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-25619

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the funding that it provides to bus companies to subsidise the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme, for what reason local authorities are reportedly unable to access this, or similar, funding to meet school transport costs, and whether it will consider allowing local authorities to access such funding to meet these costs.

The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons provides free travel on local registered bus services and long distance bus services throughout Scotland. Dedicated school transport services do not fall within the definition of eligible services set out in the legislation as they are generally not registered as local bus services or available to members of the public. Local authorities receive funding via the local government block grant to enable them to meet their statutory obligations, including the provision of home to school transport.

Question reference: S6W-25898

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is assisting local authorities to establish investment savings bonds, as has reportedly been done elsewhere in the UK, including by Southwark Council.

Scottish Government are not aware of any local authority that is considering establishing such bonds.

A local authority's capital financing and investment arrangements are a matter for the authority. Whilst we would expect councils to engage appropriate specialist expertise to assist them with their capital financing and investment plans, the Scottish Government would be happy to support any council considering innovative capital financing and investment propositions for the good of their local communities.

Question reference: S6W-25751

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that fibromyalgia patients are aware of the availability of Attendance Allowance.

It is a fundamental priority for the Scottish Government to ensure that people take up their full entitlement to social security benefits. This includes UK reserved benefits such as Attendance Allowance, where promotion and delivery remains the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Welfare advice services work closely with people across Scotland who may be entitled to benefits but have not yet applied. This year, we have allocated funding of £12.5 million to support free income maximisation, welfare and debt advice services, helping people to access social security and maximise incomes.

Social Security Scotland also work extensively with local and national stakeholders to promote Scottish payments. This includes engagement with a group of stakeholders representing Energy Limited Chronic Illnesses, which brings together a number of organisations supporting people with fibromyalgia.

Question reference: S6W-25827

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of reports that some charitable organisations gave all of their staff three months redundancy notice on the first working day of 2024 due to uncertainties over grant funding for the next financial year.

We are aware that many third sector organisations issue three-month notices to staff that are funded through grants to inform them that they are at risk of redundancy should funding not continue.

In recognition of the impact that this can have, grant managers across the Scottish Government aim to inform organisations of funding arrangements as early as possible and, ideally, before the end of calendar year to avoid the need for redundancy notices.

Regrettably, the late timing of the UK Government Autumn Statement and the catastrophic cuts to Scotland’s block-grant have caused unavoidable delays in finalising budgets for 24-25. As a result we have been, as yet, unable to notify many third sector organisations of their future funding.

In line with our Fairer Funding commitments, we are working to do so as soon as soon as is practically possible and before the end of March 2024 for funding that starts on 1 April. Grant managers are engaging with organisations to provide as much support and assurance as possible.

Question reference: S6W-25850

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact in Scotland of the findings of the Competition and Markets Authority's investigation into some of the UK's biggest housebuilders, including whether they have been sharing information that could influence house prices.

Scottish Ministers welcome the publication of the Competition and Markets Authority's completed investigation into the housing market, in particular those findings relating to Scotland and the published Scotland summary. We are considering their findings carefully and will respond formally in due course.

We also note the intention to investigate further issues relating to potential market information sharing and other matters. It is right that this is considered carefully and Ministers will consider this in turn when the Authority have completed their work on this issue.

Question reference: S6W-25749

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action the Chronic Pain Task Force (a) has taken to date and (b) plans to take in the future regarding services for people affected by fibromyalgia, and whether the Task Force has any professional members with particular expertise in treating or aiding fibromyalgia patients.

(a) The Pain management - service delivery framework: implementation plan sets out the actions we will take to reduce the impact of chronic pain on quality of life and wellbeing and improve information, care and services for people in Scotland, which includes people living with chronic pain as a result of fibromyalgia. A report on the progress on the 18 initial actions was published on the 15 November 2023 Pain management service delivery implementation plan: progress report .

Additionally in November 2024, we published an updated Implementation Plan with updated actions following a period of stakeholder engagement. Progress on actions is discussed bi-monthly at the Pain Management Task Force , the minutes of which are available on the Scottish Government website.

We will continue to consult with people with lived experience of chronic pain, including those with fibromyalgia, throughout the development and delivery of actions outlined in the plan.

(b)The Short Life Working Groups (SLWGs) and Pain Management Networks established to support implementation of the Framework continue to evolve and develop the current actions. All the professional network leads (allied health professionals, pain psychologists, medics, pharmacist and nurses) are specialist pain management clinicians who have expert skills in supporting people with fibromyalgia.

Details on the role and membership of the Pain Management Task Force can be found at Pain Management Task Force .

Question reference: S6W-25752

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether health professionals are offered training and educational resources in relation to chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia.

Current guidelines for healthcare professionals regarding fibromyalgia are available from authoritative professional sources such as the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) - https://www.sign.ac.uk/our-guidelines/management-of-chronic-pain/ and the Royal College of Physicians https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/diagnosis-fibromyalgia-syndrome

The National Pain Education Group is developing a Chronic Pain Toolkit for all health and social care staff across Scotland - it will be Scotland's first national chronic pain training resource. It will be hosted on TURAS on a dedicated page called The Chronic Pain Knowledge Hub. This has been developed with lived experience input and NHS Education for Scotland colleagues.

Question reference: S6W-25750

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark International Fibromyalgia Day 2024.

International Fibromyalgia Day on 12 May 2024 is an important opportunity to raise awareness of this distressing and debilitating condition. We want to ensure that all people living with fibromyalgia in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support. To mark its importance, on the 12 May 2024 the Scottish Government’s main building, St Andrew’s House, will be lit up in purple.

We are working hard to deliver the actions in our Pain management service delivery framework: implementation plan update to ensure everyone living with chronic pain, including fibromyalgia, can access the care and support they need to live well, on their own terms.

Question reference: S6O-03196

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on NHS Lanarkshire's recovery plans.

Question reference: S6W-25497

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported use of mobile apps in schools to monitor children's behaviour and movements.

Local authorities take their own decisions about which digital tools, services and apps to deploy in their schools to support delivery of education. We expect that any digital service would be implemented in recognition of statutory duties arising from GDPR and Data Protection Act. As Data Controllers in their own right, it is for local authorities to ensure all digital services in schools comply with the relevant legislation.