Colin Smyth

21 Sep 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the plan to extend the Emergency Measures Agreement to help rail services deal with the impact of COVID-19.

17 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for access to chronic pain clinics within the NHS Ayrshire and Arran area.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-31897 on 2 October 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…

17 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a full review into the reasons for the 18-week waiting time target for access to chronic pain clinics not being met.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: We appreciate how difficult it has been for people who have had procedures or treatments postponed due to the pandemic. Putting the NHS on an emergency footing has meant the focus has initially been on urgent and essential care including for acute and persist…

16 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to rectify any defects in the new Caledonian Sleeper rolling stock, and by what date this work will be completed.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Since the introduction of the new rolling stock in April 2019, rectification works have been underway to improve the reliability of the new Caledonian Sleeper trains. This the responsibility of the manufacturer CAF. With the introduction of newly designed ro…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work being undertaken by the Scottish National Investment Bank regarding ultra-low emission buses.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish National Investment Bank team are working with partners across the public sector to develop investment opportunities, including in the transport sector. Once formally established, the Scottish National Investment Bank will communicate its outcome…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether a free bus travel scheme for under-26s is still being considered as part of the review of discounts available on public transport to people under the age of 26.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We are progressing our work with stakeholders to review the extension of discounts available on all public transport to those under the age of 26. This looks at a range of options, including free bus travel for those under the age of 26 through a cost and ben…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will at least maintain in real terms its current spending on active travel over the next five years.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government's commitment of over £500 million pounds over five years announced in the recent Programme for Government is the highest ever investment in active travel. This record level of funding was warmly welcomed by our active travel partners a…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria was used to award funding through the Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit programme, and for what reason funding per bus reportedly varies significantly.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Bids into Phase 3 of the Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit scheme were assessed against four criterion; project fit and rationale, deliverability, emissions reduction and value for money. Scoring for each criterion enabled an average score to be calculated per …

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the £275 million regeneration fund announced in the Programme for Government will be allocated; when this funding will become available, and over how many years it will be spent.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: We have committed to establishing a Place Based Investment Programme which will be backed by £275m for community led regeneration and town centre revitalization. We are yet to announce specific details of how the £275m will be invested over the next five year…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of all air quality management areas currently in Scotland.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The information requested can be found on the Air Quality in Scotland website at: http://www.scottishairquality.scot/laqm/aqma  

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for the (a) ScotRail and (b) Caledonia Sleeper franchise following the end of the Emergency Measures Agreements on 20 September 2020.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Discussions continue with the operators of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper to secure appropriate arrangements for the maintenance of rail services beyond the 20 September.

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Agricultural Transformation Fund (a) has been and (b) remains to be allocated in 2020-21; what this will fund, and whether it plans to continue providing this funding in 2021-22 and future years.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Funding announced for the Agricultural Transformation Fund in the 2020-21 Scottish Budget was £20m capital and £20m Financial transactions. A total of £11.5m of capital expenditure has been announced so far this financial year which is made of £1.5m for fores…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government further to the commitment in its Programme for Government to “bring forward recommendations for new mechanisms of agricultural support”, when it will publish these proposals, and whether it will set out detailed plans for after 2024.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Once the Scottish Government has received the report from the group established to advise and recommend on future policy for Farming & Food Production and also, reports from the farmer-led advisory groups which are being set up this year, we will consider thi…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the recommendations of the Farming and Food Production Future Policy Group will be published, and whether it has seen a draft copy.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Farming and Food Production Future Policy group has been brought together to advise and recommend on future policy. The group will be meeting in late September and early October this year with a view to finalising the report soon thereafter. Ministers hav…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the free bus travel scheme for under-19s will be introduced.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We anticipate laying legislation to underpin the scheme in Parliament in early 2021 with the scheme coming into effect later in 2021.  

