Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-05179

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 13 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its proposal that rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will continue at 50% for the first three months of 2022-23, whether this rates reduction will be awarded automatically, or will businesses be required to apply for it.

Question reference: S6W-05181

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 13 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much additional revenue from non-domestic rates it expects would be generated in 2022-23 from the increase in the poundage rate proposed in its Budget, broken down by industry sector.

The Scottish Budget continues to deliver the lowest poundage in the UK for the fourth year in a row, with a below inflation increase to 49.8p proposed in 2022-23. Compared to maintaining the poundage at the current rate of 49p, we estimate that this a will raise an additional £45 million.

Table 1 shows the estimated loss in gross non-domestic rates income (£57.9m) from freezing the poundage at 49p compared to raising it to 49.8p.

Table 1 presents a breakdown by property class as the Scottish Government does not hold property-level data on industry sectors. Property class is a classification used by Scottish Assessors to describe the type of property, and may not necessarily accurately reflect the use of a property.

Due to the application of a £27,500 cap per ratepayer on retail, hospitality and leisure relief in 2022-23, it is not possible to robustly estimate the breakdown of these net figures by property class at this time.

Table 1: Estimated loss to NDR income of freezing the poundage at 49p compared to 49.8p by property class

Property class	Estimated loss in gross NDR income
Shops	12,473,000
Public Houses	960,000
Offices	8,145,000
Hotels	2,189,000
Industrial Subjects	10,080,000
Leisure, Entertainment, Caravans etc.	2,344,000
Garages and Petrol Stations	582,000
Cultural	441,000
Sporting Subjects	261,000
Education and Training	4,482,000
Public Service Subjects	2,730,000
Communications	202,000
Quarries, Mines, etc.	121,000
Petrochemical	901,000
Religious	451,000
Health and Medical	1,857,000
Other	1,209,000
Care Facilities	989,000
Advertising	85,000
Statutory Undertaking	7,429,000
All	57,931,000
	Estimated loss in net NDR income
All (property class breakdown unavailable)	45,437,000

Source: Scottish Assessors’ Valuation Roll as at 1 October 2021.
‎ Figures may not sum due to rounding. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000.

Question reference: S6W-05177

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 13 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) business and (b) higher rate poundage (i) has been in each year since 1999-2000 and (ii) would be in 2022-23 under the proposals in its Budget.

The following table shows the poundage, property rate supplements, and property rate thresholds (rateable value) for each year from 1999-2000 to 2022-2023:

Table 1: Poundage and Property Rate Supplements

Year	Poundage (pence)	Large Business Supplement (pence)	Large Business Supplement Threshold (rateable value)
1999-2000	48.0*	0.9*	> £10,000
2000-01	44.8*	1.0*	> £10,000
2001-02	45.0*	2.0*	> £10,000
2002-03	45.8*	2.0*	> £10,000
2003-04	47.8	0.6	> £25,000
2004-05	48.8	0.3	> £25,000
2005-06	46.1	0.45	> £29,000
2006-07	44.9	0.4	> £29,000
2007-08	44.1	0.3	> £29,000
2008-09	45.8	0.4	> £29,000
2009-10	48.1	0.4	> £29,000
2010-11	40.7	0.7	> £35,000
2011-12	42.6	0.7	> £35,000
2012-13	45.0	0.8	> £35,000
2013-14	46.2	0.9	> £35,000
2014-15	47.1	1.1	> £35,000
2015-16	48.0	1.3	> £35,000
2016-17	48.4	2.6	> £35,000
2017-18	46.6	2.6	> £51,000
2018-19	48.0	2.6	> £51,000
2019-20	49.0	2.6	> £51,000
2020-21	49.8**	Intermediate Property Rate : 51.1p (Poundage + 1.3p) Higher Property Rate : 52.4p (Poundage + 2.6p)	Intermediate Property Rate Threshold : Between £51,001 and £95,000 Higher Property Rate Threshold : > £95,000
2021-22	49.0	Intermediate Property Rate : 50.3p (Poundage + 1.3p) Higher Property Rate : 51.6p (Poundage + 2.6p)	Intermediate Property Rate Threshold : Between £51,001 and £95,000 Higher Property Rate Threshold : > £95,000
2022-23	49.8	Intermediate Property Rate : 51.1p (Poundage + 1.3p) Higher Property Rate : 52.4p (Poundage + 2.6p)	Intermediate Property Rate Threshold : Between £51,001 and £95,000 Higher Property Rate Threshold : > £95,000

* The Large Business Supplement was introduced in 2003-04. In the years prior to 2003-04 there were two poundages, one which applied to premises with rateable values that are less than £10,000, and another for those with an RV of £10,000 or more.

