Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-29540

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 19 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP), which was announced on 19 December 2020 to bring vacant and derelict land back into use, has been used to invest in new affordable housing.

Question reference: S6W-29280

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 19 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27776 by Tom Arthur on 7 June 2024, how Scotland has performed relative to other UK nations and regions on inward investment, both from UK located firms and foreign firms, in each of the last five years.

The latest EY Attractiveness survey, published 11 July 2024, shows that for the ninth consecutive year Scotland was the top performing part of the UK for foreign direct investment (FDI) projects outside of London. Scotland remains highly attractive as an FDI destination, with 26% of investors looking to invest or expand in Scotland in the next year. This is up from 19.2% in 2022 and ranks behind only London – as well as being well ahead of the UK’s other regions and devolved administrations.

Information on how Scotland has performed relative to other UK nations and regions are available via the EY attractiveness survey (the latest results can be found here: ey-scotland-attractiveness-survey-07-2024.pdf) and the Department for Business and Trade Inward Investment Results (the latest results can be found here: DBT inward investment results 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Minister for Employment and Investment's answer to your question S6W-28567 on 30 July 2024 provided details on investment in Scotland for the past five years from a UK-based parent company. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S6W-29223

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 19 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions its ministers have had with Police Scotland regarding the wearing of safety helmets by delivery drivers.

The enforcement of traffic offences is an operational matter for Police Scotland, with oversight provided by the Scottish Police Authority, who act independently of Scottish ministers.

The wearing of cycle helmets is covered by the Highway Code and is a matter reserved to the UK government. The Scottish government endorses the Highway Code, which states: You should wear a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened. Evidence suggests that a correctly fitted helmet will reduce your risk of sustaining a head injury in certain circumstances however this latter is not a legal requirement and remains a matter of personal choice.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government takes road safety seriously. Scotland’s Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2030 - Scotlands Road Safety Framework (RSF2030) was published in February 2021, with the goal of Scotland having the best road safety performance in the world. It adopts the Safe System approach to road safety which is recognised internationally as best practice in road safety delivery. It sets challenging targets for the years ahead, with a 50 per cent reduction in fatal and serious injuries and a 60 per cent reduction in child fatal and serious injuries by 2030.

Transport Scotland works in collaboration with our road safety partners, to deliver the Road Safety Framework through a three-tier governance structure. This includes Police Scotland, who are represented at each level of governance.

Question reference: S6W-29827

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 19 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the number of properties still to be connected under the R100 Central contract.

Question reference: S6W-29755

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that, following a review of existing facilities at St Brendan’s Hospital in Castlebay by NHS Assure, "heating systems, electrical wiring, and water systems have been identified as requiring upgrade in the very near future".

As a result of significant increases in construction costs due to inflation, and a lower than expected capital grant from the UK Government, a capital review is currently underway.

Alongside this, we are working with all health boards to develop a whole-system infrastructure plan which reflects on the needs for the whole of Scotland and will support continued safe operation of existing facilities and well as determination of longer-term investment priorities.

Question reference: S6W-29296

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 19 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on community social work, and whether it has considered piloting this approach across Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises that the community social work approach may provide assistance for people experiencing a range of circumstances. We know that children, young people and families benefit when they can access the support they need when and where they need it. Communities across Scotland are currently supported through national initiatives including Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), the Promise, and UNCRC legislation. Multi-agency community support hubs - which include social work - exemplify the ways in which national and local partners are working with their communities to provide effective whole family support in a place-based way that works for people.

We will continue to invest to provide a template for future change and improvement, however there are currently no plans to pilot the community social work approach across Scotland. We also acknowledge the role of local authorities in understanding and responding to the needs of people in local communities through the provision of services which promote people’s wellbeing.

Question reference: S6O-03779

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its relationship with LGBT Youth Scotland, in light of reported allegations regarding safeguarding failings.

Question reference: S6O-03780

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services.

Question reference: S6O-03775

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve access to GP appointments.

Question reference: S6O-03776

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns over its reported plans to downgrade the neonatal intensive care unit at Ninewells Hospital.