- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 March 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 March 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the latest available combined costs for prescription charges and eye tests in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.
Answer
Prescription charges were abolished in Scotland on 1 April 2011. Prescriptions issued on Scottish prescription forms (GP10) are dispensed to the patient free of charge by Scottish community pharmacies. The current prescription charge in England of £8.80 per item is due to increase to £9 per item from 1 April 2019. Prescription charges were abolished in Wales on 1 April 2007.
Eye examinations in Scotland have been provided free of charge since 1 April 2006 to all UK residents and those exempt from charges under the National Health Service (Charges for Overseas Visitors) (Scotland) Regulations 1989. Free NHS funded eye examinations in England and Wales are only provided to certain groups of patients. Patients in England and Wales who wish to have their eyes examined and who are not eligible for a free NHS funded eye examination typically have to pay a private sight test fee, which varies by provider.
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 February 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 21 March 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of properties in each local authority have had access to broadband in each year since 2014.
Answer
Due to the commercial nature of much of this information, the Scottish Government does not hold data on broadband coverage percentages. However, independent broadband analysis site, thinkbroadband.com - the same source that the UK Government quotes for its own figures - provides breakdowns of coverage percentages for both fibre broadband and superfast broadband at Local Authority and Constituency level. The following tables show coverage percentages from 2014 to end February 2019.
| | Fibre coverage |
Local Authority | Jan-14 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Feb-19 |
Aberdeen City | 72.7% | 93.2% | 95.5% | 97.1% | 97.5% | 97.5% |
Aberdeenshire | 17.6% | 78.2% | 85.4% | 90.8% | 93.1% | 93.3% |
Angus | 62.6% | 78.3% | 88.1% | 91.6% | 94.7% | 95.0% |
Argyll & Bute | 0.9% | 49.5% | 71.6% | 88.1% | 91.1% | 91.4% |
City of Edinburgh | 90.7% | 93.7% | 96.4% | 98.6% | 98.6% | 98.6% |
Clackmannanshire | 55.9% | 80.6% | 97.5% | 99.6% | 99.8% | 99.8% |
Dumfries & Galloway | 18.9% | 79.9% | 87.6% | 92.6% | 94.8% | 95.0% |
Dundee City | 95.3% | 98.0% | 98.7% | 99.4% | 99.3% | 99.3% |
East Ayrshire | 51.7% | 86.5% | 92.2% | 96.5% | 97.0% | 97.0% |
East Dunbartonshire | 77.9% | 91.5% | 94.7% | 98.6% | 99.4% | 99.5% |
East Lothian | 33.2% | 76.7% | 88.0% | 93.8% | 96.7% | 96.8% |
East Renfrewshire | 85.7% | 90.7% | 95.1% | 97.3% | 99.0% | 99.0% |
Falkirk | 85.6% | 89.9% | 93.8% | 98.0% | 97.9% | 97.9% |
Fife | 53.4% | 86.5% | 95.2% | 98.1% | 98.8% | 98.8% |
Glasgow City | 75.9% | 92.7% | 95.4% | 98.3% | 98.7% | 98.7% |
Highland | 21.8% | 73.0% | 84.3% | 91.4% | 92.2% | 92.4% |
Inverclyde | 72.0% | 90.8% | 93.3% | 98.3% | 98.9% | 98.9% |
Midlothian | 49.0% | 76.5% | 91.2% | 97.3% | 97.2% | 97.1% |
Moray | 7.1% | 82.4% | 89.3% | 93.9% | 95.5% | 95.5% |
Na h-Eileanan an Iar | 1.6% | 39.7% | 59.4% | 81.0% | 85.9% | 87.2% |
North Ayrshire | 43.3% | 80.5% | 92.3% | 98.8% | 99.2% | 99.2% |
North Lanarkshire | 78.3% | 93.8% | 96.2% | 98.6% | 98.9% | 98.9% |
Orkney Islands | 12.0% | 44.0% | 69.0% | 81.9% | 81.5% | 81.9% |
Perth & Kinross | 40.0% | 69.1% | 85.1% | 91.4% | 93.4% | 93.7% |
Renfrewshire | 77.0% | 92.3% | 94.8% | 97.6% | 98.6% | 98.6% |
Scottish Borders | 23.1% | 72.8% | 84.1% | 90.6% | 94.0% | 94.4% |
Shetland Islands | 35.1% | 48.4% | 78.0% | 83.8% | 85.2% | 85.3% |
South Ayrshire | 46.4% | 84.9% | 90.8% | 96.3% | 97.6% | 97.9% |
South Lanarkshire | 72.0% | 91.5% | 94.8% | 97.8% | 98.6% | 98.7% |
Stirling | 58.6% | 80.3% | 87.8% | 94.7% | 95.4% | 95.8% |
West Dunbartonshire | 88.8% | 96.3% | 97.2% | 99.0% | 99.3% | 99.5% |
West Lothian | 64.4% | 84.5% | 90.6% | 98.1% | 98.6% | 98.6% |
| | Superfast coverage (30Mbps and above) |
Local Authority | Jan-14 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Feb-19 |
Aberdeen City | 71.6% | 90.0% | 93.4% | 95.7% | 96.5% | 96.5% |
Aberdeenshire | 16.6% | 65.5% | 73.0% | 79.3% | 81.1% | 81.1% |
