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-24410

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 22 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the list of conditions that indicate whether an individual is deemed to be at higher risk from COVID-19 infection, as outlined in Tables 3 and 4 of Chapter 14a of the Green Book, to be non-exhaustive, and whether medical discretion lies with the relevant GP or other health professional in deciding whether an individual with an underlying health condition is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.

Scottish COVID-19 vaccination policy and delivery is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the information contained within the COVID-19 Green Book Chapter.

Individuals who have a condition that puts them at higher clinical risk from COVID-19 are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine this winter. Anyone unsure about their health condition or circumstance, should speak to their health professional, specialist or local vaccination services. Further information on the COVID-19 vaccine and health conditions can be found on NHS inform .

The COVID-19 Chapter 14a of the Green Book states that examples in tables 3 and 4 are not exhaustive, and, within these broad groups, the prescriber may need to apply clinical judgment to take into account the risk of COVID-19 exacerbating any underlying disease that a patient may have, as well as the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 itself. A more comprehensive list of potentially eligible diagnoses, and the appropriate clinical codes, is found in the link at the end of the chapter.

Clinicians can refer patients to their local immunisation teams, if they believe the individual to be at risk, but does not have one of the conditions listed in tables 3 or 4. Patients can also refer themselves. The local immunisation team will assess the patient and decide if vaccination is appropriate.

Question reference: S6W-24395

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 22 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the consultation on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax - Additional Dwelling Supplement legislation changes, what plans it has to reform the timelines, and when it expects such reforms to be in place.

The Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Miscellaneous Amendments)(Scotland) Order 2024 was laid before Parliament on the 19 January 2024. The Order proposes a number of amendments to the arrangements for the Additional Dwelling Supplement, including the extension of repayment timelines from 18 months to 36 months.

The proposed amendments will, if approved by Parliament, take effect from 1 April 2024.

Question reference: S6W-23928

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Following the Scottish Government’s 2020 consultation on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures (that pierce or penetrate the skin), officials are working on introducing secondary legislation to enable HIS to regulate independent healthcare services, including non-surgical cosmetic procedures, provided by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from premises other than registered pharmacies, and/or which are provided outwith the terms of NHS contracts.

In addition, officials are engaging with the UK Department of Health and Social Care in regard to their recent consultation and working with stakeholders including healthcare professionals, hair and beauty industry representatives and Environmental Health Officers to consider the potential scope of further regulation in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-24021

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 December 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Lorna Slater on 19 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its plans for the future of the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan, in light of the upcoming reform of the post-school education and skills landscape.

The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) published in 2020 provided an important springboard for net zero skills planning and we have made good progress since its publication.

The recent CESAP Pathfinder publication highlights that investment in net zero is progressing, with nearly £90 billion in green investments currently underway or planned in the next three years. This progress in building a strong skills base and creating green jobs is underpinned by the findings in the PwC Green Barometer. The Pathfinder also provides a strong evidential underpinning across apprenticeships, further education, and higher education that will inform next steps.

It is important that our education and skills landscape is flexible, adaptable, and easier to navigate for employers, learners, and training providers. The Scottish Government intends to fully align green skills policy and planning behind its wider net zero priorities and we will therefore integrate the next phase of our work on green skills into the Just Transition Plans, Green Industrial Strategy and Rural Delivery Plan, rather than through a separate CESAP update.

The CESAP Implementation Steering Group, now chaired by myself, will continue to play a critical role in informing our net zero transition, sending strong signals to the education and skills system on the need for urgent action to tackle net zero, and supporting the development of relevant strategies, including the Just Transition Plans, Green Industrial Strategy and Rural Delivery Plan.

Question reference: S6W-23536

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the governance review of the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP), and which organisations are represented on the CMPP board as a result.

The Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP) are currently undertaking a governance review including the make-up of the CMPP Board. This process is ongoing and is yet to conclude. When and if changes are agreed and adopted by the partnership, they will notify Scottish Ministers of these as soon as reasonably practicable and without delay as per Schedule 1 of the Delegation of Functions (Regional Marine Plan for the Scottish Marine Region for the Clyde) Direction 2017. As previously communicated, the CMPP's governance is primarily a matter for the CMPP itself as part of delegated powers and function under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. Current membership is published on the CMPP website: www.clydemarineplan.scot

Question reference: S6O-02860

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the ticketing issues raised by the Cumbrae Ferry Committee and Cumbrae Community Council.

Question reference: S6W-22363

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 6 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the COVID-19 face masks and face coverings guidance withdrawal issued to social care workers on 9 May 2023, whether social care workers will still have the personal choice to wear PPE, even when this is not recommended in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) or the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM).

Social care workers have always been, and continue to be, able to choose to wear a mask.

The Scottish Government’s guidance on the extended use of face masks and face coverings was first published in June 2020. It was an adjunct to guidance for social care workers on the use of face masks within the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) and the Care Home Infection Prevention and Control Manual (CH IPCM). In September 2022, the face mask guidance for adult social care settings was amended and staff, visitors and service users of adult social care settings stopped routinely wearing face masks. Guidance on the use of face masks had therefore reverted to circumstances as set out in the NIPCM/CH NIPCM with one addition: “Staff, visitors and those receiving care and support may choose to wear a mask and this should be supported”. It was this line of guidance that was withdrawn in May 2023.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland recommended that this line of guidance was removed as it was unnecessary and increased the risk of confusion and misinterpretation, and that guidance on the use of face masks in adult social care settings should revert to the NIPCM, which is based on clinical need and risk assessment. The withdrawal of the extended guidance on the use of face masks and face coverings in social care settings and reversion to the NIPCM/ CH NIPCM does not prevent social care workers from wearing a face mask.

Question reference: S6W-22361

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 31 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards delivering the action set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation to "undertake and publish a review of how best to significantly increase the number of social enterprises, employee-owned businesses and cooperatives in Scotland, supporting regional regeneration and the wealth of local communities".

The review is in-progress and is being led by a representative stakeholder group, chaired by Neil McInroy, Global Lead for Community Wealth Building with The Democracy Collaborative, and also Chair of the Economic Development Association of Scotland (EDAS).

The review process commenced in June 2023, with the first two meetings of the group being held in September and October. It is anticipated that the work will complete, with findings and recommendations published in Spring 2023.

Question reference: S6W-21846

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it maintains a central list of any businesses and other organisations that are prohibited from engaging with Scottish public bodies due to human rights concerns, such as the use of forced labour.

Question reference: S6W-21978

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 19 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21585 by Richard Lochhead on 3 October 2023, whether (a) it has changed its relationship and (b) public bodies have changed their relationships with any companies listed by the UN Human Rights Office as involved in activities related to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, following the exchanges of correspondence published in response to FOI/202200334471.

I refer the member to my answer to S6W-21585 on 3 October 2023, outlining Scottish Government action.

The Scottish Government asked public bodies to consider the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) list as part of their due diligence processes. Relationship management is an operational matter for each public body.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers