Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-15992

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that operations are to be contracted out on the Caledonian Sleeper when it is brought back into public ownership, what parts of the service or operations will be contracted out; which companies will be contracted for which part of the service or operations; for how long each contractor will be contracted for, and how much each contractor will be paid for the services that they provide over the course of their contract.

Question reference: S6W-15954

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to issue revised guidance to local authorities, regarding the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013, to ensure that the definition of high hedges specified in the Act, which includes “a hedge which is formed wholly or mainly by a row of 2 or more trees or shrubs”, is used by local authorities, rather than the definition in the current guidance, issued in 2019, which requires that, for trees and shrubs to be considered as a “high hedge”, they must first be considered to form a hedge.

Question reference: S6W-15941

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list any cases in which sewage leaks have been recorded in NHS hospitals in each year since 1 January 2022, broken down by (a) hospital and (b) part of the building in which the leak occurred.

Question reference: S6W-15979

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting leisure centres and swimming pools with any increased energy bills.

The Scottish Government understand the challenging financial circumstances that leisure centres and swimming pools are facing and are fully aware that rising energy costs are a significant issue.

We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to use all the powers at its disposal to tackle this cost of living crisis and to provide appropriate energy bill relief to sport and leisure facilities.

We are considering what support can be provided to the sport and leisure sector in Scotland, following the announcement by the UK Government of the financial package to support swimming pools in England.

Question reference: S6W-15993

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether all elements of the Caledonian Sleeper operations will be brought in-house when it is taken back into public ownership in June 2023, or whether some will be contracted out.

From 25 June 2023, all elements of the Caledonian Sleeper operations undertaken by Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd will be delivered by Caledonian Sleeper Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd . Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd is a company wholly owned by the Scottish Government

It will be a matter for Scottish Rail Holdings Ltd and Caledonian Sleeper Ltd to determine the optimum arrangements post mobilisation of the Operator of Last Resort (OLR) arrangements.

Question reference: S6W-15990

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to end any long shift patterns of its staff, in light of the findings of the article published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, Night shift work and risk of aggressive prostate cancer in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers (NOPW) cohort.

The Scottish Government has reviewed the article Night shift work and risk of aggressive prostate cancer in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers (NOPW) cohort and notes its findings.

As an employer we adopt Fair Work practices and we take the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff very seriously including ensuring appropriate breaks and periods of rest and annual leave, as well as having a right to disconnect policy.

The typical working arrangements for staff in the Scottish Government is flexible working hours (within the hours of 7am to 7pm) with a full time working day equating to 7 hours 24 minutes.

Question reference: S6W-15009

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any plans to develop Glasgow Central Station so that it is capable of acting as the northern terminus of the HS2 network.

The procurement of HS2 trains and their operation are the responsibility of the UK Government, and therefore the information provided within this answer reflects the information the Scottish Government has received from the UK Government to date.

Despite there now being no firm plans by the UK Government to bring HS2 to Scotland it has been previously proposed that Glasgow Central will operate as the northern terminus of the HS2 network from day one of HS2 operation. Since HS2 trains will be fully compatible with the existing rail network there is no expectation by the Scottish Government that the station will require any alteration to accommodate them.

The UK Government’s consideration of yet another delay to the planned opening of HS2 is lamentable. They should be bringing forward plans for an earlier opening so that the benefits to Scotland and the rest of the UK may be realised sooner and the overall cost be reduced.

Question reference: S6W-14797

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of (a) Scottish and (b) non-Scottish firms that have been set out in the specification or maker's list, as part of the contract for two vessels for Islay, awarded by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL).

Kongsberg have an agreement in place with Cemre Marin Endustri for Fin Stabilisers, with the production facility based in Dunfermline. Fifty-eight companies (overseas or based in England) are also set to provide products and/or services for the new build vessels. Forty of these companies have signed agreements, with the remaining 18 companies obtaining signed agreements as the shipyard build programme progresses.

Question reference: S6W-15576

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08040 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 29 April 2022, whether it will provide the same information for 2021-22.

Spending data on additional support for learning (ASL) is provided below. This data is collected from local authorities via the Local Financial Returns (LFR). In addition to 2021-22 expenditure data, figures for 2020-21 have also been provided due to revisions in LFR statistics since the response to S6W-08040 in April 2022. These revisions reflect an upward revision in ASL spending reported by Clackmannanshire Council, and an upward revision in total education expenditure reported by Renfrewshire Council.

Local authorities are asked to provide this data in line with guidance to ensure returns are completed on a consistent basis to allow for a reasonable degree of comparability. However, these figures may be affected by variations in local accounting practices and education strategies. It is important to bear this in mind when making comparisons between local authorities and years.

