Liam McArthur

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures and indicators will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the new third sector-led national throughcare service for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand, and how frequently this performance data will be published.

Answer · Angela Constance: The measures and indicators which will be used to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and value for money of the new third sector national throughcare service are in the process of being developed. This work is being done in consultation with the partnersh…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential number of people who could be eligible for the new national throughcare service for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand, what criteria or prioritisation methods will be used to determine who receives immediate support.

Answer · Angela Constance: The new national service will ensure that an offer of support is available to all eligible individuals who are serving a short sentence (under 4 years), or being held on a period of remand.As with the current Shine and New Routes Public Social Partnership ser…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of delivering the (a) Shine and (b) New Routes programme for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand in its final year of operation.

Answer · Angela Constance: In 2024-25, the final year of operation of the Shine and New Routes Public Social Partnerships (PSPs), the Scottish Government provided grant funding of:a) £1,459,620 to Shine PSP; andb) £1,979,816 to New Routes PSPBoth Shine and New Routes provid…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been released from prison (a) from short-term sentences and (b) on remand in each of the last five years.

Answer · Angela Constance: The following table provides the number of people departing prison one or more times in each financial year from remand, with index sentences of one year or less, and with index sentences from greater than one year to four years or less.Individuals Departing …

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure coordination between the new national throughcare service for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand and existing local authority criminal justice social work services, to avoid duplication and maximise effectiveness.

Answer · Angela Constance: The launch of the new national throughcare service does not affect the duty on local authorities to provide voluntary throughcare support and will not replace any locally commissioned services or local processes.The new service will be structured to work coll…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources and support mechanisms will be put in place in rural and island communities to ensure the effective delivery of the new national throughcare service for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand.

Answer · Angela Constance: The new national throughcare service will ensure equitable support provisions across all communities in Scotland.The partnership delivering the new national throughcare service (consisting of Sacro, Access to Industry, Action for Children, Apex Scotland, Barn…

30 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it made of restoring the ScottishPrison Service Throughcare Support Service, rather than establishing a newthird sector-led national throughcare service.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government supports third sector delivery of voluntary throughcare support. We recognise that these organisations are uniquely positioned to offer flexible, community-based and person-centred support to individuals transitioning from prison back …

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted an analysis of any potential economic impact on Scottish businesses of the disparity in transmission impact assessment thresholds between Scotland and the rest of Great Britain.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: To date, the Scottish Government has not undertaken analysis on the potential economic impact on Scottish businesses of the disparity in transmission impact assessment thresholds between Scotland and the rest of Great Britain.Scotland’s transmission net…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the National Energy System Operator, (b) ScottishPower Energy Networks, (c) Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and (d) the UK Government regarding the disparity in transmission impact assessment thresholds between Scotland and the rest of Grea…

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government engages regularly with Ofgem and NESO to ensure transmission infrastructure delivers for Scotland. This includes exploration of the TIA threshold, and consideration of the impact that this has on energy users in Scotland.The most recen…

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on Scotland's net zero targets of maintaining the current 200-kilowatt threshold for transmission impact assessments.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: While, to date, the Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of the potential impact on Scotland’s net zero targets of maintaining the 200kW threshold for transmission impact assessments, it is aware of this issue. As detailed in responses …

29 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to influence grid management in Scotland, and whether it has assessed the possibility of using any such powers to align Scottish transmission impact assessment thresholds with those in England and Wales.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has no powers to influence grid management in Scotland as legislation and regulations relating to gas and electricity networks are reserved to the UK Government. The independent system operator, National Energy System Operator (NESO), …

23 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it still plans to publish a bill to implement the recommendations of the Working Group on Misogyny in the current parliamentary session, and, if so, when.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Working Group on Misogyny and the Criminal Law recommended the creation of 'gendered' laws which specifically provide protection to women and girls.There is currently a case before the Supreme Court concerning the definition of 'women and girls'. It will …

21 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how it delivers support for community ownership of heritage assets.

