Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-11264

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to fulfil its commitments to protect nature in Scotland and maintain or exceed EU environmental standards, in light of the reported plans by the UK Government to dismantle laws protecting nature.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned by, and fundamentally opposed to, the UK Government’s plans to potentially dismantle laws protecting nature as outlined in their Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. As drafted, the Bill will undermine the Scottish Government’s ability to protect Scotland’s natural environment because unless existing legal protections set out in retained EU law are preserved, they will be removed from the statute book at the end of 2023. In addition it is unacceptable for the UK Government to give itself powers to act in areas of devolved competence. Devolution must be respected.

The Scottish Government will do everything within the powers available to us to prevent such dismantling of laws protecting nature and to protect devolution. We remain fully committed to protecting nature in Scotland and maintaining or enhancing environmental standards. The Scottish Government shall achieve alignment with improvements to EU environmental standards, wherever this is possible and within our interests, including where appropriate through specific powers within the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.

Question reference: S6W-11234

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 4 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many vessels are used to control fishing and farming activity in Marine Protected Areas.

Question reference: S6O-01441

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

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Communication Workers Union has organised strikes for Royal Mail workers next month, including in Scotland.

Question reference: S6T-00893

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Government's fiscal statement last week.

Question reference: S6O-01399

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with Ofgem regarding reported higher standing charges for energy in the Highlands and Islands.

Question reference: S6W-09409

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 14 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of patients at abortion clinics in the Central Belt being harassed at these premises, whether it is monitoring activity at hospitals and clinics across the country, and whether instances of intimidation have occurred elsewhere in Scotland.

As agreed by the Ministerial-led working group on Safe Access Zones, independent research has been commissioned by the Scottish Government; part of this research will involve more formal monitoring of the prevalence, nature and impact of any vigils or protests with NHS Boards.

The Scottish Government also continues to discuss with NHS Board staff whether they have experienced issues or concerns relating to protests of vigils outside abortion clinics. We will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure that evidence is gathered .

The Scottish Government is aware that recent vigils or protests have been held at the following locations in Glasgow: the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, the Sandyford clinic and Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Vigils or protests have also been held earlier this year outside the Chalmers clinic in Edinburgh and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. While there has been activity at other locations in the past, the Scottish Government is not aware of activity at any other locations having taken place during the past year.

Question reference: S6O-01311

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Minimum Income Guarantee Steering Group.

Question reference: S6W-09052

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 21 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of patients at abortion clinics in the Central Belt being harassed at these premises, whether it is monitoring activity at hospitals and clinics across the country, and whether instances of intimidation have occurred elsewhere in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that women can access abortion services safely and without fear of intimidation or harassment.

The Scottish Government is commissioning independent research which will provide evidence of protests and vigils. Gillian Mackay MSP has launched a consultation on buffer zones, and the Scottish Government asks anyone with an interest to respond.

We also continue to encourage hospitals and clinics to report protests and vigils as they happen to Police Scotland to ensure they are dealt with in an appropriate manner.

Question reference: S6O-01183

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how its cross-government COVID recovery policies can reassure clinically vulnerable members of the public.

Question reference: S6W-08570

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 1 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any ongoing works that are currently in process to progress the dualling of the A96 (a) in general and (b) in relation to the section that will create the Nairn bypass.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the north and east of Scotland, including improving the A96 corridor and will take forward an enhancements programme that improves connectivity between surrounding towns, tackles congestion and addresses safety and environmental issues.

The current plan is to fully dual the A96 route between Inverness and Aberdeen, however the Scottish Government has agreed to conduct a transparent, evidence-based review of the programme which is already underway and will report by the end of 2022. Effective stakeholder and public engagement is an essential part of the review and an initial public consultation survey was launched on 12 May 2022.

The A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, which runs from Inverness to Hardmuir, is separate from the wider A96 corridor review process which is currently being undertaken and we continue to progress the preparation stages of the scheme with a view to completing the statutory process.

Delivery of the scheme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets.

Chamber and committees