Local authorities are asked to record all centrally funded ASL expenditure under Special Education, irrespective of where it is delivered. Decisions about prioritisation and budgets, including those for the provision of services for pupils with additional support needs, are a matter for individual councils. We recognise the challenges facing authorities in balancing their need to meet a wide range of statutory duties, local priorities and local circumstances.

Tables 1 and 2 show gross revenue expenditure on additional support for learning (ASL) education from 2021-22 and 2020-21 respectively, split by Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Special Education.

Table 1 – 2021-22 ASL expenditure by Local Authority (£000)

	Pre-Primary Education	Primary Education	Secondary Education	Special Education	Total
Aberdeen City	543	5,593	6,161	17,278	29,575
Aberdeenshire	0	0	0	39,957	39,957
Angus	0	0	0	11,681	11,681
Argyll and Bute	657	3,890	4,435	2,848	11,830
City of Edinburgh	3,841	22,403	11,131	43,967	81,342
Clackmannanshire	0	0	0	11,917	11,917
Dumfries and Galloway	0	0	0	21,070	21,070
Dundee City	169	5,112	2,304	8,250	15,835
East Ayrshire	0	0	0	19,100	19,100
East Dunbartonshire	499	2,180	2,062	13,030	17,771
East Lothian	113	3,030	2,111	10,990	16,244
East Renfrewshire	708	1,787	1,461	9,525	13,481
Falkirk	0	0	0	25,603	25,603
Fife	0	0	0	39,493	39,493
Glasgow City	4,323	16,230	24,310	79,061	123,924
Highland	0	0	0	40,636	40,636
Inverclyde	2	0	0	12,626	12,628
Midlothian	51	3,307	2,566	14,216	20,140
Moray	0	0	0	16,032	16,032
Na h-Eileanan Siar	0	0	0	5,625	5,625
North Ayrshire	0	0	0	13,163	13,163
North Lanarkshire	631	12,771	5,724	31,122	50,248
Orkney Islands	32	1,700	1,525	1,154	4,411
Perth and Kinross	333	4,029	2,930	12,297	19,589
Renfrewshire	1,480	4,657	2,941	15,492	24,570
Scottish Borders	0	0	0	11,765	11,765
Shetland Islands	0	0	0	8,423	8,423
South Ayrshire	0	989	603	18,269	19,861
South Lanarkshire	0	8,793	8,458	30,419	47,670
Stirling	0	1,285	2,406	6,277	9,968
West Dunbartonshire	744	3,739	2,415	12,148	19,046
West Lothian	0	0	0	27,729	27,729
All Local Authorities	14,126	101,495	83,543	631,163	830,327

Source: Local Financial Returns – Education (LFR 01) statistical return provided by local authorities to the Scottish Government.

Table 2 – 2020-21 ASL expenditure by Local Authority (£000)

	Pre-Primary Education	Primary Education	Secondary Education	Special Education	Total
Aberdeen City	0	5,577	6,136	16,813	28,526
Aberdeenshire	0	0	0	38,966	38,966
Angus	0	0	0	10,776	10,776
Argyll and Bute	603	3,568	4,068	2,741	10,980
City of Edinburgh	3,027	19,596	8,595	41,294	72,512
Clackmannanshire	0	0	0	10,976	10,976
Dumfries and Galloway	0	0	0	19,604	19,604
Dundee City	172	4,546	1,820	8,287	14,825
East Ayrshire	0	0	0	18,788	18,788
East Dunbartonshire	277	2,027	2,012	12,531	16,847
East Lothian	86	2,971	2,111	10,297	15,465
East Renfrewshire	596	1,473	1,327	8,289	11,685
Falkirk	0	0	0	24,731	24,731
Fife	0	0	0	38,910	38,910
Glasgow City	3,993	15,147	23,816	71,639	114,595
Highland	0	0	0	39,794	39,794
Inverclyde	206	0	0	10,873	11,079
Midlothian	37	3,255	2,415	12,500	18,207
Moray	0	0	0	14,623	14,623
Na h-Eileanan Siar	0	0	0	4,882	4,882
North Ayrshire	0	0	0	13,950	13,950
North Lanarkshire	541	12,412	5,547	31,253	49,753
Orkney Islands	1	1,543	1,437	1,283	4,264
Perth and Kinross	320	2,483	1,693	13,999	18,495
Renfrewshire	1,285	4,134	2,715	14,801	22,935
Scottish Borders	0	0	0	11,073	11,073
Shetland Islands	0	0	0	7,052	7,052
South Ayrshire	0	917	597	17,431	18,945
South Lanarkshire	33	8,715	8,087	28,025	44,860
Stirling	73	1,483	2,686	8,376	12,618
West Dunbartonshire	407	3,724	2,234	11,442	17,808
West Lothian	0	0	0	25,745	25,745
All Local Authorities	11,657	93,571	77,296	601,744	784,269

Source: Local Financial Returns – Education (LFR 01) statistical return provided by local authorities to the Scottish Government.

