- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 March 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 15 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the use of non-disclosure agreements by government bodies and agencies.
Answer
Conjoined answer for SGW-06820, SGW-06831, SGW-06832
- Severance arrangements and the scrutiny of severance cases follow the process set out in SPFM. This includes arrangements around voluntary exits and settlement agreements and use of confidentiality clauses.
- Data in relation to settlement and the number of confidentiality clauses in Scottish Government and Public bodies, NHSScotland and Scottish Funding Council overseen bodies is held from 2014 and, since then, has been provided to parliament annually – see links to previous reports. 2020-21 data will be published imminently.
- We do not hold information prior to 2014, nor do we hold information in respect of local authorities.
SG and public bodies, NHS and SFC Data. - CC = confidentiality clause.
Year | SG and public bodies | SG/PB CC | NHS | NHS CC | SFC | SFC CC |
2019 - 2020 | 24 | 16 | 26 | 0 | 17 | 11 |
2018 - 2019 | 24 | 16 | 33 | 0 | 13 | 10 |
2017 - 2018 | 39 | 28 | 24 | 3 | 46 | 43 |
2016 - 2017 | 23 | 14 | 36 | 2 | 11 | 9 |
2015 - 2016 | 50 | 36 | 25 | 1 | 13 | 10 |
2014 - 2015 | 23 | 21 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
TOTAL | 209 | 143 | 197 | 19 | 137 | 107 |
- Review of the use of confidentiality clauses will be included in the routine evaluation of the severance policy.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 March 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 15 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many non-disclosure agreements have been signed by (a) NHS boards, (b) local authorities and (c) its agencies in each year since 1999.
Answer
Conjoined answer for S6W-06820, S6W-06831, S6W-06832
- Severance arrangements and the scrutiny of severance cases follow the process set out in SPFM . This includes arrangements around voluntary exits and settlement agreements and use of confidentiality clauses.
- Data in relation to settlement and the number of confidentiality clauses in Scottish Government and Public bodies, NHSScotland and Scottish Funding Council overseen bodies is held from 2014 and, since then, has been provided to parliament annually – see links to previous reports . 2020-21 data will be published imminently.
- We do not hold information prior to 2014, nor do we hold information in respect of local authorities.
SG and public bodies, NHS and SFC Data. - CC = confidentiality clause.
Year | SG and public bodies | SG/PB CC | NHS | NHS CC | SFC | SFC CC |
2019 - 2020 | 24 | 16 | 26 | 0 | 17 | 11 |
2018 - 2019 | 24 | 16 | 33 | 0 | 13 | 10 |
2017 - 2018 | 39 | 28 | 24 | 3 | 46 | 43 |
2016 - 2017 | 23 | 14 | 36 | 2 | 11 | 9 |
2015 - 2016 | 50 | 36 | 25 | 1 | 13 | 10 |
2014 - 2015 | 23 | 21 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
| | | | | | | |
- Review of the use of confidentiality clauses will be included in the routine evaluation of the severance policy.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 March 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 15 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what apprenticeships or subsidised training schemes there are for people seeking to train in (a) welding and (b) metal fabrication.
Answer
For individuals who undertake the Engineering and Engineering Construction frameworks, there is the opportunity to complete a Scottish Vocational Qualification in the units set out below:
Engineering:
- Fabrication and Welding Engineering (SCQF Level 6)
- Fabrication and Welding Engineering Sheet Metalwork 3mm, less (SCQF Level 6)
- Fabrication and Welding Engineering (Manual Welding) (SCQF Level 6)
Engineering Construction:
- Diploma in Welding Engineering Construction Plate (SCQF Level 7)
There are also qualifications available for those who wish to train in welding through the Employability Fund (EF), which was developed as a response to concerns that the existing landscape of provision for pre-employment support in Scotland was too fragmented and not flexible enough to meet the needs of individuals and local labour markets.
With a strong focus on work experience, the EF responds to the different needs of individuals, while also adapting to employer demands on a local basis. Employability Fund can be used to support people to develop the employability and vocational skills they need to make the transition into a Modern Apprenticeship or job.