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 will be implemented in full by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The implementation of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has been affected by the Covid 19 Pandemic. This has impacted particularly on the development of guidance and regulations and the related consultation processes. This, along with the limited parliamentar…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Bus Partnership Fund will launch, and what budget it will have for 2020-21.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We are currently consulting on the best time to launch the Bus Partnership Fund, as we recognise that local authorities and bus operators have ongoing pressures, due to the pandemic. However, we expect the Fund to be launched by the end of the financial year …

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to more stringent low emission zone standards; when any increased standards will be announced, and how much notice will be given prior to the implementation of any new standards.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Vehicle emission standards for low emission zones will be set within Regulations in early 2021. Stakeholder views on more stringent future low emission zone standards were offered via the Low Emission Zones Regulations and Guidance consultation, and based on …

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the commitment in its Programme for Government, when it will “[bring] forward firm plans to encourage greater landing of catch into Scottish ports”.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the economic benefit delivered to Scotland by amending the current economic link provisions set out in licence conditions. We will publish firm plans as part of our Future Fisheries Management Strategy later…

10 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it still aims to have zero or ultra-low emission city centres by 2030.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Scottish Ministers are steadfastly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the economy. In light of the COVID pandemic the focus on emissions in cities shifted from consultation to delivery of the £39 million Spaces for People Programme, and in …

8 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31334 by Kate Forbes on 27 August 2020, whether it will publish the information requested now regarding an updated budget, broken down to Level 4 for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, with information on all changes made since March 2020.

Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to my answer to question S5W-31334 and can confirm that there has been no changes to this. As agreed with the Scottish Parliament, the Level 4 budget detail is published annually alongside the Budget when it is first published. Details of…

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies have not yet completed the implementation of Spaces for People schemes.

Answer · Michael Matheson: All local authorities and public bodies which successfully applied for Spaces for People funding have schemes that are not yet completed. Local authorities are at different stages with implementation of their schemes.  

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has taken against councils and other public bodies that have delayed the implementation of Spaces for People schemes.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The implementation of Spaces for People schemes is a matter for the local authorities and public bodies which successfully applied for funding. Sustrans Scotland, which administers Spaces for People, is offering support to help overcome any barriers to delive…

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been given to local authorities for monitoring Spaces for People schemes and the criteria for assessing whether measures can be made permanent.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Sustrans Scotland, who administer the Spaces for People programme, is providing guidance on monitoring as part of a package of support offered to local authorities. Guidance, which is bespoke and based on need, typically includes advice on developing monitori…

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects all Spaces for People schemes to be completed.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The delivery of Spaces for People schemes is a matter for the local authorities and public bodies which successfully applied for funding. Sustrans Scotland is working closely with local authorities to support delivery of schemes .  

26 Aug 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the cost of the COVID-19 response and recovery measures for local government on the delivery of other council services.

21 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been made available for permanent active travel infrastructure in the 2020-21 Places for Everyone budget.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Places for Everyone programme received a grant allocation of up to £54.2 million in financial year 2020-21. £39.0 million of this has since been utilised to support the Spaces for People fund. Therefore, £15.2 million is available for delivery of permane…

20 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an updated budget, broken down to Level 4 for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, with information on all changes made since March 2020.

Answer · Kate Forbes: As agreed with the Scottish Parliament, a snapshot of Level 4 budgets is published annually alongside the Budget. Details of changes to Level 3 budgets were published in the Summer Budget Revision in May 2020 and further changes to these budgets will be publ…

13 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the revised timescale is for the (a) National Transport Strategy (NTS2) Delivery Plan and (b) Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), and whether it will be published before the end of the parliamentary session.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Both the National Transport Strategy (NTS2) Delivery Plan and second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) were paused in response to the COVID-19 emergency. However, we remain committed to working with partners to publish a NTS2 Delivery Plan and to ta…

12 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the terms of Abellio ScotRail Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA) permit a management fee of up to 2% of the cost base of the franchise to be paid at the end of the EMA term.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Under the current Abellio ScotRail Emergency Measures Agreement (EMA), Management and Performance Fees are capped at less than 2%.