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: S6O-00497

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how its policies across government will support the north east’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are actively supporting economic recovery in the North East and have provided close to £100 million to support businesses and additional funding of almost £150 million to councils to help achieve that. We are also investing £157 million in the Aberdeen City Region and Moray Growth Deals, and over £14 million to develop the skills needed to support regional economic recovery.

Alongside this, we have recently confirmed our intention to commit £500 million capital over the next ten years to support the Just Transition of the region and Moray to support energy transition, create jobs and maximise the region’s future economic potential.

Question reference: S6F-00525

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 December 2021

To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on the advances that the Scottish Government has made in relation to the British Sign Language National Plan.

Question reference: S6O-00454

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 25 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what advances it has made in relation to its British Sign Language National Plan 2017-2023.

The Scottish Government published the British Sign Language (BSL) Progress Report on 27th October 2021, which outlines progress being made towards implementing the BSL National Plan. It outlines progress on a range of fronts, including education, BSL/English interpreting, and public life. The report outlines how Scottish Government has funded BSL Partnership organisations to engage and support public bodies with their BSL plans, and notes important developments such as the decision that Scotland’s next census, in 2022, will ask 'can you use BSL?' for the first time.

Significant progress has been made towards making our country more inclusive and supportive of BSL users. The language enjoys a higher profile than ever before in public life, and is ever more visible in media and communications. For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, BSL/English interpreters were present at the daily Scottish Government Coronavirus briefings. This work was recognised by the British Deaf Association and the European Union of the Deaf.

Question reference: S6O-00480

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to older people who may face financial hardship over the winter months due to the rising cost of living.

Question reference: S6O-00397

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what reassurances it can give to any veterans facing challenges in relation to their local healthcare, housing and accessibility needs.

Question reference: S6W-04022

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Clare Haughey on 27 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on the publication of the BSL National Plan Progress Report.

The BSL National Plan Progress Report will be published today in British Sign Language, English and Easyread versions. This Report details the progress made since the Plan was published. I am pleased to report that the majority of the actions in the Plan have been put into effect, and have either been completed, or are ongoing as this Report is published. In almost all areas of public life in Scotland, significant progress has been made in promoting BSL, in making the language better understood and respected, and in improving access to services and support for BSL signers. We will continue to promote and support the use of BSL as one of Scotland’s vibrant indigenous languages.

Question reference: S6O-00261

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 September 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the problem of gulls in urban areas in the north east and Moray.

Question reference: S6O-00200

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 23 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help provide greener, healthier, eating options for people who have difficulty in making ends meet.

We want everyone in Scotland to eat well and have a healthy weight, yet we know people living on low incomes have poorer health outcomes.

We promote a cash-first approach through the Scottish Welfare Fund and other discretionary supports, and through the Independent Food Aid Network’s Cash-First Pathways.

We have increased the level of the Best Start Food Grant which supports low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three and intend to increase eligibility in this parliamentary term.

Our Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan also outlines a range of actions to make access to affordable healthier food options easier for those on low incomes.

Question reference: S6O-00087

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the seafood sector regarding any export challenges as a result of Brexit.