- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how much transport emissions have been reduced by in each year since 2017-18.
Answer
Transport Scotland publishes information on changes in transport emissions in the Carbon Account for Transport. The most recent version of the Carbon Account for Transport, which covers emissions up until 2018 is available at the following link: Carbon Account for Transport - No. 12: 2020 Edition
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its position is regarding providing people with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, similar to that offered in other parts of the UK, and what its response is to reports of some GP surgeries charging people money for such documentation.
Answer
I updated Parliament on COVID 19 Status Certificate on 26 May 2021 in response to question S6T-00019. I refer the member to that answer. The answer is available on the Parliament's website at: Official Report - Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament
Our Freephone COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 can provide vaccination status certificate records free of charge. However, GP practices can charge their patients for the production of letters and reports at the patient’s request that are not covered by the GP contract.
To help ease the burden on GPs and to ensure people can access this information free we would encourage people to use our Freephone service, and not to ask their GP.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council in response to the reported parental and staff concerns regarding its policy on staff thresholds in small rural schools.
Answer
National maximum class sizes for different types of class are set through legislation or in teachers’ terms and conditions. Any additional provision, for example, for small schools, is a matter of local policy.
The Scottish Government has had no formal discussions with Dumfries & Galloway Council regarding its policy on staff thresholds in small rural schools.
- Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will give further consideration to extending the £500 bonus for health and social care staff to all private agency workers who have supported the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answer
We are hugely grateful to the efforts of health and social care staff across Scotland who have risen to the challenge of responding to the pandemic. This thank you payment recognised the particular debt we all owe to NHS and social care staff who have been on the front line of this crisis, helping to save lives and to protect us all.
For people working for private employers such as an Agency, it would be for their employer to determine their remuneration and any additions to existing pay which may be appropriate for these staff.
Agency staff are free to apply for and take up a post in the NHS or Social Care if they wish to enjoy the same benefits as the NHS or Social Care workforce. There are many flexible options available including working via the NHS Staff Bank, part-time and term-time working, all of which allow individuals to balance work and other commitments.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government how much the Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit Programme (BEAR) has given to bus companies in each year since 2017-18.
Answer
The Low Emission Zone Support Fund has made grant funding to bus companies through the Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit Programme as set out in the following table:
| | Year | Amount |
Phase 1 | 2018-19 | £1.6 million |
Phase 2 | 2019-20 | £1.577 million |
Phase 3 | 2020-21 | £9.75 million |
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work regarding COVID-19 vaccine certification for international travel; what consideration it has given to the use of vaccine certification in the domestic economy; in what formats it expects to provide vaccine certification, and what engagement it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) other devolved administrations regarding the development of vaccine certification.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6T-00019 on 26 May 2021. The answer is available on the Parliament's website at: Official Report - Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing a National 5 qualification in Natural History.
Answer
Responsibility for qualifications development sits with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Existing Environmental Science qualifications (available at National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher) draw from the sciences and social sciences and take a problem-solving approach to attempt to develop solutions that prevent or reverse environmental deterioration and aim for sustainable practices.
As part of the Learning for Sustainability Action Plan, SQA will consider the contribution Learning for Sustainability can make to new or revised qualifications, and will work with stakeholders to provide recognition, signposting or accreditation.
- Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by John Swinney on 3 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the coronavirus legislation in place.
Answer
Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today.
These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 to adjust the Levels allocation across Scotland as announced by the First Minister on Tuesday, 1 June 2021.
The Regulations also permit funfairs to reopen in Level 2 areas and adjust the rules on physical distancing and face coverings at marriage and civil partnerships to allow a party to the marriage or civil partnership to be accompanied down the aisle, or similar, by a friend or family member.
The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/227/contents/made .
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 9 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with the land reform minister regarding measures to be put in place to introduce regional land use partnerships.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 9 June 2021
- Asked by: Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 10 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support unpaid carers.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 10 June 2021