Brian Whittle

24 Jan 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13230 by Lorna Slater on 20 December 2022, over what period the data used for the modelling by Zero Waste Scotland was collected from local authorities.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The data used was the last full year of data prior to modelling, wherever possible. This was not always available and, in those circumstances, Zero Waste Scotland agreed with the Local Authority the most appropriate data to be used. The model was then handed …

23 Jan 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by the Auditor General for Scotland suggesting that Prestwick Airport will continue to require millions of pounds in continued public funding while it remains in public ownership.

18 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to how its Blue Economy Vision for Scotland can support developing industries within the blue economy in the drive to net zero.

11 Jan 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role of local government services in improving public health and wellbeing.

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to care homes and similar facilities to address rising energy prices, in light of their reported inability to reduce usage given requirements for them to maintain heating levels at a specified temperature.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government are aware of the severe pressures which rising energy and other inflation-related costs are putting on the sector. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has established a Ministerial Advisory Group to ensure we collaborate e…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential costs to local authorities resulting from the roll-out of its Deposit Return Scheme.

Answer · Lorna Slater: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13230 on 20 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-commit…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies to purchase reverse vending machines as part of the Deposit Return Scheme and, if so, how many.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Local Authorities and other public bodies who operate return points will need to decide on a case by case basis whether or not to purchase Reverse Vending Machines. The Scheme Administrator, Circularity Scotland Ltd, can provide advice on this matter.  

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any set criteria for a maximum travel time or distance that people should have to travel to access a reverse vending machine.

Answer · Lorna Slater: There is no set criteria on maximum travel time or distance. All retailers will be required to be a return point operator unless they are granted an exemption. The choice of whether to operate a reverse vending machine, or alternatively to operate a manual ta…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to smaller retailers regarding any potential financial impacts that may result from the Deposit Return Scheme.

Answer · Lorna Slater: We listened closely to small retailers in designing Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Under the DRS Regulations, return-point operators including small retailers will be able to claim a reasonable handling fee from the DRS scheme administrator for each …

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government where reverse vending machines to be used for the Deposit Return Scheme are manufactured.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The purchase of reverse vending machines is a matter for individual retailers. There are a number of companies who will manufacture reverse vending machines to the specifications provided by Circularity Scotland Ltd.  

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many reverse vending machines it anticipates will be in use across Scotland when the Deposit Return Scheme begins on 16 August 2023, and, of those, how many will be located in (a) cities, (b) towns with a population of between 40,001 and 60,000, (c) towns with a population of between…

Answer · Lorna Slater: All retailers have obligations to be a return point, unless they apply for and are granted an exemption. The choice of whether to operate a reverse vending machine, or alternatively to operate a manual takeback service, is a commercial decision for individual…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11368 by Lorna Slater on 7 November 2022, when the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity last engaged with industry and other stakeholders about the readiness of obligated businesses for implementation of the Deposit Return Sc…

Answer · Lorna Slater: I meet regularly with industry stakeholders, including trade associations, businesses and the scheme administrator, on the forthcoming deposit return scheme. This will continue whilst we prepare for go-live in August 2023.  

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards its target of ensuring that all homes achieve at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2033, where technically feasible and cost effective.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The most recent data from the 2019 Scottish Housing Condition Survey showed 45% of Scotland’s homes to be EPC C or better. To ensure all homes reach at least equivalent to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C, we are committed to introducing regulations fro…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on its commitment to send no more than 5% of remaining waste to landfill and to recycle 70% of remaining waste by 2025.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The most recent official statistics published by SEPA and available at [ Waste data for Scotland | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ] show that in 2018 the amount of total waste going to landfill in Scotland has reduced by nearly a third over t…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress towards its target of halting nature loss in Scotland by 2030 and reversing it by 2045.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government published its new draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy on 13 December, outlining 26 priority actions needed to achieve our vision of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and reversing the trend by 2045. This 25 year strategy will be suppo…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its pledge at COP26 to curtail deforestation, whether it will provide an update on progress towards its target to increase the woodland carbon market by at least 50% by 2025.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The woodland carbon market is making an important contribution towards our Net Zero targets. Scottish Forestry manages the Woodland Carbon Code which is a UK-wide carbon standard and underpins integrity in the woodland carbon market. The number of validated c…

28 Nov 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to build on the enduring legacy of Doddie Weir and support efforts to cure MND and similar neurological conditions.

23 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether current funding provisions will enable local authorities to meet the standards in its housing strategy regarding social housing, including energy efficiency.

16 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic benefit to Scotland of moving to a low-carbon economy and achieving net zero.

9 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of several high-profile cases of antisocial behaviour in Scotland, what its response is to reports of escalating instances of antisocial behaviour at Kilmarnock Bus Station.

18 Oct 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it anticipates meeting its target to have over 50% of buses running on hydrogen or electric by the end of 2023.

5 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to raise public awareness of the Deposit Return Scheme, and what form any public awareness campaign will take.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The public communication campaign consists of two distinct phases. The first, is aimed at business and has started already. The second, which is aimed at the general public will begin closer to the launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme and is currently…

5 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it is the case that the Deposit Return Scheme will be implemented on 16 August 2023, and, if so, what further steps are required to achieve this.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will launch on 16 August 2023. In line with the polluter pays principle, and just like similar schemes around the world, Scotland’s deposit return scheme is being delivered by industry. It is for obligated businesses to ensur…

5 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it is the case that the Deposit Return Scheme will include glass.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme was developed from the start to include glass, as well as PET plastic and metal containers. This position has not changed.

28 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy will support action to deliver the target of one million homes to be retrofitted with zero carbon heating systems by 2030.

21 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many projects and what total value of loans the Scottish National Investment Bank has supported.

20 Sep 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support the transition to net zero heating in rural homes.

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to consult on removing the 50kW threshold above which permitted development rights do not apply for solar panels on commercial rooftops.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government is currently carrying out a review of PDR in Scotland. This is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on new/extended PDR for specific development types. We have committed to consider updated PDR for renewable energy …

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-01192 by Michael Matheson on 8 June 2022, in which he stated that “the Scottish Government will this year work closely with Solar Energy Scotland representatives to support the development of a solar vision for Scotland”, whether it will provide an …

Answer · Michael Matheson: I met with Solar Energy Scotland (SES) in February, with the Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth meeting with them in May. In addition to ministerial meetings, officials have also been meeting with SES regularly, and they have been invi…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will submit the final draft of the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) to the Parliament.

Answer · Tom Arthur: I wrote to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on 22 June confirming that I now intend to lay a revised NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament in the autumn. This is in order to ensure there is sufficient time to fully consider the detailed response…