Question ref. S6W-07214
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 10 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many deaths were attributed to hospital acquired infections in each year from 1999-2000 until the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by NHS board.
Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 28 March 2022
Scottish Government does not centrally hold data for all hospital acquired infection deaths by Health Board, due to patient identifiable information.
2000 to 2020 data for registered deaths due to Clostridioides difficile infection and MRSA is available from National Records of Scotland (NRS) can be found here and here .
However, it should be noted that although publically available details also broken down by Health Board, the data does not make the distinction between hospital acquired or community acquired infection.
Question ref. S6W-07683
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 25 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on progress regarding green freeports.
Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Kate Forbes on 25 March 2022
Following the statement by the Minister for Business , Trade, Tourism and Enterprise in February, I can confirm that the Green Freeports Prospectus for Scotland has now been published and the programme is open for applications. The Prospectus can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-freeports-in-scotland-bidding-prospectus .
Applicants must detail how they will meet the Green Freeports four key policy objectives: promoting regeneration and high quality job creation, including how fair work will be embedded across the Green Freeport; promoting decarbonisation and a just transition to a net zero economy; establishing global hubs for trade and investment; and fostering an innovative environment.
I look forward to receiving ambitious applications from across Scotland in advance of the 20 June deadline. Applications will be assessed jointly by the Scottish and UK Governments and winning bids will be selected jointly by Scottish and UK ministers with winners announced over the summer.
Question ref. S6W-07229
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 11 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many ferry sailings have been scheduled on the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry route in each year since 1999, and how many of these sailings did not take place due to (a) inclement weather, (b) mechanical breakdown and (c) other reasons, including COVID-19.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 March 2022
The number of scheduled sailings on the Ardrossan – Brodick route that did not take place in each year since 2007 is provided in the following table by contract year. Information prior to 1999 is not available and is not held by the operator, Calmac Ferries Limited.
Route Name: Ardrossan - Brodick | | | | |
Contract Year | Scheduled Sailings | Cancelled Sailings | Cancelled sailings (weather) | Cancelled sailings (technical) | Cancelled sailings (COVID) | Cancelled sailings (OTHER) |
CY 2007-08 | 4,166 | 171 | 164 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
CY 2008-09 | 4,146 | 154 | 133 | 15 | 0 | 6 |
CY 2009-10 | 3,991 | 86 | 77 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
CY 2010-11 | 3,916 | 106 | 100 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
CY 2011-12 | 3,831 | 170 | 157 | 11 | 0 | 2 |
CY 2012-13 | 4,672 | 130 | 114 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
CY 2013-14 | 4,695 | 204 | 176 | 21 | 0 | 7 |
CY 2014-15 | 4,708 | 308 | 227 | 61 | 0 | 20 |
CY 2015-16 | 4,748 | 336 | 222 | 110 | 0 | 4 |
CY 2016-17 | 4,860 | 252 | 123 | 122 | 0 | 7 |
CY 2017-18 | 4,773 | 327 | 109 | 212 | 0 | 6 |
CY 2018-19 | 4,928 | 310 | 234 | 30 | 0 | 46 |
CY 2019-20 | 3,686 | 494 | 413 | 36 | 0 | 45 |
CY 2020-21 | 4,820 | 702 | 324 | 43 | 67 | 268 |
CY 2021-22* | 1,532 | 364 | 269 | 5 | 90 | 0 |
Data up to and including February 2022
To note:
Due to Covid-19 an emergency timetable was in place between March 2020 and 25th October 2020, all disruption against the original timetable was classed as "other" (Covid-19).
Question ref. S6W-07212
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 10 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many council houses were built in each year from 1999-2000 to the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by local authority.
Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 21 March 2022
The Scottish Government publishes figures relating to Local Authority New Build Completions in the ‘Local Authority Starts and Completions’ table found on our website here; https://www.gov.scot/publications/housing-statistics-for-scotland-new-house-building/
Some of these homes will have been supported by Scottish Government funding and some will have been financed through other routes.
Question ref. S6W-06204
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 4 February 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the joint report, Automated Vehicles, published by the Scottish Law Commission and the Law Commission of England and Wales, and which concludes their three-year review of the regulatory framework for road-based automated vehicles.
Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 3 March 2022
The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of the comprehensive and well informed Joint Report on Automated Vehicles by the Scottish Law Commission and the Law Commission of England and Wales.
While the majority of the Law Commissions’ recommendations fall within legislative competence reserved to the UK Parliament, some fall within devolved competence, such as a specific defence applying to driving offences committed in Scotland by the driver of an automated vehicle with a User-in-Charge function.
