Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-35287

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 7 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask NatureScot to meet with the Scottish Raptor Study Group to discuss concerns around proposed changes to the schedule 1 bird monitoring licence conditions.

Question reference: S6W-35288

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 7 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to question S6O-04224 and the two supplementary questions by Jim Fairlie on 22 January 2025, whether it will provide an update on the assurances that, under the proposed changes to the schedule 1 bird monitoring licence conditions, in cases where it is not reasonably practicable for fieldworkers to provide written notification to landowners of monitoring activity, notification can be provided through NatureScot’s licensing division.

Question reference: S6W-35435

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 March 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4 million of investment for the hospice sector, outlined in its Budget for 2025-26, will be used to bring hospice staff under the Agenda for Change terms and conditions, and what the proposed timeline is for fulfilling this commitment.

Question reference: S6W-35448

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 March 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35124 by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025, whether any of the liquidated damages provisions contained in the contract for HMP Barlinnie have been triggered, and if so, how much was paid.

Question reference: S6W-35476

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 March 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of proposed employer national insurance charge increases on GP practices in Scotland, including whether there is an option for applying exemption thresholds.

Question reference: S6W-35477

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 March 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to renegotiate the current GP contract.

Question reference: S6W-35217

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 5 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought or received any expert advice on construction cost controls for the replacement of HMP Inverness and, if so, whether it will publish this.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The SPS engaged the services of legal advisers and cost consultants to advise on cost controls within the contract. It would not be appropriate for SPS to publish this advice as it is commercially sensitive information, however, SPS will publish a summary of their Business Case on their website.

Question reference: S6W-34479

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential number of people who could be eligible for the new national throughcare service for prisoners released from (a) short-term sentences or (b) remand, what criteria or prioritisation methods will be used to determine who receives immediate support.

The new national service will ensure that an offer of support is available to all eligible individuals who are serving a short sentence (under 4 years), or being held on a period of remand.

As with the current Shine and New Routes Public Social Partnership services, the new service will be voluntary, and individuals will have a choice about whether they wish to sign up to the service.

Dedicated prison-based workers will provide initial support during the custodial environment and will contribute to effective multi-agency pre-release planning. Prior to liberation, individuals will be introduced to their community worker who will provide support on release.

Question reference: S6W-35129

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support resources it will provide to prison officers working in overcrowded conditions at HMP Barlinnie until the replacement prison is completed.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The needs and welfare of all those who live and work in our prisons remains a key priority for SPS, as we continue to manage our highly complex population with a person-centred approach.

Supported centrally by SPS Headquarters, establishments have specific arrangements in place to manage their regime during periods of a high prison population. These arrangements include additional staff on shift to support both operations and residential areas and the application of local staff shortage protocols if there are insufficient staff to run a full regime safely.

Question reference: S6W-35124

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full breakdown of the costs associated with the replacement for HMP Barlinnie, including any penalties for delays.

Tell us your views

Seòmar agus comataidhean