- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding any potential implications for the competitive position of the steel plants at Clydebridge in Cambuslang and Dalzell in Motherwell, to the reported proposal by British Steel to invest £1.25 billion, with the support of the UK Government, in two electric arc furnaces at its headquarters in Scunthorpe and its manufacturing site in Teesside.
Answer
I refer to recent answers regarding Liberty Steel in Scotland, in particular my answers to written questions S6W-17169 on 4 May 2023 , S6W-17708 on 16 May 2023 and S6W-21489 on 26 September 2023.
Scottish Government maintain an open dialogue with Liberty Steel and have a number of regular meetings with them.
The question of whether or not to install additional equipment at the Dalzell is an operational matter for Liberty Steel. I understand from the business that there are currently no plans to install an Electric Arc Furnace at Dalzell.
The Clydebridge site is not currently operational and no staff are currently employed at the site. The future of the site is an operational matter for Liberty Steel.
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
- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to SMEs to help and encourage them to employ BSL users.
Answer
In November 2023 the Scottish Government launched the British Sign Language National Plan which contains 45 actions focused on addressing the barriers faced by BSL users in their daily lives.
The Scottish Government has since 2020 provided around £1,000,000 funding to Apt-PSP to enable employers to better attract, recruit, and retain disabled people. Since the outset, Apt-PSP has included representation from organisations that focus on British Sign Language users, and this has included support for employers, including micro, small and medium sized employers assist them in supporting them in BSL related issues.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated delivery date is for the new Edinburgh eye hospital to replace the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
Answer
The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion Redevelopment Project, along with a large proportion of live construction projects across the NHS Scotland Estate, is currently on a period of pause, pending a holistic review by Scottish Government of funding availability. NHS Lothian remains in continual communication with Scottish Government to establish when this review will be concluded and when it will be possible to recommence project delivery. This project remains a priority for NHS Lothian, which has a dedicated Project Team mobilised to progress at the earliest opportunity.
The Scottish Government has advised that while they remain committed to the delivery of the new eye hospital, timescales for delivery have still to be determined.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the use of service level agreements in relation to employment contracts adheres to the NHS Scotland Partnership Information Network (PIN) policies, which define a minimum standard of best employment practice.
Answer
Individuals from NHS Scotland Health Boards fulfilling Service Level Agreements continue to be supported and managed under the policy requirements and the terms and conditions of employment of their substantive role. They will also be expected to meet certain requirements of the host organisation, particularly code of conduct and standards of behaviour.
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22160 by Angela Constance on 7 November 2023, when any new guidance on responding to emergencies will be published.
Answer
A review of the suite of Preparing Scotland guidance, including information relating to responding to emergencies, is currently underway. The proposed date for launch is currently Spring 2024.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to maximise the number of children and young people with cancer and their families accessing the Young Patients Family Fund by targeting those who are eligible for, but not currently accessing, the Fund.
Answer
The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) is designed to support the families of all babies, children and young people from birth to age 18 who require inpatient care in Scotland. Posters and leaflets to promote the Fund are available in every Health Board and we continue to work with all Boards to maximise awareness and promotion of the scheme.
The Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MSN CYPC) is currently reviewing its website and has confirmed that it intends to signpost to the YPFF in its update.
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote (a) continental ferry links and (b) maritime employment for Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government wishes to see Scotland’s sea connections to Europe enhanced, and are happy to consider any approach for support. A new commercially viable and sustainable service would be of benefit to: those parts of industry where existing supply chains are not optimal; local economies; the selected Scottish port; and would provide some resilience for Scotland from any disruption at other UK ports.
Subsidy control rules limit possible funding for new international ferry services to start-up costs, so any attempt to enhance or add to existing international trading routes would require a commercial foundation. The Scottish Government offers a range of approved grants to encourage transport operators to move freight off road to other more sustainable forms of transport, including by sea.
The Scottish Government recognises the key role that the Scottish maritime sector plays in supporting the economic and social development of our Nation. The Scottish Government has committed to investing at least £580 million from 2021-2026 in lifeline vessels and ports, as part of its Infrastructure Investment Plan. This substantial funding will improve Scotland’s lifeline ferry services by delivering greater resilience to the network, supporting maritime employment across our islands and remote mainland communities.
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21903 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023, whether its officials raised the issue of employment opportunities for Scotland-domiciled seafarers during its recent visit to the port of Dunkirk to discuss proposals for Ro-Pax ferry connections between Rosyth and Dunkirk, and whether it will provide a list of the officials who participated in the visit to Dunkirk.
Answer
The visit to the Port of Dunkirk was led by Forth Ports, DFDS and Ptarmigan Shipping, with Douglas Chapman MP also in attendance. The Scottish delegation was supported by Scottish Development International’s office in Paris. Whilst detail on seafarer employment issues was not discussed, the Scottish Government is keen to see maximum benefit derive to Scotland and its citizens from new ferry services to the Continent.
The Scottish Government want to see stronger direct shipping links between Scotland and the EU. A new freight and passenger service would provide increased resilience for exporters, as well as opportunities for inbound tourism and increased employment. However, the operation of a commercial ferry service, including crewing arrangements, is the responsibility of the commercial operator whilst ensuring compliance with the relevant employment legislation and standards.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm the costs associated with the (a) production and (b) publication of the paper, Migration to Scotland after independence.
Answer
The external costs associated with the production and publication of the Building a New Scotland paper, ‘Migration to Scotland after independence’, are set out in the following table:
Costs | | | |
Task | VAT % | VAT | Net Price |
Formatting and Online Publication | 20 | 807.93 | 4,039.67 |
Summary Document | 20 | 84.67 | 423.36 |
Summary Document – Easy Read Version | 20 | 197.64 | 988.18 |
Summary Document – Language Translations | 20 | 1,124.10 | 5,620.48 |
Summary Document – BSL Translation | 20 | 247.60 | 1,238.00 |
Summary Document – Audio Translation | 20 | 34.16 | 170.81 |
Printed Copies | 0 | 0 | 1,188.46 |
| | | | |
Total | | £2496.10 | £13668.96 |
| | | | |
Total (including VAT) | | | £16165.06 |
Papers in the Building a New Scotland prospectus series are available at the following link: www.gov.scot/newscotland .
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests were made in (a) October and (b) November 2023 to date, in connection with fireworks-related disorder, and how these figures compare to the same period in 2022.
Answer
There were 16* detected firework related crimes in Scotland in October 2023. As of 15 November there has been 22* detected firework related crimes for November 2023. This figure is expected to rise as Police Scotland continue their investigations.
This compares with 6* detected firework related crimes in October 2022. And 33* from November 2022.
*Please note that this figure includes both arrested or charged individuals.
