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.

Question reference: S6W-15510

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken in the last five years on the impact of noise pollution on health.

Through Scotland’s implementation of the European Commission Environmental Noise Directive (Directive 2002/49/EC), Scottish Government ministers have a responsibility to produce noise maps of Scotland every five years. The fourth round of noise mapping is currently being undertaken. Action plans for the current round of noise mapping will be submitted in 2024 and will include the provision of information, consultation, and ultimate decision making on the issues of noise management.

Question reference: S6W-15610

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update its guidance on noise limits and amplitude modulation, as recommended in the WSP publication, A Review of Noise Guidance for Onshore Wind Turbines: Project Report, published in October 2022 on behalf of the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

We welcome the research conducted by WSP on behalf of the UK Government.

The Scottish Government contributed financially to the research project and will continue to work with the UK Government on next steps following the publication of the report.

Until such time as new guidance is produced, ETSU-R-97 should continue to be followed by applicants and used to assess and rate noise from wind energy developments.

Question reference: S6W-15532

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 14 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to the community of Torry, in Aberdeen, to protect community initiatives such as Big Noise.

In the most challenging budget settlement since devolution, we are providing nearly £13.5 billion in the 2023-24 Local Government Settlement. The settlement includes £436.9 million for Aberdeen City Council to fund local services, which equates to an extra £27.1 million to support vital day to day services or an additional 6.6 per cent compared to 2022-23. All local authorities will also receive a fair share of the currently undistributed sum of £329.8 million and have a range of revenue raising powers that are not available to other public services.

We are proud to have supported Sistema Scotland with annual funding since 2012, contributing to the Government-wide priority of tackling child poverty.

We are pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government will ensure that Sistema will get the funding they need to continue to deliver their programmes, including Big Noise Torry, which we understand is around £1.5 million.

Question reference: S6W-15611

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 14 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, as it applies to Scotland, to the WSP publication, A Review of Noise Guidance for Onshore Wind Turbines: Project Report, published in October 2022 on behalf of the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

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