Jamie Greene

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to (a) promote the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in public spaces and (b) improve the availability of BSL education, in light of the aims of Sign Language Week, which takes place from 18 to 24 March 2024.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of Sign Language Week in promoting British Sign Language (BSL) given its positive impact on both culture and community in Scotland. During this week the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and S…

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to support the childcare sector, in light of reported data showing that the number of childminders almost halved from just over 6,200 in December 2012 to 3,225 in December 2023.

Answer · Natalie Don: The Scottish Government values the important work that childminders undertake in communities and is committed to supporting and growing the sector. We commissioned research on the reasons for the reduction in childminder numbers (a trend that is mirrored else…

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland that HMP Greenock "should be bulldozed" because of its condition.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) are committed to modernising and improving the prison estate, to ensure it is fit for purpose for those who live and work in prisons, and supports the rehabilitation of people living there. The de…

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the work of justice social workers in communities, in light of reported data showing that 13 local authorities made reductions to frontline criminal justice social workers in 2022-23.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is working with local government and other stakeholders to support justice social workers and to enhance the delivery of services. This includes increasing funding and providing updated operational guidance. In 2024-25, a total of £14…

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has agreed to begin work on local bus franchising in the west of Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: We have delivered all the powers within the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, which enables each local transport authority to determine which of the options they want to use to improve bus provision in their area. While some may opt for a franchising approach, o…

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported figures highlighting that, in 2022-23, social workers in Scotland lost over 30,000 days in absences due to mental ill-health.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government recognises the pressures social workers are under and are taking action to support the workforce. We have invested in wellbeing resources. From 2021 onwards, we provided the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) with £296,000 to …

19 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is has any further plans to purchase or hire ferries from other countries, in light of reports of the successful delivery of the MV Isle of Islay from a company in Turkey.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), as procuring authority, undertakes robust open procurement exercises in line with relevant legislation and guidance for all new vessel projects. In previous procurement exercises CMAL has received interest from shipy…

12 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many individuals have been charged and successfully prosecuted under any of the provisions in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.

12 Mar 2024 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it is considering to ensure the safety of the public, MSPs and staff entering or exiting the Scottish Parliament campus, in light of a number of recent events of concern.

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to EY’s UK Regional Economic Forecast, from February 2024, which predicts that the average employment growth rate in Scotland for 2024-27 will be the lowest regional rate at 0.8%.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The EY Regional Economic Forecast for 2024 suggests that Scotland will have a similar annualised employment growth rate to several regions and nations of the UK between 2024-2027, including Wales, Northern Ireland, the North East of England and the West Midla…

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve mental health support in schools, in light of the Centre for Social Justice report, Drowning not Waving: Discussions with Scottish Small Charities, which states that all of the respondents to its poll "reported significant increases in mental health iss…

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government takes the findings of the report very seriously. The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. We continue to support our local authority partners with £16 million in…

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review Creative Scotland's processes for awarding funds to independent arts projects.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: As the national arts development body, Creative Scotland operate at arm’s length from the Scottish Government. As per the legislation, this means that neither Scottish Government nor Scottish Ministers have a role in funding processes and decisions made by C…

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the number of employers offering apprenticeships.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government continues to work closely with Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council to maximise apprenticeship opportunities and ensure that employers wishing to take on an apprentice are supported and able to do so. Scottish…

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it remains committed to its target for all buildings in Scotland to have emissions-free heating systems by 2045.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that all buildings in Scotland move to clean heating by 2045. We are currently analysing the responses to our consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, which would prohibit the use of polluti…

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to data reportedly showing that over 7,300 patients waited longer than 24 hours for emergency treatment in Scottish hospitals in 2023.

Answer · Neil Gray: As set out in answer S6F-02918, I emphasise again that all long waits are unacceptable. We continue to work hard with health boards to reduce delays for patients. A and E performance is impacted by pressures from right across the wider health and social car…

11 Mar 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Creative Scotland, in light of reports that the organisation awarded £85,000 to a theatre company creating explicit content.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Scottish Government is in close dialogue with Creative Scotland. Creative Scotland are reviewing this allocation as they have been clear that what has been reported simply does not meet what the funding was applied for – it is considerably more explicit …

11 Mar 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take in response to reported statistics showing that nearly one in five probationary teachers left the Teacher Induction Scheme in 2023.

5 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to comments made by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, which described Scotland as being "in the midst of a housing emergency".

29 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the planned Comsol Energy solar farm on the Isle of Cumbrae on the island's endangered bird species, of which there are reported to be at least 20 species, across seven priority habitats.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The reporter took full account of all the submissions made by parties, including the potential impact on the island's birds. This included the appellants Ecological Appraisal and comments from members of the local community. The reporter concluded that the p…

29 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances it would support construction within any (a) Special Landscape Area (SLA) and (b) Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS).

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Our Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) through policy 4 (Natural Places) sets out to protect, restore and enhance natural assets making best use of nature-based solutions. Policy 4 (d) states that development proposals that affect a site designated as …

29 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to monitor and enforce the conditions set by its Reporter regarding the planned construction of Comsol Energy's solar farm on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, in this case North Ayrshire Council. There are a wide range of enforcement powers in planning legislation and planning authorities have discretion to determine what power, or combination …

29 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the potential environmental impact of the planned Comsol Energy solar farm on the Isle of Cumbrae, including any impact on the area's topography.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Having regard to the development plan the reporter considered that the determining issues in this appeal were the principle of the development and its potential benefits, including renewable electricity generation; landscape and visual impact and ecological i…

29 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what considerations it made when deciding to overturn North Ayrshire Council’s decision not to grant permission for the development of the solar farm on the Isle of Cumbrae by Comsol Energy.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The independent reporter was required to make their decision on the planning merits of the case and in overall accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicated otherwise. The reporter concluded that the main issues in this case w…

28 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the recruitment of staff in care homes.

Answer · Maree Todd: Scottish Government are aware of the pressures faced by the social care providers at present and are taking a number of steps to support recruitment in the sector. Scottish Government work with partners across the sector to support increased awareness of the…

21 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by Police Scotland's Chief Constable that the force deals with over 100,000 mental health-related incidents each year.

6 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue with its proposals to pilot juryless trials, in light of reports of strong opposition from the legal sector.

Answer · Angela Constance: Running a time-limited pilot of judge-only rape trials was a recommendation of the cross-sector review led by Lady Dorrian, Scotland’s second most senior judge, on improving the justice system in the way it responds to serious sexual offending. The pilot is …

6 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to bringing the law on international parental child abduction in line with England and Wales.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is not committed to changing the law in this area. However, in line with paragraph 9.15 of the Family Justice Modernisation Strategy Family Justice Modernisation Strategy - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) , the Scottish Government is carryin…

6 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the National Union of Students Scotland report, Broke Students, Broken System.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has faced its most challenging budgetary settlement since devolution began – a settlement which has not been inflation-proofed, and which has subsequently required difficult decisions to be made, due to the pressures on our public serv…

6 Feb 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase school attendance, in light of recently reported figures showing that children in care have missed 1.3 million school days in the last four years.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I am clear that everyone involved with the education system must redouble efforts to ensure children and young people are fully engaged in their learning, in line with education authorities’ responsibilities to follow up and monitor and manage absence. The S…

30 Jan 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it made regarding its reported decision to reduce the level of general capital support to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to zero in its Budget for 2024-25.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The UK Autumn Statement was a worst-case scenario for Scotland and confirmed that the Scottish Government Capital Block Grant is forecast to contract by almost 10% in real terms over 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28). Capital spending pressures across the Scottish…