- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to improve access for disabled people at (a) Kirkconnel, (b) Annan and (c) Sanquhar railway station on the Nith Valley line.
Answer
We are progressing Recommendation 19 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2), reviewing station accessibility across Scotland, including Kirckonnel, Annan and Sanquhar. This work will identify and remove barriers to travel and improve access for all to the rail network, prioritising those stations that have particular accessibility related requirements.
The review is anticipated to complete in Spring 2024, whilst it is too early to comment on any outcome to the review, Recommendation 19 reinforces the Scottish Government commitment to improve access for all to Scotland’s Rail Network.
SWestrans received funding from the Local Rail Development Fund to undertake the first stage of a transport appraisal using Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance. The appraisal has considered accessibility at Kirkconnel station.
Transport Scotland reviewed the Initial Appraisal: Case for Change report received from SWestrans and officials will feedback to them on this report in the coming weeks.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that work will commence on a bypass for (a) Crocketford and (b) Springholm on the A75.
Answer
It is not currently possible to give an estimate for when construction work could start at Crocketford and Springholm because a detailed design development and assessment phase will need to be completed first.
We are obliged to follow due process which includes securing statutory consent to deliver the scheme.
Delivery of the scheme could only commence following successful completion of the statutory process. Thereafter, a timetable for construction can be set in line with availability of funding.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the planned feasibility study into improvements to the A75.
Answer
I cannot currently give an estimate of timescale for the planned feasibility study into improvements to the A75. While funding is confirmed, it has not yet been allocated or received. My officials are working with the UK Government officials on the legal and financial mechanisms of securing this funding. Once these are completed, we will then be able to set a draft timetable for the design development to progress.
This kind of work can take a number of years, for which the outcome is a preferred route announcement.
My officials are taking every step necessary to have this work ready to commence next financial year. They are already beginning to prepare procurement documents to appoint a technical advisor. Once funding formalities are complete, they will immediately progress procurement of a technical advisor to undertake the necessary design and assessment work.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the proposed £8 million of funding, that it has been allocated from the UK Government for the A75, will be used for, and over what timescale.
Answer
The funding will cover initial assessment of options for improvements to the A75, specifically around Crocketford and Springholm up to conclusion of Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Stage 2.
While funding is confirmed, it has not yet been allocated or received. My officials are working with the UK Government officials on the legal and financial mechanisms of securing this funding. Once these are completed, we will then be able to set a draft timetable for the design development to progress.
This kind of work can take a number of years, for which the outcome is a preferred route announcement. My officials are taking every step necessary to have this work ready to commence next financial year. They are already beginning to prepare procurement documents to appoint a technical advisor. Once funding formalities are complete, they will immediately progress procurement of a technical advisor to undertake the necessary design and assessment work.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how (a) many applications to the Used Electric Vehicle Loan scheme were (i) received and (ii) approved and (b) much money was provided in loans, in each month that the scheme was active.
Answer
The Scottish Government provides annual funding to Energy Saving Trust (EST) who are an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency, EST then deliver the Used Electric Vehicle Loan on behalf of Scottish Minister.
Since the used electric loan scheme launched in September 2020 we have (i) received 3,885 applications and (ii) approved and paid 2,207 claims. Information on the value of loans paid each month is detailed in the following table:
September 2020 | £0 |
October 2020 | £0 |
November 2020 | £201,688.00 |
December 2020 | £349,074.50 |
January 2021 | £253,058.01 |
February 2021 | £181,520.00 |
March 2021 | £334,890.00 |
April 2021 | £226,694.01 |
May 2021 | £294,290.20 |
June 2021 | £389.907.99 |
July 2021 | £474,424.31 |
August 2021 | £329,237.00 |
September 2021 | £230,484.00 |
October 2021 | £319,702.13 |
November 2021 | £276,509.00 |
December 2021 | £550,348.00 |
January 2022 | £317,286.00 |
February 2022 | £258,029.26 |
March 2022 | £150,455.00 |
April 2022 | £239,015.00 |
May 2022 | £14,249.00 |
June 2022 | £111,045.00 |
July 2022 | £1,230,645.45 |
August 2022 | £2,908,684.01 |
September 2022 | £1,799,011.80 |
October 2022 | £2,341,149.56 |
November 2022 | £2,013,315.67 |
December 2022 | £1,803,327,75 |
January 2023 | £679,706.09 |
February 2023 | £2,515,034,06 |
March 2023 | £2,593,043.81 |
April 2023 | £963,201.34 |
May 2023 | 193,905.00 |
June 2023 | £459,737.00 |
July 2023 | £2,163,403.67 |
August 2023 | £2,999,783,88 |
September 2023 | £3,192,008.68 |
October 2023 | £3,327,557.52 |
November 2023 | £3,126,433.10 |
December 2023 | £2,945,038.00 |
January 2024 | £2,806,595.00 |
EST regularly publish statistics on the Low Carbon Transport Loan on their website which can be found here - Grants and loans to help you travel greener - Energy Saving Trust .
- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how much capital funding to NHS boards (a) has been provided in the financial year 2023-24 and (b) will be made available in the financial year 2024-25.
Answer
The 22 National and Territorial NHS Boards have received a total of £148.8 million of Capital Formula in the year 2023-24. In addition to formula capital, NHS Boards are anticipating further funding of £283.9 million which will allow all major projects in construction to be completed - Baird and ANCHOR in Aberdeen, Parkhead Health and Social Care Centre in Glasgow, National Treatment Centres in Forth Valley and the Golden Jubilee, continued support for the national replacement programmes for Ambulances and Radiotherapy equipment and other small scale investments. The final outturn has yet to be finalised, but it is currently forecast to be £432.7 million in total in 2023-24.
As set out in our draft budget the capital funding position is extremely challenging, with a UK Government cut of some 10% in our capital budget over the next five years. Nonetheless, this settlement allows formula capital to be maintained at 2023-24 levels in the year 2024-25. Additional in-year capital allocations will also be provided, but these have not been finalised at this point.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 15 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the average processing time, from application to a final decision, has been for applications under the Scottish Dental Access Initiative in the NHS Dumfries and Galloway area in each of the last 12 months.
Answer
This information is not held by the Scottish Government.
Scottish Dental Access Initiative applications are first submitted to NHS Dumfries and Galloway for initial processing and approval.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the operations of the Parole Board for Scotland.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister’s reported comments that it “has to go further” to ensure that plans to radically reform how young people are cared for in Scotland are realised, whether it has identified what steps it will take to achieve this.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its work to further the case for Scottish independence, and in light of the Supreme Court ruling that the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence, for what reason its position is that there should not be a referendum at this stage on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024
