- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the concerns of coastal communities regarding the (a) potential increase in damage to the marine environment, and (b) lack of public consultation, prior to, and as a result of, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development and Use Classes) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020.
Answer
A screening report in accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 was undertaken. This outlined that there were no significant environmental effects likely to result from this amendment Order. Consultation took place with local planning authorities and Strategic Environmental Assessment consultees, including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Nature Scot and Historic Scotland. Permitted development rights do not allow for increases in biomass, that process is regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Increases in fish farm biomass require an application to be submitted by the operator to vary the CAR licence. As part of the determination undertaken by SEPA the application would be advertised for consultation.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 18 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the state of its preparations for the COP26 conference.
Answer
We are delighted that COP26 is happening in Scotland and are working closely with the UK Government, Glasgow City Council, Public Health bodies and the UN to deliver a safe, successful and in-person conference in November. We recognise the significant challenges to public health alongside the urgent need to agree action to tackle climate change and are exploring all possible COVID security measures. Vaccination and test and protect will be key and we are involved in planning for these measures and all relevant aspects of event delivery.
The Scottish Government’s COP26 programme will focus on key themes of a just transition and people, demonstrate the actions Scotland is taking to a Net Zero future and support the global outcomes of the Summit. We are partnering with a range of organisations to engage people with COP26 and climate change. This includes the recently announced youth climate programme, delivered in partnership with Young Scot, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Youth Link Scotland, which will deliver a programme of events putting the voices of young people in Scotland at the heart of the climate conversation during COP26.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will carry out a retrospective environmental impact study into the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development and Use Classes) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020.
Answer
We have no plans to carry out a retrospective environmental impact study on this Order. A screening report to consider environmental impacts was completed and concluded that there were no significant environmental effects likely to result from this proposal. Prior notification is a tool for Local Authorities to screen individual permitted development rights for environmental effects. Permitted development rights are withdrawn where an environmental impact assessment is required and changes must be dealt with through planning permission.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether Ministers will publish the findings of the gateway review into the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in full, prior to making a decision on whether to accept its recommendations.
Answer
We are carefully considering the findings of the Gateway Review, as well as listening to wider stakeholder views, and will provide an update to Parliament and businesses following summer recess.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what the terms of reference are for the gateway review into the deposit return scheme for drinks containers.
Answer
A Gateway Review 0: Strategic Assessment is a programme-only review that sets the programme in the wider policy or corporate context. This review investigates the direction and planned outcomes of the programme, together with the progress of its constituent projects.
In addition, the Gateway Review 0 into Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) had a particular remit to examine the delivery schedule for DRS, especially in light of the impact of COVID-19.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, following the announcement that a deposit return system for cans and bottles will launch in Ireland by the end of September 2022, whether it has contacted the Irish Government to ask for advice on setting up such a system efficiently, given the significant delays to the deposit return scheme in Scotland.
Answer
We have not engaged with the Irish Government on this subject.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 01 July 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the national developments that are to be incorporated into National Planning Framework 4 take account of the need to ensure a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment in order to respect, protect and fulfil human rights.
Answer
The criteria for analysing national developments was published in January 2020 as part of our Call for Ideas early engagement programme. The four criteria are: reducing emissions; supporting health, wellbeing, sustainability and quality of life of our population; reducing poverty and inequality through sustainable economic growth; and protecting or enhancing quality of place.
We are currently assessing the national developments suggested to us against those criteria alongside the development of the strategy, which national developments will help to deliver. We are also undertaking a range of statutory and non-statutory impact assessments which will inform our consideration. The draft National Planning Framework 4, including details of proposed national developments, will be laid in Parliament in autumn 2021. Extensive public engagement will run alongside Parliament’s consideration of the draft and will provide further opportunity for anyone to comment on the proposed national developments, or alternatives to them.
- Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 01 July 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 20 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it anticipates a decision on the continuation of telemedical abortion care will be announced.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00713 on
23 June 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at .
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 July 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 20 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Futures Trust's current role is in the subsidy and provision of build-to-rent homes, and how this differs from its previous role.
Answer
The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) is a partner in a build-to-rent joint venture with Edinburgh City Council called “Edinburgh Living” which is providing mid-market rent properties and market rent homes across the city. To date, more than 250 families have moved into quality affordable homes with the long-term aim to provide 1,500 new mid-market rent and market rent homes over the next few years.
In 2017, the Scottish Government put in place a package of measures to support the growth of the Build to Rent Sector in Scotland. That package included a Rental Income Guarantee Scheme and SFT was appointed by Scottish Government to manage applications to the Scheme. However, no formal application was made to the Scheme in three and a half years and the Scheme was closed. The BtR sector is now growing without further Scottish Government intervention.
- Asked by: Willie Coffey, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 July 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 July 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with establishing a National Care Service and what the impact of such a service would have on people living in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley area.
Answer
We are committed to establishing a National Care Service and will launch a full and comprehensive public consultation within the first 100 days of this Parliament. The consultation will allow stakeholders and members of the public from all parts of Scotland an opportunity to give their views in advance of legislation being written. The National Care Service will oversee the delivery of care, improve standards, ensure enhanced pay and conditions for workers and provide better support for unpaid carers.