- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with Avanti West Coast regarding the current dispute with the RMT union, in which catering staff have reportedly highlighted concerns regarding the disruption to work-life balance as a result of rosters being frequently amended at very short notice.
Answer
Whilst we expect public bodies to implement and promote Fair Work First in all relevant procurement processes, (and suppliers delivering public contracts) Avanti West Coast is contracted by, and reports directly to, the UK Government and the Scottish Government does not have the details of Avanti West Coast’s employment practices. The Scottish Government has not had any communication with Avanti West Coast on this matter, it is an operational matter for Avanti West Coast as employer.
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the number of qualified offshore commercial divers residing in Scotland.
Answer
The Diving at Work Regulations are enforced by the Health & Safety Executive, a UK Government agency. This is therefore a reserved matter and the Scottish Government do not hold such information.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will urgently allocate the reported £450 million of European structural and investment funding, due to be returned to the European Commission by the end of the current financial year, to so-called shovel-ready bids within currently suspended capital programmes, including the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
Answer
The media reports suggesting that £450 million of European Structural and Investment Funds will be returned to the European Commission by the Scottish Government are wrong. As I stated in Parliament on Thursday 13 June, all projects supported by this funding must have concluded by December 2023 to be eligible. The criteria for projects supported by European Structural and Investments Funds is set by the European Commission - it cannot be used to replace core government funding. For further information, I include a link to the related Scottish Government webpages which provide more detail on how these funds have been administered in Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/policies/european-structural-funds/
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how much compensation was paid by CalMac to passengers across all ferry routes in the latest reporting period.
Answer
CalMac Ferries Ltd considers claims by customers under the Passenger Rights when travelling by Sea and Inland Waterways Regulations. They have paid £500,341 to customers in Financial Year 2023-24 in refunds or compensation claims in respect of Passenger Rights.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide that there will be no reduction in number of sailings or passenger capacity on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route as a result of MV Alfred now departing and arriving from Troon.
Answer
The overall passenger and vehicle capacity on the main Arran route is reduced during the current period of disruption when compared to the normal service. The Scottish Government continues to task CalMac with making best use of available vessel and port resources to serve our island communities. The services currently operated by the MV Isle of Arran from Ardrossan and MV Alfred from Troon is expected to remain in place until the return of the MV Caledonian Isles. CalMac have recently added a further return sailing by the MV Alfred on Friday afternoon’s following a successful trial in May 2024.
- Asked by: Collette Stevenson, MSP for East Kilbride, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the value of each local authority's reserves in real terms in 2023-24, and how this compares with the equivalent value in (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2013-14.
Answer
The following table shows the cash and real terms value of Local Authority General Fund reserves at 31 March 2014 (final audited) and 31 March 2024 (budget estimate). Please note that the information requested on reserves is not held prior to 2007.
Adjustments for inflation have been made using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) deflators for March 2024 (available at: GDP deflators at market prices, and money GDP - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ).
Figures for 31 March 2024 will be superseded on 25 June 2024 by data published in Local Government 2023-24 Provisional Outturn and 2024-25 Budget Estimates.
Further information on Local Government Finance Statistics can be found at: Local government finance statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).
