Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate actions it is taking in relation to the INEOS Grangemouth site, in light of the Just Transition Commission's 2023 annual report.
Answer · Neil Gray: I welcome the Just Transition Commission's annual report. It provides a robust assessment, whilst acknowledging the progress we have made on applying a just transition approach. I appreciate the Commission's calls for urgency and reiterate our commitment to …
21 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of a recent survey published by Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) that, of its members in Scotland, (a) 80% reported that they encountered delayed final payments “very often”, “often” or “occasionally” and (b) 32% stated that the total val…
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24258 on? 22 January 2024. 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-commit…
21 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of a recent survey published by Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) that 79% of CICV members in Scotland reported receiving payments later than the agreed payment terms “very often” or “often”.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24258 on? 22 January 2024. 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-commit…
21 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of a recent survey published by Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) that 58% of CICV members in Scotland faced unexplained payment reductions either “very often” or “often”, thus intensifying their financial challenges.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24258 on? 22 January 2024. 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-commit…
21 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of a recent survey published by Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) that 33% of CICV members in Scotland had to write off disputed sums either “often” or “very often”, and that 48% reported that the relevant amounts written off ranged from £…
Answer · Tom Arthur: The CICV Survey provides an insight in to the poor payment practices prevalent in the construction industry. The information contained therein will be helpful in the ongoing work of the Construction Accord Transformation Action working groups which are a coll…
17 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it is taking in light of the International Union for Conservation of Nature reclassifying Atlantic salmon as "Endangered" in Great Britain.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government takes the issue of declining wild Atlantic salmon populations very seriously and is committed to working with our partners, both domestic and international, to safeguard this iconic species. The Scottish wild salmon strategy was estab…
17 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the implementation of Gordonstoun School's mobile phone ban in classrooms, which was introduced in September 2023, for any useful learning that can inform its national approach to mobile phones in classrooms.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government will draw on a range of experiences in the development of refreshed Guidance on Developing Policies to Promote the Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools. This will include the experiences of schools like Gordonstoun,…
17 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that the UK Government’s reported proposals to replace the additional “limited capability for work and work-related activity” element in Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with a new “health element” will have on Sco…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is opposed to the proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessments, these changes will lead to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions losing out financially and at risk of benefit sanctions. Under these reforms, …
17 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities meet their legal requirements in relation to homelessness, in light of a report by the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers reportedly highlighting that more than half of Scotland's councils (19 out of 32) have re…
Answer · Paul McLennan: I have been meeting with housing convenors across the country to discuss the challenges they face in responding to homelessness and reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation. We are investing at least £60 million in 2023-24 in the national …
16 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22395 by Elena Whitham on 3 November 2023, and in light of reports of nitazenes being linked to nine deaths in Scotland in the last six months, what was discussed at the meeting in early November of the Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and membe…
Answer · Elena Whitham: As I set out in Parliament on 18 December during the statement on implementing the medication assisted treatment we are preparing for changes to the drug supply with synthetic opioids becoming more prevalent. At the National Mission Oversight Group meeting on…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding the (a) proposed merger of Condorrat and Baird Memorial primary schools, (b) creation of a new Gaelic Medium Education hub and (c) potential impact of the above on pupils attending Baird Memorial Primary School Early Ye…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scottish Government officials from the Gaelic and Scots team met with senior education officers of North Lanarkshire Council on 6 December to discuss matters relating to the recent consultation involving both Condorrat and Baird Memorial primary schools. Alon…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with businesses regarding its net zero targets.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is committed to a just transition to net-zero by 2045 in which no-one is left behind. Engagement with business to develop and implement policies is key to delivery of that commitment and is an extensive cross-government effort which is…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes have had energy efficiency measures installed in each year since 2019 to date.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: We record data on energy efficiency measures installed as part of Scottish Government programmes, but do not monitor the measures installed by households acting independently. According to the 2019 Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS), 55% of households had…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the COP28 agreement on meeting its net zero commitments.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Whilst I welcome the outcome and the specific agreements secured at COP28, as global action is needed to reduce emissions and the impacts of climate change, Scotland’s own climate ambitions exceed those required by the Paris Agreement. I welcomed the COP text…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of households that will be experiencing fuel poverty during winter 2023-24.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) provides a snapshot of the domestic housing stock in each survey year, including the construction age, built form and energy efficiency, as well as estimates of fuel poverty. As the 2020 SHCS was suspended due to …
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help energy-intensive industries decarbonise.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scotland is committed to a just transition to net-zero and decarbonisation of industry is ‘mission critical’. Scottish Government is continuing to deliver the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, which leverages private sector investment from energ…
15 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential implications for its policies of the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Progress Report to Parliament.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: We welcomed the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 progress report to the UK Parliament and agree that much greater urgency and focus on delivery is required from the UK Government if climate goals across the UK are to be met. Scotland continues to decarbonise …
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it met with representatives of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance at COP28.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The First Minister and I both met with the Climate Ambassador of Denmark, Tomas Anker Christenson at COP28. The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance is co-chaired by Denmark, meaning that the coalition came up in both meetings. Similarly, I met with representatives f…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on its engagement with Scottish diaspora networks regarding attracting skilled individuals to emigrate to Scotland, particularly those from the renewable energy sector.
