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-00224

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with business leaders operating in the (a) night-time economy and (b) (i) pub and (ii) restaurant sectors regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past year the Scottish Government has worked closely with businesses and sectoral organisations such as the Scottish Tourism Alliance, UK Hospitality, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Beer & Pub Association, Night Time Industries Association and Scottish Hospitality Group on the impact of restrictions and support for the tourism and hospitality sectors. Most recently, the First Minister has met with Scottish Tourism Alliance and UKHospitality on 21 May.

I most recently met with UKHospitality and Scottish Licensed Trade Association on 25 May and Scottish Tourism Alliance on 26 May.

Question reference: S6W-00125

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party's manifesto commitment, whether it will set out further details of its proposal to bring the higher property rate for non-domestic tax rates in Scotland in line with that in England.

Alongside the most generous relief package, the Scottish Government has delivered the lowest poundage in the UK for the third year in a row, and over 95% of properties pay a lower rate of tax than anywhere in the UK. The Scottish Budget 2021-22 took the unprecedented step of reducing the poundage mid-revaluation, saving ratepayers £120 million compared to what an inflationary increase would have delivered.

We have already demonstrated our commitment to the recommendation to bring the Large Business Supplement into line with the aggregate rate set in England when we reduced the rates liabilities for around 9,500 medium-sized properties by introducing the Intermediate Property Rate for properties with a rateable value between £51,001 and £95,000.

Decisions on taxation are taken as part of the Scottish Budget process.

Question reference: S6W-00138

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to enable timely alternative appointments for people who, for health or work reasons, have been unable to attend their second COVID-19 vaccination appointment, in order to ensure maximum efficacy and given the rising number of cases being attributed to the so-called Indian variant.

Given the risk that the 02 variant may spread quicker around Scotland, having people fully vaccinated is important in reducing risks of morbidity and mortality.

In line with the latest JCVI advice, where vaccine supply allows we will bring forward the second dose of vaccine from 12 to 8 weeks. This will be prioritised in areas which are affected by the 02 variant.

Constituents that have received an appointment that is unsuitable are able to rebook via the portal detailed in their blue letter. Alternatively they can call the covid-19 helpline on 0800 030 8013. Vaccination centre availability and opening hours are co-ordinated by the individual NHS trusts.

Question reference: S6W-00117

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its position is regarding providing people with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, similar to that offered in other parts of the UK, and what its response is to reports of some GP surgeries charging people money for such documentation.

I updated Parliament on COVID 19 Status Certificate on 26 May 2021 in response to question S6T-00019. I refer the member to that answer. The answer is available on the Parliament's website at: Official Report - Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament

Our Freephone COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 can provide vaccination status certificate records free of charge. However, GP practices can charge their patients for the production of letters and reports at the patient’s request that are not covered by the GP contract.

To help ease the burden on GPs and to ensure people can access this information free we would encourage people to use our Freephone service, and not to ask their GP.

Question reference: S6W-00114

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the role played by private agency workers in supporting health and social care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Scottish Government is deeply grateful for the role that all health and social care workers have played during the Covid-19 pandemic, whether employed directly or through agency contracts.

Our health and social care systems have experienced extraordinary levels of service demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although permanent recruitment is always the primary solution to NHS staffing needs, we have encouraged NHS Boards to make full use of NHS bank, agency and locum staff where necessary, to address immediate staffing needs during the emergency stages of the pandemic.

Question reference: S6W-00112

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work regarding COVID-19 vaccine certification for international travel; what consideration it has given to the use of vaccine certification in the domestic economy; in what formats it expects to provide vaccine certification, and what engagement it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) other devolved administrations regarding the development of vaccine certification.

Question reference: S6O-00009

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with the land reform minister regarding measures to be put in place to introduce regional land use partnerships.

Question reference: S6O-00019

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the LifeSEARCH Health, Wealth & Happiness Report 2020/21.

Question reference: S6O-00021

Asked by: Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support unpaid carers.

Question reference: S6O-00007

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the last meeting of the Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group was held.