All figures in tables 1 and 2 are based on gross expenditure on a funding basis. This means they have not been adjusted for inter/ intra authority transfers.

Table 3 shows the percentage of total gross revenue expenditure on education by local authorities which was accounted for by spending on additional support for learning in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Table 3 – Share of education expenditure accounted for by ASL

	2020-21	2021-22
Aberdeen City	13%	13%
Aberdeenshire	12%	12%
Angus	8%	8%
Argyll and Bute	9%	9%
City of Edinburgh	16%	16%
Clackmannanshire	16%	16%
Dumfries and Galloway	11%	12%
Dundee City	9%	9%
East Ayrshire	12%	12%
East Dunbartonshire	11%	11%
East Lothian	13%	13%
East Renfrewshire	8%	9%
Falkirk	13%	12%
Fife	9%	9%
Glasgow City	16%	16%
Highland	13%	13%
Inverclyde	11%	12%
Midlothian	14%	15%
Moray	14%	14%
Na h-Eileanan Siar	10%	11%
North Ayrshire	8%	7%
North Lanarkshire	12%	11%
Orkney Islands	11%	11%
Perth and Kinross	11%	10%
Renfrewshire	11%	11%
Scottish Borders	8%	8%
Shetland Islands	13%	16%
South Ayrshire	14%	14%
South Lanarkshire	11%	11%
Stirling	10%	8%
West Dunbartonshire	15%	15%
West Lothian	11%	11%
All Local Authorities	12%	12%

Source: Local Financial Returns – Education (LFR 1) statistical return provided by local authorities to the Scottish Government.

Table 4 shows average per-ASL pupil spending on additional support for learning by local authority. More precisely, this calculation shows gross revenue expenditure on additional support for learning in primary, secondary and special education from the local financial returns, divided by the number of pupils identified as having additional support needs recorded in the Pupil Census.

Table 4 – ASL spending per pupil (£, cash terms)

	2020-21	2021-22
Aberdeen City	3,196	3,149
Aberdeenshire	2,392	2,366
Angus	3,024	3,117
Argyll and Bute	3,833	3,722
City of Edinburgh	3,093	3,278
Clackmannanshire	5,172	5,252
Dumfries and Galloway	3,226	3,340
Dundee City	2,274	2,391
East Ayrshire	4,432	4,368
East Dunbartonshire	4,500	4,351
East Lothian	3,865	3,708
East Renfrewshire	2,785	2,964
Falkirk	3,798	3,932
Fife	2,794	2,848
Glasgow City	4,133	4,635
Highland	3,062	3,044
Inverclyde	3,722	3,905
Midlothian	4,100	4,358
Moray	3,110	3,342
Na h-Eileanan Siar	5,757	5,676
North Ayrshire	2,379	2,147
North Lanarkshire	5,490	5,571
Orkney Islands	4,540	4,543
Perth and Kinross	3,023	3,105
Renfrewshire	3,477	3,629
Scottish Borders	2,210	2,278
Shetland Islands	5,901	6,887
South Ayrshire	4,868	4,881
South Lanarkshire	3,505	3,722
Stirling	3,374	2,500
West Dunbartonshire	3,589	3,479
West Lothian	2,700	2,887
All Local Authorities	3,410	3,511

Sources:

1. Local Financial Returns – Education (LFR 01) statistical return provided by local authorities to the Scottish Government: Local government finance statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

2. Pupil Census – published annually - for further details go to: Pupil census: supplementary statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6W-15997

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to announce the establishment of a fund aimed at making leisure centres, including centres with swimming pools, more energy efficient.

The Scottish Government are fully aware that rising energy costs are a significant issue for leisure centres and swimming pools. We recognise the positive financial and environmental benefits to increasing the energy efficiency of leisure centres and swimming pools throughout Scotland.

Following the announcement by the UK Government of the financial package to support swimming pools in England, we are considering what support, including ensuring the longer term sustainability and energy efficiency of these facilities, can be provided to the sport and leisure sector in Scotland.

Chamber and committees