- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what level of carbon emissions a power generator can produce and still be considered "low-carbon".
Answer
Answer expected on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 19 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 16 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the open letter signed by 30 climate organisations calling on it to order SSE and Equinor to resubmit an “honest assessment” of the full environmental impact of the proposed power station at Peterhead.
Answer
Answer expected on 16 January 2025
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has had with local authorities regarding the ScotRail proposal to reduce the opening hours of a number of station ticket offices, in light of the specific requirement for face-to-face sales of local authority concessionary fares.
Answer
ScotRail proposals to adjust opening hours of some of its ticket offices have been accepted by the Scottish Government on the condition that passengers will receive an improved, more direct customer service. Any consultation regarding these adjustments is a matter for ScotRail.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation is underway with the Mobility and Access Committee Scotland (MACS) regarding the ScotRail proposal to reduce station ticket office opening hours across the network, in light of MACS reportedly indicating in its response to the 2022 consultation concern regarding the level of engagement there had been with it or other groups representing disabled people on this matter.
Answer
ScotRail adjusted its proposals in the light of feedback received in the 2022 consultation. The Scottish Government’s agreement to ScotRail proposals to adjust opening hours of some of its ticket offices is predicated on the condition that disabled travellers’ access to services will not be affected by these proposals.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how the needs of pupils with additional support needs are taken into account in the procurement and replacement of the school estate.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2025
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been awarded through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme for the restoration of natural processes in each year since 2015.
Answer
The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) was launched in 2015 to promote land management practices which protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change.
To date over £317 million has been committed to 3,342 businesses to fund a range of activities that help to maintain and enhance our rich and varied natural environment.
An annual breakdown of the funding issued has been provided in the following table.
Round | Value of Accepted Contracts (£) |
2015 | 39,362,548 |
2016 | 55,585,998 |
2017 | 43,672,043 |
2018 | 36,346,732 |
2019 | 31,863,675 |
2020* | 5,214,057 |
2021 | 28,978,786 |
2022 | 42,080,371 |
2023 | 28,053,233 |
2024A | 5,879,133 |
Total | 317,036,576 |
* The 2020 AECS Round consisted of a one-year extension of management options ending in 2020.
A Slurry Store and Irrigation Lagoons application approvals only. The agri-environment and organic 2024 Round application approvals are subject to the
2025-26 budget.
Further detail can be provided on any specific options of interest.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether access to funding available through tiers 3 and 4 of its future agriculture support regime will be dependent upon eligibility for tier 1.
Answer
The agriculture support framework will be aimed at delivering against the following five key outcomes: support for a just transition, high quality food production, thriving agricultural businesses, climate mitigation and adaptation and nature restoration.
To summarise, Tier 1 (Base) of the framework will be a universal, entry-level payment for undertaking agricultural activity while meeting minimum essential standards in relation to sustainable farming activities, protecting the environment, animal health and welfare and ensuring Fair Work. Tier 2 (Enhanced) will supplement applicants delivering Tier 1 requirements and who wish to undertake further activity that delivers outcomes for nature and climate improvement, including recognition of wider land management.
Working closely with farmers, crofters and land managers, we are co-designing Tiers 3 (Elective) and 4 (Complementary), which both remain under development and will be subject to continued robust engagement with the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board. This collaborative approach will deliver our Vision for Agriculture, support rural communities and economic growth whilst tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 9 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated in its draft Budget 2025-26 for (a) the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund, (b) Places for Everyone projects, (c) the National Cycle Network, (d) People and Place projects, (e) regional transport partnerships and (f) Bikeability Scotland.
Answer
Answer expected on 9 January 2025
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 9 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what the cost will be to deliver each local authority's 20mph speed limit implementation plan.
Answer
Answer expected on 9 January 2025
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce primary legislation to reform water, wastewater and drainage systems within the current parliamentary session.
Answer
As set out in the 2023-24 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government has been reviewing its policy in relation to drinking water and wastewater with a view to bringing forward new primary legislation as soon as practicable. As part of the review, it is considering how the water industry needs to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
A consultation on detailed policy measures will be published in Spring 2025 and we would welcome all views and contributions.