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-03415

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there continues to be a delay to the implementation of the provisions in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibiting pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs.

The implementation of the parking elements of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 has been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic and preparations for European Union exit. This particularly impacted the development of guidance and regulations and the related consultation processes however my officials are continuing to consult with local authorities to develop both the secondary legislation required to allow them to enforce the national pavement prohibition as well as the Parking Standards Guidance which will underpin the Act.

Additionally, we need to consult with the public on some areas contained within the secondary legislation. Local authorities will be required to undertake an assessment to identify and progress any exemptions to the pavement parking prohibition they consider necessary. We are actively working with Local Authorities to undertake this work and Scottish Ministers have provided the requested £2.4 million of funding to enable this to be progressed in a timeous manner.

The majority of the secondary legislation is likely to be in place by 2022. Some aspects however, such as the appeals process for those who wish to appeal a ticket issued for pavement parking, may not be in place until summer 2023.

Question reference: S6W-03535

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential (a) quality and (b) quantity of private rented housing provision in (a) North Ayrshire and (b) Inverclyde following the introduction of its proposed rent controls.

Once firmer options for the design of rent controls are developed, including through a full public consultation, we will carefully consider the potential impact on the quality and quantity of private rented housing at a national and sub-national level. We will be gathering evidence and engaging with stakeholders in the private rented sector to develop a range of Impact Assessments, including a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Question reference: S6W-03417

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister’s ex-chief of staff, who left the role in May 2021, received any payment, additional to her monthly salary, when leaving the role.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02466 on 28 September 2021 which explained that t he First Minister’s former Chief of Staff resigned on the suspension of parliament for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election in line with the Special Advisers Code of Conduct and model contract. I n line with GDPR requirements, the Scottish Government does not provide personal data such as the levels of payments made to individual staff.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Question reference: S6O-00301

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with trade unions across all portfolio areas, including in relation to any upcoming industrial action.

A progressive approach to industrial relations and trade unionism is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society. The Minister for Fair Work meets regularly with our trade union partners and values this regular, open and constructive dialogue. Indeed, he chairs a regular roundtable with the STUC and affiliate unions where issues relating to industrial action have been raised and of course subsequently discussed Ministerial colleagues, who in turn have their own direct engagements.

With regards to planned industrial action, we remain firmly committed to supporting all parties to agree an appropriate resolution to current disputes, before such action is taken.

Question reference: S6O-00302

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase support and encourage more women into business, entrepreneurship and the labour market.

There is a clear gender gap in business participation and the Scottish Government is committed to closing that gap, unlocking the full economic potential of women in enterprise, and to supporting women into work and business. We have brought a range of measure to encourage and support employers to take action such as our Women Returners Programme which will see up to 1,500 women return to the workforce. We are also committed to developing an ambitious plan for the Women’s Business Centre, backed by an investment of up to £50m to ensure that women are fully supported to realise their business ambitions.

Question reference: S6O-00300

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people across the Scottish Borders receive their COVID-19 booster vaccinations.

The primary objective of the Autumn and Winter vaccination programme is to maintain protection against severe COVID-19 and seasonal flu, specifically reducing the risk of hospitalisation and deaths, by protecting the most vulnerable.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided final advice on COVID-19 vaccination boosters on the 14 th of September with the first doses being administered from the following week. Which are being delivered alongside primary vaccinations for
‎ 12 to 15 year olds and many others.

The Member will be aware that delivery of booster vaccinations will run alongside our seasonal flu vaccination programme, which is the largest seasonal flu programme ever delivered in Scotland. Based on JCVI advice, we are working from the highest risk to lower risk groups and we are aiming, wherever possible, to offer both booster and flu jabs in a single appointment. This may mean that some lower risk groups (for example someone aged 64) may hear about their flu appointment from late October and be called to an appointment in November, which is a little later than would have been the case for a traditional flu only appointment. This is still ahead of the risk period and means that, wherever possible, people need only to come to one appointment for both vaccines.

While we have made a good start to the flu and booster vaccinations with over 686,248 flu delivered up to October 17th , 539,832 boosters and 8.2 million primary doses delivered as at October 26 th . But we continue to explore all avenues to accelerate our vaccinations activity as a matter of urgency.

For Covid-19 boosters - We are currently offering vaccination to those in older adult care homes; those who have the highest health risks (clinically extremely vulnerable); those age 70 years and over; frontline health and social are staff.

NHS Borders are utilising the National Vaccine Scheduling Service (NVSS) to schedule appointments for vaccination. NHS Borders like other health boards commenced from the week of the 20th of September, their Covid-19 boosters. From this week we are starting to send out invites for those in the next groups, which are those age 60-69 year and those 16+ years with underlying health conditions. before opening up a public portal in mid-November for everyone else who is eligible.

Question reference: S6O-00313

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy ensures that all new affordable housing is built to be as energy efficient as possible.

Question reference: S6O-00317

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that welfare entitlements and other benefits such as council tax exemptions are taken up by care experienced young people.

Question reference: S6O-00326

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what actions the constitution secretary is taking to continually improve interactions with the other devolved administrations as well as the UK Government.

Question reference: S6O-00319

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 October 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are currently in place to ensure the protection and preservation of war memorials.