- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many tonnes of peat were damaged by the landslide at the Viking Wind Farm site in Shetland on 7 May 2024.
Answer
SSEN have shared with the Scottish Government that they estimate that a volume of approximately 1700 cubic metres of peat has been disturbed. SSEN have suggested that the loss was generally the surface layer of peat in the area. SSEN have confirmed to the Scottish Government that they are working with key stakeholders and environmental specialists to put in place a plan for safe restoration and reinstatement.
SSEN have informed the Scottish Government that the landslide is not connected to the construction of the Viking Wind Farm but took place at SSEN Transmission’s Kergord Substation, which is currently under construction. We understand that there is no impact to the nearby Viking Wind Farm or the Shetland HVDC link.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, when setting its target to produce 20 GW of onshore wind energy by 2030, what analysis it undertook regarding the need for more wind energy in Scotland.
Answer
The Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2022 , which was the culmination of an extensive consultative process with industry, our statutory consultees and the public, sets an overall ambition of 20 GW of installed onshore wind capacity in Scotland by 2030.
In addition to the public consultation on the draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement, the Scottish Government considered a range of evidence, including the Onshore Wind Industry Prospectus and the Climate Change Committee 6th Carbon Budget in setting a 20 GW ambition.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 23 May 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on its energy policy in Scotland, what its position is on the proposed introduction of locational marginal pricing for the GB wholesale electricity market, and whether it plans to respond to the UK Government’s consultation on the review of electricity market arrangements.
Answer
The UK Government’s Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) provides an opportunity to take a whole systems view of our future electricity market and consider how it can be reformed to support further renewable deployment, ensure security of supply and reduce costs for consumers. We are clear that any reforms should support a fair and just transition to net zero. We provided a response to the second REMA consultation on 3 May.
We are aware of the potential impacts, both positive and negative, that locational marginal pricing could have for market participants, and we are cognisant of concerns expressed by the renewables industry in Scotland. We are also aware of potential benefits for consumers, including those in or at risk of fuel poverty, as well as for the decarbonisation of industry, heat and transport through electrification. We continue to call on the UK Government to act quickly to provide further clarity on market reform options.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is currently a shortage of Humalog insulin medications in Scotland, and what information it holds on whether any patients who require Humalog insulin have been (a) told to reduce their dosage and (b) denied this medication.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware that there is currently a supply issue with the medicine Humalog ® (insulin lispro) 100units/mL 10mL vials, used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus who require insulin for the maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis. At present, it is anticipated that supplies of Humalog ® (insulin lispro) 100units/mL 10mL vials will stabilise by the end of May 2024. Scottish Government officials will continue to monitor the situation for any further developments and any people affected should discuss alternative treatments with their doctor in the first instance.
The Scottish Government issued a Medicine Supply Alert Notice (MSAN) on 13 May 2024 which provides advice for healthcare professionals on alternative treatment options for patients prescribed Humalog ® (insulin lispro) 100units/mL 10mL vials.
The Scottish Government does not hold data on who is prescribed and/or unable to obtain Humalog ® (insulin lispro) 100units/mL 10mL vials.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 28 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the assessment of the National Autistic Society Scotland that "while there are instances when part-time timetables could be beneficial, we know they are being used as a ‘sticking plaster’ for existing inadequacies in ASN provision".
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people get the support they need to reach their full learning potential, including those with autism.
It is for local authorities to determine the most appropriate educational provision for pupils, taking into account both their legal responsibilities and the individual circumstances and wishes of children, young people, and their families.
The decision to adopt part-time learning should be taken in agreement with the school and the local authority and should also take into account the circumstances of the individual learner including existing planning arrangements in place for the child or young person.
The Scottish Government continues to work in partnership with Education Scotland and a range of stakeholders to improve professional understanding of, and support for autistic learners in all settings.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the health secretary has had with local health and social care partnerships regarding minor injuries units.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 May 2024
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 22 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether Forestry and Land Scotland has received any payments from Statkraft for widening roads at Brown Hill.
Answer
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) do not own or manage the land where Statkraft are proposing the development of the Craigwatch windfarm. They have therefore not been approached by Statkraft or received any payment from them for widening of roads.
There are several proposed windfarm sites in this area, and it is possible that road widening works are happening on neighbouring private land, of which FLS is not involved.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don on 21 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26962 by Natalie Don on 2 May 2024, whether it has considered reviewing its funded early learning and childcare eligibility guidance to include multiples.
Answer
We do not have plans to review the legislation or statutory guidance for the current offer of funded ELC.
Statutory eligibility for access to funded early learning and childcare (ELC) is set out in the relevant legislation (Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the Provision of Early Learning and Childcare (Specified Children) Order 2014, as amended).
As set out in my previous answer, we provide statutory guidance for local authorities on their duties and powers in relation to funded ELC: Introduction - Early learning and childcare: statutory guidance - July 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . Local authorities have a discretionary power to provide access to funded ELC to any child residing in their area, as they see fit.
Over the next year we will begin work to develop an expanded national offer for more families with 2-year-olds, in doing so we will engage with various family types to identify need, focusing on those who will benefit most, aligning with the finding from the recent Joseph Rowntree Foundation report that noted “low-income families must be prioritised in a wide expansion of early years childcare”.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when the justice secretary last met with the Lord Advocate.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2024
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 7 May 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how long a hospital must be closed before it is formally recognised as closed.
Answer
The Scottish Government and COSLA’s Planning with People guidance sets out how NHS boards, Integration Joint Boards and Local Authorities should involve people and communities throughout the development, planning and decision-making process for service change. The closure of a hospital is an example of service change which requires significant levels of engagement by NHS Boards with stakeholders including patients, the affected community and elected representatives.
In normal circumstances, a hospital would only be closed following engagement and consultation and as a result there is no formal definition for how long a hospital must be closed before being officially recognised as such.
