Parliamentary questions
Liam Kerr
2,165 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Dec 2022 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas to be a viable solution to decarbonising heat in homes.
6 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether hydrogen, as an alternative to natural gas, is a viable solution to decarbonising heat in homes.
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to achieve each of the "Transport Scotland Required Outputs" listed on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government intends to achieve the required Aberdeen to Central Belt project outputs by the end of 2026.
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reference to its announcement of an additional £200 million of funding to improve capacity, connectivity, performance and journey times for passengers and freight between Aberdeen and the Central Belt, as set out on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The additional £200m of funding was first announced by Keith Brown MSP on 28 January 2016. Network Rail advise that the cost of work done to date on the project is £6.5m (as of 12 November 2022). Key areas of work completed to date include:The development o…
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reference to its announcement of an additional £200 million of funding on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan, when it anticipates it will have distributed all of this funding, and whether it will provide details of exactly…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is planning to deliver the identified Aberdeen to Central Belt funding by the end of 2026. The funding will be spent on a series of infrastructure upgrades including signal enhancements and specific capacity alternations to facilitate …
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the "Missed" milestone, "Agree single option", on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan, which had an aspirational date of May 2022.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I am advised by my officials in Transport Scotland that the finalisation of the Single Option is being revised by Network Rail to ensure alignment with wider improvements proposed for the Aberdeen-Central Belt route, including future electrification. I expect…
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the "Activities and Milestones (NR)" section on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan, what is meant by the line that reads "Approval in principle, Asset Manager accepts design", which has an aspirational date of August 2023, and i…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: “Approval in principle, Asset Manager accepts design” is an internal Network Rail approval stage. This signifies the point at which designs are at a sufficient level to be approved to move forward to be designed for construction. A revised date for when the d…
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan, whether it is on track to "decarbonise the Aberdeen to Central Belt route by 2030".
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to decarbonising Scotland’s passenger railway by 2035. In line with the Decarbonisation Action Plan, the intention is to decarbonise the Aberdeen to Central Belt route by 2030.
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the "several opportunities to enhance the freight gauge along the line of route" are, as set out under the "Interfaces and Assumptions" on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish freight gauge programme identified several sections of the Aberdeen to Central Belt route that would benefit from infrastructure interventions to allow larger intermodal freight containers that are common in road haulage which would support modal…
2 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the "Scope of Works" set out on page 11 of the Scotland's Railway July 2022 publication, Enhancements Delivery Plan, and how developed any consideration of this is.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I am advised by my officials in Transport Scotland that Network Rail is refining its proposed scope of works for the Aberdeen to Central Belt project, which will be considered by the Scottish Ministers in the new year.
1 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-10006 by Michael Matheson on 23 August 2022, whether it is the case that it has now assessed the cost of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and, if it is not the case, when the full costing is expected to be completed.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As stated in answer to PQ S6W-10006, the next Climate Change Plan, a draft of which will be published next year, will include costs of delivering emissions reductions to meet the statutory targets between 2024 and 2040. The Scottish Government has published t…
1 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are working to tackle climate change and help achieve Scotland's net zero commitments.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As net zero is one of this Government's foremost priorities, addressing climate change is integrated into the work of teams right across the Scottish Government, our agencies and public bodies. At the end of September 2022 there were 68.8 full time equivalen…
1 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on the operation and administration of the £36 million Climate Justice Fund, and how many civil servants are involved.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The operation and administration of the £36 million Climate Justice Fund, is managed by the International Climate Change Policy Team, within the International Climate Change Division at the Scottish Government. The team has six full-time equivalent (FTE) memb…
1 Dec 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on the operation and administration of the £5 million loss and damage funding announced at COP27, and how many civil servants are involved.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The operation and administration of the £5m recently announced at COP27 to address loss and damage will be managed within the existing resourcing structure for the International Climate Change Policy Team, within the International Climate Change Division at t…
30 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures and funding are being put in place to address the challenges for ports and harbours that are set out in the publication, Delivering Scotland's Blue Economy Approach.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Delivering Scotland’s Blue Economy Approach is the first phase in how we will deliver our Vision and takes stock of how current, and forthcoming, actions across Marine Scotland and the wider Scottish Government will support the delivery of the six Blue Econom…
25 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following the announcement that the MV Glen Sannox will initially operate using a single diesel fuel system, as opposed to the planned dual-fuel LNG system, how much is expected to be saved as a result in (a) design, (b) manufacture and build and (c) ongoing fuelling costs, and how will…
Answer · John Swinney: On 28 October 2022, Ferguson Marine wrote to the Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee to inform them of a technical design issue with the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) system on MV Glen Sannox. In the letter Ferguson Marine set out their proposed approach t…
24 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12081 by Mairi McAllan on 24 November 2022, when it will issue the release on its attendance and expenses incurred at COP27.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Subject to all costs being settled, we expect to issue the release on Scottish Government's attendance and expenses incurred at COP27 by the end of January 2023.
