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-17474

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support local authorities to promote and deliver the Scottish Welfare Fund in order to support low-income families, as recommended in the Poverty Alliance report, “It’s hard work being poor” Women’s Experiences of the Cost-of-Living Crisis in Scotland.

The Scottish Government sets Statutory Guidance for the Scottish Welfare Fund, outlining the responsibilities for Local Authorities in their administration of the Fund and making clear guidance available on how to apply for a grant. Local Authorities are required to ensure that other services which have contact with people in crisis have up to date information about the Fund, including promotional posters and leaflets. At a national level, the Scottish Government continues to signpost the Scottish Welfare Fund, including through our cost-of-living campaign website.

The Independent Review into the Scottish Welfare Fund was published on 24 March 2023. As set out in answer S6W-16168 on 24 March 2023, the Scottish Government is working to publish an Action Plan by the end of Spring 2023. The Action Plan will set out policy improvements that the Scottish Government will deliver with Local Authorities and wider stakeholders, including on improving clarity and consistency of communication and promotion.

Question reference: S6W-17458

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 9 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) regarding financial support to permanently extend the daily operating hours of the Glasgow Subway once the full modernisation programme has been completed, including the installation of Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) in all Subway stations to enable unattended train operation (UTO).

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is the owner and operator of Glasgow Subway and they are responsible for decisions and funding for subway operations.

The Scottish Government is providing up to £246 million to SPT, towards the estimated total project cost of £287.5 million for the Subway modernisation programme, which includes: a smartcard ticketing system; new rolling stock and signalling; refurbished stations with improved accessibility.

Operation times are a decision for SPT and this is not a matter they have raised with the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S6W-17307

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any competitive commercial advantage that the port facilities on the River Forth may now have, relative to those on the River Clyde, as a result of the establishment of the Forth Green Freeport.

As part of the Green Freeports bidding process, bidders were required to outline how their choice of tax site locations would minimise displacement of economic activity from wider areas, especially other economically disadvantaged areas. This was given close consideration within the assessment process. The successful bidders – Firth of Forth, and Inverness and Cromarty Firth – will now develop their initial proposals into detailed outline and full business cases.

Scottish Government officials provided feedback to the unsuccessful bidders and confirmed that the Scottish Government stood ready to work with the bidding coalitions to consider whether and how it might be possible to build on aspects of their plans, outside the Green Freeports programme, to deliver jobs and growth in their respective regions.

The two selected Green Freeports will build on specific areas of strength and opportunities in their particular locations, so we are optimistic that the immediate risk of displacement will in practice be limited. They will be required to monitor, mitigate and report on any potential displacement as they move forward to delivery.

Question reference: S6W-17457

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 5 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the University of Strathclyde regarding the future development of the Technology and Innovation Zone at the campus, in light of reports that the procurement procedure for the design and construction of the planned Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) East and West Buildings has been discontinued.

The Scottish Government has not held discussions with the University of Strathclyde regarding the procurement procedure for the design and construction of the planned Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) East and West Buildings.

Procurement matters are the responsibility of Higher Education Institutions as autonomous bodies, however they must comply with the terms of their Financial Memorandum with the Scottish Funding Council, and the principles of good governance set out in the Scottish Code of Good HE Governance.

Question reference: S6W-17169

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Liberty Steel has secured a A$50 million (US$33.6 million) government grant to partially fund the installation of a new low-carbon Q-One Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) from Italian equipment manufacturer, Danieli, which is reported to require a capital investment of between A$400 and 500 million, at its Whyalla plant in South Australia, and whether it will pursue a similar opportunity with the company for Liberty's Dalzell and Clydebridge steel works at Motherwell and Cambuslang.

The Scottish Government is aware of the recent announcement by Liberty Steel that it is to install a new Electric Arc Furnace at its Whyalla plant in South Australia.

We applaud Liberty Steel’s commitment to its global decarbonisation strategy which aims to be carbon neutral in its steel production by 2030 and we welcome the steps it is taking towards this goal.

Scottish Government regularly engage with Liberty Steel regarding their operations. We are not aware of any plans to install an Electric Arc Furnace at either Dalzell or Clydebridge at this time. Any such decision would be an operational one for Liberty Steel.

Question reference: S6W-17210

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will request that the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service initiate an options appraisal and consultation on the potential disposal of the large surface car park to the south of Glasgow Sheriff Court, or selling the air rights above it while retaining a car parking facility, to promote mixed-use residential development as part of the wider regeneration of Laurieston district, and the restoration of Gorbals Cross as a key urban set-piece in the southside of Glasgow, including the reconstruction of an active street frontage to Norfolk Street and Gorbals Street.

Question reference: S6W-17465

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the redevelopment of the Institute of Neurological Sciences in Glasgow.

Question reference: S6O-02216

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the delivery of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Question reference: S6W-16767

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the social impact of grassroots boxing clubs in local communities, and, if none, whether it will consider undertaking research to measure any such impact.

While the Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessment of the social impact of grassroots boxing we recognise that boxing as a sport is continuing to break down barriers. The wide reach of boxing related projects continues to grow with a lasting and positive impact on people and communities.

Boxing has the ability to reach into disadvantaged communities and engage young people who otherwise might not participate in sport, providing a significant opportunity to address a number of issues including improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities, and benefiting social regeneration.

We will continue to work with sport scotland and Boxing Scotland to ensure that grassroots boxing maintains its positive impact on communities throughout Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-16766

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial viability of community boxing clubs in Scotland, and what steps it will take to prevent clubs from closing due to increased running and utilities costs in the next financial year.

While the Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessment of the financial viability of community boxing clubs, we recognise their importance to the overall physical, mental and social health of communities across Scotland.

sport scotland investment into Boxing Scotland supports a wide range of boxing activity that encourages and supports people to participate in boxing, including both club and coach development.

We understand the challenging financial circumstances facing many sports facilities and are fully aware that rising energy costs are a significant issue. Given that most of the levers to respond to these challenges are reserved, we strongly urge the UK Government to use all the powers at its disposal to tackle this cost of living crisis.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with sport scotland to explore how facility operators and the wider sporting sector can best be supported.