Questions and answers

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-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-06151

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 role of the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group differs in remit from the Academic Advisory Panel that provides support to the Agricultural Reform Oversight Implementation Board.

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-06145

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 remit is of the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group.

The Agricultural Policy Development Group (APDG) was established in September 2021 (as referred to at ARIOB on 30 September 2021: https://www.gov.scot/publications/agriculture-reform-oversight-implementation-board-minutes-30-september-2021/ ) as part of the Scottish Government’s approach to developing future agricultural policy and support. It enables government officials to discuss and share policy proposals and to get the input of key stakeholder interests to their development. In addition to Scottish Government officials, the APDG currently comprises representatives from NFU Scotland, from Environment LINK and an independent individual with extensive government and industry experience and expertise.

The Group’s Terms of Reference can be reviewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/agriculture-policy-development-group-terms-of-reference/

Crofting interests on the Board are represented through NFU Scotland as well as the Chair of the Scottish Crofting Federation, Donald McKinnon. This is not the only route for stakeholders to input their proposals as part of this work and we would welcome all relevant organisations engaging with officials to provide their thoughts and ideas on current and future aspects of the National Test Programme. In particular, we would welcome stakeholder organisations encouraging their members and supporters to participate in the National Test Programme. There will also be a full consultation on future policy and legislative proposals for rural support.

The Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) was established to provide independent scientific and academic context for planning agricultural reforms.

The AAP’s Terms of Reference can be reviewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/academic-advisory-panel-terms-of-reference/

Question reference: S6W-06387

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government by what date in 2022 the review of the strategy, The best start: five-year plan for maternity and neonatal care, will be published.

The original timeframe for the Best Start Implementation Programme Board envisaged a five year implementation timeline, ending in 2022. However the programme has been effectively paused for nearly two years as NHS Boards prioritised the response to COVID-19. I therefore agreed a two year extension to the implementation period for Best Start last year. The expectation is that NHS Boards will have implemented all of the recommendations by mid-2024, with implementation of continuity of carer within the lifetime of this Parliament.

In addition to monitoring of implementation, the Scottish Government is working with Public Health Scotland on the overall evaluation of the Best Start approach.

Question reference: S6O-00791

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government strategies have been identified, as part of its work on COVID-19 recovery, to support any communities and businesses in the Highlands and Islands that have not received any or substantial help throughout the pandemic.

Question reference: S6W-05844

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Islands Energy Strategy, including its timetable for consulting on the draft strategy.

We will consult on the draft Islands Energy Strategy during the summer of 2022.

The Strategy will set out an approach to supporting island residents and communities to decarbonise, and to develop renewable energy solutions that can promote resilience, enhance sustainability, and meet their energy needs.

In developing the draft Strategy, we will engage with our island stakeholders, to ensure we reflect their differing needs and priorities and work alongside the Carbon Neutral Islands initiative to maximise impact and shared learning.

Question reference: S6T-00513

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the disruption to ferry services in the West of Scotland that has reportedly resulted in significant supply issues and interruptions to the lifeline service.

Question reference: S6W-06262

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 15 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government which businesses have been debarred from applying to the Young Company Capital Investment Grant being administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise on the basis of displacement criteria.

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