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-02461

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth 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: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 10 September 2026

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

Question reference: S7O-00228

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S7W-02420

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

To ask the Scottish Government which organisations it has consulted on its plans for a High-Growth Unit and a Council for Economic Growth

The creation of a High-Growth Unit and a Council for Economic Growth are both key commitments at the heart of our ambitions for Scotland’s economy.

Within the first 100 days of this Government, we established and convened the inaugural meeting of the National Council for Economic Growth, bringing together leaders from across Scotland's economy to help shape and drive our shared economic aims. We did not consult externally on the development of the Council.

We are currently in the early stages of the design and structure of the new High Growth Unit and will work closely with a range of partners across the public and private sector on the further development and delivery of the Unit, including considerations of international best practise.

Question reference: S7W-02424

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

To ask the Scottish Government when its planned Major Projects Office will begin work and which Cabinet Secretary will have lead responsibility for the office.

Our Major Projects Office will be designed to accelerate progress on nationally and strategically significant investment and private capital projects, unblocking barriers to project delivery and unlocking private investment across strategic sectors including housing and energy. It will help contribute to a transformational change in economic performance across Scotland by unlocking significant strategic developments across Scotland to bring jobs and economic growth.

It will begin to be operationalised by the end of 2026, with work underway to developing its remit, governance arrangements, and operating model. Ministerial responsibility for the Major Projects Office will be in the Economy, Tourism and Transport portfolio.

Question reference: S7O-00194

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Current Status: 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-02417

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin work to reduce the number of public bodies in Scotland.

The First Minister’s 100 Days Programme sets out this Government’s commitment to public service renewal. Work to reform the public service delivery landscape is already underway and will be reflected in the Programme for Government in September. We will continue to work in partnership with public bodies, trade unions and other stakeholders to develop and deliver reforms that improve outcomes, strengthen services and ensure long-term sustainability.

Question reference: S7W-02418

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what process and criteria it will use to reduce the number of public bodies in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to public service renewal, with further detail to be set out in the forthcoming Programme for Government. We will continue to work with public bodies, trade unions and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to streamline the public service landscape. All proposals will be assessed against their ability to improve outcomes, strengthen services and deliver sustainable value for money, and will be brought forward in due course.

Question reference: S7W-02426

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will commission a feasibility study for reopening the south suburban railway line in Edinburgh.

Question reference: S7W-02421

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government which trade unions it has consulted on its plans for a Council for Economic Growth.