We will continue to engage with our partners in the UK and Welsh Governments on the development of those regulatory frameworks needed to support the safe deployment of automated vehicles, informed by the findings and recommendations of the Law Commissions’ Joint Report.
Question ref. S6W-05981
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 25 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what bearing the conclusions of the Endometriosis UK report, Analysis of Endometriosis Service Provision in Scotland, in January 2022, will have on the timescale for action to improve the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 7 February 2022
We welcome the 4 key recommendations in the report from Endometriosis UK and work is already underway to implement each of these.
Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis must improve and that is why the Scottish Government has made it a priority in the Women’s Health Plan. We are committed to improving access for women to appropriate support, diagnosis and the best treatment for endometriosis.
The first meeting of the Women’s Health Plan Implementation Programme Board took place on the 25 January and will ensure progress of the Women’s Health Plan is achieved at pace and implemented effectively. The Scottish Government will also publish a Women’s Health implementation plan by Spring this year, which will set out more detail around how the actions will be implemented. The report from Endometriosis UK will help inform our implementation plan.
Question ref. S6W-05769
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 21 January 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what support is being provided to travel agents to assist them in their recovery from the financial impact on their businesses of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 31 January 2022
We know this is a difficult time for travel agents and we have had to make tough decisions to target funding to sectors immediately impacted by the updated public health guidance.
Since the start of the pandemic, businesses have benefitted from more than £4.4bn in support from the Scottish Government. This includes support for travel agents who benefited from sectoral grants of up to £25,000 per premises this year in addition to other support including the Strategic Framework Business Fund grants, Restart Grants, Contingency Fund, Non-Domestic Rates relief and furlough payments for staff.
We recently announced £375m of support for businesses impacted by the necessary public health measures introduced to control the spread of Omicron and have provided details on how £276 million of this will be allocated. Decisions on the allocation of the remaining funds will be confirmed following further consultation with affected sectors on how it can best be targeted.
Question ref. S6W-05379
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 23 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many people it anticipates will be in the (a) higher and (b) top income tax bands in April 2022.
Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 January 2022
For the 2022-23 tax year, the Scottish Fiscal Commission forecast that there will be 452,600 Scottish taxpayers in the Higher Rate band, and 19,500 in the Top Rate band.
Question ref. S6W-05378
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 23 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were in the (a) higher and (b) top income tax bands in April 2021.
Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 January 2022
For the 2021-22 tax year, the Scottish Fiscal Commission forecast that there will be 417,800 Scottish taxpayers in the Higher Rate band, and 18,000 in the Top Rate band.
Question ref. S6W-04890
Asked by: Gibson, Kenneth, Cunninghame North, Date lodged: 8 December 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend in the current financial year (a) on welfare, (b) on telecoms and (c) in total in order to mitigate any impact of decisions taken by the UK Government.
Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021
Estimated spend on the specified areas is detailed in the following table (this doesn't include the circa £3.5 billion of Social Security benefits which while devolved supports and supplements UK welfare benefits):-
Portfolio | Level 4 | 2021-22 Budget Amount (£m) | Associated Reserve Power | Assumption for inclusion |
Safer Communities | Scottish Veterans Fund and the administration of the fund by Veterans Scotland, Capacity Building Grant for Veterans Scotland and supports Ministerial input to Commemorations. | 0.5 | Defence | Provides support for those in armed forces which links to defence |
CEAC | International Development Fund | 10.0 | Foreign policy | Supports development programmes delivered by a range of organisations in Scotland. In line with Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, and underpinning agreement from the UK Government giving Scottish Ministers the necessary powers to undertake International Development work. |
CEAC | Humanitarian Aid | 1.0 | Foreign policy | Budget for Humanitarian Emergency Fund. In line with Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. |
F&E | Capital costs relating to improving digital connectivity infrastructure across Scotland. | 98.2 | Telecomms | Telecoms is a reserved policy area. |
F&E | Resource costs relating to improving digital connectivity infrastructure across Scotland. | 4.1 | Telecomms | Telecoms is a reserved policy area. |
Justice | Support for the armed forces and veterans community in Scotland. | 1.5 | Defence | Provides support for those in armed forces which links to defence |
F&E | Employability - Fair Start Scotland | 34.1 | Employment | Funds employment support services for those most in need of support. Job search and support is reserved (except education, vocational and careers services) |
F&E | Employability & workforce skills | 22.0 | Employment | Funds a range of employability services included for disadvantaged, disabled, care-experienced. Job search and support is reserved. |
SJH&LG | Equalities | 30.5 | Equal opportunities | Promoting Equality and Human Rights which links to Equal opportunities |
F&E | Consumer Scotland Policy and Advice | 4.6 | Consumer Protection | The consumer policy and advice budget is to allow the delivery of advice to citizens across Scotland by the Citizens Advice Network on consumer matters and to ensure consumer interests are represented to government, regulators and decision-makers. It will also support the establishment of a new public body Consumer Scotland to represent consumer interests. |
F&E | Accountant in Bankruptcy | 2.5 | Insolvency | Linked to insolvency which is reserved. The budget continues to allow Accountant in Bankruptcy to ensure access to fair and just processes of debt relief and debt management for the people of Scotland, which takes account of the rights and interests of those involved. |
F&E | Business Economic Network Support | 2.0 | Business Associations | This could be linked to business associations spend which is reserved. This budget covers the costs (principally in relation to accommodation, catering, travel and subsistence) involved in the biannual meetings of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, a range of minor costs associated with sponsorship of SE and HIE. |
F&E | Innovation and Industries (Aerospace Research & Development) | 1.0 | Outer Space | New capital funding to support Aerospace Research & Development, therefore could be linked to outer space which is reserved. |
F&E | International Trade and Investment | 18.0 | International Relations | Link to international relations which is reserved. The Budget reflects Scottish Government’s increased ambition for internationalisation of the economy and will support delivery of the actions outlined in our three international economy plans for Inward Investment, Trade and Capital - all underpinned by our soon to be published values led Trade Vision. |
F&E | Enterprise Zones | 39.0 | Industrial Development | NMIS and AMCF support manufacturing section which could be linked to industrial development.
