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-34375

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the current uptake in Scotland is of the Railway Guardian app, and how it is being publicised (a) in general and (b) on the ScotRail network.

The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.

The British Transport Police managed the Railway Guardian app, which was closed in January 2025.

We understand that British Transport Police will now focus on its text 61016 service, which is now free on major phone networks and the easiest way to report non-urgent crime to BTP.

The British Transport Police is reserved to the UK Government.

Question reference: S6W-34376

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how any problems on the ScotRail network that are reported via the Railway Guardian app are followed up.

Question reference: S6W-34516

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what impact Police Scotland being unable to request local authority CCTV footage of suspected fly-tipping due to it being considered a civil offence has on the effective enforcement of fly-tipping legislation.

Flytipping is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, albeit one in relation to which a Fixed Penalty Notice can be issued to discharge any liability to criminal conviction. Through our National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, we are working with stakeholders to improve reporting, investigation, and enforcement. We will continue engaging with Local Authorities, Police Scotland, and SEPA to ensure they have the necessary tools to tackle flytipping effectively.

Question reference: S6W-34457

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of lorry parking near secondary schools, from a (a) road safety and (b) safeguarding perspective.

No ongoing assessment of lorry parking near schools in Scotland has been undertaken by the Scottish Government.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to promote road safety and take steps to both reduce and prevent accidents. In this respect it is for the local authority to consider appropriate measures which will safeguard road users and residents, and to determine the priority that should be given to any road safety measures.

With regard to the parking of lorries near secondary schools, responsibility for all traffic management on local roads including the provision of parking and any subsequent charges, lies with local authorities. Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, local authorities have a general duty to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

Police Scotland has the ability to enforce traffic violations on Scotland’s roads and would respond to any safeguarding concerns regarding a child’s journey. They also support school liaison officers and community policing efforts where required.

Question reference: S6O-04331

Asked by: Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration is being given to increasing community resilience and supporting their ability to respond to storm-related disruption such as power outages.

Question reference: S6O-04330

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with SEPA regarding how it will address any environmental concerns that arise from new waste incineration sites that have already received approval.

Question reference: S6O-04337

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has recently completed into the efficacy and standardisation of the presumption of inclusion in mainstream education.

Question reference: S6O-04335

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the representations that it has made to the UK Government regarding reimbursements to the public sector in Scotland due to the increase in employer national insurance contributions.

Question reference: S6O-04336

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the impact that the UK Government’s decision to raise employer national insurance contributions will have on Scottish public services and the economy of Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-04332

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to Dundee Heritage Trust to ensure the long-term future of the organisation.