Parliamentary questions
Graham Simpson
867 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £12 million reduction to the “Travel Strategy and Innovation” budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £63.4 million reduction to the “Future Transport Fund – Low Carbon” budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £2.8 million reduction to the “Support for sustainable travel” budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £7 million reduction to the “Support for bus services” budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Network Support Grant, currently paid at 14.4 p/km, has been fully funded to the level of forecast demand in 2024-25. This is lower than budgeted in 2023-24 as demand has not been as high as anticipated this financial year. 2023-24 funding was too high, a…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £37.8 million, or 75.6%, reduction to the Just Transition Fund in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The change in budget allocation to the Just Transition Fund is due to a reduction in capital and financial transactions funding allocations from the UK Government which the Fund relies on. The UK Autumn Statement was the worst-case scenario for Scotland. The…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding its decision to remove all funding from the "Regional Transport Partnership" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £6.7 million reduction to the "Central Government Grants to Local Authorities" budget line within its Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition budget for 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding its decision to remove all funding from the "Green Economy" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £1.1 million reduction to Scottish Water's budget in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: There has been no reduction to Scottish Water’s budget. The Scottish Government Budget for 2024-25 sets out that during the financial year, the Scottish Government intends to lend £170m per annum in capital funding and to receive some £105.5m income per annum…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £38.7 million reduction to the "Climate Change and Land Managers Renewables Fund" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £5.5 million reduction to the "Ferry Services" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £40.8 million reduction to the "Active Travel, Low Carbon and Other Transport Policy" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £9.3 million reduction to the "Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The reduction is driven by a reduction to the level of financial transactions allocation for 2024-25. This funds loans given out under our funding schemes to support home owners and businesses install energy efficiency measures and clean heating system. Despi…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the £79.9 million reduction to the "Rail Services" budget line in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
17 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment was conducted regarding the reported £29.3 million real terms cut to the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition budget in its Budget 2024-25.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In an extremely challenging financial climate, and following a worst case scenario UK Autumn Statement in which UK Ministers prioritised tax cuts over public spending, we have had to take difficult decisions in setting this budget. The amount Scotland has ava…
16 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the spending proposals in its draft Budget will help to achieve woodland planting targets.
9 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the latest expression of interest in buying Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
9 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when detailed performance and carrying figures for CalMac in 2023 will be released.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The publication of performance and carrying statistics is a matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd as the operator of the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services contract.
23 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the anticipated methane slip is on the (a) Glen Sannox and (b) Glen Rosa.
Answer · Neil Gray: CalMac are continuing to develop the LNG workstream for Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa, including through discussions with Wartsila the engine manufacturer. The methane slip in service would be influenced by the route the ship is to operate on and the amount of ve…
21 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08733 by Jenny Gilruth on 15 June 2022, whether any discussions have taken place with Transport for London about its Veteran Oyster Card, and whether it has considered introducing such a scheme in Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland undertakes regular engagement with Transport for London on a range of issues relevant to public transport provision. Transport Scotland has not specifically considered replicating the Transport for London Oystercard Veterans initiative. Th…
20 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to use its procurement power to influence road risk standards in supply chains, in alignment with health and safety contractual standards.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Scottish Government standard Terms and Conditions of Contract require contractors to comply with all applicable national legislation and any applicable requirements of regulatory bodies as well as Good Industry Practice. In addition to this, the Scottish Gov…
20 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it uses planning powers and conditions to influence road risk standards in (a) development and (b) construction supply chains.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Depending on the nature, scale and location of a proposed development, planning authorities are required to consult specified statutory consultees before determining planning applications. For example, the relevant local roads authority, or Transport Scotland…
20 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) demonstrate road safety leadership, (b) promote road standards and (c) reduce work-related road risk requirements within its own fleet of vehicles.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government takes a serious and proactive approach to road safety and has a specific procedure (Management of Occupational Road Risk (MORR) contained within the organisation’s Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) policy. The purpose of the …
19 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of its overseas offices.
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Transport Scotland’s reported decision not to fund Smarter Choices, Smarter Places from April 2024, what practical difference there will be between this and any other funding stream that will replace it.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has ambitious plans to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys, with record levels of investment over this Parliament and significantly ahead of anywhere else in the UK. Our biggest focus is on deliveri…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Transport Scotland’s reported decision not to fund Smarter Choices, Smarter Places from April 2024, whether any replacement funding stream will continue to be used for local transport.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has ambitious plans to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys, with record levels of investment over this Parliament. Our biggest focus is on delivering physical infrastructure on the ground. But we al…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Transport Scotland’s reported decision not to fund Smarter Choices, Smarter Places from April 2024, whether this funding will be allocated elsewhere, and, if so, where it will be allocated to.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has ambitious plans to make it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys, with record levels of investment over this Parliament and significantly ahead of anywhere else in the UK. Our biggest focus is on deliveri…
13 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Community Bus Fund since September 2023.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Community Bus fund was launched on 22 September 2023, therefore it is too early to carry out an assessment of impact. A full evaluation will be carried out following the completion of projects in 2024.
13 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which organisations or interested parties have received funding through the Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund in 2023-24.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government provides annual funding to Energy Saving Trust (EST) who are an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency. EST then deliver the Plugged-in Communities (PiC) grant fund on behalf of Scottish Ministers. EST publi…
13 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to ensure that its transport data collection is accurate and robust, in light of the reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on data collection methods.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland collects and uses a range of data on transport from a variety of sources. These incorporate collection methods that remained relatively unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as automated traffic counters, recorded ticket purchases, and …