Support for the manufacturing sector and continued business engagement, it includes funding to progress the new National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) with the aim to develop and enhance skills, accelerate innovation and improve productivity. |
F&E | Low Carbon Economy (Green Jobs Fund) | 4.9 | Employment
Industrial Development
Energy | Links to 3 reserved areas. This budget line has a focus on supporting our low carbon economy ambitions. Includes Green Jobs Fund (Supply Chain Development) ), Low Carbon Manufacturing Fund (£26m over 5 years) and Clyde Mission Low Carbon Heating (£25m over 5 years). Link to employment, Industrial development and energy. |
NZ,E&T | Sustainable Action Fund (Climate Justice Fund) | 1.7 | International Relations | Climate Justice Fund purpose is to help fight global climate change therefore is linked to international relations which is reserved (note there is a separate FOI request about this fund specifically, following FM's announcement to treble the funding - 202100252499) |
NZ,E&T | Sustainable Action Fund (Climate Challenge Programme Malawi) | 0.8 | International Relations | Link to international relations which is reserved |
NZ,E&T | Climate Change Policy (International) | 1.5 | International Relations | Link to international relations which is reserved |
NZ,E&T | Energy Efficiency and Industries | 108.5 | Energy | Energy is reserved.
This budget supports the promotion of energy efficiency, the continual development of Energy Efficient Scotland and supporting heat decarbonisation. It includes funding to support major capital funding programmes to decarbonise the buildings in the non-domestic and public sectors; projects supporting the transition phase of Energy Efficient Scotland; development of district heating regulations and legislation; provision of programmes of advice and support to encourage the continued uptake of home renewables and non-domestic energy efficiency measures. |
NZ,E&T | Renewable and Community Energy | 38.8 | Energy | Energy is reserved.
In recognition of the potential of wind, hydro, wave and tidal energy to curb global emissions, this budget supports renewable energy projects, including support for the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). It also helps increase community ownership of renewable energy developments and supports renewables workforce development. |
NZ,E&T | Low Carbon Economy | 50.9 | Energy | Energy is reserved.
The low carbon economy budget is aimed at supporting the development of low carbon infrastructure projects including heat networks and the development of innovative financial mechanisms to encourage investment in low carbon infrastructure. |
NZ,E&T | Energy Consents, Strategy and Operations | 2.4 | Energy | Energy is reserved.
Energy Consents Unit processes applications for onshore wind farms, battery storage and other energy related projects. The bulk of spend is on staffing and related costs. |
SJ,H&LG | Discretionary Housing Payments | 83.1 | Social Security (non-devolved social security schemes) | Funding for Discretionary Housing Payments to fully mitigate losses as a result of the "bedroom tax". Of the total, £71m is anticipated to be spent on bedroom tax mitigation. Also allows Local Authorities to provide support to qualifying individuals in housing crisis, including support for those affected by Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates and benefit cap. These benefits are reserved. |
SJ,H&LG | Promoting Equality and Human Rights | 32.3 | Equal Opportunities | Equal opportunities is reserved. This budget supports the equality and human rights infrastructure across Scotland. Investing in the capacity of equality organisations; Strategic Interventions to support key equality outcomes; and specific funds to support frontline activity to address violence against women and to support activities to promote equality and human rights. |
| | TOTAL | 593.9 | | |