Parliamentary questions
Alex Rowley
554 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has closed the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels loan scheme for applications that are not part of a package of measures.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers funding for a range of zero direct emissions heating systems, energy efficiency measures and additional measures, including solar PV and energy storage systems in some circumstances. The Scottish Go…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the socioeconomic background of those who have successfully applied to the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels loan scheme.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers funding for a range of zero direct emissions heating systems, energy efficiency measures and additional measures, including solar PV and energy storage systems in some circumstances. From 27 June 20…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many households have successfully applied to the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels loan scheme since it was established.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers funding for a range of zero direct emissions heating systems, energy efficiency measures and additional measures, including solar PV and energy storage systems in some circumstances. From 27 June 20…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the benefits of the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels loan scheme.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers funding for a range of zero direct emissions heating systems (ZDEH), energy efficiency measures and additional measures, including solar PV and energy storage systems in some circumstances. The Scot…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the amount of carbon emissions that have been prevented as a result of the solar photovoltaic (PV) panels loan scheme.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme offers funding for a range of zero direct emissions heating (ZDEH) systems, energy efficiency measures and additional measures, including solar PV and energy storage systems in some circumstances. While sol…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that home buyers have accurate information on the energy efficiency of any home.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: In most cases it is a legal requirement to provide a Home Report to prospective buyers when selling a home. The home report comprises of a single survey, property questionnaire and energy report and is completed by a qualified surveyor. The energy report give…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether energy performance certificates are an accurate and credible measure of a building's energy efficiency.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides basic information about the energy efficiency of a building. EPC assessments are conducted by qualified Domestic Energy Assessors who must be members of an Approved Organisation. An EPC assessment for existing …
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has for reforming the system of energy performance certification.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government is committed to reforming Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to ensure they drive the energy efficiency improvements we need and to ensure building owners and tenants have better information on emissions associated with their heati…
3 Aug 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the current system of energy performance certificates is fit for purpose.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Earlier this year, the Climate Change Committee wrote to the Scottish Government setting out a series of recommendations for the reform on EPCs, noting that the current arrangements are “not fit for purpose”. We responded to this letter acknowledging that EPC…
15 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an update to its palliative care strategy.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19114 on 22 June 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a full breakdown of ScotRail’s fleet of trains, including details of until when ScotRail is contracted to keep the current fleet, and how much it currently costs ScotRail to lease the trains on the fleet.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The details requested of ScotRail’s fleet of trains are commercially sensitive, however information concerning the fleets can be requested via:- Information Requests | ScotRail The member may wish to note that the fleet end dates are contained within the S…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what cost-benefit analysis has been conducted regarding any impact on the wider economy of the abolition of peak fares on trains.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The economic impact of the pilot removal of peak fares from the rail system will depend primarily on how rail and other demand responds to the change. As Scotland is leading the UK with such a measure, it is necessary to pilot the change in order to determine…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it has taken in relation to the development of hydrogen-powered trains.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government’s Hydrogen Policy Statement sets out Scotland’s ambition to become a leading hydrogen nation, with an expectation that both battery electric and hydrogen systems assist in decarbonising transport in Scotland. £3.5m Sc…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to remove the previous franchisee of ScotRail, Abellio, entirely from any role in ScotRail's operations, now that it is publicly-owned.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: As part of the transition to a public ownership of ScotRail, there was a continuation of four existing Abellio contracts. This was necessary to ensure consistency of service for passengers and facilitate a smooth transition. These four Abellio contracts are f…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between Transport Scotland, ScotRail and any rolling stock companies in relation to hydrogen-powered trains.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Transport Scotland engages with all the train rolling stock companies on a regular basis to discuss the full range of fleet related topics including hydrogen powered trains.
