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-07356

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is in place regarding night-time work on the trunk road network in proximity to residential properties.

Within its maintenance contracts, Transport Scotland have defined contractual restrictions on the times maintenance works can be carried out, to minimum disruption and other impacts on road users, communities and business. For example, typically road works are normally not permitted during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday:- 06:00 to 09:30, and 15:30 to 20:00.

• Saturdays:- 07:00 to 20:00.

• And over the period from 1 December to 15 January:- 06:00 to 22:00

In some cases, particularly on our busy motorway networks, night time working is preferred as it reduces disruption but also helps maintain the safety of road users and construction workers. There may also be occasions, for example during an emergency response or where a maintenance activity is prolonged, when night time working cannot be avoided.

Where possible Transport Scotland’s Operating Companies will endeavour to avoid night time working near residential areas. Where this is not possible our Operating Companies are required to i) engage with affected residents and stakeholders through advanced consultation ii) act responsibly and reduce work noise as much as possible, through noise management plans and iii) treat any complaints fairly and expeditiously.

Question reference: S6W-07229

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many ferry sailings have been scheduled on the Ardrossan-Brodick ferry route in each year since 1999, and how many of these sailings did not take place due to (a) inclement weather, (b) mechanical breakdown and (c) other reasons, including COVID-19.

The number of scheduled sailings on the Ardrossan – Brodick route that did not take place in each year since 2007 is provided in the following table by contract year. Information prior to 1999 is not available and is not held by the operator, Calmac Ferries Limited.

Route Name: Ardrossan - Brodick
Contract Year	Scheduled Sailings	Cancelled Sailings	Cancelled sailings (weather)	Cancelled sailings (technical)	Cancelled sailings (COVID)	Cancelled sailings (OTHER)
CY 2007-08	4,166	171	164	7	0	0
CY 2008-09	4,146	154	133	15	0	6
CY 2009-10	3,991	86	77	4	0	5
CY 2010-11	3,916	106	100	4	0	2
CY 2011-12	3,831	170	157	11	0	2
CY 2012-13	4,672	130	114	16	0	0
CY 2013-14	4,695	204	176	21	0	7
CY 2014-15	4,708	308	227	61	0	20
CY 2015-16	4,748	336	222	110	0	4
CY 2016-17	4,860	252	123	122	0	7
CY 2017-18	4,773	327	109	212	0	6
CY 2018-19	4,928	310	234	30	0	46
CY 2019-20	3,686	494	413	36	0	45
CY 2020-21	4,820	702	324	43	67	268
CY 2021-22*	1,532	364	269	5	90	0

Data up to and including February 2022

To note:

Due to Covid-19 an emergency timetable was in place between March 2020 and 25th October 2020, all disruption against the original timetable was classed as "other" (Covid-19).

Question reference: S6W-06864

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05562 by Humza Yousaf on 31 January 2022, whether it plans to use the European Stroke Organisation Stroke Service Tracker that has been designed to report national progress and allow comparisons between countries participating in the stroke action plan.

The Scottish Government welcomes the work of the European Stroke Organisation and agree that it is vital to ensure improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care.

Through our Programme for Government commitments and the Stroke Improvement Plan, we are already reflecting the aims of the European Stroke Organisation’s appeal targets.

We are supporting the National Advisory Committee on Stroke to develop a progressive stroke pathway document which will set out the vision of what stroke services across Scotland should deliver across the whole patient pathway, including access to stroke rehabilitation, and access to support for people who have experienced a stroke. However, at this time, the Scottish Government does not have plans to use the tracker. The Scottish Stroke Care Audit will continue to track our progress against the Scottish stroke care standards.

Question reference: S6W-07498

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 18 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many local authorities have recently reviewed their additional support needs (ASN) policy.

The responsibility for the review of education authority policy on additional support needs rests with each individual education authority. This is in addition to the requirements of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act 2004 (as amended) which requires education authorities to identify, provide for and to review the additional support needs of their pupils. Local authorities are supported to carry out their duties under the Act by the statutory Supporting Learners’ Code of Practice.

Education Scotland works in partnership with the Scottish Government, ELC, schools and local authorities to improve the outcomes and educational experiences for all learners, including those who require additional support through a range of activities. These include:

Support and challenge from Education Scotland Inclusion Wellbeing and Equality Officers through the national and regional focus
Information, guidance, professional learning and reflective opportunities which include a focus on additional support needs and inclusion
The HM Inspection model of education which provides support and challenge to promote improvement for all learners through the fulfilment of statutory duties, inclusion and equality.

The Scottish Government and COSLA published our joint national response to the independently chaired review of implementation of additional support for learning in October 2020. Angela Morgan’s report sets a clear direction in how we can continue to build on progress in this area. The joint action plan sets out the measures we will take to implement her recommendations.

Local authorities should consider these recommendations as part of implementation of additional support for learning policy locally.

We published an updated action and progress report on 1 st November 2021. The action plan and governance arrangements for this work are available from: Additional support for learning action plan: progress report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

Question reference: S6W-07389

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the reported £290 million that it will receive in Barnett consequentials, as a result of UK Government spending in relation to energy bills and council tax, will be spent on.

Despite the promised £290 million from the UK Government not turning out to be net additional funding, given the offsetting reductions they applied to their prior funding estimates, the Scottish Government during the Budget Bill Stage 3 debate on 10 February, detailed additional support worth around £290 million for our cost of living response. £150 is being provided to everyone in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, and to everyone in council tax bands A to D, as well as certain households exempt from council tax. This is worth around £280 million, plus £10 million to continue our Fuel Insecurity Fund.

Question reference: S6W-07441

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent level of education spending per person in Scotland, and how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.

Table 1 below presents the findings of HM Treasury’s analysis of education spending per head across Scotland, England and Wales.

Table 1 - Identifiable education expenditure by country, per head, 2016-17 to 2020-21

	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21
	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21
Scotland	£1,531	£1,566	£1,590	£1,695	£1,734
England	£1,295	£1,269	£1,292	£1,316	£1,379
Wales	£1,345	£1,369	£1,365	£1,391	£1,573

Source: Country and regional analysis: 2021 , Table A15, HM Treasury, November 2021

Separately, an independent October 2021 study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that in 2021-22 school spending per pupil is expected to total £7,600 per pupil in Scotland (including COVID-related spending), compared to £6,700 in England and £6,600 in Wales.

Question reference: S6O-00925

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the possible resettlement in Scotland of refugees who may be fleeing conflict or persecution, including in relation to Afghans, Syrians, Iranians and Uyghurs, as well as Ukrainians.

All 32 Scottish local authorities welcomed refugees under the Syrian resettlement scheme. Local authorities have also re-affirmed their continuing support for resettlement with all 32 Scottish local authorities committing to participate in the Afghanistan resettlement and relocation schemes and to support those arriving from Ukraine.

The Scottish Government continues to work with local authorities, COSLA, UK Government and wider partners to support people arriving through the UK Resettlement Scheme, Afghanistan relocation and resettlement schemes and the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

We have a wealth of experience and learning from previous schemes to support and resettle displaced people. Scotland stands ready to offer refuge and sanctuary to anyone who may need it.

Question reference: S6O-00952

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the aviation industry to discuss the sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and what issues were discussed.

Question reference: S6O-00956

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on travel in Scotland of the recent changes to the Highway Code.

Question reference: S6O-00950

Asked by: Joe FitzPatrick, MSP for Dundee City West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

Chamber and committees

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