Parliamentary questions
Neil Bibby
1,029 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the SQA regarding the moderation methodology used for the 2020 awards.
Answer · John Swinney: I met with the Chief Examining Officer, Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Board, and other members of staff at SQA on a number of occasions and discussed a range of topics, which included the moderation methodology used for the 2020 awards.
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason no assessment of evidence of individual attainment was reportedly made by the SQA prior to marking down teacher estimates of pupil attainment.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was commissioned to develop and deliver an alternative approach to awarding in 2020, and as such their approach to moderation was an operational decision for SQA to make.
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out regarding the impact of the moderation methodology for the 2020 awards on pupils from poorer areas.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Qualifications Authority is responsible for undertaking an Equality Impact Assessment and Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment for its approach to awarding in 2020 and both reports were published in full as planned, on 4 August.
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take regarding any differing teacher ability in assessing pupil attainment that has been identified by the 2020 awards.
Answer · John Swinney: We are committed to quickly learning from this year’s awards process. Professor Mark Priestley is leading an independent review of the approach to awarding in 2020. Areas being considered by Professor Priestley include teachers’ estimates and he will make rec…
10 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the remuneration is for SQA board members.
Answer · John Swinney: The annual remuneration of the SQA Chair and individual Board members are detailed within the latest SQA Annual Report and Accounts, available here https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/Annual_Report_and_Accounts2018-19.pdf . Policy details on the remunerat…
7 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the attainment of pupils with a vision impairment in the 2019-20 school year compared with the previous year at (a) Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 4 or better, (b) SCQF level 5 or better, (c) SCQF level 6 or better and (d) SCQF level 7.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not held centrally.
7 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the predicted exam grades of pupils with (a) additional support needs and (b) a vision impairment in (i) each local authority and (ii) Scotland were downgraded in the current academic year.
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not held centrally.
7 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of school leavers with a vision impairment in the 2019-20 school year attained at least one qualification at (a) Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 4 or better, (b) SCQF level 5 or better, (c) SCQF level 6 or better and (d) SCQF level 7.
Answer · John Swinney: We plan to publish the school leaver attainment statistics for 2019-2020 in February 2021.
4 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the proportion of pupils achieving five (a) Higher and (b) Advanced Higher (i) grades A-C and (ii) grade As in 2019-20 (A) nationally and (B) in each local authority area in (aa) local authority-run and (bb) independent schools compares with the grades at in this range that had been …
Answer · John Swinney: The information requested is not held centrally.
4 Aug 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the proportion of grades A-C awarded at (a) National 5, (b) Higher and (c) Advanced Higher for 2019-20 (i) nationally and (ii) in each local authority area in (A) local authority-run and (B) independent schools compares with the grades at in this range that had been estimated by teac…
Answer · John Swinney: The following table, based on information published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), shows the national pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher for 2019-20 based on teacher estimates and based on the moderated results as published …
15 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions ministers have had with the UK Government regarding the future of Rolls Royce at Inchinnan, broken down by date.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has discussed the future of the aerospace sector including Rolls Royce during regular calls with Nadhim Zahawi MP, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Industry on 13 May and 3 June. …
15 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers (a) have recently had and (b) plan to have with (i) the UK Government and (ii) other devolved administrations regarding the future of aerospace across the UK.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Scottish Ministers have had, and continue to have, regular discussions both jointly and bilaterally with the UK Government and the governments of Wales and Northern Ireland with regard to the future of the aerospace sector in both Scotland and the wider UK. …
15 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out by or on behalf of it to explain regional variations of COVID-19 death rates in Scotland.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: Public Health Scotland recently published an impact assessment that examined the reasons why particular groups are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. We know that stubborn health inequalities persist and more deprived communities have a …
15 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether research into regional variations of COVID-19 death rates has established for what reasons Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire have reported death rates above the national average and, if so, what the conclusions were.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30732 on 6 August 2020. 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
15 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much public funding (a) it and (b) Scottish Enterprise has given to Aviva since 1 January 2019, broken down by the (i) date of and (ii) reason for each funding award.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Aviva has not been awarded any new grants or funding packages from Scottish Enterprise since 1 January 2019. In respect of an older Training Aid offer from Scottish Enterprise, dated 28 November 2017, a first and final payment of £209,343 was made to Aviva I…
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is monitoring social distancing and the wearing of face coverings on bus services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Government officials are in regular dialogue with the Confederation of Passenger Transport and the larger bus operators in Scotland on how best to engage with passengers and inform them of the requirements for physical distancing and wearing a face c…
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that, on buses, there is social distancing and passengers are wearing face coverings.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Transport Transition Plan, published on 26 May, includes guidance for public transport users and transport operators. It continues to be updated to take account of evolving physical distancing and other measures as we ease out of lockdown. Exemptions to t…
6 Jul 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has given to bus companies in relation to seat blocking on buses.
