Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-33563

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 January 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 3 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding is allocated to mental health services in rural areas, and how it compares with urban settings.

Question reference: S6W-33568

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 January 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 3 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to address any recruitment and retention challenges for dental professionals in rural areas.

Question reference: S6W-32980

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the Energy Consents Unit’s decisions align with the principles of a just transition to net zero, particularly for rural communities.

Question reference: S6W-32982

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure alignment between the National Planning Framework 4 and the Energy Consents Unit’s decision-making processes, particularly in relation to community engagement and environmental protections.

Question reference: S6W-32977

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the criteria used by the Energy Consents Unit to evaluate energy infrastructure projects, in light of reported concerns that net zero contributions are being prioritised over community and environmental considerations.

Question reference: S6W-33169

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the A90 is illuminated by street lighting, and whether there are plans to extend coverage.

Question reference: S6W-32971

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the National Planning Framework 4 in relation to energy infrastructure planning, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that rural communities’ views are adequately reflected in the decision-making processes.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was published following extensive consultation and engagement, including with rural communities, and was adopted by the Scottish Ministers in February 2023. While Scottish Ministers can decide to amend the NPF or review it in full at any time, having an established and consistent policy framework enables confidence in the planning system and so we expect to exercise this power sparingly. We have no current plans to amend NPF4.

The Scottish planning system is plan-led, with a focus on involving all interests as early and effectively as possible. There are a range of opportunities for individuals and communities to get involved during both the plan-making and planning application stages of the planning and development process.

Question reference: S6W-32981

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how the National Planning Framework 4 and Energy Consents Unit jointly address the reported concerns about the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure projects on rural communities and the natural environment.

Question reference: S6W-33188

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many junctions or road connections have been added to the A90 over the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-33170

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has conducted on the impact of severe weather on the condition of the A90, and what measures are in place to address weather-related damage.

Transport Scotland’s Approach to Climate Change and Resilience (ACCAR) was published in August 2023 setting out a strategic framework to secure a well-adapted future for Scotland’s transport system. It includes an ambitious Vision for “A transport system which is well adapted and prepared for current and future impacts of climate change, is safe for all users, reliable for everyday journeys, and resilient to weather related disruption.” It can be found here: Transport Scotland’s Approach to Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

The ACCAR provides our current approach to adaptation and Strategic Outcomes for Road, Rail, Aviation and Maritime transport networks, to address the key climate risks affecting Scotland’s transport system. A key deliverable of this work is the development of a Trunk Road Adaptation Plan, which is intended to be published in the first quarter of 2025. The Trunk Road Adaptation Plan is based on a climate vulnerability and risk assessment using the latest UK climate projections. This will compliment work of our Vulnerable Locations Group, who have been providing a number of improvements across Scotland’s trunk road network in response to extreme weather-related disruption.

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