to Scotland’s tourism industry and local economies across the country. However, we know that in certain areas, particularly tourist hot spots, high numbers …
18 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00406 by Jamie Hepburn on 17 June 2021, whether it plans to match the timeframes announced by the Welsh Government in establishing an alternative model of international exchange.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government will be able to provide more detail about a Scottish exchange programme in due course. The programme will be developed based on what would deliver the best value for Scotland and on the needs of Scotland and those of our learners and i…
16 Jun 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to schools to enable them to hold modified sports events that can be attended by parents and carers.
15 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to allowing women aged 70 and over to self-refer for breast cancer screening.
Answer · Maree Todd: The pause to self-referrals for women over 70 is a temporary measure that is regularly reviewed by the Breast Screening Programme Board, the National Screening Oversight Board and the Scottish Screening Committee (of which the Scottish Government is a member)…
15 Jun 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of those screened for breast cancer were women aged 70 and over, in each year since 2010.
Answer · Maree Todd: Data reporting the overage self-referrals is not published with the Breast screening statistics by Public Health Scotland. However, data collated for the Breast screening review for the 3 year period from 2016-17 – 2018-19 reports a total of 32,492 self-refer…