The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-04788

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 12 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding how the Access to Banking Services Review takes account of rural communities that rely on banking services in neighbouring towns, including the impact of public transport accessibility and journey times.

On 3 September 2026 I wrote to Richard Lloyd OBE, Chair of HM Treasury’s Independent Review of Access to Banking Services, to highlight issues specific to Scotland. Scottish Government officials also engaged directly with the review and met with Richard Lloyd to provide further evidence on the challenges and opportunities associated with access to banking and cash services across Scotland.

In my letter I raised concerns about bank branch closures, access to banking services and the current methodology used to determine whether a community meets the criteria for a banking hub. I highlighted the particular challenges faced by Scotland's rural and island communities, noting that communities can be separated by significant travel distances and limited public transport options. The letter also highlighted that, while communities may technically have alternative banking options elsewhere within their local authority area, many still face long journeys, ferry crossings or overnight stays to access these services. I stressed that these unique geographical challenges deserve special consideration within the Review.

Question reference: S7W-04787

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 12 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it submitted evidence to the Treasury's independent Access to Banking Services Review and, if so, whether it will publish a copy of its submission.

On 3 September 2026 I wrote to Richard Lloyd OBE, Chair of HM Treasury’s Independent Review of Access to Banking Services, to highlight issues specific to Scotland. Scottish Government officials also engaged directly with the review and met with Richard Lloyd to provide further evidence on the challenges and opportunities associated with access to banking and cash services across Scotland. The letter has not been published. Consideration will be given to publishing it in due course.

Question reference: S7W-04967

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of ambulance turnaround times at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary during 2026, including the impact of any prolonged turnarounds on emergency ambulance availability across NHS Grampian.

Question reference: S7W-04969

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what specific action it has taken since 1 September 2026 to support NHS Grampian in reducing ambulance handover delays at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Question reference: S7W-04968

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what monthly ambulance handover performance targets have been agreed with NHS Grampian as part of its Stage 4 improvement arrangements for 2026-27, and what progress has been made towards meeting those targets.

Question reference: S7W-04970

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what ambulance handover performance criteria NHS Grampian must meet before it can be considered for de-escalation from Stage 4 to Stage 3 of the NHS Scotland National Performance Framework.

Question reference: S7W-04623

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 10 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reasons for the contraction in monthly GDP estimates in July and August 2026, and what actions it is taking in response.

Month on month GDP data can be volatile. Although Scotland’s GDP fell 0.3% in July 2026 and 0.1% in August 2026, it grew 0.3% over the last three months and has grown 1.3% over the last year. As set out in the GDP publication, at a sector level, the fall in GDP in July reflected a fall in services and construction output partially offset by an increase in production output. The fall in GDP in August reflected an increase in services output offset by a fall in production and construction output.

Scotland’s economic growth has been resilient in 2026 in the face of significant global economic headwinds. The Scottish Government continues to grow the economy through the Programme for Government. This includes establishing a Major Projects Office to unblock investment, a High Growth Unit to help businesses scale in Scotland, a Scottish Innovation Fund with the Scottish National Investment Bank to support university spin-outs, and we are also strengthening export support to attract investment and create better-paid jobs.

Question reference: S7W-04392

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 10 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains its policy that there should be a presumption against new exploration for oil and gas, as set out in its Draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan and, if not, (a) when and (b) for what reason that policy was changed.

Decisions on licensing for new offshore oil and gas exploration, as well as those on consenting and the associated fiscal regime, are currently reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government's position is clear - the UK Government must make decisions on North Sea oil and gas on a case-by-case basis, with climate compatibility and energy security as key considerations.

The Scottish Government committed in the Programme for Government to publishing a refreshed Energy Strategy to provide long-term certainty for industry and communities. Energy security, emissions, economic opportunities and affordability will be key considerations alongside developments in reserved energy policy and the international landscape.

Question reference: S7W-04910

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its proposed ScotWind Wealth Fund, (a) what recurring revenue streams it plans to use to replenish its proposed ScotWind Wealth Fund, (b) what proportion of future seabed rental income it plans to ring-fence for the fund, and (c) when these funding arrangements will be confirmed.

Question reference: S7W-04909

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its proposed ScotWind Wealth Fund, (a) how much it plans to allocate to the fund as an initial endowment, (b) whether any ScotWind revenues will be used for this purpose, and, if so, what (i) proportion and (ii) amount, and (c) when a final decision will be made.

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Filter your results Hide all filters

Question reference: S7W-04788

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04787

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04967

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04969

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04968

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04970

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04623

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04392

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04910

Answer

Question reference: S7W-04909

Answer