Parliamentary questions
Rachael Hamilton
1,432 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering implementing a cap on the number of renewable energy applications submitted within a given timeframe, such as an annual Scotland-wide limit.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Electricity Act 1989 does not specifically allow for any limit to be placed on the number of applications that Scottish ministers can receive or process. The power to amend the Electricity Act is reserved to the UK Government, so the Scottish Government h…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its Freedom of Information response of 28 February 2025 stating that no renewable energy projects have been rejected, what steps it is taking to ensure that public consultation processes are given due consideration.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: It is not accurate to state that no renewable energy projects have been rejected.To clarify, the Environment Information Request response of 28 February 2025 to which the question referred, noted that, of the 7 renewable energy applications received by the En…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce compensation for any individuals affected by a decline in (a) land and (b) property value due to the impact of large-scale energy projects on property prices.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: As per the response provided to question S6W-34540 on 4 March 2025, Compensation provisions do exist where land, or rights over land, are acquired by compulsion for the development of energy infrastructure under the Electricity Act 1989. However, there is no …
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce an upper limit on the proportion of land allocated to large-scale renewable energy projects in order to preserve agricultural land, in light of the reported economic importance of farming to the Scottish Borders economy.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government values our land for its multiple uses, which include food production, nature restoration, energy security and to our economy.Many large-scale renewable energy projects lease the land where they are sited. Land managers will have site s…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any benefits or risks of the proposed Cross Border Connection development by SP Energy Networks in relation to (a) local communities and (b) energy prices.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36341 on 22 April 2025. 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…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many local jobs have been created in the Scottish Borders as a result of (a) current and (b) anticipated future renewable energy applications.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scotland’s renewable energy sector is expected to continue to generate substantial, long-term job creation, driving sustainable employment and economic growth across various industries and communities.A report from The Fraser of Allander Institute (2023…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any long-term implications of large-scale energy projects in the Scottish Borders.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Where new energy developments come forward, applications are subject to site-specific assessments by the decision maker. Our Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) policy 11 (energy) requires that project design and mitigation demonstrate how impacts on co…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated total income to Scotland is from the proposed network reinforcement of the energy grid to meet the energy demands of the rest of the UK.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has no role in the design or regulation of electricity infrastructure, aside from its statutory planning and consenting processes.The electricity network in Scotland is physically and economically integrated with the rest of Great Brit…
27 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its Freedom of Information response of 28 February 2025 stating that there has been a threefold increase in renewable energy applications since 2020, what its position is on whether such an increase is necessary to meet the energy demands of the Scottish Borders.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has no powers to influence grid management in Scotland as legislation and regulations relating to gas and electricity networks are reserved to the UK Government. The independent system operator, National Energy System Operator (NESO), …
25 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to understand the potential impact of NHS waiting times on health inequalities.
Answer · Neil Gray: Reducing health inequalities and supporting people to live longer, healthy and fulfilling lives remains a clear ambition for this Government.Health inequalities in Scotland have widened in recent years in part due to the impact of austerity, Brexit, COVID and…
25 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to reintroduce lynx into Scotland, and, if so, what assessment it has made of any potential impact that this would have on rural communities and livestock.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has no plans to reintroduce lynx or any other large carnivorous species into Scotland.Neither the Scottish Government, nor NatureScot, have carried out any formal assessment of any potential impact that lynx would have on rural communi…
21 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update its 2021 guidance for public bodies on data collection and publication of sex, gender identity and trans status.
Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Office of the Chief Statistician published guidance for public bodies in Scotland on the collection of data on sex and gender in 2021. This guidance recommends that statistics producers should collect data that best serves the needs of users in their spec…
21 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender [the Sullivan review]; whether it will implement the recommendations in the review, and what plans it has to meet Professor Alice Sullivan to discuss the findings.
Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Office of the Chief Statistician published guidance for public bodies in Scotland on the collection of data on sex and gender in 2021. This guidance recommends that statistics producers should collect data that best serves the needs of users in their spec…
17 Mar 2025 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is marking Endometriosis Awareness Month.
12 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the most recent South of Scotland Enterprise business panel survey report.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The South of Scotland Business Panel survey interviews over 600 South-based companies and social enterprises each year. It provides an important temperature check of business confidence and helps to identify challenges and opportunities.In line with similar s…
12 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to standardise visitor levy forms across local authorities.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government is working with VisitScotland to establish a series of meetings which will include key representatives from the tourism industry and local government. These discussions will provide an opportunity to improve and refine published guidan…
12 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue guidance to local authorities on the implementation of visitor levy forms, with reference to businesses that operate across several local authorities.
Answer · Ivan McKee: VisitScotland is responsible for producing, and maintaining, guidance on the operation of the Visitor Levy. Following the outcome of the meetings with stakeholders, as referred to in the response to the question in S6W-35723 on 25 March 2025, we will work wit…
12 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made regarding any potential impact that variations of visitor levy forms will have on businesses that operate across several local authorities.
Answer · Ivan McKee: A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) was published to accompany the introduction of the then Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill 2023. The BRIA can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/visitor-levy-bill-business-regulat…
12 Mar 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps Historic Environment Scotland is taking to ensure that women have access to a safe working environment.
11 Mar 2025 · SPCB Oral Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what recent assessment it has made of the resources given to the Legislation team.
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the specific needs of rural communities in relation to the ending of the Radio Teleswitch Service, including the availability of replacement meters and any potential for delays to replacement meters in rural areas.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35647 on 21 March 2025. 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-committees…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters have been removed from premises in Scotland since the ending of the service was announced.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35647 on 21 March 2025. 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-committees…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what progress has been made on the roll-out of smart meters across Scotland, and what steps it (a) can take and (b) is taking to ensure equitable access for consumers in rural and remote areas.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: As a reserved matter, the Scottish Government has no powers over the smart-meter roll out and does not hold information on its progress. The UK Government publishes quarterly statistics on the smart meter roll out which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/go…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that people are fully aware of the ending of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) on 1 July 2025, and what plans are in place to support any affected consumers in (a) general and (b) rural areas such as the Scottish Borders, where there is reportedly a hig…
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government has no powers over the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS).Ofgem and Energy UK are leading a cross-industry response to the RTS shutdown which includes a public awareness campaign. However, progress has been slow. Ofgem’s data from su…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with (a) Ofgem and (b) energy suppliers to ensure that the replacement of Radio Teleswitch Service meters is completed in a timely manner and that no consumer is left without control over their heating and hot water when the service ends.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35647 on 21 March 2025. 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-committees…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific measures are being taken to address any potential impact of the ending of the Radio Teleswitch Service on vulnerable consumers in rural constituencies, particularly those who may have limited access to alternative heating and hot water solutions.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35647 on 21 March 2025. 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-committees…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the 1 July 2025 date for the ending of the Radio Teleswitch Service should be extended, in light of reported concerns about the readiness of suppliers and the potential impact on consumers, especially in rural and remote areas.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35647 on 21 March 2025. 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-committees…
11 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the pilot suicide bereavement service, and whether it will roll it out across all NHS boards.
Answer · Maree Todd: Every suicide is a tragedy, with far reaching impacts on family, friends and the wider community. Providing support to people bereaved by suicide is a core part of our aim to ensure ‘everyone affected by suicide has access to high quality, compassionate…
4 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the reported community concerns regarding the culling of feral goats in the Scottish Borders, and whether a form of protected status is a potential option to preserve their existence.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35250 on 5 March 2025. 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-committees/…
12 Feb 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the application of equalities legislation, what its position is on the provision of single-sex spaces in public sector buildings, including hospitals.