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-03345

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the suitability of GFG Alliance as the long-term owner of Scotland’s last plate mill, and what evidence underpins its position.

Question reference: S7W-03346

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the economic impact on Motherwell, Cambuslang and the wider Lanarkshire supply chain should the Dalzell plate mill close permanently.

Question reference: S7W-03300

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much public money has been spent, directly or indirectly, supporting wages, site safety or care and maintenance at Dalzell and Clydebridge mills, in each year since 2024.

Question reference: S7W-03303

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the current status of GFG Alliance’s consideration of a sale of Clydebridge, whether the site is being actively marketed, and whether it has discussed, or plans to discuss, any conditions related to environmental remediation, employment or future industrial use with any prospective purchaser.

Question reference: S7W-03304

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on using public acquisition, a public-interest transfer or a joint vehicle with the UK Government to secure the long-term future of Dalzell Plate Mill in Motherwell, in light of reports that the UK Government will take British Steel and Speciality Steel UK into public ownership.

Question reference: S7W-03339

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what specific support or interim financial relief it will provide to congregations and dioceses experiencing significant VAT shortfalls on active conservation projects following the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, including Carntyne and Cranhill Parish Church and listed churches within the Archdiocese of Glasgow.

Question reference: S7W-03337

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a dedicated and long-term capital fund to address the growing number of historic church closures across Scotland, and what steps it is taking to ensure that funding for places of worship does not reduce the grant allocations available for other built environment and heritage projects managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

The Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund will operate as a pilot until March 2027. The pilot will provide evidence on demand, impact and delivery arrangements to help inform any future decisions on longer-term support for Scotland’s places of worship. The Scottish Government intends to continue supporting the sector to ensure that Scottish Places of Worship are not disadvantaged by the UK Government decision to end the UK-wide provision.

Decisions regarding the future use of places of worship are matters for the relevant faith bodies.

Regarding the Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund, this is separate from Historic Environment Scotland’s existing grant programmes.

Question reference: S7W-03298

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 28 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding Scottish Enterprise's working-capital loan to Liberty Steel Dalzell, what the outstanding balance is of the loan, when repayments under the loan were originally due, what repayments have been received to date, and whether any discussions have taken place regarding the restructuring of, or the writing off of, any part of the loan.

Question reference: S7W-03296

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 28 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the condition of the furnaces and rolling equipment at Liberty Steel Dalzell, including whether it has received any reports of underinvestment or maintenance backlogs that could prevent sustained production.

Question reference: S7W-03294

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 28 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the current operational status of the Liberty Steel Plate Mill at Dalzell, including whether rolling has restarted, on what date production last took place, how many tonnes have been rolled in 2026 to date, and how many staff are (a) on site, (b) on furlough or reduced hours, and (c) engaged only in care and maintenance.