Jamie Halcro Johnston

18 Feb 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will reduce any administrative burdens onGPs across the Highlands and Islands to allow them to spend more time treatingpatients.   

22 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture budget for 2024-25 was spent outside of the United Kingdom. 

6 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the reduction in police numbers since 2010 on Police Scotland’s ability to respond to all incidents of crime, including antisocial behaviour, within its responsibilities.

30 Oct 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the most accurate and up-to-date science and data is used when making decisions that impact Scotland's fishing sector.

15 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has given the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) the statutory powers under the Wildlife and Countryside (Registration and Ringing of Certain Captive Birds) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to collect registration fees for schedule 4 birds in Scotland, and, …

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government has given the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) the statutory powers under the Wildlife and Countryside (Registration and Ringing of Certain Captive Birds) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to collect registration fe…

15 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is complying with its duty under the Wildlife and Countryside (Registration and Ringing of Certain Captive Birds) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to maintain a register of captive bred schedule 4 birds held by keepers in Scotland, and, if not, whether this means that keepers of sc…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government is complying with its duty to maintain a register of captive bred schedule 4 birds held by keepers in Scotland, as required under the Wildlife and Countryside (Registration and Ringing of Certain Captive Birds) (Scotland) Regulations 2…

4 Sep 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact its recently announced budget reductions will have on investment in infrastructure that supports agriculture in remote and island communities.

5 Jun 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is informing tourists and other visitors of how to use roads across the Highlands and Islands safely.

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its multi-faceted approach to wildfire prevention, including any forthcoming public awareness campaigns and education programmes.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27283 on 28 May 2024.. This year’s public awareness campaigns will build upon and enhance those of 2023. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code education pack was refreshed in 2023 and is aimed at teachers, leaders …

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to promote inter-agency co-operation and partnerships with national and local stakeholders to address the underlying factors contributing to wildfires in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Scotland’s natural environment, the conditions of vegetation and the weather in Scotland at certain times of year lend themselves to fires starting and spreading quickly. Addressing those risks is a key priority for both the Scottish Government and the Scott…

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise public awareness of wildfire prevention.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government’s public agencies are running promotional campaigns to support responsible enjoyment of the countryside, as part of the wider national visitor management strategy co-ordinated by VisitScotland. This includes messaging which relates to …

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what metrics it uses, or assessments it undertakes, regarding the effectiveness of existing wildfire prevention strategies, and whether it will outline its related roadmap for ongoing refinement and adaptation.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: One of the major contributors to the increase in wildfire risk comes as a result of climate change. The 2022 Fire and Rescue Framework sets out seven strategic priorities for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Strategic Priority 4 is focused on clim…

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources it is making available to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to deal with wildfires.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Decisions on the allocation of resources are a matter for the SFRS Board and Chief Officer.  

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is facilitating community engagement and supporting grassroots or volunteer initiatives to support wildfire prevention efforts.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: As we expect to see more extreme weather events, and further warming in Scotland, the Scottish Government recognises how important it is to adapt and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Our land managers and local communities have a vital role in miti…

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the economic impact of wildfires.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Wildfires are costly to fight and can cause significant damage to woodland as well as water catchments and other ecosystem services. We know that wildfires can not only result in substantial carbon loss but also cause damage to our wildlife and require costly…

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will detail its investment in state-of-the-art technology and aerial surveillance for early detection and response to wildfires.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Decisions on the allocation of resources are a matter for the SFRS Board and Chief Officer. Techniques for fighting fires are an operational matter for SFRS.  

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated to fighting wildfires in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Since 2017-18 there have been substantial year on year increases in funding to support SFRS to create a modern and effective fire and rescue service. The 2024-25 budget for SFRS, at £393.3 million, is over £78m higher that the 2017-18 equivalent figure. All f…

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to use digital and social media platforms to effectively disseminate wildfire prevention information to the public.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Efficient and effective dissemination of wildfire prevention information to the public is key to preventing wildfires. Before igniting any flames in a rural or outdoor setting, the SFRS encourage everyone to check which area of Scotland may be at threat of wi…

3 May 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with stakeholders in relation to wildfire prevention ahead of summer 2024.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Wildfire Forum, which is chaired by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, includes Local Authorities, Regional Resilience Partnerships and other Agencies as members to assess wildfire risks and consider what mitigating actions might be taken. Al…

17 Apr 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how data from the most recent Scottish census is being used.

20 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the impact of its 2024-25 Budget on the Highlands and Islands region.

5 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to support the fishing industry.

24 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the Highlands and Islands.

5 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support small businesses over the coming months.

15 Nov 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many health services across the Highlands and Islands have been downgraded or lost entirely over the last 16 years.

27 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the provision of health services across the Highlands and Islands region meets the needs of local communities.

22 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many decisions to refuse onshore wind development with a capacity of less than 50 megawatts have been upheld by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The number of decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind developments*, with a capacity of less than 50 megawatts, which have been upheld (appeal dismissed) by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division is set out in the following table. The numb…

22 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for onshore wind development with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts have been withdrawn by the applicant in each of the past 10 years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Applications for onshore wind development with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts (including applications to extend and vary wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts where an application was made to Scottish Ministers) that have been withdrawn by the applicant …

22 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for onshore wind development with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts have been submitted in each of the past 10 years, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The following table lists the applications for onshore wind development with a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts (including applications to extend and vary wind farms in excess of 50 megawatts where an application was made to Scottish Ministers) made in each…

22 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of anticipated community benefit payments have been successfully made to the affected communities in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government does not hold information centrally on the percentage of anticipated community benefit payments made to communities from renewable energy projects, broken down by local authority area. The Scottish Government’s Register of Community B…