Angus | 58.8% | 71.5% | 79.9% | 84.2% | 87.5% | 87.5% |
Argyll & Bute | 0.9% | 41.9% | 60.4% | 78.1% | 81.8% | 82.1% |
City of Edinburgh | 90.5% | 93.4% | 96.2% | 98.3% | 98.4% | 98.4% |
Clackmannanshire | 54.2% | 77.8% | 95.3% | 98.0% | 98.3% | 98.3% |
Dumfries & Galloway | 17.0% | 65.7% | 73.4% | 81.0% | 83.1% | 83.3% |
Dundee City | 95.2% | 97.6% | 98.3% | 98.9% | 98.9% | 98.9% |
East Ayrshire | 48.5% | 78.5% | 84.9% | 92.6% | 93.5% | 93.6% |
East Dunbartonshire | 77.6% | 89.0% | 92.0% | 96.8% | 97.7% | 97.8% |
East Lothian | 31.9% | 71.2% | 81.8% | 88.3% | 91.3% | 91.4% |
East Renfrewshire | 84.6% | 89.1% | 93.5% | 95.9% | 97.7% | 97.6% |
Falkirk | 85.2% | 88.6% | 92.4% | 96.5% | 96.6% | 96.6% |
Fife | 52.9% | 83.2% | 91.8% | 95.3% | 96.1% | 96.1% |
Glasgow City | 75.2% | 91.2% | 94.8% | 98.1% | 98.5% | 98.5% |
Highland | 20.3% | 59.2% | 68.3% | 76.9% | 78.6% | 78.6% |
Inverclyde | 72.0% | 88.1% | 92.0% | 96.8% | 97.4% | 97.4% |
Midlothian | 44.0% | 70.3% | 87.8% | 94.0% | 93.5% | 93.5% |
Moray | 6.9% | 71.8% | 76.9% | 84.9% | 86.3% | 86.4% |
Na h-Eileanan an Iar | 1.3% | 25.4% | 41.3% | 64.5% | 71.7% | 72.3% |
North Ayrshire | 40.9% | 75.7% | 89.0% | 96.0% | 96.3% | 96.3% |
North Lanarkshire | 77.3% | 91.2% | 94.9% | 97.5% | 97.9% | 98.0% |
Orkney Islands | 11.1% | 35.9% | 48.9% | 64.4% | 64.7% | 65.1% |
Perth & Kinross | 39.3% | 61.0% | 76.0% | 82.8% | 84.9% | 85.1% |
Renfrewshire | 76.7% | 90.7% | 93.6% | 96.4% | 97.6% | 97.6% |
Scottish Borders | 20.8% | 59.6% | 71.6% | 80.1% | 83.8% | 84.2% |
Shetland Islands | 28.9% | 37.4% | 60.0% | 72.1% | 73.7% | 73.7% |
South Ayrshire | 44.9% | 80.0% | 86.6% | 92.8% | 94.3% | 94.4% |
South Lanarkshire | 70.2% | 86.4% | 90.9% | 94.7% | 95.7% | 95.9% |
Stirling | 56.5% | 73.6% | 80.8% | 88.3% | 89.3% | 89.7% |
West Dunbartonshire | 88.7% | 95.5% | 96.7% | 98.6% | 98.9% | 99.1% |
West Lothian | 63.0% | 81.5% | 88.9% | 96.2% | 97.0% | 96.9% |
These figures show that fibre coverage across Scotland increased from 60.3% in January 2014 to 97.2% in February 2019. Similarly, superfast coverage increased from 59.3% to 93.4% in the same timeframe – an increase of over 34 percentage points.
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 March 2019
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 March 2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much of its Budget it allocated to the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, and how the finance secretary reached this decision.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 March 2019
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 March 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 March 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the maximum toll or charge for use of a public road or bridge in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.
Answer
There are no tolls or charges for using public roads or bridges in Scotland.
The Scottish Government does not hold information on tolls or charges on public roads in England and Wales. This would be a matter for the UK and Welsh Government respectively.
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 February 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 March 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what impact reduced levels of immigration as a result of Brexit could have on Scotland’s public services.
Answer
The UK Government proposal to end free movement will significantly reduce the number of people coming to Scotland to live, work and study. The recently published independent report of the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population estimates a reduction in net migration to Scotland of between 30% and 50% over the coming two decades if the UK Government puts in place the measures set out in its White Paper on immigration.
Key services, such as health and social care, depend on EU workers to make up a significant proportion of their workforce. A reduction in migration to Scotland of the level suggested in the White Paper will have severe consequences for Scotland's public services. A 5% decline in Scotland's working age population, as the Expert Advisory Group estimates, will reduce the number of workers available to fill roles, affect the Scottish Government's abilities to raise revenue for public services, and therefore increase the challenge of managing the consequences of an ageing population.
