Michelle Ballantyne

18 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle the challenges presented to schools in the Scottish Borders in light of the report, Household Projections for Scotland, 2014-based, published by the National Records of Scotland, which predicts that the number of households in the region will rise by 8% …

Answer · John Swinney: I welcome the projected growth in the Scottish Borders and Scottish Borders Council is best placed to plan for this increase. With regards to new schools required because of housing growth, we would always expect this to be funded by local authorities and the…

18 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in the Scottish Borders to provide sufficient housing in light of the report, Household Projections for Scotland, 2014-based, published by the National Records of Scotland, which predicts that the number of households in the region will rise by 8% between 2014 and…

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Over the lifetime of the current parliament (2016-17 - 2020-21) the Scottish Government will investment a minimum of £62.857m to support affordable housing in the Scottish Borders, an increase of £25m from our previous investment over the period 2008-09 – 201…

18 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle the challenges presented to the NHS by the ageing population of the Scottish Borders in light of the report, Household Projections for Scotland, 2014-based, published by the National Records of Scotland, which predicts that the number of households in th…

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government published the Health and Social Care Delivery Plan in December 2016. This plan set out our vision for enhancing our health and social care services so the people of Scotland can live longer, healthier lives at home or in a homely setti…

18 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether, and to what extent, it has reconsidered its position that it is "unreasonable and impractical to attempt to impose a ban on mobile devices in schools", in light of research by the Centre for Economic Performance (Paper No. 1350, May 2015), which demonstrated that a ban on mobile…

Answer · John Swinney: Mobile phones are widely owned by school aged learners and, as the cited research also acknowledges, their structured use can enhance learning and teaching. To impose an outright ban and deprive learners of educational opportunities therefore remains unreason…

17 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what compensation, other than a loan, is available to farmers who have yet to receive the residue that they are owed from the Basic Payments Scheme in 2016.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Over 99% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2016 claims have now been paid. BPS 2016 loans were offered to all who were eligible and loans valued at £271.8 million were provided. There is no direct compensation available to farmers who have yet to receive the resi…

9 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many weather-related (a) cancellations and (b) delays there have been to trains (i) in each of the last 10 years and (ii) on the Borders Railway line each year.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Transport Scotland does not hold this information. The operator is required under the terms of the franchise to provide data on the public-performance-measure (which measures the numbers of trains which run to time), the amount of seat capacity provided and t…

9 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to accommodate (a) pregnant women, (b) older people and (c) disabled people on the Borders Railway.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Abellio is obliged to meet all the regulations and legal requirements relating to accessibility as the operator of the ScotRail Franchise. The Borders Railway opened in September 2016 with every new station on the route made step free enabling disabled custo…

9 Aug 2017 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to deal with the effect of hot weather on passengers travelling on the Borders Railway.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Borders services are primarily operated by class 158 diesel, two carriage trains which are undergoing a major enhancement programme worth around £14M to deliver improvements to passenger facilities. Further work is planned over the coming months which will al…

6 Jun 2017 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that pupils can study a range of subjects at National 4 and 5 levels.

Answer · John Swinney: All children should have the best possible educational opportunities and we are doing everything we can - working with our national and local partners - to ensure this. We are encouraging secondary schools to work collaboratively with other secondary schools…