Gillian Martin

7 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that gas production from the Alder field has started, and what information it has regarding how many jobs this will bring.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is highly encouraged by this development, which helps to demonstrate that the industry can have a bright future. This is also excellent news for the workers and their families. Oil and Gas UK have stated that there are up to 20 billio…

7 Sep 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent survey suggesting that 61% of people in Scotland would like to see the country generate all of its electricity from renewables.

30 Aug 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the impact will be on Scotland's universities of the UK Government's decision to limit the new post-study work visa pilot scheme to graduates of Imperial College London and the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bath.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Tier four pilot scheme falls far short of our calls for a post study work visa and I am deeply troubled that this was introduced without any consultation with the Scottish Government or Scottish institutions. And I know that Scotland’s institutions share …

25 Aug 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its labour market strategy.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be a more successful and fairer country, with opportunities for all to flourish. To do this we need a strong economy, underpinned by a vibrant labour market. We will today (26 August 2016) publish Scotland’s Labour Ma…

13 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the level of female employment in Scotland compares with the rest of the UK.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: In February to April 2016 the number of females in employment in Scotland was 1,264,000, this compares to 14,728,000 females in employment in the UK. Source: Labour Force Survey, Seasonally adjusted, Office for National Statistics (Published 15 June 2016)

9 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase the number of modern apprenticeship places in the oil and gas sector.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the growth of the modern apprenticeship (MA) programme across the Scottish economy and has maintained had a strong focus in supporting increased numbers of MAs across the energy sector, including oil and gas.…

8 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Grampian employs, and how this compares with September 2006.

Answer · Shona Robison: Under this government the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high. As at March 2016, 12,021.2 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Grampian – an increase of 7.3 per cent since September 2006.* *Source: Information Se…

31 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many learning hours are delivered to college students who are disabled; how this compares with 2007, and what action it is taking to increase the number.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In 2014-15, 12,269,889 learning hours were provided to students with a recorded disability. This is 22% higher than the equivalent figure in 2006-07. Year Total learning hours for students with a recorded disability 2006-2007 10,074,987 2007-2008 10,592…

31 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time college students are female; how this compares with 2007, and what action it is taking to help address any imbalance.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In 2014-15, 42,974 full-time college students were female, 54% of the total, and a similar proportion to 2006-07. Full details are in the following table. Year 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Male 30,920 …

31 May 2016 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what impact the introduction of a ban on air weapons has had.

27 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward its plan to establish a renewable energy bond to allow savers to invest in and support that sector.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government will explore the establishment of a green energy bond with key stakeholders, including the finance community, local energy groups and developers. This will be taken forward as part of the new energy strategy which will be implemented o…

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the value of the food industry is to the economy, and what steps it is taking to (a) expand and (b) promote the sector.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Turnover in the food and drink growth sector has reached a record of £14.3 billion (2013 figures, the latest available) moving closer to the target of £16.5 billion the industry set for 2017. Latest figures also show that since 2007, there has been an increas…

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help young people in the Aberdeenshire East constituency into work.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Through the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy – Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) - this government has invested in a wide range of employment initiatives including modern apprenticeships, Community Jobs Scotland and Sco…

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out further detail on what role Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will take in a major trauma network across Scotland.

Answer · Shona Robison: The First Minister recently announced that there will be four major trauma centres in Scotland – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. These centres will operate within an inclusive national trauma network to help deliver improved outcomes for severely inj…

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward plans for a new elective treatment centre in Grampian.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is committed to investing £200 million to establish five new elective and diagnostic centres across Scotland, as well as expanding the Golden Jubilee National Hospital. One of the new centres will be located at the Aberdeen Royal Infir…

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the Aberdeenshire East constituency and the north east of Scotland as tourist destinations.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We work closely with a range of public bodies (including VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Skills Development Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland) and all sectors of the tourism industry to maximise the contribution of the …

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with NHS Grampian to recruit GPs in Aberdeenshire.

Answer · Shona Robison: Recruitment of staff, including doctors, is a matter for each NHSScotland board as an employer. NHSScotland boards are required to have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of the service and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government w…