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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: S6W-23760

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Killing to Kill: An Ethical Assessment of “Predator Control” on Scottish Moors, by the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics.

There are a range of strongly-held views on wildlife management in Scotland. The Scottish Government takes the view that field sports are an important component of the rural economy. We accept that control of predators is sometimes necessary for the management of field sports businesses, as it is for other land management purposes. Our aim is to ensure that all legal predator control is carried out in a way that is consistent with best practice in animal welfare standards.

There are strict regulations governing the setting of traps in Scotland which must be undertaken in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Spring Traps Approval (Scotland) Order 2011. We are strengthening this legal framework through the wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill, which includes provisions for mandatory training and licensing for trap operators. We also intend to bring proposals forward for a complete ban on the use of snares in Scotland during Stage 2 of the Bill, as we believe the use of these devices poses an unacceptable welfare risk to wildlife and domestic pets.

We also increased the penalties for illegal use of traps and snares alongside other wildlife offences in the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020.

Question reference: S6W-23754

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 9 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the reported 40% real-terms reduction to NatureScot's funding since 2010-11 on the agency’s ability to carry out its statutory duties.

The Scottish Government works closely with NatureScot on its development of corporate and annual operating plans and Ministers meet regularly to discuss progress. This assessment process is therefore continual and NatureScot is ultimately accountable to the Scottish Parliament.

We continue to work with all of our public bodies to drive out efficiencies, finding new and better ways of working, creating best value for the Scottish taxpayer.

NatureScot, along with other environment bodies, has taken a leading role in recent years in leading Scotland’s response to the nature and climate emergencies. As a result, the organisation has managed significant additional project funding for peatlands, nature restoration, visitor management and more.

The budget settlement for 2024-25 announced on 19 December recognises the increasing level and quality of work being delivered by NatureScot which is why despite such challenging financial circumstances, NatureScot will benefit from an 8% uplift to its core funding, bringing its core budget to £63.2m in 2024-25.

More information on the budget announcement can be found here: Scottish Budget: 2024 to 2025 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6W-23932

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 8 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland has provided any training, advice, guidance or support to the (a) Israel Police, (b) Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and (c) Israeli security services; if so, what type of support has been provided, and what the financial value was of any contract.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland, with oversight from the Scottish Police Authority, considers any requests to provide training to other police forces or organisations via their International Development and Innovation Unit.

Police Scotland have confirmed that no training, advice, guidance or support has been provided to the Israel Police, the Israel Defence Forces, or the Israeli Security Services.

Question reference: S6W-23933

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether any of its departments or agencies have established contractual links with any (a) department or agency of the Israeli government, (b) public body based in Israel, (c) non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Israel and (d) private company that provides goods and services to the Israeli government.

Question reference: S6W-23555

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 December 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 14 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it can do to promote and support Unite Hospitality's Fair Hospitality Charter in the hospitality sector.

Unite’s Fair Hospitality Charter contains many important elements which the Scottish Government continues to promote through Fair Work First, such as payment of at least the Real Living Wage, appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice through trade union recognition and no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts.

Everyone should expect to be properly rewarded for their work and treated correctly with respect, free from any forms of harassment. The Scottish Government is committed to working with trade unions and industry to ensure Scotland is the best place to live, work, invest and do business, and Fair Work is the foundation to this.

There remain many challenges in our key sectors, therefore it is essential that we all work together – Government, employers, employees and trade unions – to create a hospitality industry with fair work at its heart and for all. The industry-led National Tourism Strategy; Outlook 2030 commits to support and enable the adoption of fair work practices in Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The outcomes and recommendations of the independent Fair Work Convention inquiry into hospitality, due in Spring 2024, will be reviewed to provide further insight into how we can increase the adoption of fair work practices for the sector.

The Scottish Government looks forward to continuing partnership working with unions and industry.

Question reference: S6W-23557

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 14 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how any Barnett consequential funding that it receives as a result of the UK Government’s policy of extending the 75% business rates relief for 2023-24 will be distributed.

The consequentials associated with the UK Government’s policy of extending the 75% business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure premises in England in 2023-24 were confirmed in the Autumn Statement on 17 November 2022.

All Barnett consequentials received as a result of the Autumn Statement are considered as a whole ahead of the Scottish Budget each year and are a vital part of Scottish Government’s funding position.

The Scottish Budget 2023-24 which was published on 15 December 2022 set out the Scottish Government’s spending and tax plans for 2023-24. The Autumn Budget Revision 2023 to 2024 was published on 28 September 2023 outlining the changes to the Scottish Government’s spending plans contained in the Budget (Scotland) Act 2023.

Question reference: S6O-02922

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-23558

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 13 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it can do to promote and support trade union membership in the hospitality sector.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting strong Trade Unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy. Trade unions are key social partners in delivering our economic and social aspirations and we are committed to working in partnership with the STUC and affiliates to promote and support trade union membership in the hospitality sector.

I meet with Tourism and Hospitality Trade Unions biannually to discuss current issues within the sector and the representatives have been engaged in a number of policy developments, including our National Strategy for Economic Transformation and being part of the Tourism and Hospitality Leadership Group.

Question reference: S6W-23556

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 13 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what measures it has considered in relation to providing additional support to the hospitality sector in the current financial year.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the hospitality and night-time industry, having been the hardest hit of all sectors from the Covid-19 pandemic and cost crises.

The Scottish Budget 2023-24 ensures the lowest poundage in the UK for the fifth year in a row and supports a package of rates relief worth an estimated £749 million, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme. Around half of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are eligible for 100% relief this financial year. Decisions on non-domestic rates for 2024-25 will be made as part of the Scottish Budget, which will be published on 19 December.

The Scottish Government is also supporting the sector through the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group and through the New Deal for Business Group. In addition, the Town Centre Action Plan aims to revitalise our towns and town centres, which contributes to supporting the night-time economy.

Our recent request of the UK Government for a reduced rate of VAT for the hospitality sector was rejected.

Question reference: S6W-23694

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it plans to introduce its proposed Land Reform Bill.