24 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11868 by Patrick Harvie on 17 November 2022, whether it will define which sources of bioenergy it considers “sustainable” in relation to alternative technologies to air source heat pumps.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: In relation to question S6W-11868, the reference to bioenergy from sustainable sources refers to the sustainability of the biomass feedstock. The technology itself does not indicate sustainability but rather it is the feedstock which needs to meet sustainabil…
24 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11868 by Patrick Harvie on 17 November 2022, whether it will publish the underlying data that puts the number of homes deemed technically unsuitable for an air source heat pump at around 39,500 to 40,400 out of a total of 170,000 off-gas-grid homes.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: We plan to publish the data behind the report in due course.
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what actions (a) have been taken and (b) are planned to ensure that all relevant stakeholders have been consulted in the development of the Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan was developed through close engagement with our delivery partners highlighted in Chapter Two. To inform our understanding of the sector and support the development of the plan, we utilised feedback gained tho…
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to expand the size and scale of interest free loans and grants programmes for heat pumps in order to meet its target of 50,000 non-domestic properties with zero emissions heating systems by 2030.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government currently provides significant support through Business Energy Scotland (BES) and the SME Loan and Cashback Scheme to help SMEs implement renewable heating technologies such as air source heat pumps. We have also recently enhanced supp…
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a Net-Zero Ports and Infrastructure Programme fund, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as key for supporting strategic port infrastructure and developing offshore renewable projects.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We recognise the importance of strong port infrastructure to support our offshore renewable ambitions. One of the primary recommendations of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s (SOWEC) Strategic Infrastructure Assessment (SIA) for Offshore Wind was th…
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a low-carbon planning fund, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as important for supporting local authority planning departments that are reportedly experiencing a significant impact on their resources due to the demands of rene…
Answer · Tom Arthur: We are liaising with stakeholders and Network Operators to explore ways to accelerate the determination of applications. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) will set a more consistent framework for development across Scotland, once approved by Parliament an…
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a renewable energy SME loan scheme, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as crucial for developing the supply chain and meeting the needs of domestic and international energy projects.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Developing a strong supply chain for renewables is crucial to deliver on Scotland’s net zero ambitions, and to ensure Scotland’s economy and communities see the benefits of this transition. The Scottish Government recognises the important role of SMEs in Sc…
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will extend the 90% non-domestic rates relief for district heating networks powered by renewables until 2035.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Decisions on non-domestic rates beyond 2022-23, including any reliefs, will be considered in the context of the Scottish Budget and in line with the Framework for Tax, prevailing economic conditions and other government priorities.
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12086 by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2022, whether it will provide the information requested regarding when it originally planned to begin fully dualling the A96, and what impact its consultation has had on that start date.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12086 on 22 November 2022. All 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/written-ques…
23 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12087 by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2022, whether it will provide the information requested regarding what outcomes or responses from its consultation would lead it to withdrawing its commitment to fully dual the A96.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12087 on 22 November 2022. 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…
22 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide (a) an updated estimated cost to decarbonise homes and workplaces and (b) the methodology behind that estimate, which it calculated to be "in the region of £33 billion" in its Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, in light of increased levels of i…
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Information setting out the requested methodology is in the public domain: Heat in building strategy modelling: EIR release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . We are committed to delivering a just and fair transition to net zero, where the distribution of costs a…
16 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the proposed Land Reform Bill, whom it has identified as the "key stakeholders" for the purpose of policy development, and what engagement is taking place with those stakeholders.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Land reform is a matter of longstanding public concern and there are a number of established stakeholders in this area. They cover a variety of interests, and include landowners, tenants, and community groups and their respective representative organisations,…
16 Nov 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6T-00960 by Lorna Slater on 15 November 2022, and the Minister’s statement that the figure relating to Scotland having 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential "was first set out in a 2010 publication, and it is now outdated", what its response is to th…
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12355 on 8 December 2022. 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-committ…