Maureen Watt: 1. To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding environmental issues. (S5O-04468)
Maureen Watt: I understand that the Westminster Government intends to publish an energy white paper in September. According to Scottish Renewables, Scotland has the potential of infinitely more renewable resource than it will need. Is it not imperative, therefore, that the Scottish Government has maximum input to the strategy and is dealt with as an equal partner if England is to meet its obligations on...
Maureen Watt: In order that the many establishments that abided by the rules in Aberdeen are not further disadvantaged by the few, will the Scottish Government ask the Treasury to extend the eat out to help out scheme to support hospitality when the city reopens, and will it consider reopening cafes that do not have an alcohol licence?
Maureen Watt: Given the importance of putting both children’s safety and their ability to learn at the heart of the return to schools, can the cabinet secretary confirm that the work that has been done to provide for the reopening of schools has been undertaken with the principle of getting it right for every child at the forefront?
Maureen Watt: Will the Scottish Government consider extra support beyond the job retention scheme for businesses in Aberdeen that are impacted by the closure?
Maureen Watt: Will the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport confirm what additional measures are being put in place to ensure that health boards such as NHS Grampian are equipped to deal with the increased pressures on services during the winter period?
Maureen Watt: I thank the First Minister for the clear and concise way in which she communicates the vital messaging on the pandemic. Can she confirm that the messaging is communicated effectively in all or most of the languages that are used by those who choose Scotland as their home, including the eastern European languages that are the first languages of many people in my constituency?
Maureen Watt: As the cabinet secretary is aware, the announced relaxation in the 2m physical distancing rule for public transport was accompanied by a non-exhaustive list of possible mitigations. How are such mitigations working in practice? How has the cabinet secretary worked with stakeholders to put them in place?
Maureen Watt: A strong and flourishing higher and further education sector is vital for not only those studying at the institutions but our wider economic recovery from the pandemic. The cabinet secretary will be aware of the Institute for Fiscal Studies report that finds that 13 universities across the UK may be at risk of insolvency, particularly due to the loss of international students. What risk...
Maureen Watt: The hospitality industry will, no doubt, be disappointed, but I hope understanding, about the need to wait a little longer before opening beer gardens. I welcome the First Minister’s comments that local authorities have been asked to be flexible about allowing the use of outdoor spaces, but will the Scottish Government also meet the hospitality industry to discuss what further steps can be...
Maureen Watt: 8. To ask the Scottish Government what additional guidance and resources it is providing to local authorities to support the implementation of blended schooling. (S5O-04435)
Maureen Watt: I have been contacted by parents who are concerned about how the model may affect key workers and their ability to care for their children on the days when they are not at school. Can the Scottish Government give assurances that it is aware of those challenges and that it will continue to work with key organisations such as the National Parent Forum of Scotland as we navigate through the lockdown?
Maureen Watt: Has the UK Government provided any clarity yet on whether it will give the Scottish Government the £35 million of Barnett consequentials that it is due for charity support? If we do not get that money, what effect might that have on the Scottish budget?
Maureen Watt: 4. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the easing of lockdown measures for older people, particularly those who are shielding. (S5O-04367)
Maureen Watt: I thank the minister for her response. The restrictions have been difficult for many, and their continued support of shielding is to be applauded. Many organisations have been helping those who are shielding, including Community Food Initiatives North East, Aberdeen Cares, Aberdeen Association of Social Service—VSA—and many others in Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland. With the...
Maureen Watt: I am pleased to speak in the stage 3 debate as the passage of the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill nears its end. I, too, thank the bill team and the clerks to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. I also thank the witnesses who helped me and the other members of the committee understand the bill’s many provisions. Before the Scottish Parliament was set up, I was a...
Maureen Watt: Thank you, Presiding Officer, and welcome back. I am pleased that we are having today’s debate, which I hope and am sure will be the first of many as we try to take the first tentative steps on the road to economic recovery—but not at the expense of health recovery. It is important to stress and stress again that reimposing lockdown is a possibility, as we have seen in China and South...
Maureen Watt: I thank the minister for all the work that he has done in his field. He will be aware of the work of the Oil & Gas Technology Centre in Aberdeen, which has brought together manufacturers from across the industry to help in the fight to tackle the virus. One such manufacturer is Air Control Entech, which is producing 1,000 face shields per day for hospitals and care homes. A further 10...
Maureen Watt: As the cabinet secretary knows, Aberdeen is suffering not just from the effects of Covid but from the oil price crash, not to mention the stalling of strategic projects such as Aberdeen Harbour. It has also been identified as being particularly hit by Brexit. What support is the Scottish Government making available to the north-east of Scotland and what representations has the Scottish...
Maureen Watt: How best can care homes, especially those in rural areas, access test kits for their residents and staff, even if no one is displaying obvious symptoms of the virus, so that they have them available if someone starts displaying symptoms? We know that time is of the essence.
