Questions and answers

Question reference: S5O-00963

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the health issues that are attributed to poor air quality.

The Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy (CAFS) sets out a series of actions for Government, Transport Scotland, local authorities and others to further reduce air pollution and its impact on public health across Scotland. Financial and other support is provided to local authorities to assist them with monitoring and implementing local actions to improve air quality. The recent budget identified an additional £1million to support this priority work.

Question reference: S5O-00918

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how average speed cameras on the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven will contribute to road safety.

In the past five years there have been 60 fatal and serious collisions on the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven, with three fatal collisions and six serious collisions in 2015.

Informed by evidence from the Average Speed Cameras in operation on the A77 and A9, the replacement of fixed and mobile camera enforcement with Average Speed Cameras on the A90 between Dundee and Stonehaven will encourage improved driver behaviour and speed limit compliance, with consequent reductions in the numbers of people killed or seriously injured.

Similar average speed cameras are currently in place on the A9. The latest A9 Data Monitoring and Analysis Report (February 2017) shows the number of fatal casualties down by over 37% and serious injury casualties by 45%.

Question reference: S5O-00884

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with BBC Scotland regarding the resourcing of its new channel.

The Scottish Government argued firmly throughout the recent Charter Renewal process for the proper resourcing of the BBC’s operations in Scotland. This Government has consistently called for a decentralised BBC that better serves and represents Scottish audiences. That is why we continue to make the case that BBC Scotland should have complete commissioning and editorial independence, and that the new channel should receive a level of funding that will match its ambition. I last met with Director-General Tony Hall on 23 February, where I welcomed the BBC’s plans to launch a new Scottish channel, increase funding and create 80 new journalism jobs, as a step in the right direction.

Question reference: S5O-00832

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be of the finance secretary’s recent announcement of £15.6 million being reinvested back into the Digital Scotland programme

Question reference: S5O-00810

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been made available to Angus Council to ensure that affordable housing for social rent can be built over the next five years.

Over this year and next, over £11 million has been made available to Angus Council to deliver more affordable homes that meet local needs. This is as a result of the recently announced overall package of £422 million for Scotland’s councils - an increase of £16 million on the year before.

We have also committed to a new offer of resource planning assumptions for councils across Scotland for the three years to March 2021 providing councils with the certainty they need to allow them to put future plans in place to meet the affordable housing priorities in their areas.

Question reference: S5O-00760

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 9 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how it is taking forward the development of a code of practice for land agents, as prescribed by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 provides that the Tenant Farming Commissioner must prepare a report on the operation of agents of landlords and tenants and submit the report to Scottish Ministers within 12 months of the relevant section coming into force.

The Act also provides that the Commissioner must prepare codes of practice and that these may include provision about the conduct of agents.

The Scottish Land Commission (including the Tenant Farming Commissioner) will formally start work from 1 April and I understand that it will consider how best to provide for the conduct of agents in consideration of its work priorities.

Question reference: S5O-00703

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in negotiations with the UK Government regarding the freedom of movement of agriculture and horticulture workers post-Brexit.

Question reference: S5O-00642

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 February 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how Angus will benefit from the Tay Cities Deal.

Question reference: S5O-00607

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many households it estimates may benefit from its planned changes to administrative flexibilities to universal credit when it is rolled out.

Question reference: S5O-00501

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve access to rail for residents of Monifieth.

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