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: S7O-00194

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its public service reform efforts and intent to empower regions and communities stated in the Programme for Government, what responsibilities and competences it would consider transferring from the Scottish Government and its agencies to regions and communities.

Question reference: S7W-02844

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the terms of reference for the recently announced feasibility study into the use of tram-trains on Edinburgh's South Suburban line.

Question reference: S7W-02845

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the completion of the recently announced feasibility study into the use of tram-trains on Edinburgh's South Suburban line.

Question reference: S7W-02427

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will deliver the commitment set out in the SNP's 2026 election manifesto to develop proposals to ensure community benefit works better for areas impacted by renewable energy projects.

The Scottish Government will deliver this commitment through a refresh of the Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Developments (GPPs), building on proposals set out in the working paper Onshore renewable energy: refreshing the Good Practice Principles for community benefits, published on 18 February 2026. These proposals include updated recommendations on community benefit fund levels, clearer expectations across different technologies and development types, and measures to strengthen the guidance, tools and support available to communities. Officials are currently considering feedback received on these proposals. Subject to the completion of this work, the Scottish Government plans to publish the refreshed Good Practice Principles before the end of 2026.

Question reference: S7W-02423

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many new "Scotland House" international offices it will open by the end of this parliament and what are the projected costs.

The Scottish Government is committed to strengthening Scotland’s international presence, in line with commitments set out in the manifesto, with the number of Scotland Houses expanded to over forty by the end of the Parliament.

An expanded Scotland House network will play an important role in attracting investment, supporting jobs and economic growth, and promoting Scottish Government priorities while helping Scottish businesses and key sectors access international opportunities.

Work is underway to develop options for delivery of these commitments, including consideration of future Scotland House locations. Decisions will be announced, and projected costs will be published, in due course.

Question reference: S7W-02422

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport last met the STUC or any of its affiliated unions.

Since taking up the post of Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, I have met formally with the STUC and some of their affiliated trade unions.

I attended a meeting with GMB and Unite on 2 July and with GMB on 8 July in relation to economic development. On 22 July I met with Unite to discuss matters related to energy industries. I met with ASLEF, RMT, TSSA, Unite and STUC on 29 July in relation to rail. On the same day I also attended an introductory meeting with Rozanne Foyer, STUC General Secretary.

Additionally, trade unions are often represented on many other forums I engage with such as the recently established National Council for Economic Growth, which last met on 4 August 2026. My Ministerial colleagues also meet regularly with trade unions and the STUC, reflecting their important role as key social and economic partners.

The information provided in this answer is correct at the time of answering but may not reflect any urgent meetings or engagements involving trade union representatives that take place before publication. Information on ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website as part of the Ministerial Engagements publications.

Question reference: S7W-02428

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken into the costs of road-building in Scotland compared to the rest of Europe.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific research comparing the costs of road-building in Scotland with those in other European countries.

However, Transport Scotland monitors the costs of major trunk road projects in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK and considers relevant industry cost information, market conditions and lessons learned from comparable infrastructure projects where appropriate. Transport Scotland also engages with other UK home nation road authorities, which includes discussions on road-building.

Direct comparisons of road-building costs between countries, and even in different locations within Scotland, can be challenging due to many variables, including the differences in type of road (rural, urban, semi-urban); interface with existing roads, railways, rivers and other infrastructure; engineering requirements; terrain and site geology; drainage; environmental mitigation; utility diversions; traffic management; land acquisition costs; legislative frameworks; and market conditions at time of contract award.

Any assessment of road construction costs therefore needs to take account of the particular circumstances of individual projects rather than relying solely on headline cost comparisons.

Question reference: S7W-02425

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 20 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government who will be eligible for Apprenticeship Accelerator Grants and what the grants will pay for.

Question reference: S7W-02461

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the responses to the consultation, The Future of Council Tax in Scotland, which closed on 30 January 2026, and by which date it expects to publish (a) its response to the consultation and (b) any proposals, including timescales, for the reform of council tax.

Question reference: S7W-02419

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the High Growth Unit will operate within government or as a public body