Graham Simpson

20 Feb 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes tourism in the Central Scotland region.

13 Feb 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the rural economy is not adversely impacted on by large-scale developments.

31 Jan 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a national lending unit as  an option to assist home owners with the repair and maintenance of their property, which was discussed in the May 2008 paper, Housing (Scotland) Act 2006: Part 2 - Scheme of Assistance: Lending Options for Local Authorities.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government reviewed proposals for a national lending unit in 2011 in response to the economic downturn, the impact of this on credit and household income, and arrangements under the concordat with local authorities. Following consultation, the Sc…

30 Jan 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many business organisations have written to the First Minister and finance secretary in favour of income tax rises.

Answer · Derek Mackay: In developing our new income tax policy the Scottish Government has engaged with a number of business groups. We have delivered a balanced set of tax and spend proposals. For the majority of taxpayers there will not be an income tax rise - Scotland will be th…

23 Jan 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that major road projects promote active travel. 

14 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13028 by Kevin Stewart on 13 December 2017, when the review of skills and positions will be completed; for what reason this was not done before the More Homes Scotland approach was published in 2016, and whether the review will contain a figure for …

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The work of the short-life working group on skills in the house-building industry is expected to conclude in Summer 2018. It is being developed and delivered with our partners Homes for Scotland and Skills Development Scotland. This work is considering the …

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-12720 by Shona Robison on 29 November 2017, what action is it taking in light of the findings of the analysis.

Answer · Shona Robison: An increase in mortality is not unusual in the winter months especially in the age and disease groups highlighted in the answer to the previous question (S5W-12720). This increase reflects the frailty of some people with long term respiratory and cardiac dise…

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09061 by Kevin Stewart on 9 May 2017, whether the 2017 data has now been published and, if not, by what date it will be.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Question S5W-09061 asked the Scottish Government how many homeless people have used temporary accommodation in each year since 2012. The answer stated that data on the number of people using temporary accommodation in each year is currently unavailable, howev…

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09060 by Kevin Stewart on 9 May 2017, which local authorities have set up a housing options hub, and where each hub is located.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Housing Options Hubs bring together neighbouring councils in Scotland to promote, develop and share information and best practice on the prevention of homelessness. There are 5 Housing Options Hubs which all 32 local authorities in Scotland participate in. Th…

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09060 by Kevin Stewart on 9 May 2017, on what dates the national seminars have been held, and whether it will provide a list of attendees for each.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The following table shows the dates of the Housing Options Hubs Events and lists those local authorities and organisations who were represented at each event, where available. Event Date Attended by representatives of: National Housing Options Hubs Semina…

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-09054 by Kevin Stewart on 29 September 2017, in light of its aim to eradicate rough sleeping, for what reason it does not collect this data, and whether it will consider doing so to assist in determining where the strains are for each local authorit…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Question S5W-09054 asked the Scottish Government how many homeless people have been housed by a local authority in accommodation outside of its area in each of the last three years, and the answer stated that Scottish Government do not collect data on the geo…

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11112 by Kevin Stewart on 21 September 2017, whether the refreshed strategy has been launched and, if not, by what date it will be.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Our aim is to launch a refreshed housing strategy for older people by Spring 2018.

7 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11311 by Paul Wheelhouse on 29 September 2017, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding how much it is investing into research on the offsite construction sector.

Answer · Keith Brown: My response to S5W-11311 made clear Scottish Government support for encouraging a higher take-up of innovation in product and process across the construction sector. We are providing £7.5 million funding, via the Scottish Funding Council, for the Constructi…

6 Dec 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to repair potholes that have appeared on the newly-opened section of the M73, and how much this will cost.

Answer · Keith Brown: Under the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) contract for the project, SRP, the project contractor, is responsible for the maintenance of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project for a period of 30 years. Consequently the obligation to undertake repairs such a…

28 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the outstanding works on the A8/M8/M74 will be completed.

Answer · Keith Brown: The new motorway opened to traffic on 1 June 2017. Finishing works are currently underway and the contractor has confirmed his intention to complete these works by April 2018. This is a standard approach for projects of this nature. As this project was procur…

28 Nov 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to end rough sleeping this winter.

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether EPC measures for the U-value of stone construction in Scotland fairly represent actual in situ performance.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: EPCs are produced using the UK Government National Calculation Methodology (NCM) that conforms to the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU). Within the NCM, default U-values for the performance of building elements are pr…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of pre-1919 residential buildings are not listed.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The information requested is not held centrally. However, Historic Environment Scotland has advised that it estimates that just over 98% of pre-1919 residential buildings are not listed.

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11852 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what protections are in place for alterations and changes that may be damaging but are allowed to take place without a Listed Building Consent.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In cases where proposed works to a listed building have been scrutinised by the regulatory authorities and a Listed Building Consent is deemed unnecessary the issue of ‘damage’ should not arise because all proposed works are assessed on the basis of their pot…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, in light of the development of the skills listed being voluntary, what plans it has to make accreditation mandatory for retrofit work on listed and traditional buildings.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13033 on 12 December 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, how many accredited professionals there are in Scotland, and whether this is sufficient to meet demand.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The range of different accredited professionals to be employed on energy efficiency retrofit for traditional buildings will depend on the specific circumstances of the building. The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on this issue. We w…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that all (a) listed and (b) pre-1919 buildings have an accredited professional adviser on energy efficiency adaptations.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-13033 on 12 December 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-11853 and S5W-11854 by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2017, what provisions are in place to ensure the same standards are met for listed and pre-1919 buildings that are not grant-funded by HES.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: It is the responsibility of building owners to ensure that any works to their properties comply with appropriate standards and to employ suitably qualified tradespeople. Impartial and Independent Advice funded by the Scottish Government on energy efficiency r…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of new towns as a means to tackle housing shortages, as recommended by RICS and similar to those announced for England by the UK Government.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: New towns are not a new solution – or the only solution. Housing development is needed at all scales – from new communities to redevelopment of vacant sites in settlements. We expect local authorities to take a lead in saying where development should take pla…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to the recommendations in the UK Government’s interim report on the review of the gap between planning permission being granted and house building completion, and whether it will consider these when tackling similar issues for housing developments in Scotl…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Closing the gap between planning and delivering new homes is one of the key themes of the ongoing planning review in Scotland. We will consider all available and relevant evidence related to housing delivery as we continue to progress changes to the planning …

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to providing additional funding for training new workers in the construction sector.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The number of modern apprentice starts in construction related training in 2016-17 has increased to 5,934 up from 4,894 in 2015-16. This increased investment demonstrates the Scottish Government commitment to meet the demand for apprenticeships in the constru…

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many young people are training to enter the construction industry.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The number of young people (aged 16-24) starting a Modern Apprenticeship in construction related industries for 2016-17 was 3,273 up from 3,155 in 2015-16.

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many new skilled workers it estimates are needed to meet its house-building targets.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Through the More Homes Scotland approach we are taking a number of steps to increase housing supply across the country. We have set out a five year commitment to deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes, including 35,000 homes for social rent, backed by more …

27 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the rent to buy model; what its position is on this measure; whether any assessment has been made of the likely take-up of this, and, if so, what the result of the assessment was.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Through the More Homes Scotland approach, Scottish Government is encouraging and supporting a range of interventions to increase the supply of homes within the affordable and private housing sectors and this includes rent to buy models. We currently have a re…

15 Nov 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) has considered or (b) is consulting on the provision of a train station in the village of Plains, North Lanarkshire.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Government is aware that North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) instructed consultants SWECO to undertake the Plains STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) Transport Options Study on their behalf. Transport Scotland provided advice to the consultants …