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-04928

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government on what evidence it considers that the existing timescales for local authorities to establish a short-term let licensing scheme by 1 October 2022 is reasonable and achievable.

The Scottish Government announced in January 2020 that it intended to establish a licensing scheme for short-term lets using powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and we have been engaging with local authorities on implementation of a licensing scheme since then. Local authorities have experience in licensing other activities under the 1982 Act and we made changes to our proposals in response to their views.

In setting timescales for establishing a licensing scheme, and for existing operators to have made an application, the Scottish Government has been mindful of striking a balance between giving local authorities and operators sufficient time to prepare, whilst moving quickly enough to address what remains a pressing issue for many residents and communities.

We will be working closely with local authorities, and other stakeholders on the working group, to review and update guidance and prepare for implementation.

Question reference: S6W-04933

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what data it or the NHS has on the (a) prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and (b) management of patients at risk of recurrent VTE.

Question reference: S6W-04701

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when a case note review was carried out for the case of Andrew Slorance at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Question reference: S6W-05436

Asked by: Joe FitzPatrick, MSP for Dundee City West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to announce the next phase of the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

The Learning Estate Investment Programme has made significant progress since the first projects were announced in September 2019, with projects in construction and in development representing a £1.2bn investment in the learning estate.

The Scottish Government intend to announce the projects that will form part of Phase 3 of the programme within the next 12 months. We will write to local authorities seeking investment proposals in 2022 and in the meantime we will work with local government to agree the development programme timeline.

Question reference: S6W-05271

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the introduction of the Down Syndrome Bill to the UK Parliament by Liam Fox MP, what (a) support and (b) provisions it will provide in order to establish a national strategy to improve (i) provision and (ii) outcomes for people with Down syndrome in Scotland.

The Scottish Government wants to improve support and provisions for people with Down’s Syndrome, but also takes a wider view that this should include all people with learning disabilities, and their families.

We already have a national strategy in place to improve opportunities, outcomes and support for people with Down’s Syndrome, and their families, through the Keys to Life Learning Disability strategy and the Towards Transformation Learning Disability and Autism Plan. Both strategies send a clear message that the human rights of people with a learning disability are respected and protected and that they are empowered to live their lives, the same as everyone else.

The Scottish Budget 2022-2023 includes dedicated funding of £7 million for a range of targeted work to support these strategies and improve the lives of autistic people and/or people with learning disabilities.

Additionally, we have committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill as part of the Programme for Government. This Bill will ensure that the rights of people with Down’s Syndrome, and others, are respected and protected.

To help make sure that the new legislation is championed when it is implemented, we will create a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodiversity Commissioner through the new law.

Question reference: S6O-00589

Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme.

Warmer Homes Scotland helps those living in or at risk of fuel poverty through installing insulation and heating measures. Since launch in 2015, more than £160 million has been invested through the scheme, helping over 25,000 households throughout Scotland.

Customer satisfaction levels have remained consistently high, with 100% of customers reporting they were satisfied with the service they received this financial year from a response rate of 82% of customers contacted.

The Warmer Homes Scotland budget allocation has been increased to £50 million for 2021/22 and will be further increased to £55 million for 2022-23.

Question reference: S6O-00591

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the delivery of the extension of free personal care to people under 65.

Question reference: S6O-00590

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS boards require pregnant medical staff to work in settings where there are patients with COVID-19.

The Department for Health and Social Care guidance for pregnant women in the workplace, covers NHS staff in all settings in Scotland and we have taken steps to ensure it is applied. The guidance clearly states that all pregnant staff must have a workplace risk assessment and can only continue working if the risk assessment says, it is safe for them to do so.

If a risk is identified employers must adjust their working conditions to remove the risk or offer alternative work on the same terms and conditions. If this is not possible then the member of staff will be asked not to attend work, but will continue to be paid as if at work. This ensures there is no detriment to NHS staff.

We continue to promote the use of risk assessments across Health and Social Care and on an individual, case by case basis.

Question reference: S6O-00616

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the provision of GP services in the north east.

Question reference: S6O-00619

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to encourage people, who are able, to donate blood, particularly during the winter period and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.