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: S6T-02522

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any implications for Scotland’s public services of the UK Government’s proposed reforms to the immigration system.

Question reference: S6W-30869

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to progress the proposed (a) Clyde Metro and (b) Glasgow Airport link, and when it anticipates that construction will commence.

The Case for Investment for Clyde Metro is being led by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), supported by Glasgow City Council, with Transport Scotland providing a project assurance and support role.

This key stage of the development process, which will include consideration of access improvement to Glasgow Airport, will inform decisions around network selection, phasing and implementation. This work is already underway and progressing in earnest with completion currently anticipated by early 2027.

Further details on the progress of the Case for Investment stages can be obtained by contacting SPT directly at [email protected].

Question reference: S6W-30590

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 October 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Richard Lochhead on 11 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the UEFA Euro 2028 commercial rights protection legislation.

The Scottish Government has today published the UEFA EURO 2028 commercial rights protection consultation analysis (https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836018759) and Scottish Government response (https://consult.gov.scot/culture-tourism-and-major-events/euro-2028-commercial-rights-protection).

The analysis summarises the feedback received during the consultation. This will inform the development of legislation to deliver our Programme for Government commitment on meeting UEFA's requirements for hosting EURO 2028 matches in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-30421

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General for Scotland will publish information on health, disability and unpaid care from the 2022 Census.

I have asked Janet Egdell, Interim Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

National Records of Scotland (NRS) have today published: ‘Scotland’s Census 2022: Health, disability and unpaid care’. This is the final topic release from Scotland’s Census 2022. Later in 2024, NRS will publish multivariate data. This means we will publish tables which include more than one census topic variable. More detail about the schedule for future reports can be found here.

Scotland’s Census results are designated as Accredited Official Statistics and form an integral part of the statistical system in the UK. The Office for Statistics Regulation, the independent regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority, awards Accredited Official Statistics designation based on the quality, good practice and comprehensiveness of official statistics.

Question reference: S6W-29342

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider allowing a pilot programme to be established for football clubs to offer the sale of alcohol within family-friendly fan zones before a football game.

Question reference: S6W-29341

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider allowing football clubs to sell alcohol at games, allowing clubs the opportunity to offer fans a chance to meet up and enjoy a pint before the game.

The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing the significant impact of alcohol harm on the nation’s health through a range of measures including the forthcoming increase to Minimum Unit Pricing. However, we also recognise the calls for football fans to have the same opportunities as fans at other sports and events and we will continue to engage with the football authorities, supporters groups and clubs on ways to enhance the fan experience.

Question reference: S6W-28847

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 July 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 1 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General for Scotland will publish the next results from the 2022 Census.

I have asked Janet Egdell, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

National Records of Scotland have today published: ' Scotland’s Census 2022: Demography and Migration' .

Scotland’s Census results are designated as Accredited Official Statistics and form an integral part of the statistical system in the UK. The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), the independent regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority , awards Accredited Official Statistics designation based on the quality, good practice and comprehensiveness of official statistics.

More detail about the schedule for future reports can be found here .

Question reference: S6W-28334

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 June 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Graeme Dey on 25 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on its work to reform the post-school education and skills system.

Question reference: S6W-00048

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 17 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.

Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 on Friday, 14 May.

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 in line with the latest changes announced by the First Minister. The Regulations permit snooker & pool halls and bowling alleys to reopen in Level 2 and allow increased in-home socialising in Level 2 areas. These Regulations make some adjustments in relation to powers of entry, hotels and to the requirements placed on those responsible for businesses, services and places of worship. The Regulations future-proof the travel restrictions for Level 3 and 4 by reintroducing a limitation on travel to reach a place for outdoor exercise, socialising and recreation. The Regulations also adjust the restrictions relating to capacity limits on stadia and live events and for public processions in some levels.

Finally, these Regulations adjust the levels allocation across Scotland. This includes keeping Glasgow and Moray in Level 3.

The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/209/contents/made.

Question reference: S5W-36009

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Graeme Dey on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the names of each Special Adviser, broken down by (a) responsibility and (b) pay band, and what the total cost of employing special advisers was in 2019-20.

Special Advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a Special Adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.

As at 31 January 2021 there were 14 Special Advisers as shown in the following table:

Name	Role
Katy Bowman	Special Adviser Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. Veterans. Policy support to the Chief of Staff. Support for the First Minister and the First Minister's Private Office. Outreach and stakeholder engagement.
Jeanette Campbell	Special Adviser Social Security. Equalities and Huma Rights. Communities.
Ewan Crawford	Senior Special Adviser Europe and Constitutional issues. Government strategy. Coronavirus legislation.
Leanne Dobson	Special Adviser Economy recovery and renewal programme. Programme for Government. Employment, skills and fair work. Innovation.
Kate Higgins	Special Adviser Rural Economy & Connectivity. Trade and exports. Retail. European Structural Funds.
Davie Hutchison	Special Adviser Health & Sport. Broadcasting. First Minister Questions.
Ross Ingebristen	Deputy Political Spokesperson for the First Minister Strategic communications planning. First Minister's Questions.
Liz Lloyd	Chief of Staff to the First Minister First Minister's Strategic Programme in Government including Inter-governmental relations. Co-ordination of the Special Adviser team.
John MacInnes	Special Adviser Political Research. Support for First Minister' Questions and parliamentary debates. Support to Communications and Policy Special Advisers.
Mairi McAllan *	Special Adviser Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. Renewables. Planning.
Colin McAllister	Head of Policy Programme for Government. First Minister's Questions. Senior Special Adviser to the Deputy First Minister. Routemap out of lockdown.
Callum McCaig	Special Adviser Finance. Local Government. Energy (excluding renewables). Infrastructure. Scottish National Investment Bank. Fintech.
John McFarlane	Special Adviser Justice. Transport. Parliamentary Business and Parliamentary liaison.
Stuart Nicolson	Head of Communications Senior Political Spokesperson for the First Minister. Strategic communications.

The current Pay Bands and Pay Ranges are as follows:

Pay Band	Pay Range (£)	Number of SpAds in Band
1	£41,442 - £55,582	1
2	£55,583 - £68,307	7
3	£68,308 - £91,336	5
3 (premium)	£90,565 - £104,542	0
4	£90,565 - £108,062	1

* Mairi McAllan resigned as a Special Adviser with effect from 5 March 2021.

The total cost of Special Advisers employed during the financial year 2019-20 was £1,310,367. Total cost includes all salary costs, employer NI, and employer pension contributions. The level of employer NI and pension contribution is not a matter for the Scottish Government.

The cost of Special Advisers during 2019-20 was based on the following Pay Bands and Pay Ranges:

Pay Band	Pay Range (£)	Number of SpAds in Band
1	£39,445 - £52,904	3
2	£52,905 - £65,016	6
3	£65,017 - £86,964	6
3 (premium)	£86,965 - £100,942	0
4	£86,965 - £104,462	1