Answer · Michael Matheson: On 21 May this year, the First Minister published a Route Map setting out the steps to transition safely out of lockdown. The Transport Transition Plan, published on 26 May, aligns to the route map and is regularly updated. Guidance for public transport users…
30 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the plan by Aviva to relocate jobs from Bishopbriggs to Eurocentral, Lanarkshire, and, in light of the potential economic impact on the Bishopbriggs area, what discussions (a) it and (b) Scottish Enterprise has had or plans to hold with Aviva regarding this.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government notes Aviva’s recent decision to move some of its operations to a new location at Eurocentral from June 2021 and the potential impact that this may have at a local level. Through Scottish Enterprise we are in regular contact with Aviv…
30 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on track to meet its target to reduce waste and increase recycling by 2025, and what impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on this.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: We have set ambitious targets for reducing waste and increasing recycling, including to reduce total waste arising in Scotland to less than 85% of 2011 levels, and to increase recycling to 70% of waste from all sources by 2025. The most recent statistics are…
30 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on the level of waste being (a) recycled and (b) sent to landfill.
Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: While it is too early to determine the full impact of COVID-19 on the levels of waste being recycled and sent to landfill, we are extremely grateful to those who have worked hard in difficult circumstances to keep essential waste service going in communities …
29 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) First Minister, (b) Cabinet Secretary for Finance and (c) Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture last met GMB Scotland to discuss Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd (FMPG) sits within the portfolio remit of myself. I last met with the GMB on 9 July 2020 to discuss FMPG.
29 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation was undertaken with the recognised trades union regarding the composition and appointment of board members at Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has and continues to be open and transparent with the trade unions in our continued efforts to do everything possible to ensure that Ferguson Marine has a sustainable future for the benefit of its' skilled employees and the wider commu…
29 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-30206 by Fiona Hyslop on 25 June 2020, whether it remains committed to worker representation on the board of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd, and, if so, for what reason it did not confirm a representative of the workforce on the board.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government and the newly appointed Chair are committed to looking at how the workforce can best be represented to the board. We are clear that this should be an effective and collective voice of the workforce and not a specific grouping within sa…
19 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the level of Glow usage is among (a) state and (b) private schools.
Answer · John Swinney: During the period from February 2020 to May 2020, user logins to Glow via RM Unify were split: Staff (Teaching and non-Teaching staff)local authority schools 97-98%independent schools 0.3-0.5% Pupilslocal authority schools 99.8 – 99.9%.independent schools 0…
19 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how Glow is used to address educational inequalities and the attainment gap.
Answer · John Swinney: Glow provides a digital collaboration and productivity platform for all learners in Scotland. Glow and other digital services can provide local authorities, schools and practitioners with data they can use to identify inequalities which can be used to target …
19 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of (a) teachers and (b) pupils have logged on to Glow in 2019-20.
Answer · John Swinney: (a) Teachers: Due to the complexities of local account management in Glow it is not possible to provide the information requested for teacher usage. (b) Pupils: Twenty-seven local authorities make use of the Glow platform with five using their own alternativ…
19 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the level of Glow usage is among (a) National 5, (b) Higher and (c) Advanced Higher grade pupils.
Answer · John Swinney: The data required to provide the specific answers to the PQ is not available. Glow usage is monitored monthly and Education Scotland publishes statistics on the use of Glow at a national level on a monthly basis on the Glow Connect website - https://glowcon…
14 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS patients are currently marked as Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) with no record of consent from families.
Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29910 on 31 July 2020. 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/parliamentarybusiness/…
14 Jun 2020 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason death certification verification checks remain suspended.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Death Certification Review Service was restarted on 11 May 2020, when it was clear that doing so would not be overly onerous to certifying doctors, or prevent delays to the death management process.