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-19811

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) Homes for Scotland regarding any need for the creation of data sets relevant to planning performance and housing need and demand.

The creation of data sets relevant to planning performance and housing need and demand has been discussed recently with COSLA and Homes for Scotland in the context of the following:

Housing to 2040 Strategic Board – the role of data in the housing sector was discussed. Both COSLA and Homes for Scotland are represented on the Board.
Housing Review Group – the group is using data to inform responses to pressures on affordable housing availability. COSLA is represented on this group.
Meetings with Ministers and/or officials – the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning and the Minister for Housing met jointly with Homes for Scotland in June 2023 and discussed data sets in the context of additional data to supplement existing Housing Need and Demand Assessments (HNDAs). Scottish Government officials have also met with Homes for Scotland to discuss the HNDA process.
Digital Planning Data Strategy – this aims to unlock the value of planning data. COSLA is engaged in the future implementation of the strategy.
Developing research proposals for a Gypsy / Traveller Accommodation Needs Toolkit – COSLA has been involved in the development of the research bid.

Question reference: S6W-19735

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Federation of Scottish Theatre since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

Since May 2021, Scottish Ministers have met with the Federation of Scottish Theatres (FST) on two occasions.

On 28 July 2021, the Minister for Culture, Europe and international Development, held an introductory meeting with various stakeholder from the culture sector which the FST attended. The discussion included the challenges brought on by Covid-19 restrictions.

On 7 September 2022, my predecessor, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray met with the FST to discuss the impacts inflation and the cost crisis were having on FST members.

As part of Scottish Government’s regular engagement with cultural organisations, officials continue to meet with the FST at regular intervals to discuss support for the culture sector and the ongoing recovery from the pandemic. Officials have also attended two of the regular FST members meetings during the period in question and discussed the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the culture sector’s recovery.

Question reference: S6W-19682

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that West Lothian Council has requested financial assistance from the Scottish Government to assist with the removal of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, whether any other (a) public sector and (b) private sector bodies have contacted the Scottish Government about this.

Question reference: S6W-19653

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will launch an internal review to consider the reasons that the number of approved homes as part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme has reportedly dropped by 50% since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are aware of the global issues affecting construction which are impacting housing delivery so are working closely with the construction industry and housing partners to mitigate this where possible. For example, the Scottish Government is a member of the Cost Pressures in Construction Working Group, which brings together a number of stakeholders, including the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Homes for Scotland and Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations and their member organisations, to explore a range of solutions to overcome the cost barriers to housing development.

We continue to collaborate with all our partners to achieve our shared goal of delivering more affordable homes for Scotland, and we are committed to delivering our target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which at least 70% will be available for social rent and 10% will be in our remote, rural and island communities.

Recently published quarterly statistics show that in the year to end March 2023, a total of 10,458 affordable homes were completed, an increase of 7% (701 homes) on the previous year and 61% (3,979 homes) higher than in the year to end March 2021. This is the highest annual completions figure since the start of the series in 2000.

Question reference: S6W-19729

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

Since May 2021 Scottish Ministers have met with, or attended events at, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society on the following dates. We have included meetings with the strategic umbrella organisation for Edinburgh festivals, Festivals Edinburgh.

The discussions at formal meetings included: support for the festival and culture within Scotland; the challenges of, and recovery from, the COVID-19 pandemic; helping the sector develop a strategic approach to resilience; the unique challenges and opportunities Edinburgh has as a destination city and; the progress towards delivery of the outcomes within the relevant Scottish Government strategies.

These Ministerial engagements are in addition to Scottish Government’s regular engagement with Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society at Official level.

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

30 June 2021

Roundtable meet and greet with the major festivals

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

24 September 2021

Meeting with Benny Higgins Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

26 January 2022

Meeting with Julia Amour, Director, Festivals Edinburgh

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

18 May 2022

Meeting with Festivals Edinburgh

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

27 July 2022

Meeting with Edinburgh Festivals Directors

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

04 August 2022

Meeting with Chief Executive & Head of External Affairs for Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

04 August 2022

Attend Fringe performance - Made in Scotland - Pain and I

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

16 August 2022

Attend Made in Scotland - Showcase opening event – Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society