Answer · Emma Roddick: In support of a range of priority commitments within Scotland’s population strategy , Scottish Government is developing a Talent Attraction and Migration Service, expected to launch in 2024. The service will help address Scotland's demographic challenges, a…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide details of any skills training or education that is being delivered alongside its International Development Fund's delivery of approximately £325,000 to KidsOR for solar energy installation at 15 children’s operating theatres across Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda.
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government remains committed to being a responsible global citizen. As announced by the First Minister at COP28, the Scottish Government and Kids Operating Room have partnered to establish a reliable, safe and clean power supply to paediatric ope…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will action the recommendations made by Environmental Standards Scotland in relation to applications for new designated bathing waters in Scotland.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scotland now has the highest number of designated Bathing Water sites ever, with the vast majority classified as good or excellent and 98% overall achieving the bathing water quality standards. Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) published its Designatio…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last engaged with South Lanarkshire Council regarding the proposed introduction of a speed limit of 20 mph on most urban roads.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: South Lanarkshire Council was last directly contacted on 25 October, in regards to their road assessment for 20 mph speed limits. In addition a representative from South Lanarkshire Council was present at the 20 mph task group meeting, held on 2 November. The…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will detail any plans that it has regarding awareness campaigns for the proposed introduction of a speed limit of 20 mph on most urban roads.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: As part of the national strategy for 20 mph the Scottish Government is developing communication plans for pre and post implementation of 20 mph speed limits. Research is being carried out to identify the most effective approach to promote benefits and encoura…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Killing to Kill: An Ethical Assessment of "Predator Control" on Scottish Moors, by the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-23760 on 9 January 2024. 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-committe…
14 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a refresh of Scotland's Play Strategy.
Answer · Natalie Don: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children across Scotland can access high quality play opportunities in a range of settings to support their growth, development and wellbeing. We will build on Scotland’s world-leading 2013 Play Stra…
13 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that SEPA fulfils its duties under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Ministers are accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the activities of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and its use of resources at a strategic level. The Scottish Government is responsible for developing the policy and regulat…
13 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its reported plans to downgrade the Wishaw Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
12 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its preferred non-legislative solution is for requiring retail stores to close on New Year's Day so that retail workers are not required to work that day.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: We want to put fair work principles at the heart of the retail sector. This is a key theme of the Retail Strategy, and the ongoing work of the Fair Work Working Group. Were employment powers devolved, we could do more to protect and enhance workers’ rights, …
12 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) the Retail Industry Leadership Group's reported opposition to New Year's Day closure and (b) whether such an industry-led body is ever likely to support the reported calls by Usdaw and retail workers for retail stores to close on New Year's Day.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Fair Work is at the core of the Retail Strategy, benefitting retail business by making them more attractive to workers, and more resilient, productive and profitable. Any decision on New Year’s Day trading will balance our Fair Work ambition with prevailing e…
12 Dec 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the reported 84% of retail workers who say that working on New Year’s Day affects their ability to spend time with family.
Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Fair work means secure employment with fair pay and conditions, where workers are heard and represented, treated with respect and have opportunities to progress. Our vision, shared with the Fair Work Convention, is for Scotland to be a leading Fair Work Nati…