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-30168

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to update the current allowance system for adoptive parents and families in order to improve consistency across local authorities, including through the potential introduction of a national set rate, as is the case with the Scottish Recommended Allowance payments for foster and kinship carers.

We are not currently considering the introduction of a national set rate for adoption allowances. A National Review of Care Allowances was published in 2018 which highlighted that each local authority is able to develop their own adoption allowance scheme within the parameters of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (‘the 2007 Act’). Under the 2007 Act, local authorities have a duty to assess someone’s need for adoption support services and to provide this support.

The Adoption Support Services and Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (‘the 2009 Regulations’) are designed to ensure that those persons identified in section 1 of the 2007 Act can access and receive the ongoing support for an adoption required to ensure the improved outcomes associated with adoption. It is the duty of local authorities to implement these duties to ensure that adoptive families receive this support.

The Regulations outline the circumstances in which adoption allowances may be paid and the factors that an adoption agency must take into account. Adoption allowances are not a universal entitlement, but are based on a child’s current and potential future needs.

Question reference: S6W-30167

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to improving financial support for adoptive parents and families.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that adoptive families receive the support they need, when and where they need it throughout life. Despite the challenging fiscal environment, we are providing over £770,000 to organisations delivering services and support to adoptive families and practitioners in 2024-25.

As outlined in the Promise Implementation Plan update published on 19 September 2024, we will publish an adoption vision statement which sets out the place of adoption in Scotland today and our strategic priorities moving forward. This includes a focus on understanding the needs and priorities in relation to improving the consistency of post-adoption support across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-30388

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with emergency services regarding the safety of battery storage facilities.

Scottish Government officials meet with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) representatives regularly to discuss fire safety issues in Scotland, including the safety of battery energy storage sites (BESS). The role of SFRS in relation to BESS sites is regularly discussed, and SFRS continue to develop and update their operational processes, as appropriate.

In addition, if SFRS receive information about proposed BESS sites they refer those duty holders (site operators) responsible for the plant in any application process to the National Fire Chief Council's best practice guidance for such sites and continue to engage with them around emerging issues and updated guidelines as required. These guidelines detail, amongst other things, minimum standards for fire safety systems and design features, water requirements for firefighting and access requirements.

Question reference: S6W-30394

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand the eligibility criteria for the Key Worker Fund to landlords in the private rented sector.

The Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund is a five year demand led fund of up to £25 million from the Affordable Housing Supply Programme budget and is available to local authorities and registered social landlords to purchase existing suitable properties in rural and island areas to provide affordable homes for key workers where there is identified need. The fund will run from 2023-24 to 2027-28. There are no plans for the fund to be made available to landlords in the private rented sector.

Question reference: S6W-30200

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

Question reference: S6W-30169

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to (a) improve the consistency of data on the (i) number and (ii) outcomes of adoption placements across local authorities and (b) start monitoring any new data in relation to adoption placements to improve the understanding of adoption in Scotland.

The National Records of Scotland, a non-Ministerial office of the Scottish Administration, publishes data tables annually, including in relation to the number of adoptions per year in Scotland.

In addition, the Care Inspectorate publishes an annual fostering and adoption statistical bulletin which outlines data from local authorities’ annual returns, including in relation to their adoption services.

The Scottish Government uses this data, and direct engagement with stakeholders, to continually improve the understanding of adoption in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-30202

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

Question reference: S6W-30203

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

Question reference: S6W-30557

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 October 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making towards delivering its Fisheries Management Plans.

Development of the 43 UK Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) is an important element of the UK Fisheries Act (2020) and the 2022 UK Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS). The four UK fisheries policy authorities (UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and DAERA) have been working together and in partnership with stakeholders to develop the FMPs according to the parameters set within the JFS.

A significant amount of work has already been completed, however, this work is complex and further stakeholder engagement and consultation is needed. The statutory deadlines therefore need to be amended to ensure the right time and space to develop and deliver robust and effective plans.

A consultation paper proposing amendments to Annex A in the JFS, which contains the list of FMPs and the revised timetable for their delivery, has today been published. The consultation will be led by DEFRA and will run for 6 weeks from 10 October to 21 November. The deadline for the Scottish-led FMPs will be moved to the end of 2026.

We already have a strong suite of management measures in place to sustainably manage our fisheries and safeguard our fish stocks. FMPs will support further improvements where these are needed and will help deliver increased transparency in the way in which fisheries management takes place across the UK.

Question reference: S6W-30527

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 October 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress of its Heat in Buildings Strategy.

We have laid before Parliament today the third annual progress report against our Heat in Buildings Strategy and the first report against the Heat in Buildings Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836018100.

The report describes significant activity in key areas, including through our delivery schemes, new build regulations, heat networks, the energy efficiency of our homes and steady growth in clean heat installations. This follows our recent consultations on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, a Social Housing Net Zero Standard and EPC reform, and in relation to which we will confirm next steps shortly.