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-15063

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the Ministerial Population Taskforce will next meet.

Question reference: S6W-14713

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of a Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group, and by what date it will publish the final list of group members.

Our National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Delivery Programme, published November 2022, stated that we would commence establishment and agree membership of the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group following adoption of NPF4. NPF4 was adopted on 13 February 2023. We are on target to meet our commitment to hold the first meeting of the group, agree Terms of Reference and discuss an outline work programme within 3 months of adoption of NPF4. We will update stakeholders on the work of the group on our website www.transformingplanning.scot .

Question reference: S6W-14600

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) affordability and (b) accessibility of reusable nappies, including support for meeting costs associated with laundry care.

Our Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment helps eligible low-income families with expenses associated with pregnancy or with having a new child. Families can use this payment to best meet their needs which could include buying reusable nappies and meeting the costs associated with laundry care. Information on benefits and one-off payments that are available to parents can be found on our ParentClub website.

To further support the affordability and accessibility of reusable nappies, Scotland's Baby Box includes a voucher that offers a free reusable nappy kit, which comprises of a waterproof wrap and five pads. A further discounted package is available should the family wish to continue with reusable nappies.

The Nappy Voucher contained within the Baby Box also signposts families to our ParentClub website which highlights the benefits of using reusable nappies as well as signposting families on where to seek advice and support with using them. Ready Steady Baby , which is given out at antenatal appointments, also highlights the benefits of reusable nappies.

Question reference: S6W-15278

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase awareness of the importance of a power of attorney, particularly for those who may benefit more from having a power of attorney, as highlighted by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.

The Scottish Government is supporting 29 Health and Social Care partnerships in their national media campaign of actively raising awareness of the importance of taking out a power of attorney with their local communities.

We will consider the recommendations In the Scottish Mental Health Law Review carefully and decide how we can further promote and highlight the need for every adult in Scotland to consider appointing an attorney whilst they have capacity to do so.

Question reference: S6W-15279

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken regarding the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review that the development of support, training and guidance for attorneys should include "consideration of ways in which the cost of a power of attorney can be eased".

The Scottish Government encourages everyone to arrange power of attorney so that their needs and wishes can be met in the unfortunate event that they cannot make decisions for themselves.

Currently financial help is available, through legal aid for those who qualify, to assist people who might not be able to afford the cost of a solicitor to draw up a power of attorney. A fee exemption is also available for registering the power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian for people who qualify.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.

Question reference: S6W-15394

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14560 by Neil Gray on 21 February 2023, who the members of the group undertaking the Joint Assurance Review are.

Question reference: S6W-15310

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the outsourcing of mental health services to private companies.

Question reference: S6W-15311

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS boards currently outsource services to the private provider, Healios, and which services are outsourced.

Question reference: S6W-15348

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how much has been held in local authority reserves in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.

Question reference: S6W-15274

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review for the act of a GP completing a power of attorney (POA) certificate to be included as an NHS-funded service, whether it plans to implement the recommendation, and, if so, within what timescale, and whether any financial support will be made available to people who apply for a POA certificate prior to implementation.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial Scottish Government response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.

Currently financial help is available, through legal aid for those who qualify to assist people who might not be able to afford the cost of a solicitor to draw up a power of attorney. A fee exemption is also available for registering the power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian for people who qualify.