Angus MacDonald

11 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Falkirk Growth Deal will have on Falkirk district.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Falkirk district contributes significantly to Scotland’s economy, with nationally important industrial assets, a reputation for high-value manufacturing, the Port of Grangemouth, and internationally-recognised tourist attractions. The Scottish Government …

11 Mar 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Just Transition Commission.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am pleased to inform Parliament that the Just Transition Commission have today published their final report. I am grateful for all of the work the Commission has undertaken over the past two years. In preparing advice for Scottish Government, Commissioners…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific consideration it gave to all full-time SPFL football clubs that compete below the Championship level when the frameworks were finalised for the distribution of grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether it plans to provide additional support to each of these c…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We are aware of the impact the restrictions had on football at all levels of the football pyramid, including clubs operating on a full time and part time basis. The distribution mechanism was agreed with the Scottish FA to be as fair and equitable as possible…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gave to all SPFL football clubs that compete below the Championship level when the frameworks were finalised for the distribution of grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether it now plans to provide additional support to each club.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The distribution mechanism was agreed with the Scottish FA to be as fair and equitable as possible. The suspension of the lower leagues below the Championship by the Scottish FA for a short spell was necessary to combat the pandemic and reduce transmission ra…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress being made towards breaking ground on the upgrade of the A801 Avon Gorge Crossing.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Falkirk Council are leading the delivery of this scheme and are responsible, along with West Lothian Council, for ensuring that the business case remains robust and for setting the final timetable on delivery, which is expected to come forward later this year…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with (a) Falkirk Council, (b) Network Rail and (c) ScotRail regarding the reinstatement of the rail passenger service between Grangemouth and Falkirk.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is currently inviting comments on a range of transport options for the Forth Valley area as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). Included within the list proposed for more detailed appraisal are two options that i…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce protection to the most vulnerable carbon storage ‘hotspots’, especially those found in sea lochs.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: We are committed to protecting vulnerable marine habitats through our Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. Seventeen sea lochs are already protected through MPAs. The Scottish Blue Carbon Forum is currently conducting a multi-year research programme to furthe…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it is undertaking into the vulnerability to disturbance by bottom-contacting fishing gears of carbon stored in 'hotspots' in inshore water.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Blue Carbon Forum, a partnership between Scottish Government and academia, is currently conducting a multi-year research programme to further investigate blue carbon habitats, their role in carbon uptake and their vulnerabilities to human activit…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on establishing a Grangemouth Regulatory Hub.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government, working closely with our partner, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, recognises the importance of regulation to protect the environment and communities around Grangemouth, as well as being a real driver of innovation and transfor…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure there is community engagement with the Grangemouth Future Industry Board, and whether it plans to have representatives from the local community attending board meetings on an ad hoc basis.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Grangemouth Future Industry Board, announced in the 2020 Programme for Government, has recently moved from an initiation phase to a delivery phase, bringing together key decision makers across the Scottish public sector, strengthening alignment and co-ord…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what audits it conducts on companies participating in its Warmer Homes Scheme, and whether the scheme has provided value for money.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government contracted Pennington Choices to provide independent quality assurance and audit services to the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme. Pennington Choices audit all aspects of the customer journey and all Warmworks sub-contractors involved in t…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that supermarkets might be higher-risk workplaces, what consideration it has given to allowing supermarkets to sign up for routine testing of staff for COVID-19, including the provision of free lateral flow antigen test kits for staff.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Under Regulations, supermarkets must take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of two metres is maintained between any persons on the premises, with the exception of those within the same household or a carer assisting another person. They must a…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to allowing dancers who have been classed as elite performers to resume one-to-one training, in advance of international competitions later this year. 

