Liam McArthur

15 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), what recent discussions it has had with Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise regarding the development of a film studio.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) consists of representatives from the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. The FSDG meets on a fortnightly basis to discuss progress, actions, and any new potential opportunities for the developm…

15 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether the film studio delivery group has assessed any sites for potential development.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Film Studio Delivery Group procured EKOS in 2014 to undertake a feasibility study and options appraisal for a film studio which included a significant number of sites for potential development. This study was refreshed in December 2015. Wardpark at Cumber…

15 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether any additional bids have been submitted for the development of a film studio.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) welcomes proactive approaches from private sector developers and will assess each proposition in terms of value for the screen sector, value for money, whether the proposition meets the requirements of legal and financial…

15 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-04688 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 October 2015 (Official Report, c. 2), whether the proposal from the private sector developer to build a film studio is still being considered by the film studio delivery group and, if so, what progress is being made with i…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As I set out in my recent evidence to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, progress is being made. The Film Studio Delivery Group (FSDG) is continuing to work with the private sector developer, announced on 9 March 2016 as Wardpark Studios Ltd at Cumber…

10 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the revised national anti-bullying strategy.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government launched ‘A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People’ in 2010. The national approach forms part of our wider attempts to improve the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. It fits in w…

9 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many extra staff it has recruited to deal with the backlog of applications under the Basic Payment Scheme and other common agricultural policy measures and how these have been allocated by area office.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Rural Payments and Inspections Division have recruited 36 additional staff in order to help speed up processing and payments. The location of each of these staff members is shown on the following table: Office Staff Recruited Ayr 2 Hamilton 0 Dumfries …

9 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many extra staff it has recruited to the local area offices in (a) Orkney and (b) Shetland to deal with the backlog of applications under the Basic Payment Scheme and other common agricultural policy measures.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Rural Payments and Inspections Division have recruited 36 additional staff in order to help speed up processing and payments. We currently have one additional staff member based in the Lerwick area office and two additional staff members in the Kirkwall Area …

9 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the responses to its Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill; what work it has undertaken on such a Bill since the consultation closed, and what plans it has to introduce such a Bill.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The responses to the Consultation on Provisions for a Future Islands Bill were published on 25 February 2016. The responses are currently being independently analysed. Once this is complete, the findings will help inform the development of a draft Bill. Deci…

9 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29498 by John Swinney on 9 February 2016, on what date it will announce plans to extend superfast broadband to the remaining 5%.

Answer · John Swinney: It is not yet possible to confirm a date, although we expect to begin new procurement activity later in 2016. There are a number of steps that need to be taken prior to announcing our plans in detail. This includes finalising coverage to be delivered by the D…

8 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29473 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what the estimated requirements are for 2016-17, and how these differ from 2015-16.

Answer · Angela Constance: The estimated non cash Delegated Expenditure Limit requirements for the cost of providing student loans i.e. the resource accounting and budget charge 2016-17 are £175.6 million. In 2015-16, the estimated requirements are £171 million.

8 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-28830 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what the UK Government-advised maximum budget for the Scottish Government was for the cost of loans in 2012-13, excluding the income-contingent student loan writedown.

Answer · Angela Constance: In 2012-13, the original maximum budget available to meet the Resource Accounting and Budget charge for providing student loans (excluding the Spring Budget Revision in readiness for the sale of the mortgage style student loan book) was £88.4 million.

8 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29472 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what resource accounting and budgeting charge is expected to apply in 2016-17, expressed as a percentage of initial loan outlay.

Answer · Angela Constance: The resource and accounting budget charge for 2016-17 is expected to be between 29% and 31%.

8 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29470 by Angela Constance on 5 February 2016, what the resource accounting and budgeting charge is for a repayment threshold of £21,000, also expressed as a percentage of initial loan outlay.

Answer · Angela Constance: The resource and accounting budget (RAB charge), estimated each year, forecasts repayments of student loans for all existing borrowers, as well as future borrowers. The model draws on demographics to calculate a repayment profile and a write off element, whic…

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29440 by Aileen Campbell on 4 February 2016, on what date it will convene the group that will look at the overall allowances system.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Preparations are underway to allow work to begin immediately after the formation of the new government in May 2016. A specific date will be agreed with review group representatives.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it would need to introduce legislation to establish a deposit return scheme for beverage containers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 makes provision for ministers to introduce a deposit return scheme.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland, what assessment it has made of the impact of a deposit return scheme on the Household Recycling Charter.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I announced on 30 December 2015 the further work that would be undertaken following Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence, including consideration of the potential interaction with local authority collection systems.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland, whether it will provide an update on its position on developing such as scheme; what discussions it has had with (a) local aut…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I announced on 30 December 2015 the next steps following Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence, which involves further work to explore the key issues raised in that call for evidence. The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with all relevant stakehol…

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for beverage containers in Scotland, whether it has considered (a) the capacity of small retailers to store empty containers, (b) who will pay for the installation…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I announced on 30 December 2015 the further work that would be undertaken following the responses to Zero Waste Scotland’s call for evidence. That includes the impacts on local authorities, small retailers and consumers, and other key issues.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose a particular model or system for a deposit return scheme in light of the responses that Zero Waste Scotland received to its call for additional evidence for a deposit return scheme for Scotland.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I announced on 30 December 2015 the next steps following the call for evidence undertaken by Zero Waste Scotland, which involves further work to explore key issues identified in that call for evidence.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what date it will write to UK ministers regarding implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers and whether it will publish this correspondence.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I wrote to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 January 2016 inviting him to discuss the further consideration of key issues on deposit return I announced on 30 December 2015. I am happy to…

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, whether the UK Government is supportive of the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The position of the UK Government is a matter for the UK Government.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what dates its officials held discussions with UK Government officials; whether these were conducted face-to-face; what was discussed at each meeting, and whether it will publish the associated record…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials meet regularly with UK counterparts to discuss a range of issues, most frequently via teleconference. Following my letter to the Secretary of State in June 2015, for which I have not received a substantive response, there have be…

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, whether it will publish the response from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food Rural Affairs regarding implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I have received no substantive response from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29439 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what date the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about implementing a deposit return system for beverage …

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I wrote to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 June 2015. I am happy to provide the member with a copy of the letter.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, whether the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive are supportive of the implementation of a deposit return system for beverage containers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The position of the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive is a matter for those administrations.

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what dates its officials held discussions with Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive officials; whether these were conducted face-to-face; what was discussed at each meeting, and whether it …

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials discussed the work undertaken thus far on deposit return and the Scottish Government’s plans for future work via teleconference with colleagues from the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on 7 October 2015, with …

4 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-29452 by Richard Lochhead on 3 February 2016, on what date it will write to ministers in the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss implementing a deposit return system for beverage containers and whether it will publish this cor…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I wrote to ministers in the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive on 31 January 2016 inviting them to discuss the further consideration of key issues on deposit return I announced on 30 December 2015. I am happy to provide the member with a copy of …

3 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the average expenditure per (a) pre-school education, (b) primary school, (c) secondary school, (d) college and (e) university place has been in each year since 2007-08 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms.

Answer · Angela Constance: The following table provides information on average gross revenue expenditure in Scotland per pre-school registration, primary pupil and secondary pupil along with information on teaching allocations per college and university place. 2007-08 2008-09 2…

3 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group will publish its findings.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group will publish its findings by the end of 2016.

3 Feb 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will publish its findings.

Answer · Margaret Burgess: The Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force will publish its findings in autumn 2016.