General Fund Reserves (in £ millions) as at 31 March | | |
Sources: LFR 23 for 31 March 2014 (audited data), POBE 2023 for 31 March 2024 which is a budget estimate provided in early 2023. |
| | Cash Terms | | Real Terms (2023-24 Prices) |
Local Authority | 31-Mar-14 | 31-Mar-24 | | 31-Mar-14 | 31-Mar-24 |
| | Final Audited | Budget Estimate | | Final Audited | Budget Estimate |
Aberdeen City | 57.1 | 70.1 | | 75.2 | 70.1 |
Aberdeenshire | 57.5 | 73.8 | | 75.7 | 73.8 |
Angus | 19.8 | 45.7 | | 26.1 | 45.7 |
Argyll & Bute | 44.0 | 88.2 | | 58.0 | 88.2 |
City of Edinburgh | 123.3 | 198.7 | | 162.3 | 198.7 |
Clackmannanshire | 12.0 | 14.2 | | 15.8 | 14.2 |
Dumfries & Galloway | 58.4 | 70.2 | | 76.9 | 70.2 |
Dundee City | 8.1 | 44.2 | | 10.6 | 44.2 |
East Ayrshire | 28.0 | 38.6 | | 36.9 | 38.6 |
East Dunbartonshire | 11.3 | 28.0 | | 14.9 | 28.0 |
East Lothian | 9.2 | 16.6 | | 12.1 | 16.6 |
East Renfrewshire | 14.9 | 23.5 | | 19.6 | 23.5 |
Falkirk | 25.8 | 33.2 | | 33.9 | 33.2 |
Fife | 85.0 | 181.9 | | 111.9 | 181.9 |
Glasgow City | 32.8 | 137.6 | | 43.2 | 137.6 |
Highland | 40.3 | 72.7 | | 53.1 | 72.7 |
Inverclyde | 42.9 | 6.4 | | 56.5 | 6.4 |
Midlothian | 20.5 | 7.8 | | 27.0 | 7.8 |
Moray | 21.4 | 19.6 | | 28.1 | 19.6 |
Na h-Eileanan Siar | 18.3 | 14.2 | | 24.1 | 14.2 |
North Ayrshire | 25.2 | 109.0 | | 33.1 | 109.0 |
North Lanarkshire | 75.0 | 256.6 | | 98.8 | 256.6 |
Orkney Islands | 23.8 | 34.3 | | 31.3 | 34.3 |
Perth & Kinross | 48.2 | 39.8 | | 63.5 | 39.8 |
Renfrewshire | 52.9 | 73.3 | | 69.7 | 73.3 |
Scottish Borders | 17.1 | 34.2 | | 22.6 | 34.2 |
Shetland Islands | 13.9 | 25.8 | | 18.2 | 25.8 |
South Ayrshire | 22.9 | 11.1 | | 30.2 | 11.1 |
South Lanarkshire | 13.4 | 108.0 | | 17.6 | 108.0 |
Stirling | 13.3 | 66.0 | | 17.5 | 66.0 |
West Dunbartonshire | 10.1 | 4.6 | | 13.3 | 4.6 |
West Lothian | 22.6 | 9.7 | | 29.7 | 9.7 |
Ayrshire VJB | 0.2 | 0.4 | | 0.3 | 0.4 |
Central VJB | 0.8 | 0.5 | | 1.0 | 0.5 |
Dunbartonshire & Argyll & Bute VJB | 0.5 | 0.4 | | 0.6 | 0.4 |
Grampian VJB | 0.2 | 0.5 | | 0.3 | 0.5 |
Highland & Western Isles VJB | 0.1 | 0.1 | | 0.2 | 0.1 |
Lanarkshire VJB | - | 1.3 | | - | 1.3 |
Lothian VJB | - | 0.5 | | - | 0.5 |
Orkney & Shetland VJB | - | 0.0 | | - | 0.0 |
Renfrewshire VJB | 0.5 | 1.0 | | 0.6 | 1.0 |
Tayside VJB | 0.1 | 0.1 | | 0.1 | 0.1 |
Tay Road Bridge | 1.2 | 1.2 | | 1.5 | 1.2 |
HITRANS | 0.2 | 0.0 | | 0.3 | 0.0 |
NESTRANS | 0.0 | 2.7 | | 0.0 | 2.7 |
SESTRAN | - | 0.0 | | - | 0.0 |
SPT | 12.5 | 83.2 | | 16.5 | 83.2 |
SWESTRANS | - | 0.0 | | - | 0.0 |
TACTRAN | - | 0.0 | | - | 0.0 |
ZetTrans | - | 0.0 | | - | 0.0 |
Scotland | 1,085.4 | 2,049.6 | | 1,428.8 | 2,049.6 |
| | | | | | |
VJB = Valuation Joint Board | | | | | |
GDP Deflator | 75.97 | 100.00 | | | |
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the current daily passenger capacity is on the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry route, broken down by (a) foot passengers and (b) vehicles, and what the comparative figures have been in each of the last five years.
Answer
Arran is currently served by the MV Isle of Arran from Ardrossan with a passenger capacity of 446 and vehicle deck for 55 cars, and MV Alfred from Troon with passenger capacity of 428 and vehicle deck for 98 cars.
