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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 40913 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-35045

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any discussions with South Lanarkshire Council regarding the potential impact of any reduction in funding for housing support services and whether it will intervene to ensure the continuation of these services.

The Scottish Government has not had any recent discussions with South Lanarkshire Council regarding funding for housing support services. As I understand, South Lanarkshire Council have engaged directly with both RSLs to help them prepare for this proposed transition, and their engagement with both RSLs will continue beyond any savings proposals being approved by South Lanarkshire Council. It is for South Lanarkshire Council, along with South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, to determine how much funding is allocated towards housing support services to meet the needs of their residents.

Question reference: S6W-34795

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought advice from NatureScot regarding commencing the muirburn licensing provisions ahead of the 2025 muirburn season and, if so, whether it will publish this.

Question reference: S6W-34588

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken following the cross-party summit on violence amongst young people, which was held on 13 January 2025.

Following the cross party summit on violence among young people held on 13 January, Scottish Government officials are preparing a report on key issues raised. This will be published and shared across Scottish Government to help inform policy development on areas that contribute to violence prevention and harm reduction.

Preparations are currently being made for a further meeting involving those cross-party MSPs who attended the summit.

Question reference: S6W-34582

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it is taking and (b) funding it is making available to progress the reintroduction of a ferry connection from Scotland to mainland Europe.

The Scottish Government continues to support the development of our ports, and the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.

I have personally engaged with parties interested in introducing new ferry services, and Transport Scotland officials communicate regularly with potential operators and Scotland’s main ports.

The Scottish Government and its agencies have supported a number of maritime initiatives across Scotland, including establishing a Green Freeport at Forth Ports, which includes Rosyth. This involves both seed capital funding, along with businesses locating within the ports being able to access a package of devolved and reserved tax incentives.

We will continue to engage with port operators and others to explore opportunities for new commercial ferry services, so that Scottish exporters and passengers have more direct routes to and from Europe. However, the Scottish Government cannot subsidise routes in ways which would be anti-competitive beyond considering the availability of limited start-up grant funding opportunities for freight initiatives.

Question reference: S6W-34419

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for businesses to apply for the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG), and how long it typically takes for an application to be processed and assessed.

Any company which wants to move freight by rail or water rather than by road and which is proposing to invest in new freight handling facilities in Scotland or re-invest in existing facilities in Scotland may apply for FFG. Before making a formal application for FFG, a company is expected to approach Transport Scotland who will be able to give informal advice on whether, and to what extent, a freight facility may be eligible for FFG.

On receipt of the formal application, Transport Scotland may decide to seek independent engineering advice to examine the design and specification of the project. The costs of this will be borne by Transport Scotland. A visit to the site of the proposed facility, by Transport Scotland and by its appointed consultant, will be necessary.

Since the introduction of the scheme in 1997, applications have typically taken between 3-6 months to complete. However, it can take longer depending upon the complexity of the proposal and the time taken by the applicant to supply the information.

The application process for FFG is currently under review ahead of potential awards in financial year 2025-26.

Question reference: S6W-34417

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that projects funded through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) align with its (a) economic, (b) environmental and (c) transport strategy.

Taking freight off congested roads and moving it by rail or water can ensure that freight is moved in an efficient, flexible and sustainable manner. Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) can act as an enabler for companies investing in facilities that without FFG, would not happen as they would not be commercially viable

Heavy goods vehicles are a major contributor to emissions within the Scottish economy. Emissions from rail are considerably lower. Scottish Government policy to encourage the shift of freight from road to rail and other, more sustainable forms of transport aligns with the priority to “take climate action” in the National Transport Strategy 2 and supports the legislative target for Scotland to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

The Scottish Government has set regulatory targets for rail freight growth. The target for the period 2024 to 2029 is 8.7% and, if achieved, is forecast to result in an additional 2,200 annual trains by 2029.

Question reference: S6W-34416

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of applicants to the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and what specific support is provided to ensure SMEs can access this funding.

Freight Facilities Grants are open to any company, including SMEs, who can demonstrate that they can transfer freight from road to rail or water.

SMEs represent the minority of awards made under the scheme. However, Transport Scotland officials are available to discuss proposals and provide advice about what information should be included in an application and what evidence is required prior to any formal decision being made on awarding a grant.

Question reference: S6W-34426

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) supports projects in both urban and rural areas equally.

Question reference: S6W-34418

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding from the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) has been directed to initiatives promoting the use of low-carbon or zero-emission freight transport solutions.

Question reference: S6W-34422

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) has been used to support the integration of digital technologies in freight transport and, if so, which projects have received this support.