- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31732 by
Fiona Hyslop on 9 December 2024, in light of its response that it does not hold
the information requested, what its position is on whether not holding this
information in relation to a matter of industrial finance (a) is unusual in an
international context and (b) risks undermining an effective industrial
strategy to grow commercial shipbuilding, as outlined in the National
Shipbuilding Strategy.
Answer
With the goal of providing a full response to the member, Scottish Government officials have liaised with a range of organisations including those reserved to the UK Government. This includes the UK National Shipbuilding Office - responsible for the UK National Shipbuilding Strategy - who have confirmed that they and UK Export Finance also do not hold a list of financial institutions that offer shipbuilder’s refund guarantees. Officials from both the Scottish Government and National Shipbuilding Office will continue to explore if such information is held centrally by the UK Government.
In addition a range of broader financial support may be available through the Scottish Government and its Enterprise Agencies to support industries including shipbuilding. The Scottish Government is also engaging with the UK Government on the development of its forthcoming Industrial Strategy, emphasising Scotland's strengths across a range of sectors.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 7 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed what technical solutions could be adopted by bus operators to reduce the risk of collisions with low bridges.
Answer
It is deeply concerning that there have been two recent incidents involving buses colliding with low bridges, and I wish to express my best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
While vehicle safety is a reserved matter that is dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). There is no legal requirement for bus operators to install technical solutions into their vehicles to reduce the risk of collisions, it is a matter for individual bus operators to determine whether they want to install such systems. However, in recent years some bus companies have been trialling low bridge detection systems to improve the safety of their fleet.
Bus operators and drivers have a duty to take all practical steps to ensure that vehicles avoid colliding with infrastructure through proper route planning, training in risk assessment, and providing correct information to drivers on the vehicles they use, this includes access to height conversion charts and measurement gauges.
Collision of low bridges by commercial vehicles is a serious matter for the Traffic Commissioner and they will consider the liability of both the operator and the driver, which could result in the Commissioner taking action against them both.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 7 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government when Scottish Enterprise will publish its initial masterplan for the development of its five-acre site adjacent to the Broomielaw in Glasgow.
Answer
This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked their Chief Executive, Adrian Gillespie, to contact you directly with a response.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 7 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a general development programme to promote the improvement of shipbuilding and dock facilities in Scotland, including through patient loans, grants for capital investments and refund guarantees for shipbuilding projects, in compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government provides a range of support to shipbuilding, marine engineering, harbours and ports across Scotland but has no plans to introduce a new general development programme to promote and improve shipbuilding and dock facilities.
The Scottish Government, the Enterprise Agencies and the Scottish National Investment Bank have, for example, supported major recent investments at Stornoway Harbour, Aberdeen Harbour and Ardersier Port. In addition, the Green Freeports programme, in partnership with the UK Government, is also helping to drive investment and high-quality job creation at multiple port locations situated within Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport respectively.
This Government took a proactive approach to preserve commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde at Ferguson Marine and remains committed to invest in the skills and capabilities needed to secure a sustainable future for the shipyard.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its recent report, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Services in Scotland: An analysis of updated NHS Board survey data, which confirms that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is offering the Lightning Process for people with ME/CFS, what its position is on NHS boards using this treatment, in light of it being not recommended in the NICE guidelines for ME/CFS, and whether it plans to take action to end the use of this treatment for ME/CFS.
Answer
The Health and Social Care Standards, published in 2017, set out the expectation that care should be provided by health and social care professionals based on the most relevant evidence, guidance and best practice, as is appropriate to their profession and patient group. In July 2022 we wrote to health boards and GPs to raise awareness of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and highlight key changes in practice, and these remain the most current national guidelines on the management of ME/CFS.
While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, it is NHS Boards and healthcare professionals locally who have responsibility for both service delivery and ensuring people receive the right care for them, taking into account relevant guidance, local service needs and priorities for investment.
In conclusion, it is for NHS Boards to determine what clinical interventions they offer, while giving regard to the considerations above.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 30 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been any progress on the proposals to establish a Scottish Stock Exchange.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognise that stock exchanges can be an alternative platform for some companies seeking to raise substantial capital for growth investment, whilst also offering investors the opportunity to contribute to the development of listed companies.
The establishment of any stock exchange in Scotland is a commercial matter for those seeking to do so.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide more information on its plans to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers as set out in its draft Budget 2025-26, including (a) a clear timeline for developing and fully implementing this policy, (b) clarity on whether free bus travel will be provided for all people seeking asylum across Scotland, and (c) what models are being considered for delivery.
Answer
The draft 2025-26 Budget, which is subject to Parliamentary approval, has funding allocated to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in the 2025-26 financial year. Further information on delivery will be provided in due course.
We are committed to exploring if we can extend free bus travel to all people seeking asylum on a longer term basis before the end of the current parliamentary session, subject to the successful passage of a Scottish Budget containing this issue and an agreed way forward on the policy in terms of practical delivery.
People seeking asylum in Scotland who are currently eligible for free bus travel through the statutory National Concessionary Travel Schemes, including those under 22, aged 60 and over and those with disabilities, will continue to be able to make use of their entitlement.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has allocated to providing free bus travel for people seeking asylum in its draft Budget 2025-26.
Answer
The draft 2025-26 Budget, which is subject to Parliamentary approval, has allocated funding to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in the 2025-26 financial year. Further information will be provided in due course.
People seeking asylum in Scotland who are currently eligible for free bus travel through the statutory National Concessionary Travel Schemes, including those under 22, aged 60 and over and those with disabilities, will continue to be able to make use of their entitlement.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress to restore the Mackintosh Building of the Glasgow School of Art.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2025
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with the Ministry of Defence on its plan to tender for two new floating docks for submarine maintenance at Faslane, and establish the feasibility for these docks to be constructed in whole or part at Scottish shipyards, such as Ferguson Marine.
Answer
The Scottish Government will interact with the UK Government and Ministry of Defence to support the opportunity for any significant contracts with the potential to provide ongoing employment opportunities for shipyards and fabrication businesses in Scotland.
There are several Scottish yards that possess the capabilities and specialist workforce skills needed to deliver this kind of infrastructure project, and we would encourage the MOD to utilise those resources. It is of course a commercial matter for each business to bid for work, however we would support any bid that ensured the work is delivered in Scotland.
