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-25615

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any reasons for the reportedly high level of pneumonia (mycoplasma pneumoniae) infections in the five- to 14-year-old age group recorded in recent Public Health Scotland data.

PHS has advised the Scottish Government that mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of respiratory infections, particularly in school-aged children. Most infections display as a mild respiratory illness, however, some persons experience severe pneumonia and require hospitalization. Significant cyclical increases in mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are observed every 3–5 years, likely because of changes in the circulating strain.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of many respiratory conditions to re-emerge following cessation of nonpharmaceutical interventions, including lockdowns and physical distancing, implemented as part of the pandemic response. After implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions in response to COVID-19, the frequency of identified mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in Scotland substantially declined beginning in 2020, as was the case for other respiratory infections. Beginning in the autumn of 2023, the United States, China and other countries identified a re-emergence of the infection, a pattern similar to that observed in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-25617

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to enhance public awareness and education regarding pneumonia (mycoplasma pneumoniae) infections, particularly among any parents, caregivers and educators of children aged five to 14 who may have concerns, in light of any sustained levels of infections recorded in recent Public Health Scotland data.

Mycoplasma pneumonia infection typically is not severe but it can cause a pneumonia that is usually mild in nature. PHS has reviewed routine surveillance data available to them and are reassured that most presentations of mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are of a mild respiratory illness, with children most commonly presenting at GPs with common respiratory symptoms. To date, there have been no deaths in 1280 CARI patients positive for mycoplasma pneumoniae (up to week 7) within 28 days of their test.

The Scottish Government notes that PHS continues to encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene to help stop the spread of winter bugs, including mycoplasma pneumoniae. By keeping hands clean and helping to ensure children practice good respiratory hygiene, the spread of this infection can be reduced. The Scottish Government notes that information on managing the symptoms of common winter illnesses including self-help guides and advice on preventing onward transmission, can be found on NHS Inform. ( https://www.nhsinform.scot/winter-illness/ )

Question reference: S6W-25595

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the publication of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and delivery plans by local authorities, whether it will provide an update on which local authorities' (a) LHEES and (b) delivery plans (i) were published by and (ii) have been published since 31 December 2023.

Eleven local authorities published their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES) and Delivery Plans by 31 December 2023.

Between 1 January 2024 and the time of writing, a further two local authorities have published their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies and Delivery Plans. One of these two local authorities (Renfrewshire Council) have are yet to publish their Delivery Plan. This brings the total published documents to thirteen.

Nineteen local authorities have yet to publish their Local Heat and Energy Strategies and Delivery Plans. Local authorities cite a number of challenges that have hindered their ability to meet the deadline, including recruiting staff, procuring technical consultants, the timing of governance processes, data access and timescales for stakeholder engagement.

Scottish Government officials continue to engage closely with local authorities to support them in publishing their LHEES. This includes provision of an independent review service to provide feedback to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the guidance, one-to-one capacity support training, in-person visits to raise awareness at senior level and through tailored online sessions.

A table of local authorities which have published their LHEES and whether or not they met the deadline of 31 December 2023 is as follows.

LOCAL AUTHORITY	PUBLISHED BY 31 DECEMBER 2023
City of Edinburgh Council	Yes
Clackmannanshire Council	Yes
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar	Yes
Dumfries & Galloway Council	Yes
Falkirk Council	Yes
Fife Council	Yes
Glasgow City Council	Yes
Highland Council	Yes
North Ayrshire Council	No
North Lanarkshire Council	Yes
Renfrewshire Council	No
Stirling Council	Yes
West Lothian Council	Yes

An LHEES has two parts which are integral to each other.

A Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy is a long-term strategic framework for the improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings in the local authority’s area, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the heating of such buildings.

A Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Delivery Plan is a document setting out how a local authority proposes to support implementation of its Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-25596

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities that are yet to publish their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) and delivery plan have indicated by what date these will be completed, and, if so, (a) which ones and (b) what timeframes have been offered.

The Scottish Government is able to confirm that we are expecting around a further 9 local authorities to publish their LHEES by the end of March 2024, with the remaining LHEES expected to be published by the end of the summer.

We are encouraged by the quality of the LHEES published to date. The local authorities have taken a reasonably consistent approach in development of their LHEES, and those covering cities and urban areas have identified strong heat network opportunities.

The Scottish Government is aware that, in developing LHEES, local authorities have faced a number of challenges which have hindered their ability to meet the deadline, including recruiting staff, procuring technical consultants, the timing of governance processes, data access and timescales for stakeholder engagement.

We continue to engage closely with local authorities to support them finalising their LHEES. Through our quarterly check ins we are able to understand their progress and provide tailored support where required including technical assistance through Zero Waste Scotland.

An LHEES review service has also been provided to act as a critical friend for local authorities, providing feedback to ensure they are able to meet the requirements set out in the LHEES Guidance.

The Scottish Government is providing long term funding to support local authorities to develop and deliver their LHEES with funding committed for each local authority of £75,000 per year until 2027-28.

Question reference: S6W-25633

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to mesh survivors in Scotland, whether it supports the recommendations in The Hughes Report: Options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh.

Question reference: S6W-25267

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of spend from the Just Transition Fund in financial year 2023-24.

A total of 20 projects are currently being delivered through the Just Transition Fund in 2023-24.

Spend is still ongoing to March end 2024 with just under £12 million drawn down by projects to date. This is comprised of £10.3 million in capital, £1 million in financial transactions and £671,000 in resource.

A further £3.15 million of 2023-24 forecast spend has been reprofiled into 2024-25 financial year.

In addition, £25 million was allocated to the Scottish National Investment Bank for 2023-24, to be invested in the North East on a commercial basis, in line with the Bank’s Investment Strategy and its Missions, including to support a Just Transition to net zero.

Question reference: S6T-01835

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported claims by the director of Shelter Scotland that it is "gaslighting" the country on housing when its budget "condemns 10,000 children to lives trapped in the homelessness system".

Question reference: S6T-01838

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to resolve industrial action in the further education sector.

Question reference: S6T-01837

Asked by: Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the announcement by Aberdeen City Council that residents of approximately 500 homes in Torry face relocation as a result of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Question reference: S6F-02905

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024

To ask the First Minister, in light of International Women's Day on 8 March, what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle gender-based violence.