Parliamentary questions

Michelle Ballantyne

639 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

18 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the guidance that it provides to non-domestic rate assessors on its approach to solar installations.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-28009 on 31 March 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

18 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the impact of non-domestic rates on its plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government provides support to the renewable energy sector through a number of non-domestic rates reliefs, such as the renewable energy relief. We continue to consider ways to support the renewable energy sector and keep all of our non-domestic r…

18 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to alter the non-domestic rates system to assist it in its plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-28010 on 31 March 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…

18 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact of solar panels is on the rateable value of properties that are eligible for non-domestic rates.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The valuation of all non-domestic property is a matter for Scottish assessors, who are wholly independent of central and local Government. The role of the assessor is to use the existing legal framework to attribute to a property a rateable value based upon t…

18 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether, in light of COVID-19, it will consider allocating funding to NHS Borders to allow for the continued operation of the Borderline helpline service during the outbreak.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of people with mental health problems having access to the appropriate support, especially during this time. We understand that isolation and distancing will have an impact on the mental well-being of the popu…

11 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support people in rural communities who are self-isolating because of the coronavirus, COVID-19.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We are working across Scottish Government to ensure that the unique needs of rural communities are fully considered in light of the current Covid-19 situation. We also continue to provide the necessary advice to ensure that communities and other partners are …

11 Mar 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role it has in promoting the uptake of UK Government employability services.

4 Mar 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has held with stakeholders regarding the potential impact on public transport of the coronavirus, COVID-19.

3 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to record by grade the number of staff that have been recruited as part of the expansion to 1,140 hours of funded childcare and, if so, when this will begin.

Answer · Maree Todd: Staffing structures and grades differ across local authorities therefore the Scottish Government has no plans to record by grade the number of additional staff that have been recruited as part of the expansion to 1140 hours.

2 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time-equivalent staff require to be recruited to deliver the expansion to 1,140 hours of funded childcare, and how this compares to the number in place.

Answer · Maree Todd: Local authorities estimate that an additional 8,244 full-time-equivalent staff will be required in total to deliver the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare to 1140 hours. The latest Improvement Service data, from September 2019 (and published in Decembe…

27 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to each of the findings in the RNIB Scotland report, Communication Failure? Review of the accessibility of health information for blind and partially sighted people in Scotland, and what plans it has to implement each of the recommendations.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Government welcomes this RNIB Scotland report. The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities, which was revised in June last year, makes clear that everyone accessing and using NHS services in Scotland should be given information about their…

26 Feb 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what strategy it has to ensure that local authorities are sufficiently funded.

5 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether eligibility for the under-six Scottish Child Payment is determined by the age of the child at the (a) date of application or (b) eligibility date.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Eligibility for the under-six payment will be determined by the age of the child at the eligibility date, rather than the application date. As set out in the policy position paper published on 16 January on the Scottish Government website, during the initial …

5 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when Social Security Scotland’s automation of (a) financial processes, (b) case management and (c) the collection of information on redeterminations and appeals will be completed as part of the Scottish Child Payment rollout.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We are on track to open the Scottish Child Payment for applications in Autumn 2020 with the required non clerical processes in place to take applications, make payments and administer redeterminations and appeals. Work continues to develop the Scottish Child…

5 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures will be put in place by Social Security Scotland to deal with the possibility of a high influx of Scottish Child Payment applications immediately preceding the eligibility date.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland continues to build capacity across all operational areas to manage the expected volume of Scottish Child Payment applications. We are working with stakeholders to ensure communications are developed to encourage families to apply ear…

5 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long Scottish Child Payment applicants will have to wait for a decision on their application after the eligibility date.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland is building capacity to process the expected volume of claims for Scottish Child Payment, and is committed to making first payments to clients by Christmas 2020. The gap between the date people can first apply for the Scottish Child …

22 Jan 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to accept and action all of the recommendations in the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee's 9th Report (Session 5) Salmon farming in Scotland (SP Paper 432), and, if so, what its timetable is for implementing these.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government carefully considered all of the recommendations of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee (RECC) and in early 2019, I set out our response in a statement to Parliament which highlighted all the actions planned and being undertake…

15 Jan 2020 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the issuing of licences for the shooting to scare, and shooting of, piscivorous birds.

8 Jan 2020 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on resolving the issues preventing the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.

18 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding Skills Development Scotland has received through the Apprenticeship Levy.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish share of the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy is included in the block grant and largely replaces money previously received. Skills Development Scotland receives its funding as part of the Scottish budget.

16 Dec 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to help pupils with additional support needs.

11 Dec 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in the Scottish Growth Scheme.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government is committed to unlocking private sector investment for businesses through a variety of mechanisms. The Scottish Growth Scheme uses public sector investment to lever the private sector and aims to unlock up to £500 million of investmen…

4 Dec 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports of increased levels of fatty acid methyl ester in diesel causing problems with farm machinery.

27 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications from rural areas to the Community Asset Transfer Scheme have been refused following an appeal in the last three years.