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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: S5W-33863

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 21 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32308 by Richard Lochhead on 20 October 2020, whether it will confirm when the 2019-20 data will be published.

The vast majority of universities and colleges have now provided full year audited returns data to Student Awards Agency Scotland on their 2019-20 Higher Education Discretionary Funds spending.

SAAS officials are collating the data. This would normally be published as part of the annual 'SAAS Higher Education Student Support Statistics' in August next year. However, officials are now planning to publish this information on the SAAS website (www.saas.gov.uk ) in the early part of 2021.

Question reference: S5W-33862

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 21 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32307 by Richard Lochhead on 19 October 2020, whether it can now confirm whether this information will be shared with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Question reference: S5W-33887

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 16 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, of the projects delivered through Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme, how many are (a) energy efficient and (b) net-zero.

The Scotland’s Schools for the Future (SSF) Programme set building performance targets to ensure that each project was designed and constructed sustainably. This was both in terms of energy efficiency and also wider more holistic sustainability measures. The programme targets over and above normal statutory compliance were to achieve:

Energy Performance Certificate rating B+ (before considering the contribution of renewable energy sources).
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method rating of Excellent.

By following these targets, the projects in the SSF Programme help to improve energy efficiency and contribute to the achievement of a net-zero Scotland. Looking forward, the new Learning Estate Investment Programme has reviewed programme targets and set ambitious goals which will further encourage the reduction in energy consumption and associated emissions.

Question reference: S5W-33886

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 16 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many local authority school buildings meet the target for schools replaced or upgraded through the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate.

A guiding principle of the £1 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme is that schools should be should be greener and more sustainable.

Our energy efficiency target for schools that will be replaced/upgraded through the Programme is highly ambitious at 67 kWh, per square meter, per year, for core hours. This target is not just ambitious on paper, we will be following up with local authorities to ensure that the targets are achieved in practice, once the schools are in use.

The projects to benefit from Phase 1 of the Programme were announced in September 2019. In addition, the projects to benefit from Phase 2 of the Programme will be announced this month.

Question reference: S5W-33535

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 10 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will be able to confirm whether its commitment for all schools to have access to counselling services by the end of October 2020 was met.

Question reference: S5W-33536

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 10 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32993 by John Swinney on 19 November 2020, which local authorities have still to submit returns and what the reason is for this, and whether it will place a copy of the responses that it has received from all local authorities in SPICe.

Question reference: S5W-33227

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 9 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26338 by Paul Wheelhouse on 27 November 2019, whether it will provide an update on progress to provide funding to replace the ferry, Good Shepherd IV, and associated infrastructure upgrades, which connects Fair Isle to mainland Shetland.

We remain committed to supporting the sustainability of our island communities, which depend on a range of factors alongside transport connectivity. I am acutely aware of the impacts that Covid-19 and the tragic loss of the Bird Observatory in March 2019 have had on the Fair Isle community. Scottish Government officials have been engaging with the ambitious plans of rebuilding the Bird Observatory, which plays a key role in the island’s sustainability.

Further to answer S5W-26338, I was also pleased to be able to secure further additional revenue funding of over £5.2m in the 2020-21 budget for Shetland Islands Council (SIC) to support the Council's internal ferries, including the Fair Isle service. This brings the total additional support provided to SIC, on top of funds for ferry services subsumed within the annual local government settlement, to over £15.4m over the last three years, in a very challenging financial climate.

Internal ferries are a matter for local authorities to consider and allocate appropriate capital funding towards to ensure they can be delivered. However we are aware of the requests for additional financial assistance from SIC, and other local authorities, and Scottish Ministers are open to continue engagement through the 2021-22 budget process.

Question reference: S5O-04846

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 December 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how it has supported Shetland's internal ferry services.

Question reference: S5W-33296

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 2 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to permitting faith groups to sing indoors while wearing face coverings, particularly those based in areas living under level 1 of the COVID-19 restrictions.

I recognise how difficult it has been for Scotland’s faith communities to be unable to come together and sing within their places of worship and understand the important role that singing has in congregational worship and supporting spiritual wellbeing. We do not want restrictions to last any longer than is necessary but must ensure that people who enter places of worship to undertake congregational activities will be safe.

Unfortunately we are currently advising that indoor congregational singing is avoided in all places of worship at all of the levels (0 – 4) specified in the Strategic Framework and irrespective of whether face masks are worn. This is because scientific studies indicate that singing is likely to generate a particular transmission risk, and there is an absence of evidence for the efficacy of face masks in suppressing this additional risk. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) report recommends that further research of the risk of transmission from singing and playing wind instruments is needed.

In certain circumstances, it may be possible for professional singers to sing indoors, in places of worship located in local authorities with protection levels 0 & 1, provided additional mitigations and safeguards are in place in accordance with performing arts guidance.

Where it is essential to an act of worship for an individual to sing or chant indoors, one individual (non-professional) may sing or chant behind a plexiglass screen without the need for a face covering to be worn. Any screen used should be cleaned regularly and extended physical distancing should be considered.

Officials in Scottish Government’s Connected Communities Division work closely with faith group representatives from across Scotland on the provision of appropriate guidance on restrictions necessary for safe worship and the scope for removing or alleviating such restrictions as soon as possible.

In the meantime, we appreciate your understanding and compliance with ongoing restrictions, which are vital to stay safe, protect others and save lives.

Question reference: S5W-33331

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 2 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26737 by John Swinney on 10 January 2020, whether it will provide an update on the review of the home education guidance.

As set out in my letter to the Public Petitions Committee on 18 September 2020, my officials have been actively engaging with a range of stakeholders with a view to consulting on new draft guidance. This is a continuation of the work started in 2019, now taking into account any updates we need to consider regarding the impact of COVID-19 and the increased interest in Home Education.

These revisions will update the guidance to reflect changes to the education policy and legislation over the last decade. Final timescales are still to be set. However, I will ensure that the consultation on new draft Home Education Guidance is shared with the Committee and yourself as soon as it is published.