Tom Arthur

18 Dec 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent motions it will lodge in the Parliament in connection with the legislative programme of the UK Government to be announced in The Queen’s Speech on 19 December 2019.

Answer · Graeme Dey: In accordance with the Scotland Act 1998, as amended, the UK Parliament does not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. This covers legislation for devolved purposes (that is matters with…

10 Dec 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports communities in tackling inequality.

18 Nov 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is recognising this year’s Carers Rights Day.

6 Nov 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the new Fireworks Review Group, announced as part of the Fireworks Action Plan, will ensure that the interests of veterans are represented.

5 Nov 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in reporting on Fair Start Scotland.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Fair Start Scotland (FSS), Scotland’s devolved employability support service is helping people, including those who are further removed from the labour market, to find work and stay in work. Today we have published the first Fair Start Scotland Annual Report…

4 Nov 2019 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s report recommendation to introduce legislation to lawfully pilot a supervised drug consumption facility in Scotland.

28 Oct 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the actions that it is taking to deliver its target to meet 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I am pleased to announce that I have laid a report in Parliament today that provides an update on the actions that the Scottish Government is taking to reach our renewable heat target. The report is now available on the Scottish Government website (at https:…

23 Oct 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the economy in the Renfrewshire South constituency.

7 Oct 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is marking Challenge Poverty Week.

25 Sep 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many fire stations have been supplied with pet oxygen masks by the organisation, Smokey Paws.

19 Sep 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of Fair Work First.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: As set out in the Fair Work Action Plan we are taking a phased approach to the implementation of Fair Work First. Fair Work criteria is already being applied to a range of Scottish Enterprise business support grants; in the Scottish Government procurement pro…

11 Sep 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support St Andrew’s Day events this year.

28 Aug 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact a no-deal Brexit could have on the agricultural sector in the Renfrewshire South constituency.

13 Aug 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General will publish the annual report for 2018.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scotland’s Population 2018 - the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends will be published by National Records of Scotland on 14 August 2019.  

25 Jun 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that UK ministers are considering taking control of spending in devolved areas; what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding these reports, and what assessment it has made regarding whether such action would be in line with the (a) Scotland…

Answer · Michael Russell: Devolved matters are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government, which are accountable to the Scottish people for policy and funding decisions in these areas. The arrangements for funding of the Devolved Administrations are set out …

12 Jun 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports trade unions to deliver skills training and lifelong learning.

30 May 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what legal costs it incurred as a result of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill being referred to the UK Supreme Court.

Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Parliament passed the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill (‘the Continuity Bill’) on 21 March 2018 by 95 votes to 32. On 17 April 2018, the Attorney General for England & Wales and the Advocate General for Sco…

22 May 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports fair work.

20 May 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its call for greater involvement for devolved administrations in Article 50 negotiations, what input it has had in relation to the Prime Minister's new Brexit deal.

Answer · Michael Russell: With the announcement on 22 May that the Prime Minister had abandoned plans to introduce the Withdrawal Agreement Bill during week commencing 3 June, there is currently no new Brexit deal on offer. The Scottish Government had no meaningful input when the Pri…

20 May 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is regarding the impact on Scotland of the breakdown in talks between the UK Government and Opposition regarding Brexit.

Answer · Michael Russell: The failure of cross party talks demonstrates both the unwillingness of the UK Government to compromise on its self-defeating red lines and also the confusion at the heart of the position held by the Labour Party. The Scottish Government has experienced UK Go…

18 Apr 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the introduction of Air Departure Tax in Scotland.

Answer · Kate Forbes: In June 2018, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work announced that the introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) in Scotland would be deferred until the issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption had been resolved. The S…

26 Mar 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact Brexit could have on the agriculture sector in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

25 Mar 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-21335 by Paul Wheelhouse on 31 January 2019, when it plans to launch its consultation on whether Energy Efficient Scotland can be accelerated.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: I have today, with the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, launched a consultation seeking views on whether Energy Efficient Scotland can be accelerated and how the risks of doing so can be overcome or the opportunities realised. This consult…

13 Mar 2019 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it supports staff who are carers.

6 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the latest average household water bill in (a) Scotland and (b) England and Wales.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Water publishes its average charges, as well as a comparison table with England and Wales, on its website at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/you-and-your-home/your-charges/2018-19-charges . This shows figures for 2018-19 at a) £363 for Scotland; an…

6 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on what income tax will be paid by employees on the UK median wage in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK in (i) 2018-19 and (ii) 2019-20.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data from the ONS provides median gross annual pay for 2018. Median gross annual pay in the UK is £24,006. From this we can calculate the following tax liabilities, assuming the individual in question is in receipt of t…

6 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the rateable value at which businesses receive 100% small business bonus relief on non-domestic rates in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.  

Answer · Kate Forbes: The following table sets out a comparison of the Small Business Bonus Scheme in Scotland with the equivalent schemes in England (Small Business Bonus Rate Relief) and Wales (Small Business Bonus Rates Relief):  Scotland England Wales 100% relief 100% rel…

27 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the UK Parliament’s delay in holding the meaningful vote has had on its Brexit planning.

Answer · Michael Russell: Our planning for Brexit is well underway, but hampered by the lack of clarity surrounding the multiple scenarios that could ensue from the UK Government’s approach. As a responsible government we continue to prepare for the impact all outcomes, including a no…

20 Feb 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an assessment of the economic implications of a no deal Brexit for the Scottish economy.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government’s Chief Economist has today published an economic analysis of the implications of a No Deal Brexit on Scotland. The report sets out the channels through which a No Deal Brexit could impact on the Scottish economy, and quantifies the im…

12 Feb 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce health inequalities.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Reducing health inequalities in Scotland is one of the biggest challenges we face and is therefore a top priority for the Scottish Government. Since they are symptomatic of wider social inequalities, we are taking decisive action on a number of fronts. This …