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-19731

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 Dance Base since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

Since May 2021, Scottish Ministers have met with Dance Base on two occasions.

On 24 February 2022, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine met with the Edinburgh Cultural Venues Group, which Dance Base also attended. The discussion included the challenges brought on by COVID-19 restrictions.

On 7 September 2022, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine met with Dance Base to discuss the impacts inflation and the cost crisis were having their organisation.

As part of Scottish Government’s regular engagement with cultural organisations, officials have met with Dance Base to discuss support for the culture sector and the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.

Question reference: S6W-20032

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-19577

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18920 by Lorna Slater on 22 June 2023, whether it will provide details of the composition of the Specialist Advisory Group.

The SEFARI (Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions) gateway, who are administering the Specialist Advisory Group on waste emissions on behalf of the Scottish Government, received a number of notes of interest from waste specialists to join the Specialist Advisory Group. However, as of the date of this response, SEFARI have not yet issued contracts for the specialists on the group. We are therefore not able to provide details on the composition of the Specialist Advisory Group until these contracts have been finalised.

Question reference: S6W-19583

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what impact taking a so-called "heat pump first" approach will have on grid capacity and supply.

As set out in the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, we are taking a ‘zero emissions first’ approach in our heat and energy efficiency delivery programmes, where it is technically feasible and will not increase fuel poverty. The main solutions for meeting our climate change targets in buildings are to install energy efficiency measures and zero direct emissions heating, such as heat pumps and low and zero emissions heat networks. Electricity networks must not become a barrier to achieving net zero, so it is essential they are ready to support our energy transition and heat ambitions.

Question reference: S6W-19605

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria were used to inform its discussions and decisions regarding the awarding of Investment Zones in Scotland; which of its (a) ministers and (b) departments were involved, and whether it will provide full details of the assessment process.

Question reference: S6W-19579

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19150 by Lorna Slater on 27 June 2023, whether its response also applies to the commercial waste sector.

Question reference: S6W-19589

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to develop a bereavement charter for workplaces.

The Scottish Government is investing across a number of areas to ensure that those experiencing bereavement are able to access the support they need. We will continue to engage with our bereavement sector partners and work with them to take forward priorities.

The Scottish Government encourages all employers to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of their workers, and to be considerate of their wellbeing. We expect employers to make every effort to put in place reasonable adjustments and support workers on their return to work as they continue to deal with the impacts of bereavement. We also welcome the work being led by bereavement sector partners to help employers support their staff when experiencing a bereavement, and the Bereavement Charter for Scotland is an example of the sector’s work to support improved practices. The charter recognises that bereavement can impact all aspects of a person’s life, including work, and employers may want to consider the charter and how it can be used to support staff.

The Scottish Government, in partnership with Public Health Scotland, developed the ‘ Supporting a mentally healthy workplace’ digital platform to help employers in Scotland actively support and promote mental health at work. It signposts employers to a wide range of free mental health and wellbeing resources and information. It also includes contact details for wider support services that can help to support mental wellbeing in the workplace, including bereavement support services.

Question reference: S6W-19578

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19148 by Lorna Slater on 27 June 2023, whether it will (a) publish the data that it states was provided by Zero Waste Scotland and (b) confirm that neither it or Zero Waste Scotland hold a copy of the underlying efficiency studies provided by WRAP, and for what reason the underlying efficiency studies could not be retained by it or Zero Waste Scotland.

Neither Scottish Government nor Zero Waste Scotland retain the data or own the research undertaken by WRAP. Queries on the data and publication status should be directed to WRAP.

The figure from WRAP was used to engage stakeholders through the Circular Economy Route Map consultation. The data referred to was also previously cited in the UK wide consultation on extended producer responsibility for packaging, which closed on 4 June 2021.

Zero Waste Scotland subsequently published detailed research on commercial waste zoning ( https://cdn.zerowastescotland.org.uk/managed-downloads/mf-l4c68iko-1686671978d ).

Question reference: S6W-19565

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government on what date Circularity Scotland informed Scottish Enterprise that it was at risk of going into administration.

Question reference: S6W-19564

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (c) South of Scotland Enterprise has awarded any funding or grants to Circularity Scotland.