Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-06047

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of South Lanarkshire Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.

I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.

Question reference: S6W-06027

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of Falkirk Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.

I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.

Question reference: S6W-06016

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of Angus Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.

I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.

Question reference: S6W-06050

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of West Lothian Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.

I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.

Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.

Question reference: S6W-06150

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group fits into the decision-making process of agricultural development.

Question reference: S6W-06148

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government who the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group reports to.

Question reference: S6W-06146

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group.

Question reference: S6W-06147

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the crofting representation is on the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group.

Question reference: S6W-06158

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) when it anticipates that vessels 801 and 802 for the CalMac fleet will enter into public service and (b) the current revised total cost of the build, including a breakdown of (i) capital costs, (ii) resource costs and (iii) any loans or underwritten finance made in relation to the build at any point and to any party.

We continue to work with the yard to do everything we can to ensure that the new vessels enter service as quickly as possible, to deliver the further service improvements our island communities deserve .

After further analysis has been undertaken regarding the recently discovered legacy cabling issue, the new Ferguson Marine Chief Executive will outline the revised schedule for vessels 801 and 802, in his quarterly update to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee at the end of March 2022.

The total estimated costs to complete the vessels remains the capital spend of £110m-114.3m, this is likely to change with the most recent cabling issue however we are unable to provide an update at this time, as we await the quarterly update. There is no resource funding at this time or loans to any parties regarding the build out of 801/802.

Question reference: S6W-06097

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update building standards to ensure that, within the next five years, all new housing is built to Passivhaus standards, as recommended by Scotland's Climate Assembly in its report, Recommendations for Action.

Our response to the recommendation of the Climate Assembly agrees with the need for review of regulation to further improve energy and environmental standards for new homes. It noted the relevance of the current review of Scottish building regulations, due to be completed this year. It provides an assurance that the outcome sought by the recommendation will be reported on, as part of the current review of standards.

I can confirm that we are looking at opportunities to move to Passivhaus or an equivalent standard within the timescale indicated by the Assembly. I have asked that work on this topic be undertaken over the coming months, in support of the ongoing review of Scottish building regulations and for this be reported back to the Assembly as work progresses.

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