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: S7W-01519

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the resourcing within its Planning and Environmental Appeals Division in relation to renewable energy appeals, and what action it is taking to address any identified gaps.

The Scottish Government regularly reviews Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) resourcing to ensure it can effectively discharge its statutory functions.

This review is consistent with the wider principles of the public service reform strategy that aims to deliver a more collaborative and efficient public service across Scotland.

Alongside its existing workload, the DPEA has experienced a significant increase in renewable energy-related casework, particularly in relation to onshore wind developments, strategic electricity transmission infrastructure, and associated wayleave and anticipated compulsory purchase order cases.

DPEA has implemented a range of operational improvements to support increasing workloads. These include enhanced forecasting and case management, strengthened engagement with consenting colleagues and transmission operators, the early allocation of reporters to priority cases, expansion of its pool of consultant reporter's, to help manage increasing volumes efficiently, increased use of digital processes, and ongoing review of procedures and guidance. Together, these measures are designed to ensure cases are handled as efficiently and proportionately as possible whilst maintaining the quality and robustness of decision-making.

The Scottish Government will continue to keep DPEA's resource requirements under review, within the principles of the wider public service reform strategy, to ensure it is able to support the timely determination of planning and energy infrastructure projects that are critical to delivering Scotland's net zero targets and long-term energy security.

Question reference: S7W-01163

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 14 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, for the purposes of ministerial responsibility and delivery, what is included in its green industrial strategy.

Question reference: S7W-01171

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 14 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the High Growth Unit will be part of Scottish Enterprise.

Supporting more businesses to scale and anchor in Scotland is a key economic priority for this Government and this is reflected in our commitment to establish a High Growth Unit focussed on helping our best companies to achieve their full potential.

The Scottish Government is currently considering a range of models for how the High Growth Unit might be implemented, including its remit and priorities, as well as the structures, skills and capabilities that will be required to maximise its impact. As part of that work, we are also considering where the Unit can best be located to optimise its value and effectiveness, including the role that Scottish Enterprise may play.

These considerations are being informed through close engagement with private sector partners , including the Chief Entrepreneur, Ana Stewart. We will set out further details on the High Growth Unit, including its final structure and location, in due course.

Question reference: S7W-01168

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 14 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what role the Cabinet Secretary for the economy will have in (a) the delivery of apprenticeships, (b) skills development and (c) in increasing Scotland’s businesses’ innovation activity.

A skilled workforce is essential for achieving economic growth, through supporting increased productivity and innovation, and positioning Scotland to benefit from inward investment opportunities, our energy transition and future technological advances. Equipping people with the skills they need to engage in a changing labour market also helps more people enter or remain in good jobs, contributing to higher incomes and reduced economic inactivity.

Therefore, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport will have a pivotal role in the delivery of apprenticeships and skills and workforce development, working across government with other portfolios. This collaborative approach aims to build a responsive skills system that meets the needs of Scotland’s economy, its businesses and its workers.

Question reference: S7W-01670

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

To ask the Scottish Government what financial return it has realised for each of the NHS capital programmes financed by the non-profit distributing public private partnership model.

Question reference: S7W-01167

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport and Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy will work together to deliver consistent green industrial and energy strategies.

The First Minister has appointed a leaner Cabinet and ministerial team to enable greater co-ordination and effectiveness with a clear focus on long-term outcomes, underpinned by collaboration across Government.

That approach will facilitate joint working between the myself and the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy to unlock the economic opportunities that energy brings, accelerate delivery and ensure the people of Scotland benefit.

Question reference: S7W-01558

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 3 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the LIFT Open Market Share Equity (OMSE) scheme will reopen for applications.

Question reference: S7W-01166

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 6 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government who has ministerial responsibility for industrial decarbonising; what role the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy has in relation to this, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

I was appointed in May 2026 and my responsibilities include industrial decarbonisation.

Many strategic issues affecting energy-intensive industrial sectors fall within the portfolio of Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport. This includes responsibility for business, industry, manufacturing support and entrepreneurship, and the green industrial strategy.

The Scottish Government operates under the principle of collective responsibility. This means that decisions taken by Ministers, individually or collectively, are binding on all members of the Government. The Scottish Ministerial Code sets out this principle, which applies to all Ministers.

Question reference: S7W-01165

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 3 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, for the purposes of ministerial responsibility and delivery, what is included in the areas of Energy Policy and Strategy, Industrial Decarbonisation and offshore renewable energy systems.

My responsibilities include energy policy and strategy, industrial decarbonisation and offshore renewable energy.

Energy policy and strategy is focused on delivering a just transition to a net zero energy system and reducing our dependence on fossil fuel generation. This includes maximising the economic opportunities from Scotland’s renewables pipeline and working with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) on whole system energy planning.

Industrial decarbonisation involves supporting our energy-intensive industrial sectors to progress along emissions reduction pathways by deploying the means to increase energy efficiency, switching to low carbon fuels, or carbon capture and storage.

Offshore renewable energy systems covers wave and tidal stream energy, fixed and floating offshore wind, as well as infrastructure and supply chain opportunities.

Question reference: S7W-01516

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the 52-week determination target for applications under section 36 and section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 is met in full, and what mechanisms are in place to monitor performance against this target.