Liam Kerr

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) houses, or (b) flats (i) in total (ii) of those that have been completed in the last five years are connected to heat pump.

Answer · Michael Matheson: (i) I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01431 on 4 August 2021. 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-commi…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 100,000 new houses that were pledged in the Scottish National Party manifesto will be served by heat pumps.

Answer · Shona Robison: Scotland’s first long-term national housing strategy ‘Housing to 2040’ was published in March 2021. It outlined the Scottish Government's ambition to deliver 100,000 affordable homes by 2032. We are committed to ensuring that new homes, consented from 2024, …

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many households are connected to heat pumps.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Data on the number of heat pumps in Scotland can be found on page 27 of the ‘Renewable Heat in Scotland, 2019’ report, which was published in October 2020: Renewable-Heat-in-Scotland-2019_new.pdf (energysavingtrust.org.uk) . The report states that there are…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) houses, or (b) flats (i) in total (ii) of those which were completed in the last five years, are connected to heat networks.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The following data was collected via energy performance certificates (EPCs) submitted for all new build completions in Scotland since 2016. This indicative data is based on analysis of new build EPC records lodged on the EPC register between Q1 2016 and Q4 20…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the meetings that have taken place between Ministers and industry representatives, regarding the training available for transitioning to net zero in (a) this (b) the previous parliamentary session.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Over the course of the last Parliamentary session, Scottish Ministers and government officials have engaged with industry representatives on priority issues for their sector, including planning for and supporting the transition to net zero. Additionally, sect…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the annual spend on net zero training for oil and gas workers has been in each of the last five years.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government does not hold data on the annual spend for oil and gas workers specifically for net zero training. However the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund (TTF) ran from 2016 to 2019 to help workers affected by site closures to re-skill and r…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what training courses are available for those in the oil and gas sector to support the transition to net zero.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Through our membership of the Energy Skills Alliance, we are working collaboratively with the industry, trade bodies and unions to ensure the right skills and training are in place to protect and create jobs as we become a net-zero economy. Our Climate Emerge…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with industry representatives (a) in previous parliamentary sessions (b) in the current parliamentary session regarding the training that is available for workers transitioning to net zero.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The development of the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) published in December 2020 by Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Government involved close engagement with Industry Leadership Groups and associated skills groups to identify skills…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what types of tree will be planted in its forestry expansion programme, broken down by (a) the relative ability of each species to absorb carbon and (b) the proportion of the programme each species will represent.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: a) Scottish Government set targets for forest creation and for native woodland creation within that. In the current year, 2021, the woodland creation target is 13500 ha and of this 4000 ha will be new native woodlands. Scottish government and its agency Scott…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what carbon-impact assessments have been completed for the planting of additional forestry, and what analysis it has carried out regarding whether this will help with achieving its net zero targets.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The contribution of additional new planting towards Scotland’s net zero targets has been calculated by the Scottish Government using an economy-wide model that projects future CO 2 emissions and removals to 2045. The forestry element of the model uses data f…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that there are sufficiently detailed soil maps in use to prevent peatlands being ploughed during its forestation programme.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: For all woodland creation proposals, applicants are required to undertake land surveys as part of their due diligence. This due diligence includes surveying for peat soils, including deep peat. Where peat soils are found, further more intensive surveys are re…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the impact of forestry on soils.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Forestry issued new guidance Cultivation for Upland Productive Woodland Creation Sites – an Applicant’s Guide on 27 th July. This guidance ensures that forestry practice is based on the latest research evidence from Forest Research on the impact of f…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the draft guidance by Scottish Forestry on the ploughing of carbon-rich soils will be published.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government released new forestry cultivation guidance on 27 July. The guidance can be found at: https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/1032-cultivation-for-upland-productive-woodland-creation-sites-applicant-s-guidance/viewdocument/1032 .

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much carbon locked into soil will be released by the planting of its forestation programme.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory shows that forests and woodlands in Scotland currently sequester over 6 MtCO2 per year, net of any emissions from forest management activities. All new woodland creation schemes take into account the requirement to …

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has carried out on the carbon release impact of different techniques of forestation work.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government, through its agency Scottish Forestry, issued new cultivation guidance on 27 July based on research evidence regarding carbon released as a result of different cultivation techniques. The guidance can found at: https://forestry.gov.s…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much carbon will be released by the setting up and operation of its forestry expansion programme and how this compares with the amount of carbon it expects the programme to capture.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The most recent data published by the Scottish Government show that the forestry estate in Scotland currently removes over 6MtCO 2 annually. These removals are net of any CO 2 emissions from forestry operations and forest soils. Scottish Forestry has commis…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that additional forests will take 20 years to cancel the carbon impact of cultivating them.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The majority of new woodlands created in Scotland will, over a 20 year period, sequester more carbon than is released during cultivation, and will continue to absorb carbon for the rest of their growing period. Scotland’s forests are predicted to remain a net…

