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: S7W-00250

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of its report, Single Authority Models: Publication on Progress, what action the Public Sector Reform Directorate next plans to take regarding the usage of single authority models.

Single Authority Models are a key component within the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform Strategy, and the joint statement with COSLA on the Local Governance Review published in March 2026, confirmed our ongoing commitment to this foundational reform. We will continue to work with local partners across the three participating geographies to develop and refine proposals which best meet the needs of their communities. This will involve developing plans for implementation and supporting a process of widespread engagement, in particular with local communities and relevant workforces over 2026-2027.

Question reference: S7W-00652

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the development of a new campus plan setting out a phased redevelopment of the land and vacant buildings within the Stobhill Hospital campus, with a focus on the preservation and adaptive re-use of the listed and unlisted historic buildings at risk.

We are currently working with all health boards to develop an NHS whole system infrastructure plan for Scotland. This supports continued safe and effective use of existing facilities, through ongoing business continuity planning, as well as informing future investment priorities based on assessment of need across the whole of Scotland.

The first phase, Business Continuity Planning, is focussed on priority investment in the existing estate to support service continuity. Boards have completed risk-based assessments and received confirmation of items which can be progressed with additional funding from the Scottish Government.

The second phase is focussed on the longer-term development of the estate to meet national, regional and local needs.

All Health Boards have been asked to undertake strategic needs assessments for three local investment priorities which align with the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework and Population Health Framework. If NHS GG&C believe that the development of the Stobhill campus is a priority, it is through this process that it would be escalated.

Further detail on NHS Whole System Infrastructure Planning is set out in DL 2025-15.

Question reference: S7W-00873

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware that the Grangemouth refinery was a bottom quartile-performing refinery on the Solomon Associates Energy Intensity Index, and what measures it proposed to address this.

Question reference: S7W-00317

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce prohibitive construction costs that may exceed the value of a development when completed.

The Scottish Government’s Client Guide to Construction Projects provides guidance to the public sector on the conduct of construction projects. This includes guidance on how to ensure value for money through the planning, design, procurement and management of projects. It covers a range of topics including governance, risk management, change control, business case development and delivery of quality during project initiation and construction.

The Scottish Government has also rigorous processes to assure that all projects are technically feasible and commercially viable. These are mandated for all projects which fall within the scope of the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and are conducted routinely at various set stages of projects. The Scottish Government also leads best practice guidance and capability for inviting, awarding and managing construction contracts, including dealing with external pricing and logistical shocks which could materially affect project delivery.

Question reference: S7W-00840

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work carried out by Creative Scotland to support the reopening of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) at 350 Sauchiehall Street, in Glasgow.

Question reference: S7W-00664

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 01 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any impact that the reduction of firm power capacity following the closure of the Hunterston B power station in 2022 has had on constraint payments made to balance the grid.

The management of the grid and the administration of constraint payments are reserved matters and are the responsibility of the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator. The Scottish Government has no role in setting or administering such payments.

The Scottish Government regularly engages with the UK Government and system operators on investment in transmission infrastructure which is required to reduce constraint costs.

Question reference: S7W-00686

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 01 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40188 by Fiona Hyslop on 16 September 2025, what progress has been made to enable local authorities to participate in e-scooter hire trials.

Some Scottish local authorities had previously expressed interest in participating in the Department for Transport’s shared e-scooter trials, and we had planned to support them. However, the short application window offered by DfT for participation in the final round of trials did not allow sufficient time for the introduction of the necessary devolved legislation, meaning that Scottish local authorities are unable to participate.

Recognising the potential e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles have to boost local connectivity and reduce emissions, we continue to engage closely with DfT on their plans for legislation, including input to their forthcoming consultation on e-scooter regulations, and continue to develop the evidence base and policy position on e-scooters in Scotland. In the meantime, officials are exploring the potential for trials of e-scooter share schemes on private land in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-00567

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the operational status of the Clydebridge Steelworks in Cambuslang.

The Clydebridge Steelworks site has been non-operational since 2022. At the meeting of the Public Audit Committee on 25 February 2026 Jeffrey Kabel, Chief Transformation Officer at the Liberty Steel Group, advised that options were being explored for the future of the site and that the business had been engaging with Scottish Enterprise. Mr Kabel further stated that they were close to a significant development project for the site and that this would probably involve selling the site.

Question reference: S7W-00564

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to equip ScotRail passenger trains with satellite wi-fi.

Question reference: S7W-00316

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland will take over responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Clyde Tunnel from Glasgow City Council.

Transport Scotland has yet to commence discussions with Glasgow City Council regarding the Clyde Tunnel.

These discussions will help inform the development of a range of options on how the manifesto offer to “take on responsibility for the maintenance of the Clyde Tunnel, freeing around £1 million of cost to the local authority…”, could practicably be delivered. This work will also consider responsibilities for discharging statutory duties and likely cost of these options.