Jamie Greene

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition will next meet with the new chief executive of Scottish Water.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: I had an introductory meeting with Alex Plant, Chief Executive of Scottish Water, on 6 June 2023 and have been in close contact with Scottish Water particularly on issues around water scarcity recently and will continue to do so.

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many pupils have taken part in Scottish Water’s Learn to Swim Programme to date, and whether the programme is on track to deliver its aim of educating another 100,000 children about swimming by 2025.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is not a delivery partner on the Learn to Swim programme and as such, we do not hold this data . This programme is a partnership between Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming, to support a new generation of children to become safer, hap…

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many internship placements has Scottish Water hosted in each year since 2013, including paid internships for young people through the Career Ready Programme.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their answer is: The number of interns Scottish Water hired in each year since 2013 is set out in the table below. In 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic impacted Scottish Water’s abil…

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many calls have been received by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s 24 Hour Pollution Hotline in each year since 2019, and how many full-time staff members are employed in the Reservoirs Regulatory Unit.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: This is a matter for SEPA. The information requested is not held centrally. SEPA have provided the following information. Calls to Pollution Hotline in each year since 2019 Year Number of calls 2019 7793 2020 6409 2021 6527 2022 6617 2023 (until 8…

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths have been recorded at reservoirs managed by Scottish Water in each year since 2013.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Water has recorded the following number of deaths since 2013 at the reservoirs it manages: 2013 – Mill Glen – 2 deaths 2014 – Torduff – 1 death 2018 – Glenburn – 1 death Scottish Water takes a proactive role in reducing the risks around its asset…

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Glasgow Caledonian University plans to sell its campus in New York City as the campus had “not reached its potential”, and what action it is taking to ensure that university campuses abroad can reach their potential.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government and our overseas offices work to advance Scotland’s interests, including those of our universities. Our international network will continue to invest in our international relationships and support our universities to engage globally. …

1 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to prevent landlords from banning tenants keeping pets in a property without good reason, in light of similar plans in other jurisdictions.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We are aware of the proposals in the Renters (Reform) Bill in England introduced last month. The Shared Policy Programme in August 2021, followed by our ‘New Deal for Tenants’ consultation in December 2021 sought views on proposals to strengthen the rights of…

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many seasonal rangers have been employed by Forestry and Land Scotland in each year since 2021.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The number of seasonal rangers employed by Forestry and Land Scotland are as follows: Year Number of Seasonal Rangers 2021 26 2022 32 2023 24  

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the reported (a) 48 apprentices and students recruited for placements and (b) 21 Trees and Timber apprentices at Forestry and Land Scotland, in 2021-22, went on to be employed at the organisation.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In FY 21-22 Forestry and Land Scotland employed thirty-eight apprentices, three foundation apprentices and seven mid-year students. Of those completing their apprenticeships/placements, sixteen apprentices and four students have gone on to secure roles withi…

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are employed in Forestry and Land Scotland's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team, broken down by job title, and what the total value is of their combined salaries.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Forestry and Land Scotland employ two members of staff in the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Team. One person is employed on a full-time basis and the other is employed on a 0.6 FTE basis (22.2 hours per week). Both members of staff are employed as Equali…

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any of NatureScot’s offices do not currently have an EPC rating of at least band C, and, if so, whether it will provide a list of those offices.

Answer · Lorna Slater: This is an operational matter for NatureScot. I have asked their Chief Executive to write with the relevant information.

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, of the 17 buildings on the Scottish Government Core Estate, whether any do not have full disabled access, and, if so, which ones.

Answer · Shona Robison: All 17 Scottish Government owned buildings, although not fully accessible, have recently (late 2022 to mid-2023) undergone a round of accessibility audits that have graded each as a B (satisfactory, minor works required). These audits will feed into the Scott…

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are employed in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service's Equality and Diversity team, broken down by job title, and what the total value is of their combined salaries.

Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Equality Advisory Group last met, and what was discussed.

Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many interest-free loans, up to a maximum of £5,000, have been used by Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service staff for the purchase of specialised equipment through the SCTS Respite Care Scheme, and whether it will outline the total value of any such loans, broken down by each year i…

Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) staff are currently on the SCTS Carer register, including as a proportion of the total SCTS workforce.

Answer · Angela Constance: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Bute House has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least band C, and for what reason the EPC rating for Bute House is not listed on the Scottish EPC register.

