Questions and answers

Question reference: S6O-00474

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what teaching and resources schools are providing to encourage pupils to engage in climate issues and ensure their experiences and ideas are acted on, including through the Climate Assembly.

Question reference: S6W-04277

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the funding of up to £40 million for the culture sector that was announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy on 2 June 2021 (Official Report, c. 16); how much of this funding has been distributed, and in what form; how much funding remains to be distributed, and when this will be distributed to support the culture sector.

The additional £40 million for the culture sector was announced in light of the consequential funding expected from the £300 million uplift to the Culture Recovery Fund in March 2021 UK Budget. The Scottish Government has so far only received £9 million of these consequentials. We are still seeking clarity from HM Treasury on why the £40 million has not yet been passed on in full to us and are continuing to press the UK Government to deliver the remaining £31 million.

Despite only receiving to date £9 million of the consequentials, we have made available £25 million to support recovery in the culture sector, principally through the Cultural Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund (COVRF) and the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund (PAVRF). £17.2 million has been awarded to performing arts venues and culture organisations via Creative Scotland. £1.25m has also been announced for funding for the Public Library Covid Relief Fund. This leaves £6.55m remaining to be allocated, £2m of which is capital. We are working with the culture sector to understand ongoing needs, and announcements on the final allocations will be made in the coming weeks.

Question reference: S6F-00445

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 November 2021

To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on the work of the Under2 Coalition at COP26.

Question reference: S6O-00332

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what role Scotland is playing during COP26 in relation to innovation and economic activity.

Question reference: S6W-03953

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 October 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party shared policy programme commitment to "undertake a programme of work and analysis to better understand our energy requirements as we transition to net zero".

A robust, impartial procurement process has been undertaken in accordance with regulations and best practice to identify a partner to undertake work on this commitment.

Following the procurement exercise, EY has been awarded the programme of work and analysis to better understand our energy requirements as we transition to net zero and how this aligns with our climate change targets and the goal of the Paris agreement.

It is expected that this work will supplement a wide range of evidence that will be considered to take an informed policy decision on the contribution of North Sea production to the global climate emergency and to Scotland’s economy, security and wellbeing within Scotland’s wider energy system.

The Programme of Work will inform the forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, which brings together our commitment to refresh the 2017 Energy Strategy and to deliver Scotland’s first sectoral Just Transition Plan.

Question reference: S6W-03326

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 14 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to removing non-residential social care charges, whether it will provide an update on its work with (a) COSLA and (b) other stakeholders to identify the most effective way of achieving this, and what the timescale is for the implementation of the policy.

Question reference: S6W-03267

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on how competitive projects in Scotland can be compared with those in England and Wales, and how disadvantaged they may be in future Contracts for Difference auctions, whether it will consider raising the cap on floating offshore wind innovation projects within Marine Scotland's plan for Innovation projects and Targeted Oil and Gas Decarbonisation (INTOG) from 100MW to 300MW.

The Sectoral Marine Plan – Offshore Wind for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (“INTOG”) is at an early stage and the Scottish Government is currently consulting on the Areas of Search, areas where projects under this planning process may be located, and on the details of the Plan Specification. This includes the 100 MW cap for Innovation and Test and Demonstration projects. The consultation will close on 20 October and all views will be considered before the next stage of the planning process commences.

It is important to clarify that the INTOG plan allows for any scale of project to proceed, provided it meets the purpose of the plan – to decarbonise oil and gas infrastructure, through electrification of platforms. The 100 MW threshold applies only to smaller projects seeking to test and demonstrate new technology or innovative solutions in the real environment. The planning process allows for both categories of projects to proceed in a sustainable manner with minimal impact to the environment or other sea users.

Question reference: S6W-03294

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 September 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kevin Stewart on 24 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the evaluation of the Scottish Strategy for Autism 2011-21, and how it plans to respond to this.

The Scottish Government has published the Evaluation of the Scottish Strategy for Autism 2011-21 today. In response I am delighted to announce £650k this financial year, for tests of change on adult neurodevelopmental pathways. Additionally I can announce new funding of £425k to trial the Scottish Government’s new Learning Disability and Autism leadership and engagement work, from the Recovery and Renewal fund. I would also like to announce £400k for the understanding autism project charity funding. This represents a substantive package of support of £1.4m, £1m of which is new funding from the Recovery and Renewal fund.

The evaluation is available to view at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781802013696

Question reference: S6F-00282

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 September 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 September 2021

To ask the First Minister what engagement the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government and energy providers in light the reported increase in wholesale prices.

Question reference: S6O-00180

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 September 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how the commitments in the Programme for Government will help secure a net zero nation.

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