- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 26 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide adequate outdoor space for all pupils, in light of the findings in the report, School Grounds in Scotland in 2025, that 15% of primary schools and 16% of secondary schools have lost outdoor space because of building development.
Answer
It is the statutory responsibility of all local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate. However, the Scottish Government are engaging with Local Authorities via the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and Scottish Heads of Property Services networks regarding the school estate, including the School Grounds in Scotland 2025 report.
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 26 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statistic in the report, School Grounds in Scotland in 2025, that around one in three primary schools have reported issues with flooding within school grounds.
Answer
It is the statutory responsibility of all local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate. However, the Scottish Government are engaging with Local Government via the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland and Scottish Heads of Property Services networks regarding the school estate, including the School Grounds in Scotland 2025 report.
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 16 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will change its guidance on school ground improvement planning, in light of the School Grounds in Scotland in 2025 research, which has reportedly identified budget reductions over the past two decades as a major barrier to the improvement of outdoor spaces in Scottish schools.
Answer
Answer expected on 16 July 2025
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 16 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to amend curriculum guidelines to promote any positive effects of learning in outdoor spaces, in light of the finding in the report, Schools Grounds in Scotland in 2025, that only around one third of secondary schools regard outdoor spaces as either very useful or essential learning resources.
Answer
Answer expected on 16 July 2025
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 16 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote any benefits of outdoor learning and access to high-quality green spaces in schools, in light of the finding in the report, School Grounds in Scotland in 2025, that almost 40% of Scottish schools have fewer than five trees within their boundaries.
Answer
Answer expected on 16 July 2025
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 25 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of any plans to introduce continuous alcohol monitoring technology for offenders across Scotland.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 25 June 2025
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support regional NHS boards to tackle any backlogs of complaints.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2025
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
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Current Status:
Initiated by the Scottish Government.
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a progress update on the public inquiry into Sam Eljamel and NHS Tayside.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that many former patients still live with the consequences of being treated by Mr Eljamel and have waited a long time for answers. As I set out in my statement in February 2024, patients will be at the heart of this inquiry.
I am pleased that today I can confirm that following consultation with many former patients and their representatives by Lord Weir and his team, that I have agreed the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, and that the Inquiry is now ready to commence from today.
The final Terms of Reference will be made available on the Eljamel Inquiry website today. (https://www.eljamelinquiry.scot/).
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent NASUWT survey, which recorded that 49% of female teachers in Scotland had reported physical abuse or violence in the last 12 months.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 April 2025
- Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme, including the most recent data for the number of registered persons with PVG certificates.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025