A comparison of weekly passenger and car capacity on the main Arran route over the past five years has been provided by CalMac Ferries Ltd and is shown in the following table.
PASSENGER CAPACITY W/C 10TH JUNE | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Monday | 14,470 | 4,000 | 3,550 | 11,510 | 14,470 | 6,172 |
Tuesday | 14,470 | 4,000 | 3,550 | 11,510 | 14,470 | 6,172 |
Wednesday | 14,470 | 4,000 | 3,550 | 11,510 | 14,470 | 6,172 |
Thursday | 13,129 | 4,000 | 3,760 | 10,169 | 13,129 | 6,172 |
Friday | 13,788 | 4,000 | 4,522 | 10,236 | 13,788 | 7,028 |
Saturday | 13,576 | 4,000 | 3,760 | 10,616 | 13,576 | 6,582 |
Sunday | 9,788 | 4,000 | 2,524 | 7,420 | 9,788 | 6,582 |
OVERALL | 93,691 | 28,000 | 25,216 | 72,971 | 93,691 | 44,880 |
| | | | | | | |
DECK SPACE METRES CAPACITY W/C 10th JUNE | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
Monday | 6,723 | 1,536 | 6,723 | 6,723 | 6,723 | 4,450 |
Tuesday | 6,723 | 1,536 | 6,723 | 6,723 | 6,723 | 4,450 |
Wednesday | 6,723 | 1,536 | 6,723 | 6,723 | 6,723 | 4,450 |
Thursday | 5,937 | 1,536 | 6,199 | 5,937 | 5,937 | 4,450 |
Friday | 6,007 | 1,536 | 6,531 | 6,007 | 6,007 | 5,300 |
Saturday | 6,374 | 1,711 | 6,374 | 6,374 | 6,374 | 5,025 |
Sunday | 4,470 | 1,711 | 4,470 | 4,470 | 4,470 | 5,025 |
OVERALL | 42,958 | 11,104 | 43,744 | 42,958 | 42,958 | 33,150 |
| | | | | | | |
Notes: | | | | | | |
1. Data for 2024 is based on published timetables for week commencing 10th June 2024 2. Data for 2019-2023 is based on published timetables for closest comparative full week Monday-Sunday in each of the previous 5 years 3. A reduced timetable operated in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid pandemic 4. Data included all legs operated from the mainland ports of Ardrossan and Troon to Brodick (and includes legs operating from Ardrossan and ultimately terminating in Campbeltown) |
It is important to note that the full passenger capacity is rarely reached on the majority of sailings under normal services.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 June 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what projections it holds of the total cost of repairs to Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) vessels by the end of the current extended CHFS contract.
Answer
The cost incurred by CalMac Ferries for maintenance and repair for vessels in the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) fleet to the end of the current contract, 30 September 2024 are detailed in the following table. These figures include all maintenance and repair costs including costs of annual overhaul.
| | CHFS2 | | | | | | | |
| | CY01 | CY02 | CY03 | CY04 | CY05 | CY06 | CY07 | CY08 (to date) |
| | Oct’16 – Sep’17 | Oct’17 – Sep’18 | Oct’18 – Sep’19 | Oct’19 – Sep’20 | Oct’20 – Sep’21 | Oct’21 – Sep’22 | Oct’22 - Sep’23 | Oct’23 - Feb’24 |
| | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 |
Total | 14,063 | 18,254 | 15,723 | 18,359 | 17,262 | 28,525 | 30,036 | 24,852 |
Forecast for remaining period of CY08 (Mar’24 – Sep’24) is £15.9m
As dialogue regarding the extension of up to 12 months is ongoing, information for this period is not yet known.
In addition, there is a Ferries Resilience Fund administered by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL). This is preventative fund, over and above regular maintenance, and is aimed at lowering the risk of vessel breakdown and loss of service. This totals £28.8m to date.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 June 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish National Investment bank is operating legally, in light of reports that the advisory group that was meant to be established by the Scottish Ministers has not yet been established.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2024
- Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 June 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to ensure access to primary care in areas that have a high projected population growth.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2024