Answer · Shona Robison: Bute House has an EPC rating of D. The EPC is listed on the Scottish EPC register under 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR. Reference Number 6810-1931-5439-2403-6002.  

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many visits the Health and Safety Executive has made to rural primary schools in Scotland to educate children about health and safety on farms, crofts and small holdings, in each year since 2021.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Visits to schools by the Health and Safety Executive or any other organisation, are a matter for individual schools within each education authority area. The member may wish to contact the Health and Safety Executive direct in order to request this informatio…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many downloads, listens or views each episode of the Education Scotland Improving Gender Balance and Equalities podcast has had since it launched.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Education Scotland Improving Gender Balance and Equalities team developed new methods for achieving strong engagement with practitioners, as well as adapting to the new and unprecedented needs of schools, settings and loca…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government at what annual income a person resident in Scotland will pay more in income tax than a person on the same income in other parts of the UK.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Scottish taxpayers with earnings below £27,850 will pay slightly less Income Tax in 2023-24 than if they lived elsewhere in the UK.

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on unconscious bias training in each of its directorates, including using external businesses and organisations to deliver unconscious bias workshops, in each year for which data is available.

Answer · Emma Roddick: In response to your query regarding the Scottish Government’s spend on unconscious bias training, our records show that centrally the Scottish Government has not spent any budget on unconscious bias training using external businesses and organisations. Howeve…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff are currently employed in Education Scotland’s Improving Gender Balance and Equalities (IGBE) team; what the combined value of their salaries is, and what their (a) job titles and (b) responsibilities are.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Education Scotland has four officers with responsibility for improving gender balance and equality. Building on the success of the IGBE team, a new equalities team has recently been established to continue the IGBE activity as part of a workstream to challeng…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of incidents responded to and attended by Police Scotland in each year since 2012-13 resulted in a crime being recorded, and, for the same period, what the estimated proportion was of all police responses that were not related to a criminal or public safety incident and w…

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government do not hold the requested information. As the request relates to operational data the member may wish to contact Police Scotland at ([email protected]) who might be able to provide at least some of the information being requested…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress towards implementing the recommendations in the Final Report of the Women in Agriculture Taskforce.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We are continuing to progress the implementation of the recommendations of the Women in Agriculture Taskforce. As part of this we continue to deliver solutions that deliver positive change for women living and working in Scottish agriculture through the Women…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities that currently offer kerbside collection of glass for recycling have indicated that they (a) will and (b) will not continue to do so if the proposed Deposit Return Scheme launches in March 2024, or at any time thereafter, including with a national glass recycli…

Answer · Lorna Slater: Local authorities are not required to indicate to the Scottish Government their intentions for kerbside glass recycling collections after the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme. All local authorities will consider and monitor the impact of the scheme o…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17987 by Gillian Martin on 30 May 2023, which materials or energy sources will supply electricity and gas to homes and businesses in Scotland when renewable energy provision is either low or non-supplying on any given day.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan sets out that in 2030, Scottish electricity demand that is not met from domestic renewable electricity generation could be met by other sources including energy storage, abated CCGT, or hydrogen. We anticipat…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which current cabinet secretaries and ministers have not undertaken unconscious bias training since taking up their posts.

Answer · George Adam: The Scottish Parliament is responsible for the salaries and support for MSPs, including training. On appointment, the Scottish Government provide Ministers with information on matters such as the Scottish Ministerial Code and security .

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many suspensions have been imposed by SEPA on water abstraction licences in each month since January 2022.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Summer 2022 was the first time that SEPA has imposed suspensions on abstraction licences, imposing both full (a complete suspension on all water abstractions) and partial (allowing for a reduced volume to be abstracted) suspensions. All abstraction suspensio…

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) claims have received an on-farm inspection since 2016, and in how many instances a breach of the terms of the scheme has been identified.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: During the period of 2016 - 2022, 4.93% of Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) claims have been subject to an on-farm inspection. During these inspections 2187 business have been found to be in breach of the terms of the scheme rules.

30 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any formal or informal expressions of interest for the purchase of Ferguson Marine in the last 12 months, and, if so, what its response was to any such offer.

Answer · Neil Gray: Any approach to buy Ferguson Marine would be assessed rigorously and treated in commercial confidence.