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 February 2019
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential impact on sheep farming of Brexit.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2019
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 February 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Christina McKelvie on 27 February 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the South Scotland region and other rural areas.
Answer
It is important that our work to address social isolation and loneliness is inclusive of rural communities. I was pleased to learn from the member of the great example set by the Retired Farming Social Group in Dumfries and Galloway at the debate last month, and I’m looking forward to hearing some choir singing later in the year too.
We know that social isolation and loneliness manifest themselves in different ways in urban and rural communities. We want to develop our understanding of the differences in rural communities, and will explore this further through engagement with bodies like Scottish Rural Action and Scotland’s National Rural Mental Health Forum as part of our wider work to build a more connected Scotland.
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 February 2019
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 February 2019
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an analysis of responses to its recent consultation on rates reform.
Answer
The Scottish Government has today published two reports. Firstly, an independent analysis report [ https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787815797/ ] of the 148 responses submitted to the Barclay Implementation: A consultation on non-domestic rates reform . Secondly, the final report of the Barclay Implementation Advisory Group [ https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787815674/ ]. Where permission has been given to publish a consultation response this can be found on the Scottish Government Consultation Hub [ https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-communities/non-domestic-rates/ ].
The Scottish Government aims to introduce the Non Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament before Easter Recess. The provisions in the Bill, subject to parliamentary approval will result in a non-domestic rates system that will better support business growth, long term investment and reflect changing market places.
Specifically the Bill will make provision:
- for a Business Growth Accelerator relief;
- for three yearly revaluations - after the next revaluation on 1 April 2022;
- for reforms to improve the appeals system and reduce speculative appeals;
- for an increase in the information gathering powers of the Scottish Assessors through the creation of a new civil penalty with concomitant rights of appeal; and a widening of the category of persons an Assessor can approach for information;
- for an increase in the information gathering powers of Local Authorities through the creation of a new civil penalty with concomitant rights of appeal;
- for local authorities to initiate debt recovery at an earlier stage of the financial year;
- for GAAR (general anti-avoidance regulation) as an additional tool that can be utilised in those cases where abuse cannot be tackled through refinement of existing legislation using existing powers;
- for changes to charity rate relief - mainstream independent schools will no longer be eligible to apply for mandatory charitable rate relief, independent special schools and specialist independent music schools will not be affected by this change;
- by way of an enabling power for the Scottish Ministers to issue statutory guidance to local authorities regarding the granting of sports club relief; and
- the closing down of several tax avoidance tactics identified by the Barclay Review relating to non-domestic reliefs.
Barclay Recommendations that will not be covered by the forthcoming Bill, but had previously been included in the implementation plan:
- An out-of-town levy to charge businesses based predominantly online or out-of-town a business rates supplement. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, confirmed in the Scottish Budget that the Scottish Government would not be taking forward this recommendation; and
- Proposal to impose a 10% supplementary charge on property that has been vacant for over 5 years will not be taken forward; proposal to restrict empty property relief for listed buildings to 2 years will be taken forward but the threshold will be 5 years and this can be dealt with by secondary legislation.
- The proposal to increase the current 42 days rest period for empty property will be progressed and this can be dealt with by secondary legislation.
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 January 2019
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Current Status:
Answered by Derek Mackay on 7 February 2019
To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government austerity measures have had on its overall budget, and how this has impacted the local government settlement.
Answer
As a result of the amendments agreed at Stage 2 of the Budget, total spending power for local government will increase by around £620 million in 2019-20 – providing a real terms increase in spending power on both resource and capital for local authorities.
This enhanced settlement for local government has been possible despite the continued impact of UK Government austerity, which means that after removing the uplift in Health funding, the Scottish Government’s total fiscal block grant will be lower in real terms in
2019-20 compared to 2018-19 .
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 January 2019
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 January 2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans testing fisheries management measures relating to nephrops in inshore fisheries.
Answer
In June 2018 the Scottish Government announced the outcome of an Inshore Fisheries Pilot consultation. At this time three Inshore Fisheries Pilots were announced.
- A seasonal restriction on mobile gear fishing near Mull;
- A restriction on creel numbers in the Outer Hebrides; and
- Zonal fishing management arrangements in waters off Arbroath and Montrose.
Since then, Marine Scotland officials have worked with local fisherman from the Inner Sound of Skye area, resulting in a revised proposal to test management of the nephrops fisheries in this area.
This proposal has the potential to offer some unique learning opportunities and to help inform our future fisheries strategy. I’m therefore pleased to announce a consultation on this proposal, and encourage all local fishers and stakeholders to respond.
The consultation will be circulated to stakeholders and published on the Scottish Government website later today:
https://consult.gov.scot/marine-scotland/inshore-fisheries-pilot-for-inner-sound-of-skye
