Mentions:
1: Ewing, Annabelle (SNP - Cowdenbeath) increased levels of stress and work pressures; believes that the shortage of physiotherapists impacts on local - Speech Link
2: Rowley, Alex (Lab - Mid Scotland and Fife) My main plea to the Government today is for it to get to grips with workforce planning, because failure - Speech Link
3: Sweeney, Paul (Lab - Glasgow) Is it as frustrating to Mr Rowley as it is to me that the Government seems to be incapable of capturing - Speech Link
4: Minto, Jenni (SNP - Argyll and Bute) That is all down to Government policy ambitions to increase workforce numbers, with the approach designed - Speech Link

S6W-27728

Asked by: Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Scottish Labour - Glasgow)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any monies received from Low Emission Zone (LEZ) fines in Glasgow are to be used on project works within the LEZ, or whether they can be spent citywide.

Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Minister for Transport

Glasgow City Council administers and enforces their LEZ and as such receives all penalty charge notice payments. The spending of any monies received from penalty charges in respect of a LEZ scheme is a matter for the local authority. These funds can only be used for the purposes of facilitating the achievement of the scheme’s objectives and thus support air quality/climate change emission reduction measures or supporting the operational cost of the scheme.

S6W-27687

Asked by: Roddick, Emma (Scottish National Party - Highlands and Islands)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the Scottish National Investment Bank's £50 million investment in the Ardersier Port will benefit (a) the local area, (b) industry and (c) its climate ambitions.The Scottish National Investment Bank has invested £50 million in Ardersier Port alongside a similar £50 million investment from the UK Infrastructure Bank. This investment follows a £300 million capital commitment from Quantum Capital - the largest private sector port investment for offshore wind to date. The project aligns with the Bank’s net zero mission.As a result, Ardersier Port is expected to become of strategic importance in supporting the growing offshore wind industry over the coming years. Once operational, the facility will significantly increase the offshore wind port capacity, to support the transition to net zero in Scotland and the UK. As one of the largest industrial regeneration projects in the Highlands in decades, it will re-establish the port as a major local employer, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs. At full capacity it is estimated that the site has potential to enable around 3,000 jobs and reskilling opportunities for the local area.The global transition to net zero offers enormous economic opportunities for Scotland. Offshore wind is at the heart of both our energy and economic policy. We have made a commitment to invest up to £500 million over 5 years to anchor our offshore wind supply-chain in Scotland. This will support market certainty, helping to create a highly productive, competitive economy, providing thousands of new jobs, embedding innovation and boosting skills. Investments like Ardersier show the Scottish public sector can play a key role in building market confidence and anchoring core parts of the global offshore wind sector in Scotland.

Answered by Forbes, Kate

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on how the Scottish National Investment Bank's £50 million investment in the Ardersier Port will benefit (a) the local area, (b) industry and (c) its climate ambitions.The Scottish National Investment Bank has invested £50 million in Ardersier Port alongside a similar £50 million investment from the UK Infrastructure Bank. This investment follows a £300 million capital commitment from Quantum Capital - the largest private sector port investment for offshore wind to date. The project aligns with the Bank’s net zero mission.

As a result, Ardersier Port is expected to become of strategic importance in supporting the growing offshore wind industry over the coming years. Once operational, the facility will significantly increase the offshore wind port capacity, to support the transition to net zero in Scotland and the UK. As one of the largest industrial regeneration projects in the Highlands in decades, it will re-establish the port as a major local employer, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs. At full capacity it is estimated that the site has potential to enable around 3,000 jobs and reskilling opportunities for the local area.

The global transition to net zero offers enormous economic opportunities for Scotland. Offshore wind is at the heart of both our energy and economic policy. We have made a commitment to invest up to £500 million over 5 years to anchor our offshore wind supply-chain in Scotland. This will support market certainty, helping to create a highly productive, competitive economy, providing thousands of new jobs, embedding innovation and boosting skills. Investments like Ardersier show the Scottish public sector can play a key role in building market confidence and anchoring core parts of the global offshore wind sector in Scotland.

S6W-27702

Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with alcohol and drug partnerships regarding the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

Answered by McKelvie, Christina - Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), to make them aware of the Cabinet Secretary’s statement.

The letter committed to keeping ADPs informed regarding plans for emergency release and other measures as they continue to be developed.

The Scottish Government, with the Scottish Prison Service, has established an Operational Delivery Leads Group, to support planning and delivery in relation to emergency release. Representatives from ADPs will be invited to join the group.

In addition to this, we are working with health boards to ensure that the impact on prison healthcare teams is understood and considered within decision-making and, to support these teams respond to the current high levels of the prison population, whose needs are increasingly complex. Following the statement, a network of Executive-level leads from all Health Board areas and national and local SPS representatives met to discuss the prison population increase and will continue to correspond on all significant developments, meeting whenever necessary.

S6W-27624

Asked by: McCall, Roz (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Mid Scotland and Fife)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to including a specified foster care allowance rate for young people in continuing care.

Answered by Don, Natalie - Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise

The Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) currently applies to placements of children in foster care and eligible kinship care. Continuing care rates are for each individual local authority to determine.

We are considering a range of issues that impact young people and their carers as young care experienced people prepare to move on from care into adulthood.

We will launch a public consultation in Summer 2024 which will ask for views on the support required to help young people as they move on from care. This will include questions on the improvements which can be made to the provision of Continuing Care.

S6W-27560

Asked by: Baillie, Jackie (Scottish Labour - Dumbarton)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the World Health Organization's reported finding that adequate mechanical ventilation (HEPA) filters can be used in combination with proper natural ventilation to tackle the effects of COVID-19 in classrooms and schools.

Answered by Gilruth, Jenny - Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

As was the case throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government continue to listen carefully to the World Health Organization’s advice.

Furthermore, although it is the statutory duty of Local Authorities to manage their school estate, we would be happy to work in partnership with them on this matter.

S6W-27559

Asked by: Baillie, Jackie (Scottish Labour - Dumbarton)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to change current guidance in relation to HEPA filters in classrooms to allow parents to donate filters to schools, in light of recent reported research on the health benefits of clean air in preventing COVID-19.

Answered by Gilruth, Jenny - Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Although the “Reducing the risks of COVID-19 in schools” guidance has been stood down and there are no current plans to revise it, we recognise the benefits of clean air in preventing COVID-19.

It is the statutory duty of Local Authorities to manage their school estate and it would, therefore, be for them to consider local circumstances and determine if it would be appropriate to allow parents to donate HEPA filters to their schools.

Mentions:
1: Swinney, John (SNP - Perthshire North) I hope that our local government partners share that goal. - Speech Link
2: Swinney, John (SNP - Perthshire North) Government is offering £145.5 million to local authorities to protect teacher numbers. - Speech Link