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-42233

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 November 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support people at risk of, or engaging in, rough sleeping over winter.

I can announce to Parliament today that this winter, the Scottish Government is investing over half a million pounds to support people at risk of rough sleeping. The majority of funds will be targeted in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where rough sleeping is most concentrated.

This includes £432,660 of funding provided to support the operation of rapid rehousing welcome centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh this year. These welcome centres provide a safe, dignified and inclusive alternative to night shelters and are part of a longstanding Scottish Government commitment to phase out the use of communal night shelter provision for people experiencing homelessness. Since 2020 we have delivered over £1.6 million of funding to support the operation of rapid rehousing welcome centres, which have provided over 6,500 people at risk of rough sleeping with accommodation and support.

We are also providing third sector homelessness organisations across Scotland with £100,000 of funding for personalised budgets this winter. Personalised budgets provide outreach teams with quick access to funds, enabling them to meet the immediate and individual needs of people at risk of rough sleeping and provide them with support in a person-centred way. This will bring total funding for personalised budget funding since 2020 to £415,000.

The UK Government’s no recourse to public funds (NRPF) policy prevents national and local government from providing accommodation to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our society. In addition to frontline funding, which is designed to support everyone regardless of their immigration status, the Scottish Government funds Fair Way Scotland to enable this consortium of third sector organisations to provide people with no recourse to public funds with access to basic necessities, support, advocacy and accommodation.

Question reference: S6O-05236

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the legislation that gives the Lord Advocate discretionary powers to instruct fatal accident inquiries, in certain circumstances, into the deaths of persons normally resident in Scotland who die overseas, is operating as intended.

Question reference: S6T-02759

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of cold temperatures and the first snowfall, whether it will provide an update regarding the steps it is taking to support any households at risk of fuel poverty.

Question reference: S6W-41841

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Richard Lochhead on 13 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on hosting UEFA Euro 2028.

Scotland is excited to co-host EURO 2028 as part of the biggest ever sporting event jointly hosted by the UK & Ireland. EURO 2028 will be an unforgettable summer of football that will create memories to last a lifetime.

The Scottish Government will invest up to £73 million, including contingency. This funding will help deliver a safe and successful event, and unlock the far-reaching social and economic benefits. Updated socio-economic figures show benefits of hosting EURO 2028 of £3.6 billion for the UK and Ireland. Scotland’s estimated share is £270 million.

Scottish Government investment sits alongside funding contributions from other government partners in the UK and Ireland. Our support for EURO 2028 includes a £3.2 million investment into social impact and community activity programmes which form part of a wider partner social impact fund of circa £45 million. This investment will generate significant benefits long after the tournament concludes. It will help to deliver on the Scottish Government’s priority of Growing the Economy by creating jobs, driving regional prosperity and encouraging visitors to our nation. It is also designed to reduce barriers to opportunity, bring communities together through shared national moments and showcase Scotland as a world class host of major events. A key objective for Scottish Government is to spread the socio-economic benefits of hosting EURO 2028 throughout Scotland.

Through the relevant budget review processes Scottish Government will continue to scrutinise the budget lines and engage with the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee as appropriate.

Question reference: S6O-05185

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the outcome of its discussions with the UK Government regarding its Railways Bill.

Question reference: S6O-05117

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is using the Scottish social security system to alleviate poverty among pensioners.

Question reference: S6W-41423

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 October 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its draft Circular Economy Strategy.

I am pleased to confirm that the draft Circular Economy Strategy has been published today. Link: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806432141.

This draft strategy sets out our vision and approach to creating a more circular economy that drives sustainable growth, competitiveness, innovation and jobs, and is vital to achieving our climate and environmental goals.

A more circular economy also brings benefits to households and communities by lowering the costs of items, creating new jobs and cutting the amount of litter on our streets, helping to improve our local environment and protect wildlife. I encourage everyone to take part in this consultation.

The draft Circular Economy Strategy has been prepared under the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024.

Question reference: S6W-40907

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi McAllan on 2 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress against its Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Question reference: S6O-05037

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to address the misuse of e-bikes and off-road vehicles, in light of reported concerns that it is a growing community safety issue.

Question reference: S6O-05015

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the climate action secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how to encourage homeowners to decarbonise their properties as part of Scotland’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2045.