20 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 22 January 2024, Early learning and childcare (ELC): provision for 1 and 2 year olds in Scotland, whether it will provide an update on progress with the implementation of this commitment, and by what date this will be fully implemented.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: Keeping children in Scotland out of poverty is the First Minister’s and this government’s top priority and we recognise how important both early learning and school age childcare are in supporting families. That is why we continue prioritise our i…

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a specific timeline for the launch of the delayed cruise ship levy consultation.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government plans to launch a formal public consultation on a potential local authority cruise ship levy in Scotland in February this year.

16 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of which actions in the Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan 2024-2030 are specifically targeted to restore and manage species-rich grasslands.

Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) notes that “Scotland’s uplands (above the limits of enclosed farmland) comprise a range of habitats including … species-rich grasslands” and that there has been a substantial long term decline …

19 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the merits of introducing digital activation codes for lasting powers of attorney, rather than requiring the use of paper documents as proof of registration.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government recognises that the present system of presenting paper copies of powers of attorneys as proof of authority to act could be improved by digitisation of the process. Digital activation codes are used in England and appear to be a success…

19 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to support the Office of the Public Guardian in its digital transformation project.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish budget has provided support to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service in order that a new case management system for the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) can be introduced. The project to deliver a new system for OPG is due to be delivered o…

19 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with the Office of the Public Guardian to introduce digital activation codes for lasting powers of attorney, which could reportedly benefit both attorneys and granters.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Operational decisions relating to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) are for the independent Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS). SCTS is rolling out a new case management system for OPG. Activation codes are not in scope for the first stages of …

18 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to allow the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission to investigate evidence provided to it during a previously reviewed case.

Answer · Angela Constance: The powers of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) to review alleged miscarriages of justice are provided for in the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (1995 Act).There is no limitation within the 1995 Act on the SCCRC investigating evide…

18 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what sanctions exist for misleading the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, and how such matters are investigated.

Answer · Angela Constance: The sanctions that may be applied where a person is found to have misled the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) and the means by which allegations that a person may have done so would be investigated would depend on the facts and circumstances …

18 Dec 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there is adequate childcare provision in island communities, including in the Orkney constituency.

10 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle marine litter caused by the improper disposal of end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The disposal of litter and fishing gear at sea is covered by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Regulations. In UK waters these are enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Scottish Government’s…

10 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of its Marine Litter Strategy.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government published the updated Marine Litter Strategy and Action Plan in 2022, aiming to address the amount of litter entering the marine environment, to achieve ecological, economic and social benefits. The strategy steers our work up to 2027 …

27 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to make an announcement on the delivery of the second tranche of 2024's annual budget funding for Community Led Local Development.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The announcement of the second tranche of 2024-25 Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding totalling £4.25m was provided to all delivery stakeholders on the 27 November 2024. Area based allocations have now been issued to the 20 Local Action Group…

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6W-30730 and S6W-30726 by Shona Robison on 20 November 2024, whether the process that was put in place across all policy areas included assessment in terms of (a) quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and (b) other public health metrics, and, if so, whi…

Answer · Shona Robison: Marketing campaigns are one intervention used by the Scottish Government to support the population of Scotland to live healthy and active lives. They typically support wider programmes of activity or run alongside other interventions.Overall progress against …

21 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-30729 by Shona Robison on 20 November 2024, whether the quantitative evaluation that was carried out by an independent research agency to assess campaign performance included assessment in terms of (a) quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and (b) oth…

Answer · Shona Robison: Health marketing campaigns are one intervention used by the Scottish Government to support the population of Scotland to live healthy and active lives. They typically support wider programmes of activity or run alongside other interventions.Where possible, ma…

6 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure appropriate oversight of the police use of facial recognition technology.

5 Nov 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its budget underspend has been for financial years (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-24, broken down by (i) portfolio and (ii) line item.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Annual outturn against budget is provided in the Scottish Government’s Consolidated Accounts. Results on a portfolio basis are reported within the Summary of Total Outturn section, and more detailed portfolio information is included within the relevant …

30 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the capacity reduction on Caithness–Orkney routes (a) in absolute terms and (b) per capita resulting from the chartering of the MV Alfred.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has made no assessment. The charter of the vessel is a commercial agreement between CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) and Pentland Ferries. Any reduction in capacity on the route would be for the operator of that route to consider when leasing …