- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether extended winter fuel payments for families with severely disabled children, as referred to in the Programme for Government, will be paid automatically.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02675 on 28 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 28 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many families with severely disabled children will receive an extended winter fuel payment, as referred to in the Programme for Government.
Answer
The commitment made in the Programme for Government is to extend eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments to families in Scotland with children in receipt of the highest care component of the Disability Living Allowance. Currently, in 2016-17, the number of families who would benefit from this extension of eligibility is approximately 14,500, which we estimate will rise to 16,700 in 2020-21.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 26 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many households in Scotland receive healthy start vouchers each year.
Answer
In 2015-16 just over 24,000 households in Scotland received Healthy Start vouchers.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate plans it has to introduce new benefits using section 28 of the Scotland Act 2016.
Answer
The Scottish Government set out its priorities for the coming year in "A Plan For Scotland: The Scottish Government's Programme For Scotland 2016-17" published on 6 September.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 08 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate plans it has to introduce discretionary payments that top up reserved benefits using section 24 of the Scotland Act 2016.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-02400 on 21 September 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 August 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 15 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the ruling by the Court of Session to quash the ministers’ planning appeal on the proposed expansion plans of Mossend Railfreight Terminal, whether it plans to (a) continue to uphold the appeal of the applicant and, if so, whether it will appoint a new reporter, (b) launch an inquiry into the reasons ministers overruled the reporter and (c) publish all of the minutes and notes of its meetings involving (i) ministers, (ii) MSPs, (iii) officials and (iv) the reporter relating to this planning matter.
Answer
Scottish Ministers note the court’s opinion and will carefully consider its implications. It would not therefore be appropriate to comment on the merits of the court’s decision or any planning application that may come before Ministers in the future.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Fergus Ewing on 14 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its detailed delivery plan for the provision of superfast broadband to all commercial and residential premises.
Answer
We will set out our delivery approach later in 2016, once we have finalised the coverage to be delivered through the existing Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme and consulted with the market to confirm future commercial investment plans.
We expect new procurements, to deliver new investment to meet our 100% target, to begin from 2017. We published a Prior Information Notice on 9 September 2016 to formally start engagement with suppliers ahead of these procurements.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 June 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 7 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation announced on 8 February 2016 on plans to increase organ donation.
Answer
The Scottish Government will be launching a consultation this year on increasing organ and tissue donation. The consultation will include proposals for a potential soft opt-out system for Scotland.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 June 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Aileen Campbell on 7 September 2016
To ask the Scottish Government whether its plans to increase organ donation announced on 8 February 2016 include the introduction of an opt-out system.
Answer
The Scottish Government's forthcoming consultation will include proposals for a soft opt-out system for organ and tissue donation. Subject to the views expressed in the responses to that consultation, the government will then move to take forward any necessary legislation.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 June 2016
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 1 July 2016
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government in relation to the further devolution of welfare powers outlined in the Scotland Act 2016.
Answer
The Scottish Government, both ministers and officials, engage with the UK Government regularly on a range of issues to do with the devolution of social security powers. Most recently the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs Fair Work and I had a meeting 16 June 2016 of the Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare. This group will be the vehicle for the transfer of social security powers between the two governments. A communique was issued after the meeting which can be found: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Joint-Ministerial-Working-Group-on-Welfare-2593.aspx