Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-12048

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11056 by Mairi Gougeon on 30 September 2022, what number of each type of vessel is fitted with the specified capability.

The previous answer detailed the percentage of vessels fitted with the specified capability, this has been amended to include the number of vessels.

	Vessel Monitoring System	Electronic Logbook	Remote electronic monitoring system (minimum of GPS and sensor/s)	Total number of vessels
Over 12 m Pelagic	100%	100%	0%	20
Over 12m Scallop Dredge	100%	100%	98% (53 vessels)	54
Over 12m Demersal	100%	100%	0%	92
12m & Under	0%	0%	3% (43 vessels)	1706

	Vessel Monitoring System	Electronic Logbook	Remote electronic monitoring system (minimum of GPS and sensor/s)	Number of vessels
Over 12 m Pelagic	100%	100%	0%	?
Over 12m Scallop Dredge	100%	100%	98%	53
Over 12m Demersal	100%	100%	0%	?
12m & Under	0%	0%	3%	43

Question reference: S6W-11802

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 10 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether a carbon assessment has been undertaken of the policies in the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), and if this is the case, whether the assessment will be publicly available.

In keeping with our statutory and other assessment requirements we published our Integrated Impact Assessments (IIA) alongside Draft NPF4, and invited comment. This included an Environmental Report, setting out the likely significant environmental effects of Draft NPF4 including on climatic factors. Our assessment findings and the comments received have been taken into account in finalising the Revised Draft NPF4 which was laid in Parliament on 8 November. The IIA is available from the Scottish Government’s website: www.gov.scot .

Question reference: S6W-11666

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 10 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in securing increased and backdated wages for Robertson Facilities Management staff who work at New Craigs Hospital in Inverness, and what correspondence has the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care had with NHS Highland since the health board's reported announcement on 3 October 2022 that it would not honour the agreed pay awards and the Agenda for Change terms and conditions for such workers.

The Scottish Government have been in dialogue with NHS Highland on the matter raised. NHS Highland have confirmed that they will honour the two tier agreement in respect of facilities management colleagues working on behalf of NHS Highland at New Craigs Hospital. This will ensure that these staff are on terms and conditions that are no less favourable than the Agenda for Change equivalent. The Health Board are now working with Robertson Facilities Management and local trade union representatives to ensure a smooth transition.

Question reference: S6W-11803

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 10 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the carbon emissions generated from new house building, and whether estimates for new housing in the draft fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) have been assessed against the Scottish carbon budget.

An explanation of how the Minimum All-Tenure Housing Land Requirements (MATHLR) for each planning authority in Scotland have been arrived at is set out in the Housing Land Requirement Explanatory Report, which was published alongside Draft NPF4 and is available from the Scottish Government’s website: www.gov.scot . The MATHLRs are broad, reasonable and long-term figures based on evidence of need and demand for housing.

In keeping with our statutory and other assessment requirements, we published our Integrated Impact Assessments (IIA) alongside Draft NPF4 and invited comments. This included an Environmental Report, setting out the likely significant environmental effects of Draft NPF4, including on climatic factors. Our assessment findings and the comments received have been taken into account in finalising the Revised Draft NPF4, which was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 8 November 2022. The NPF4 IIA is available from the Scottish Government’s website: www.gov.scot .

Whilst a more specific quantitative assessment against the Scottish carbon budget has not been made in arriving at the MATHLRs, future proposals for new homes will be considered against NPF4 as a whole including its policies on climate and nature crises, as well as on quality homes. These will influence both the location and design of individual proposals for new homes. As land is allocated for housing development in Local Development Plans, further impact assessment will be required.

Question reference: S6W-11986

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2022
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether a carbon assessment of the policies in the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) has been undertaken, and, if so, whether this assessment will be made publicly available.

Question reference: S6W-11985

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2022
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the carbon emissions generated from new house building, and whether estimates for new housing given in the draft fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) have been assessed against Scotland’s carbon budget.

Question reference: S6W-11339

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 25 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s care services, in light of the reported loss of 30 staff since the start of 2022.