** In 2020-21 the Scottish Government introduced a universal 1.6% relief, effectively freezing the poundage at 2019-20 levels.

Question reference: S6W-05178

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the reference on page 12 of the Scottish Budget 2022-23, when the details of the proposed workplace parking levy scheme will be published.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides local authorities with a discretionary power to set up workplace parking licensing (WPL) schemes. The discretionary power to set up workplace parking licensing (WPL) schemes is intended as a tool for local authorities to use among a suite of measures when developing their local transport strategies. Depending on local circumstances, WPL schemes have the potential to encourage the use of more sustainable travel modes, reducing congestion, improving air quality and reducing emissions.

As set out in our Climate Change Plan Update, we have continued to progress policy development to inform the regulations and guidance which will underpin local authorities’ WPL schemes, should they wish to take forward a scheme. Regulations were laid in Parliament yesterday (12 January 2022) setting out the regulatory framework and this will be followed by guidance for local authorities in the first half of 2022.

It will then be for local authorities to decide whether they wish to implement WPL locally and to shape proposals to suit local circumstances. It will be for local authorities to determine the timing of when they take schemes forward, if they choose to do so, and the detail of their local schemes. Local authorities will be required to undertake a public consultation and impact assessments before implementing a WPL scheme.

Question reference: S6W-05147

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 20 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) insurance industry regarding (i) the issue of reimbursing COVID-19-related domestic trip cancellations and (ii) whether there is a need for consistency across providers.

At present there are no restrictions on domestic travel therefore no specific discussions have been tabled with the UK Government. The majority of domestic trips are able to go ahead however we are asking that people be cautious when travelling and choosing activities and we are strengthening some mitigating measures in some areas of the visitor and retail economy. The Scottish Government also continues to engage regularly with the UK Government in relation to support for the wider tourism and hospitality industry.

The regulation of insurance providers is a reserved matter and the Competition and Markets Authority may choose to engage if they believe there is a need for consistency across providers.

Question reference: S6O-00503

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in 2021 to adopt greener bus transport across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-03693

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the NHS Tayside oncologists who were found by the General Medical Council to have acted appropriately, in line with professional clinical practice, when administering treatment to breast cancer patients, despite concerns expressed in the 2019 Health Improvement Scotland report.

Scottish Government representatives last met with oncologists in Tayside linked with the HIS report in July 2020, where all independent reviews of the service were discussed, as well the ongoing delivery of the breast cancer services in Tayside. During the work of the Independent Advisory Group (Tayside Breast Cancer) which reported in August 2019, there was also discussion with the same oncologists as part of the group’s evidence gathering.

Question reference: S6W-03599

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the board of NHS Tayside regarding patients who reportedly received under-doses of the drug, docetaxel.

Question reference: S6W-03600

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the board of NHS Tayside regarding the recruitment of oncologists.

Scottish Government officials have a weekly call with NHS Tayside’s Cancer Team to track all patients on an urgent suspicion of cancer (USC) pathway and update on service delivery, including workforce.

In March 2021, after a request for national support, Scottish Government representatives met with NHS Tayside Chief Executive and senior medical staff and other health boards to provide support to ensure the continuation of its breast oncology services following the departure of one consultant.

We are continuing to work with NHS Tayside to ensure the long term continuation of service for women in the NHS Tayside area. A new consultant has been appointed who took up post in mid-July and there is ongoing recruitment for a further post. Ongoing clinical support will continue to be provided by NHS Grampian.

Question reference: S6W-03601

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the board of NHS Tayside regarding how it supports oncologists.

Scottish Government officials have a weekly call with NHS Tayside’s Cancer Team to track all patients on an urgent suspicion of cancer (USC) pathway and update on service delivery, including workforce.

To support Cancer and Diagnostic services the Scottish Government has invested £10 million to support cancer services during and beyond the pandemic. This will support increased access to cancer diagnostics and staffing. A further £9 million will also be allocated this year to support diagnostic imaging capacity. We have also invested in mobile units located in NHS Highland and NHS Tayside to increase capacity.

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