Parliamentary questions
Daniel Johnson
1,103 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how student support eligibility is assessed for young migrants who have moved to Scotland, including those who have "limited leave to remain" status.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Access to Higher Education student support in Scotland is assessed by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) and is determined based on an applicant’s residency status, as laid out in The Students’ Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007 - http://www.legis…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates since July 2017 ministers have met the (a) Chair of the Scottish Police Authority and (b) Chief Constable; what was discussed; whether minutes were taken, and, if so, whether it will publish these.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government proactively publishes details of ministerial activity, the details of which can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://beta.gov.scot/publications/?term=ministerialengagements&publicationTypes=transparency_data . Scott…
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the legal consequences are of the post of the Chief Constable being vacant.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The vacancy of the chief constable post is covered by section 18(3) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 which sets out that the Scottish Police Authority must designate a deputy chief constable to carry out the chief constable’s functions where …
25 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the role not being defined in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, what the legal status is of the Acting Chief Constable.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Section 18(3) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 sets out that the Scottish Police Authority must designate a deputy chief constable to carry out the chief constable’s functions where the office of chief constable is vacant, or the chief consta…
25 Apr 2018 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the Acting Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
24 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of the European Court of Justice judgement, Ville de Nivelles v Rudy Matzak, Case C-518/15, will be on (a) employment practices, (b) terms and conditions and (c) pay for (i) retained firefighters, (ii) on-call carers and (iii) other workers who may be affected.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The legal case in question related to a Belgian fire-fighter's on-call period and counting such periods as working time under the Working Time Directive. As the ruling related to a specific set of circumstances in place for that person it does not follow that…
24 Apr 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to discuss with (a) its agencies, (b) local government, (c) other public sector employers and (d) private sector employers regarding the impact of the European Court of Justice judgement, Ville de Nivelles v Rudy Matzak, Case C-518/15.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The terms and conditions of employees, including interpretation of Working Time regulations, are matters for employers. It would be for individual Public Bodies to seek legal advice on any obligations they may have relating to European Court of Justice judgem…
10 Apr 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on reinstating passenger services on the Edinburgh South Suburban railway line.
29 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering proposals to change the law to prevent people convicted of murder acting as executors for their victims.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to reforming and modernising the law of succession in Scotland, to ensure a clear and fair legal framework for the law of inheritance, relevant to modern Scottish society and the rights of individuals and families. As part…
29 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what offence-specific guidelines will be produced by the Scottish Sentencing Council, and when these will be published.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Sentencing Council is an independent body. They have published a Business Plan which contains full details of the their work programme, including what guidelines they intend to prepare. The plan is available on the Council’s website at https://w…
29 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Sentencing Council will publish its first sentencing guidelines.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15763 on? 24 April 2018. 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…
26 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimate it has made of what the cost is of pension liabilities for British Transport Police officers based in Scotland.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The share of fund representing liabilities for active British Transport Police officers based in Scotland has been estimated at £37 million. The scheme is currently fully funded. The total annual contribution from members and SPA is estimated at £2.5million.
26 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what changes there have been to the British Transport Police Joint Programme Board membership and chair since its creation.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Police Scotland joined the core membership of the Joint Programme Board in January 2017 following the passing of the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill. Due to a staffing change, the Scottish Government joint chair was changed in March 2018.
26 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what alternatives to full integration of the British Transport Police and Police Scotland it has considered.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Before introducing primary legislation to this Parliament in December 2016, to pave the way for the integration of BTP in Scotland into Police Scotland, the Scottish Government issued a consultation in June 2016 which set out the proposed arrangements for ful…
26 Mar 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government (a) what the membership and (b) who the chair is of the British Transport Police Joint Programme Board.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Joint Programme Board’s core membership consists of: the Department for Transport – Rail Strategy and Security Directorate; Scottish Government – Police Division; Transport Scotland; British Transport Police Authority; Police Scotland; and the British Tra…
14 Mar 2018 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses' non-domestic rates bill increased as a result of the 2017 revaluation.
21 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the Urgent Question regarding the merger between the British Transport Police in Scotland and Police Scotland by Michael Matheson on 21 February 2018 (Official Report, c. 1), by what date the (a) reported issues regarding (i) IT, (ii) pensions, (iii) third-party…
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Joint Programme Board, as the appropriate body to manage the programme, has made progress in a number of key areas in the past eight months. This includes agreement that officers and staff will retain their current terms and conditions, including access t…
15 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties covered by the business rates transitional relief scheme saw their rateable value increase from between £12,000 and £15,000 to over £18,000 following the revaluation of business rates in 2017.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14683 on 6 March 2018. 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/2…
15 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties covered by the business rates transitional relief scheme saw their rateable value increase from between £10,000 and £12,000 to between £15,000 and £18,000 following the revaluation of business rates in 2017.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14683 on 6 March 2018. 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/2…
15 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties covered by the business rates transitional relief scheme saw their rateable value increase from between £10,000 and £12,000 to over £18,000 following the revaluation of business rates in 2017.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Following the 2017 revaluation the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) thresholds were significantly increased from £10,000 to £15,000 rateable value and a transitional scheme was introduced. Both schemes are significantly more generous than their equivalents…
15 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties covered by the business rates transitional relief scheme have seen their net rates bills increase by (a) 129.5%, (b) 72.1% and (c) between 35% and 53% following the revaluation of business rates in 2017.
Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-14681 on 6 March 2018. 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/2…
15 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many properties covered by the business rates transitional relief scheme have seen their net rates bills increase by more than 14.75% following the revaluation of business rates in 2017.
Answer · Derek Mackay: A chart which has been placed in SPICe (BIB number 59575) shows the net bill rise for properties covered by the transitional scheme, which has been fully funded by the Scottish Government. Successful valuation appeals will potentially reduce figures for bill …
15 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of reports that over 650 properties covered by the business rates transitional relief scheme saw their net rates bills increase by more than 14.75%.
Answer · Derek Mackay: Following the 2017 revaluation the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS) thresholds were significantly increased from £10,000 to £15,000 rateable value and a transitional scheme was introduced. Both schemes are significantly more generous than their equivalents…
12 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S5F-02020 by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 February 2018 (Official Report, c. 19), in light of the potential impact on passengers and businesses in Scotland, what communications it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) Stagecoach…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I spoke to the Secretary of State on 7 February 2018 for reassurance that there will be no slide in the provision or quality of services, and that the interests of Scottish passengers are addressed. I then followed up that communication with a letter on 8 Feb…
12 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the second supplementary to question S5F-02020 by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 February 2018 (Official Report, c. 19), in light of the potential impact on passengers and businesses in Scotland, what its position is on the decision to end the East Coast Mainline rail fr…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Virgin Trains East Coast franchise is the responsibility of the UK Government’s Department for Transport, who let and manage that contract. Any penalties or bans relating to the contract are a matter for the UK Government, not the Scottish Government. Ou…
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it indicated to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that it would provide the increase in budget to facilitate the transformation plan.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: In line with all announcements on budgets, SFRS was informed of their 2018-19 draft budget allocation when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution delivered his Draft Spending and Tax Plans 2018-19 in Parliament on 14 December 2017.
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was planning to inform staff of a new package as part of the transformation plans for the service.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Scottish Government became aware that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had informed staff of a new package when a copy of the letter was received on 30 January 2018, after it had been issued to SFRS staff.
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the UK Government confirmed that it would be refunding the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s VAT for 2018-19.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Budget statement on 22 November 2017 confirmed that the UK Government would legislate to allow SFRS to reclaim VAT from April 2018. In setting the budget for SFRS in 201819 we have ensured that it will benefit f…
5 Feb 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it expects the number of (a) firefighters, (b) fire stations and (c) fire appliances to change as a result of the transformation plan for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and when it was informed of these changes.
Answer · Annabelle Ewing: The number of firefighters, fire stations and fire appliances are operational matters for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). SFRS is currently considering how it should deliver safe and planned changes to the services it delivers in light of changin…
29 Jan 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that EMIS, which provides electronic GP records products, has failed to meet standards across three categories in its service-level agreement with NHS Digital in England, what assessment it has made of whether this will impact on any services that the company provide…
Answer · Shona Robison: It is still unknown which requirements EMIS failed to meet in its contract with NHS Digital, but NHS Scotland’s contract with EMIS is for a different GP IT product set and is unlikely to be directly affected. National Services Scotland is monitoring developme…