There are more than 1,200 social care providers across Scotland, with local authorities responsible for providing or commissioning services. Local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships will wish to ensure that, in providing a range of services, their workforce planning arrangements take full account of the need to have safe and sustainable numbers of staff.

To maximise capacity to meet demand, and maintain integrated health and social care services throughout autumn and winter, our winter plan highlights the additional funding of £528 million allocated directly to Health and Social Care Partnerships for 2022 23. This funding was aimed at the following social care measures:

• £124 million to enhance care at home

• £144 million to support the December 2021 uplift to £10.02, as well as a further -

• £200 million to increase the minimum hourly rate of pay in adult social care

• £20 million to support interim care arrangements

• £40 million to enhance multi-disciplinary teams

• Waiving fees for mandatory PVG checks for new entrants to social care

• Extension of the Social Care Staff Support Fund to 31 March 2023, to ensure that social care workers absent with Covid-19 receive their full pay

Alongside this, SG have established a social care winter planning working group, to consider a number of potential/feasible options to ease the current pressures in the Adult Social Care Sector in advance of the winter period 2022-23. Local government are among those represented on this group.

To help alleviate the current pressures in social care, we are working with partners to scope out and design localised support with recruitment for the winter period. This will include marketing assets which can be adapted to meet local needs, and providing more in-depth support with recruitment where capacity to recruit is a barrier. This work is being taken forward in collaboration with key stakeholders representing the sector.

Question reference: S6W-11056

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the (a) pelagic, (b) scallop dredge, (c) demersal fleets and (d) vessels with an overall length of 12 meters and under are currently fitted with (i) a vessel monitoring system, (ii) an electronic logbook and (iii) a remote electronic monitoring system with cameras, sensors and GPS, capable of independent monitoring and reporting of catch size, vessel size, time at sea, and types of gear used.

It is a requirement for all UK and EU fishing vessels with an overall length of 12 metres and over to be fitted with a Vessel Monitoring System and an electronic logbook, regardless of whether the vessel is involved in pelagic, scallop or demersal fishing operations.

Fishing vessels with an overall length less than 12 metres are not currently required carry a vessel monitoring system and electronic logbook.

The Scottish Government’s consultation on the introduction of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) to key fishing fleet segments closed on 7 June 2022. The responses submitted are currently being analysed. The consultation prioritised the mandatory rollout of REM to scallop dredge vessels and large pelagic vessels, along with consideration of further rollout to large demersal vessels. These proposals will place Scotland in a leadership position amongst other fishing nations operating in the North Sea and Europe, going further and faster than others including the European Union.

As set out in the consultation, REM is considered to be the use of imagery, sensors, and Global Positioning System (GPS) to independently monitor fishing operations, effort, and/or catch. The technology offers a range of benefits, which differ between different fishing fleets and therefore the Scottish Government is tailoring its use to match the nature and profile of our fishing fleets. As explained, this will likely result in simplified REM systems for some fleets (or fleet segments) that do not necessarily feature all the components (imagery, sensors and GPS). In line with these definitions, the following table shows the proportion of Scottish vessels installed with REM (minimum of GPS and sensor/s).

	Vessel Monitoring System	Electronic Logbook	Remote electronic monitoring system (minimum of GPS and sensor/s)
Over 12 m Pelagic	100%	100%	0%
Over 12m Scallop Dredge	100%	100%	98%
Over 12m Demersal	100%	100%	0%
12m & Under	0%	0%	3%

Question reference: S6O-01431

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it will overcome reported significant skills and supply chain shortages in the Highlands and Islands to deliver 11,000 rural and island homes by 2032.

Question reference: S6W-10518

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that sufficient accommodation is available for students with conditional offers.

The Scottish Government has no direct role in the provision of student accommodation. However, we are aware of the ongoing difficulties faced by students in accessing accommodation this academic year.

We are currently undertaking a review of Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) which will look at a number of issues, including affordability and supply and the findings from this report, along with findings from the New Deal for Tenants Report which considered similar issues in the private rented sector, will inform a student accommodation strategy for Scotland.