Chamber and committees

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.

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Question reference: S6W-24213

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a fill rate of 0% for Genitourinary Medicine ST4 in the 2023 recruitment round 1 and 2 for the NHS, and what action it is taking to improve this fill rate.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Genitourinary Medicine ST4 is a small specialty with only 3 post advertised in 2023, therefore, as these posts have not filled, the fill rate appears as 0%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Question reference: S6W-24220

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a fill rate of 0% for Occupational Medicine ST3 in the 2023 recruitment round 1 and 2 for the NHS, and what action it is taking to improve this fill rate.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023).Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Occupational Medicine ST3 is a small specialty with only 1 post advertised in 2023, therefore, as this post has not filled, the fill rate appears as 0%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Question reference: S6W-24233

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-09337 by Mairi McAllan on 15 July 2022, for what reason it did not consult on its Scottish Seabird Conservation Strategy in 2022, and whether it will provide an update on when it will consult on the strategy.

The Scottish Government is committed to the development of a Scottish Seabird Conservation Strategy in partnership with stakeholders, to drive forward and prioritise action aimed at improving the conservation prospects of our internationally important seabird populations.

With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continuing to have a devastating impact on wild birds, including some of our seabird populations, the Scottish Government, Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies and partners have focused their resources on monitoring and responding to the outbreak, taking action where appropriate to minimise impacts. This included the development of a Scottish HPAI in wild birds response plan which was launched by the Minister for Energy and the Environment in August 2023.

The resource required to respond to HPAI has meant that the strategy has yet to be published. However, actions continue to be taken. This action is important now more than ever with the impacts of HPAI and the results of the recent Seabird Census published in December 2023.

Through the Future Catching Policy, Ministers will be delivering on their obligations to minimise and, where possible, eliminate bycatch of sensitive species as part of a wider effort to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries. As our priority, we will take firm measures to increase selectivity by introducing additional technical measures to reduce unwanted catch and bycatch of sensitive marine species, working with stakeholders to explore and deliver solutions.

The Scottish Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network, including our Seabird Special Protection Areas (SPAs), protects and enhances our marine environment, supporting ecosystem health, improved livelihoods, economic prosperity, social inclusion and wellbeing.

Work on the strategy is moving at pace and targeted stakeholder consultations are expected to take place in spring 2024.

Question reference: S6W-24111

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) basic, (b) intermediate, and (c) higher business rate has been in each year since 1999-00 and what the business rate is for 2024-25.

Table 1 shows the Basic (poundage), Intermediate and Higher Property Rates since 1999-2000, including the rates for 2024-25 as announced in the Scottish Budget 2024-25.

Table 1:

Year	Basic Property Rate/ Poundage (pence)	Intermediate and Higher Property Rates/ Supplement (pence)*	Supplement Threshold (RV)
1999-2000	48.0*	0.9	> £10,000
2000-01	44.8*	1.0	> £10,000
2001-02	45.0*	2.0	> £10,000
2002-03	45.8*	2.0	> £10,000
2003-04	47.8	0.6	> £25,000
2004-05	48.8	0.3	> £25,000
2005-06	46.1	0.45	> £29,000
2006-07	44.9	0.4	> £29,000
2007-08	44.1	0.3	> £29,000
2008-09	45.8	0.4	> £29,000
2009-10	48.1	0.4	> £29,000
2010-11	40.7	0.7	> £35,000
2011-12	42.6	0.7	> £35,000
2012-13	45.0	0.8	> £35,000
2013-14	46.2	0.9	> £35,000
2014-15	47.1	1.1	> £35,000
2015-16	48.0	1.3	> £35,000
2016-17	48.4	2.6	> £35,000
2017-18	46.6	2.6	> £51,000
2018-19	48.0	2.6	> £51,000
2019-20	49.0	2.6	> £51,000
2020-21	49.8	IPR: 51.1p HPR: 52.4p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £95,000 HPR Threshold: >£95,000
2021-22	49.0	IPR: 50.3p HPR: 51.6p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £95,000 HPR Threshold: > £95,000
2022-23	49.8	IPR: 51.1p HPR: 52.4p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £95,000 HPR Threshold: > £95,000
2023-24	49.8	IPR: 51.1p HPR: 52.4p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £100,000 HPR Threshold: > £100,000
2024-25	49.8	IPR: 54.5p IPR: 55.9p	IPR Threshold: Between £51,001 and £100,000 HPR Threshold: > £100,000

*The Large Business Supplement was introduced in 2003-04. In the years prior to 2003-04 there were two poundages, one which applied to premises with rateable values that are less than £10,000, and another for those with an RV of £10,000 or more. The Intermediate and Higher Property Rates replaced the Large Business Supplement in April 2020.

Question reference: S6W-24225

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a fill rate of 0% for Rehabilitation Medicine ST3 in the 2023 recruitment round 1 and 2 for the NHS, and what action it is taking to improve this fill rate.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Rehabilitation Medicine ST3 is a small specialty with only 1 post advertised in 2023, therefore, as this post has not filled, the fill rate appears as 0%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Question reference: S6W-23923

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what level of drought resilience has been set for Scotland’s water supply, and how this compares with resilience levels in other parts of the UK.

Scottish Water faces many technical challenges providing drought resilience compared to England and Wales. Due to the geography of Scotland, and population spread, Scottish Water operates many more water resource zones and has less connectivity between zones as is the case in the rest of the UK.

Despite the challenges, Scottish Water currently plans to maintain supplies through the worst historic drought, using fixed assets and drought plan contingencies which are broadly the equivalent of a 1 in 150 year return period. Scottish Water is looking to develop processes to move toward assessing drought risk to a 1 in 500 worst plausible drought level, which is similar to companies in England and Wales.

Drought has historically been more prevalent in England, however, the climate emergency means that drought is becoming more common and more severe in Scotland, hence our developing processes. Our water, wastewater and drainage policy consultation ( https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/water-wastewater-and-drainage-policy-consultation/ ) seeks views on how Scotland should adapt.

Question reference: S6W-24370

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in Scottish waters, what its position is on whether any such closures would be considered to be an important measure in compensating for the potential environmental impact of offshore wind farms.

I refer to my answer to question S6W-24369 on 18 January 2024. The suitability of any closure of the sandeel fishery in Scottish waters as a compensatory measure for potential impacts from offshore wind farms will be considered by Scottish Ministers if and when such a case for compensation may be required and according to the merits of that specific case.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-24217

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a fill rate of 0% for Medical Ophthalmology ST3 in the 2023 recruitment round 1 and 2 for the NHS, and what action it is taking to improve this fill rate.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Medical Ophthalmology ST3 is a small specialty with only 1 post advertised in 2023, therefore, as this post has not filled, the fill rate appears as 0%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Question reference: S6W-24226

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a fill rate of 0% for Thoracic Surgery ST4 in the 2023 recruitment round 1 and 2 for the NHS, and what action it is taking to improve this fill rate.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). Within that overall context there will always be a number of posts which do not fill. Thoracic Surgery ST4 is a small specialty with only 1 post advertised in 2023, therefore, as this post has not filled, the fill rate appears as 0%. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Question reference: S6O-03015

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the recent Families Outside report, Staying Connected: Care-experienced children and young people with a sibling in prison or secure care.