As part of the EF, the following qualifications are available for individuals to undertake:
- Welding - Radiographic Interpretation of Welds
- Welding Inspector
- Welding Code Core Flux 6 GR EN ISO 96061
- Flux Core Welding 6G H-LO45 135/136 incl. Exam
- CSWIP Welding Inspection with E-Learning
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with developing the "rail link between Dyce and Ellon and further north to Peterhead and Fraserburgh" referred to in the co-operation agreement between it and Scottish Green Party, and when it expects to carry out a formal feasibility study.
Answer
An option for new rail line between Aberdeen, Ellon and onwards to Peterhead and Fraserburgh was assessed as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). The outcome of this was that this option did not form part of the strategic transport investment recommendations within STPR2. Instead, recommendations set out in STPR2 focus on the decarbonisation of the remainder of the rail network; measures to increase the amount of freight travelling by rail and on improving connectivity between our 7 cities.
However, there remains a path for regional or local rail projects to come forward, and Transport Scotland will consider these subject to a strong business case being developed in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and suitable funding being available.
Improving wider public transport accessibility in the North East is a key STPR2 recommendation and Transport Scotland continues to work with Nestrans, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council in developing plans for Aberdeen Rapid Transit further appraisal of which is already being progressed through our Bus Partnership Fund. The rapid transit system would prioritise buses and connect key destinations on the outskirts of Aberdeen to the city centre via busy radial corridors. Bus priority is also being looked at through the Bus Partnership fund, including to Ellon. The proposed bus based rapid transit system for the region would provide a more competitive and efficient public transport into and around the Aberdeen City region. This would improve region wide connectivity and encourage a switch from car to public transport and other more sustainable travel options.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 14 March 2022
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2022
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government anticipates meeting the interim targets set out in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2022
- Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 14 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it monitors any variance in the level of electric vehicle charging point tariffs between areas and, if so, whether it will share the data that it collects, and, if it does not carry out such monitoring, whether it will consider doing so.
Answer
Scottish Ministers do not currently monitor any variance in the level of electric vehicle charge point tariffs. The charge point owner is responsible for the setting of any tariffs on their electric vehicle charge points. The Scottish Government do not have a position on the levels of tariffs that the hosts can set, however, we expect these to be in line with the recovery of costs.
- Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 14 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider extending the powers of the Scottish SPCA to enable the investigation of a wider range of wildlife crime.
Answer
We set out our commitment to establish an independent taskforce to consider whether the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) should be given extra powers to investigate wildlife crime in both the 2021-22 Programme for Government and in our Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme.
The taskforce’s role will include due consideration of the potential implications of any proposed changes to the powers of the Scottish SPCA. The taskforce will report back by the end of 2022.
We will set out the remit of the taskforce in more detail in due course.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out an assessment of the carbon value of the additional flights between Heathrow Airport and Scotland that would result from building a third runway, as set out in its memorandum of understanding with Heathrow Airport and the information contained in the response to the freedom of information request FOI/19/20661, in light of (a) the UK Government’s revised guidance on carbon valuation, as set out in its policy paper Valuation of greenhouse gas emissions: for policy appraisal and evaluation, published on 2 September 2021, and (b) analysis by the New Economics Foundation, published on 27 January 2022, relating to carbon value and airport expansion projects.
Answer
I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-06655 on 14 March 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-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 March 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 14 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the system under which council tax bandings are designated.
Answer
The valuation bands for council tax are part of the wider council tax system set out in the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and associated secondary legislation. We are committed to reforming council tax to make it fairer, working with the Scottish Green Party and COSLA to oversee the development of effective deliberative engagement on sources of local government funding, including Council Tax, that will culminate in a Citizens’ Assembly. This will be established and completed in this Parliament, with a response to its recommendations debated and agreed within 6 months of them being provided.
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 March 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 14 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that householders comply with new legislation on interlinked fire alarms in domestic properties.
Answer
The duty to ensure compliance with the new legislation on interlinked fire alarms in domestic properties rests with local authorities. The legislation provides flexibility for people to fit the necessary alarms in due course if they have been unable to do so by the February 2022 deadline.
The Scottish Government published a joint statement with COSLA on 21 January, which set out that local authorities will be taking a proportionate and measured approach to compliance taking individual circumstances into account as well as reflecting the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. No one will be criminalised if they need more time and there are no penalties for non-compliance.