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether ScotRail's High Speed Train (HST) fleet is (a) reliable, (b) clean and (c) economically viable.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: ScotRail fleet reliability and cleanliness are operational matters for which ScotRail Trains Ltd is responsible. Details of how ScotRail is monitored for its Public Performance Measure (punctuality and reliability) and also how its stations and trains are mon…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it has in place to replace ScotRail's High Speed Trains (HSTs) in the event that drivers choose not to drive them out of concern that they do not meet the expected safety standards.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18442 on 13 June 2023 . All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committee…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the creditworthiness of the High Speed Trains (HSTs) that are currently part of the ScotRail fleet.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: High Speed Trains are known to be popular with passengers. The Scottish Government has commissioned the Carmont Steering Group to make recommendations concerning the future of the High Speed Trains in Scotland.
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when ScotRail's High Speed Train (HST) fleet will be replaced.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Any considerations for HST replacement including timescales must take account of the conclusions of the Carmont Steering Group, and must be informed by the available budgets and the business case for change. The procurement of new rolling stock forms an integ…
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken in relation to hydrogen-powered trains.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Transport Scotland as part of considering future fleet options continues to analyse the possibility of hydrogen powered trains on Scotland’s Railway, informed by lessons from the Scottish Hydrogen Train project and other relevant projects.
24 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether ScotRail's High Speed Train (HST) fleet meets modern safety standards.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The RAIB’s accident investigation report following the Carmont rail accident in 2020 concluded that the HSTs are not unsafe, a position which has also been confirmed by the independent safety regulator, the Office of Rail and Road. The Carmont accident was ca…
2 May 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of general practice.
26 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17345 by Kevin Stewart on 25 April 2023, in relation to the public local inquiry into the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout, what timescale the independent reporter is working to, and when it expects that the reporter's recommendations to t…
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The reporter anticipates, at this stage, submitting her report and recommendations on this case in the Summer. Full case details are available to view on the Department for Planning and Environmental Appeal’s (DPEA) website at:- Scottish Government - DPEA - …
18 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the construction of a new grade-separated junction on the A720 at Sheriffhall.
Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the grade separation of Sheriffhall roundabout, as part of its £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. Following publication of the draft Orders and Environmental S…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill, what social care data reporting requirements exist in the bill as introduced, and, if none, whether it will consider bringing forward an amendment to the bill to introduce any such requirements.
Answer · Maree Todd: As introduced, Section 3 of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill requires Ministers to put and keep in place arrangements for the purpose of monitoring and improving the quality of the services that the NCS provides. Ministers intend to put in place arra…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many people and (b) what percentage of the population it estimates will be in the over 65 age category in each year from 2023 to 2050.
Answer · Emma Roddick: The latest population projections data for Scotland is available on the Office for National Statistics website . This includes various breakdowns, including by age group and single year of age. For ease, see the following table for the data requested on the…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what social care data are (a) integration joint boards (IJBs), (b) local authorities and (c) NHS Scotland required to report to allow service users to compare performance between IJBs.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”) obliges Integration Authorities to publish an annual performance report setting out an assessment of performance in planning and carrying out the integration functions for which they are r…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what data social care providers are required to provide to allow service users to assess performance of (a) integration joint boards, (b) local authorities and (c) private social care providers.
Answer · Maree Todd: Integration Authorities (IAs) are required to prepare and publish an annual performance report to demonstrate performance against the national health and wellbeing outcomes. In order to demonstrate performance, IAs use the core suite of integration indicators…
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is between someone being advised that they need to be assessed for social care and an assessment taking place.
Answer · Maree Todd: Information on Social Care Eligibility and Waiting times is collected and published by the Scottish Government, and includes the waiting times between first contact with services and the completion of a community care assessment. The latest data are publicly …
14 Apr 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average waiting time is between someone being assessed and then advised that they are in need of social care and the provision being put in place.
Answer · Maree Todd: Information on Social Care Eligibility and Waiting times is collected and published by the Scottish Government and this includes waiting times between completion of a community care assessment and delivery of personal care services (for which there is a six w…