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government appreciates elite dancers will want to resume training in advance of international competitions. Where an individual has qualified for a world or regional dance competition, in level 4 areas the provisions in of Schedule 5, Part 1 (3)(…

7 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the proposals by the Agricultural Industries Confederation regarding a simpler and more efficient plant protection products regulatory regime, in response to the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government is currently involved in the review of the UK National Action Plan (NAP) for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The revised NAP draft, agreed by all four nations of the UK, represents our shared ambition to increase uptake of Integrat…

6 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling stations.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies are complementary in the electrification of much of our transport system, as is required as Scotland transitions to net zero. The Scottish Government is therefore supporting targeted investment in both tech…

6 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on establishing a hydrogen production and distribution company with majority state ownership.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Hydrogen Policy Statement published on the 21 December 2020 sets out the Scottish Government’s vision to develop Scotland into a leading Hydrogen Nation in the production of reliable, competitive, sustainable hydrogen and to secure Scotland’s future as a …

25 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with research on the feasibility of the introduction of mobile abattoirs to assist farmers and crofters in rural areas.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The feasibility study, published in March 2020, provides details of what would be required to operate mobile abattoirs in Scotland, including the regulatory framework, and offers a cost-benefit analysis of possible operational models. However, the report also…

3 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial impact of the pandemic on private out-of-school care providers, and what plans it has to provide specific support to this sector.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has worked closely with local authorities and sector representatives to assess and address the financial sustainability of the childcare sector through the Working Group on Early Learning and Childcare and Childcare Sector Recovery. We…

26 Jan 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research has been undertaken regarding the long-term impact of long COVID on Scotland’s health services, and whether it is considering establishing long COVID clinics.

15 Dec 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its update to the 2018 Climate Change Plan.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government laid the Climate Change Plan update in Parliament today. The Climate Change Plan update can be accessed at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781800044302 and sets out a pathway to our emissions targets up until 2032 as part of a green reco…

15 Dec 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its approach to implementing the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020, which will entitle all children whose school start is deferred to access funded early learning and childcare in their defe…

Answer · Maree Todd: On 2 October 2019, I confirmed that the Scottish Government would introduce legislation in this parliamentary session to entitle all children whose school start is deferred to access funded early learning and childcare in their deferred year. The legislation…

23 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide certification for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to provide specific certification for people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.  

17 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Forth Valley regarding capacity planning at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital Intensive Care Unit, in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Oct 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of the final Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We intend to publish the final Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (“the Plan”) later today, in line with the commitments we set out in the Programme for Government. It will be available to view on the Scottish Government website from today here ht…

22 Oct 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of the final Offshore Wind Policy Statement.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: We intend to publish the final Offshore Wind Policy Statement later today, in line with the commitments we set out in the Programme for Government. The Policy Statement will be available to view on the Scottish Government website from today here: Offshore W…

16 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for an awareness campaign on the implementation of changes to the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to ensure that homeowners, landlords, and those responsible for complying with the new regulations are aware of their responsibilities before 1 February 2021.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: In light of the challenges caused by COVID-19, I intend to bring forward regulations shortly which, subject to Parliamentary approval, will amend the commencement date for new minimum standards to 1 February 2022, allowing more time for the work required to m…

16 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Environment Agency regarding a permit to ship 27,500 tonnes of municipal sewage sludge from the Netherlands, where sludge spreading is banned, to the UK, and whether it is aware of any plans to process this in Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: No discussions have taken place between the Scottish Government and the Environment Agency regarding the import of sewage sludge from the Netherlands. SEPA has not been notified of any plans to process imported sludge from the Netherlands in Scotland.

7 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statistical publication, Domestic Abuse and Stalking Charges in Scotland 2019-2020.

7 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many grants have been approved through the Coronavirus Support Scheme for Self-Catering Businesses administered by VisitScotland, and how many appeals in relation to the scheme have been upheld.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Coronavirus Support Scheme for Self-Catering Businesses was put in place to provide help to those businesses who were ineligible for the various funding packages made available at the start of the pandemic. This additional self-catering fund has made 100 …

16 Jul 2020 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to businesses in the waste and resources sector that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We recognise the challenges many businesses in the sector continue to face during these difficult times and have engaged with sector representatives to understand the support that may be needed. In partnership with Zero Waste Scotland, on 1 July we launched …