Maureen Watt: F ollowing the very heavy rainfall over the weekend, especially in the east and the north-east, can the First Minister give us an assurance that all the necessary safety checks are being carried out on Scotland’s rail and road network?
Maureen Watt: We have heard that the UK and Scottish Governments are considering moving to a levels-based approach, which could be applied nationally or regionally. Does the First Minister agree that one way to solve the financial problems could be that moving to specific levels of restriction would trigger support from the Treasury? Would she urge the UK Government to look at that approach?
Maureen Watt: 5. To ask the Scottish Government how it is encouraging people to engage in recycling and other activities to help protect Scotland’s environment. (S5O-04653)
Maureen Watt: I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, especially what she said about face coverings, which are becoming a real problem. I was delighted to note that last week was recycle week 2020. What dialogue is the Scottish Government having with local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that we continue to promote such activities, as we navigate through lockdown?
Maureen Watt: I ask my question following a visit to the Robert Gordon University, in my constituency, to see what measures it is taking. What steps are being taken to ensure deliveries of foods and other essentials to students who are self-isolating? Can the Scottish Government facilitate a dialogue between universities and supermarkets, in order to prioritise deliveries for those who are...
Maureen Watt: Yesterday, the UK Government announced that there would be no autumn budget. With the financial impact of Covid and the uncertainty of a no-deal Brexit at the end of the year, does the cabinet secretary anticipate that that will have an impact on the delivery of the plan?
Maureen Watt: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reassure people in the north-east and elsewhere that signing up to the Protect Scotland app does not make them more at risk of scamming. (S5O-04618)
Maureen Watt: I thank the cabinet secretary for that full reply. I hope that, by ensuring that people have confidence in the safety of the Protect Scotland app, we will increase its uptake. For it to be as effective as possible, we need people to download it. The Government has previously written to the people of Scotland regarding the pandemic. In the light of yesterday’s announcement, does it plan to...
Maureen Watt: 6. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the United Kingdom Government’s proposed United Kingdom Internal Market Bill will take powers away from Scotland. (S5O-04594)
Maureen Watt: I thank the cabinet secretary for that full and clear answer. The European single market rules recognise and allow for policy objectives, such as the health benefits of minimum unit pricing, alongside market economic considerations. Can the cabinet secretary advise whether the Scottish Government has received any confirmation that that would be the case under the UK Government’s internal...
Maureen Watt: As a member of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, I am pleased to speak in the stage 1 debate on the bill. I am glad that we have allocated only a short amount of time to the debate, because it is, I hope, one of the least contentious pieces of legislation to have come before Parliament. As others have said, the bill simply seeks to bring responsibility for setting...
Maureen Watt: 6. To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide updated guidance regarding weddings, in light of the importance of the wedding sector to tourism and the economy of the north-east. (S5O-04570)
Maureen Watt: Once venues are able to operate, many people who have postponed plans for weddings will come back, which will probably lead to unprecedented demand for venues, caterers, bands, florists and many others. Does the minister believe that special consideration—through an increase of the furlough period or indeed specific discretionary funding—should be given to the wedding sector?
Maureen Watt: I am still waiting for a reply on that point from Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. What funding is provided to support innovation in, and attract investment into, the north-east?
Maureen Watt: As we have recently seen in Aberdeen, local lockdown restrictions have meant further pressure on local hospitality businesses. Can the ministers advise what further support has been provided to businesses that have been affected by these temporary measures in Aberdeen? Does he agree that the UK Government could put emergency funding in place and facilitate flexible business support at short...
Maureen Watt: Does the member not take into consideration the views of Patrick Krause of the Scottish Crofting Federation, who has said that the proposed purpose clause, which was introduced at the last minute, could have very negative consequences and could lead to significant delays in enacting the legislation, whereas members have been asking for it to be introduced quickly? He has also said that it...
Maureen Watt: I thank Colin Smyth for raising the important issue of food security at stage 2. Given the ever-increasing challenges that our society is facing, the need for an accessible and affordable food supply is becoming more acute. Colin Smyth’s stage 2 amendment was too imprecise, so I welcome the fact that he allowed us all more time to think about what might be useful in that regard. Amendment...
Maureen Watt: I welcome members’ support for amendment 22, and I am pleased that we have been able to influence the bill positively. Amendments 23 and 24, however, would take us beyond the principal aims of part 2 of the bill. I was also disappointed when the good food nation bill had to be shelved earlier this year. However, with responding to the Covid-19 crisis and making preparations for the end of...
Maureen Watt: I am pleased that we are at the stage of the final speeches for the bill at last. As a member of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, it seems to me as though we have been considering the bill for many months—and we have, but we have to accept that much of the delay has been due to the pandemic disrupting the work of the Scottish Parliament. The need for the bill is entirely a...
Maureen Watt: The cabinet secretary knows that, under previous management, materials were stored off site in poor conditions, in an unmanned location. Will she say how the relocation of stock is going and whether the inventory and new stock control procedures are in place?