12 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what research informed its setting a target of 21% of Scotland being covered in forest by 2032.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The aim that 21% of Scotland will be afforested by 2032 was informed by the targets for woodland creation set out in the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Plan 2018-32. The Plan is informed by the legislative targets set out in the Climate Change (Emission…

8 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of how the introduction of allowing consumers the right to repair or replacement under section 23 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 might impact on businesses in Scotland.

Answer · Tom Arthur: While the regulation of consumer protection is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government supports this right for consumers in relation to faulty goods. It provides clarity to businesses about their obligations to their consumers and helps busines…

8 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent estimate is of the cost of the A92/A96 Haudagain roundabout improvements scheme; when this estimate was made and whether it will publish all the previous estimates that have been made for this project, broken down by the (a) date of the estimate and (b) reasons for a…

Answer · Graeme Dey: I can confirm that construction cost for this project is currently estimated to be £18m, which is well within the 2014 construction cost estimate of £26m. Construction cost updates for the project are published on the Scottish Government website every 6 mont…

8 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timescale for the completion of the A92/A96 Haudagain roundabout improvements.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The construction of the A92/A96 Haudagain Improvement project is progressing well and is anticipated to be complete in winter 2021 as confirmed in the Infrastructure Investment Plan update published in December 2020. This date is subject to any unforeseen ci…

2 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the leasing and planning (a) process and (b) timescales for innovation and decarbonisation projects within the sectoral marine plan.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is planning to provide an update on the leasing and planning process and associated timescales for the sectoral marine plan for innovation and decarbonisation in summer 2021. This planning exercise will be in addition to the sectoral m…

2 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the development of stepping stone, pre-commercial floating wind projects ahead of the ScotWind leasing round as a vehicle to building the supply chain in Scotland and supporting the just transition to renewables.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP), published in 2020, set the upper limit for pre-commercial scale projects at 100 MW. The ScotWind leasing process has allowed for all scales of projects, from 100 MW upwards, to progress in Scottish wate…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether cruise ships from the rest of the UK will be permitted to dock in Scotland from 19 July 2021, if the planned lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions takes place.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government’s position is that cruises may dock at Scottish ports when all of Scotland is in level 1. If the evidence supports the planned lifting of restrictions at the next review point, domestic cruising will be allowed from 19 July. Further in…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the cruise industry’s health and safety COVID-19 protocols represent best practice.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government is satisfied that the industry protocols developed by the UK Chamber of Shipping represent current best practice. These have been fully considered by the Scottish Government and approved for use as part of our Guidance for domestic cru…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out or plans of the economic impact of preventing domestic cruise operations from restarting.

Answer · Ivan McKee: As with all decisions relating to the relaxation of restrictions, this has been given thorough consideration through the 4 Harms process which has included consideration of the economic harm. Since the beginning of the pandemic we have worked closely with the…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what scientific evidence it has used to underpin the decision to prevent domestic cruises operating until all of the country is at least in COVID-19 protection level 1, even if the cruises are sailing only between ports in level 1 areas.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The decision to enable cruise restart was based on the upward trajectory in Covid cases, concerns around the more transmissible Delta variant and the potential to transfer Covid (that has a relatively long asymptomatic incubation period) to multiple touchpoin…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to spend 10% of the capital budget on active travel, which active travel (a) organisations and (b) initiatives will receive funding; how much each will receive, and when.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The details of the levels of active travel capital funding for the next five years will be discussed and agreed as part of the annual budget process.

21 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gives to the COVID-19 testing and safety regimes oil and gas workers returning to Scotland have faced while working overseas when deciding their quarantine arrangements.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The testing and safety regimes that oil and gas workers have faced before arriving into Scotland do not negate the public health measures they are required to complete in Scotland. There is no exemption anywhere in the UK for oil and gas workers arriving fro…

21 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the COVID-19 quarantine arrangements for oil and gas workers returning from work overseas, and with which stakeholders; whether the issue of allowing the workers to quarantine in their own homes instead of hotels has been discussed and, if so, what t…

Answer · Michael Matheson: There is no exemption anywhere in the UK for oil and gas workers arriving from red list countries. Passengers arriving from red list countries are required to enter managed isolation in a quarantine hotel.   There is an exemption for oil and gas workers a…