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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-26038

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25326 by Tom Arthur on 6 March 2024, whether it will detail exactly what options are being explored to implement Air Departure Tax in the manner described.

Question reference: S6W-26005

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 19 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the next meeting of the Orkney Ferries Replacement Task Force will take place.

Question reference: S6W-25976

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19266 by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2023, whether it will provide an updated table listing any additional monitoring carried out, further to the surveys detailed in the previous answer.

Question reference: S6W-25977

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25408 by Mairi McAllan on 4 March 2024, whether it will confirm (a) which sites are due to be surveyed in (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025 and (b) where information on recent and upcoming surveys can be publicly accessed, in light of the resource that was linked to the previous answer appearing not to have been updated since 2018.

The updated MPA Monitoring Strategy Annexes will be published on the Marine Directorate website by the end of March 2024.

This will include:

a) The plan for surveys undertaken in 2023 and proposals for upcoming surveys in 2024. The planned surveys for 2024 are indicative and can be subject to change due to survey logistics and programme focus.

b) Information on the recent surveys in 2021 & 2022.

The information on surveys conducted in 2023 will be published later in 2024.

Question reference: S6W-25975

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19266 by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2023, whether it will specify the criteria for designating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and explain how these differ from the criteria for monitoring MPAs, as set out in the previous answer.

Designation of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (ncMPAs) is underpinned by the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in inshore waters (0-12 nautical miles) and the UK Marine Coastal Act 2009 in offshore waters (12-200 nautical miles).

Classification of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are governed by provisions within the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) in Scotland.

Criteria differs for each site however, the overarching principles remain the same. Site selection for MPAs undertakes a science-based approach that is set out in separate site selection guidelines for ncMPAs , SACs and SPAs .

Question reference: S6W-25326

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 6 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22049 by Tom Arthur on 20 October 2023, whether it can provide an update on the work that is being undertaken to implement a devolved tax, and whether it will provide more details regarding any barriers to its implementation.

The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) was deferred due to state aid issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption. In January 2023, the UK Government replaced EU state aid rules with its own subsidy control regime.

The Scottish Government continue to explore all options to implement ADT in a way that protects Highlands & Islands connectivity and complies with the UK Government’s subsidy control regime.

Question reference: S6W-25595

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the publication of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and delivery plans by local authorities, whether it will provide an update on which local authorities' (a) LHEES and (b) delivery plans (i) were published by and (ii) have been published since 31 December 2023.

Eleven local authorities published their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and Delivery Plans by 31 December 2023.

Between 1 January 2024 and the time of writing, a further two local authorities have published their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies and Delivery Plans. One of these two local authorities (Renfrewshire Council) have are yet to publish their Delivery Plan. This brings the total published documents to thirteen.

Nineteen local authorities have yet to publish their Local Heat and Energy Strategies and Delivery Plans. Local authorities cite a number of challenges that have hindered their ability to meet the deadline, including recruiting staff, procuring technical consultants, the timing of governance processes, data access and timescales for stakeholder engagement.

Scottish Government officials continue to engage closely with local authorities to support them in publishing their LHEES. This includes provision of an independent review service to provide feedback to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the guidance, one-to-one capacity support training, in-person visits to raise awareness at senior level and through tailored online sessions.

A table of local authorities which have published their LHEES and whether or not they met the deadline of 31 December 2023 is as follows.

LOCAL AUTHORITY	PUBLISHED BY 31 DECEMBER 2023
City of Edinburgh Council	Yes
Clackmannanshire Council	Yes
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar	Yes
Dumfries & Galloway Council	Yes
Falkirk Council	Yes
Fife Council	Yes
Glasgow City Council	Yes
Highland Council	Yes
North Ayrshire Council	No
North Lanarkshire Council	Yes
Renfrewshire Council	No
Stirling Council	Yes
West Lothian Council	Yes

An LHEES has two parts which are integral to each other.

A Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy is a long-term strategic framework for the improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings in the local authority’s area, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the heating of such buildings.

A Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan is a document setting out how a local authority proposes to support implementation of its Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-25596

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities that are yet to publish their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and delivery plan have indicated by what date these will be completed, and, if so, (a) which ones and (b) what timeframes have been offered.

The Scottish Government is able to confirm that we are expecting around a further 9 local authorities to publish their LHEES by the end of March 2024, with the remaining LHEES expected to be published by the end of the summer.

We are encouraged by the quality of the LHEES published to date. The local authorities have taken a reasonably consistent approach in development of their LHEES, and those covering cities and urban areas have identified strong heat network opportunities.

The Scottish Government is aware that, in developing LHEES, local authorities have faced a number of challenges which have hindered their ability to meet the deadline, including recruiting staff, procuring technical consultants, the timing of governance processes, data access and timescales for stakeholder engagement.

We continue to engage closely with local authorities to support them finalising their LHEES. Through our quarterly check ins we are able to understand their progress and provide tailored support where required including technical assistance through Zero Waste Scotland.

An LHEES review service has also been provided to act as a critical friend for local authorities, providing feedback to ensure they are able to meet the requirements set out in the LHEES Guidance.

The Scottish Government is providing long term funding to support local authorities to develop and deliver their LHEES with funding committed for each local authority of £75,000 per year until 2027-28.

Question reference: S6W-25409

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19267 by Mairi McAllan on 27 June 2023, whether it will provide a more specific timeframe for the delivery of the next report to the Parliament.

As required by Section 103 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, the next report to the Scottish Parliament on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) will be published in 2024. The Scottish Government intends to publish the next report in December 2024. Reporting occurs in a 6-year cycle. The last report was published in December 2018, and is available here: Marine Protected Area Network - 2018 Report to the Scottish Parliament - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Question reference: S6W-25408

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19266 by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2023, how many sites are currently being monitored.

Routine monitoring is not carried out in all Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Scottish MPA Monitoring Strategy sets out a framework for a risk-based approach to planning and prioritising monitoring activities. Prioritisation of MPA monitoring effort is guided by principles defined in the strategy. These principles firstly identify target features based on criteria including risk from negative impacts, importance within Scotland and functional importance within the ecosystem. Additionally, location of monitoring is prioritised using criteria including site management characteristics, covering feature geographical range and existing data availability.

Evidence-gathering in accordance with the principles of the strategy is then carried out by government, agencies, academics and often supported by citizen science projects. This information underpins assessment and reporting obligations, as well as enabling monitoring of the ecological benefits the network provides.

The annexes to the MPA Monitoring Strategy are regularly updated with details of recent and upcoming surveys. The latest update detailing plans for surveying in the next two years will be available soon on the Scottish Government website: MPA monitoring strategy - Marine environment - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .