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-27412

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure fairness and equality within the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS) for teachers who joined at different points in time, in light of any changes in pension age and contribution rates.

Question reference: S6W-27588

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been diagnosed with myeloma through the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service.

The recently published University of Strathclyde evaluation report showed that 3% of cancers diagnosed through the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS) were myeloma.

The Scottish Government doesn’t hold data on exact numbers, however a national RCDS data-set has been created with Public Health Scotland (PHS) and submission of this data from relevant Health Boards will commence in summer 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27493

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) any increasing risk from drug resistant and untreatable infections and (b) preparedness plans to deal with this.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is listed amongst the World Health Organisation’s top ten global public health threats. The Scottish Government works closely with stakeholders in Scotland and beyond to assess the risks associated with AMR and implement key actions to combat it. The Scottish Government has been a key partner in the development of the UK-wide Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan (2024-2029), which was published on 8 May. The plan forms part of a long-term vision on AMR, which works towards a world where AMR is contained and controlled by 2040.

We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to address the risks of AMR across human health, animal health, and the environment. We are also developing an implementation plan which provides greater detail on specific actions that will be carried out in Scotland. This includes key actions aimed at optimising use of antibiotics, preventing and controlling infections, investing in innovation and technology, as well as working collaboratively with global partners.

Question reference: S6W-27530

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has frozen the Nature Restoration Fund.

The Nature Restoration Fund has not been frozen.

The competitive strand of our Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is currently supporting more than 65 projects, and has offered support to over 200 projects, collectively worth more than £15 million, delivering exciting on the ground activity to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity. You can view the Nature Restoration Fund story map to see the range of projects supported across Scotland.

There has been a tremendous response across Scotland in terms of applications to the NRF such that the capital budget for delivery projects in 2024-25 is currently fully committed. NatureScot are, however, accepting applications to the NRF for development projects and for delivery projects starting in April 2025 (up to one year).

In addition, the Edinburgh Process strand of the NRF has so far directed over £17 million to support nature restoration projects directed by local authorities and our National Parks. A further £5 million of funding will be provided in 2024-25.

Question reference: S6W-27366

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21549 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, what progress NHS boards have made on implementing the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations, published on 23 March 2023, requiring access to placental growth factor (PlGF) based tests as part of maternity care.

The Scottish Government is committed to continuous improvement in maternity safety across Scotland, in partnership with NHS Boards and clinicians and service users, to deliver the best and safest care for mothers and babies.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to ensure the SHTG recommendations on PlGF-based testing published on 23 March 2023 are implemented effectively and consistently. We will be writing to NHS Boards to get an update on their current position regarding PIGF testing and to determine if further support is necessary to progress implementation plans.

Question reference: S6W-27413

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the current cost of living crisis, what specific actions are being taken to ensure that teacher pensions remain competitive and attractive to both new and existing teachers.

The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme (STPS) continues to be an integral part of the remuneration package for teachers in Scotland. A Defined Benefit scheme, it offers the security of a guaranteed income in every year of retirement for all its members. Pensions in payment to retired members are inflation proofed and adjusted each April in line with the Consumer Prices Index. In April 2023, pensions increased by 10.1% and in April 2024 by a further 6.7%.

Question reference: S6W-27419

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the projected impact is of the recent teacher pay settlements on the long-term sustainability of the Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme (STPS).

Question reference: S6W-27383

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to promote coordination between schools and mental health services.

The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is a top priority for the Scottish Government.

We continue to provide £16 million a year to ensure that every secondary school has access to school counselling services. Our guidance makes clear that local authorities should consider how links between schools, and their local community health and social services, and relevant third-sector organisations can be made to ensure a holistic child-centred approach.

The Scottish Government is also providing local authorities with £15 million per annum to deliver community-based mental health and wellbeing supports and services for children and young people. Our supporting Framework for this funding advocates a whole-system approach and makes clear that community supports and services should work closely with schools to ensure that there are clear and streamlined pathways to support for children and young people, and that local partnerships should be explicit about how different services should work together.

It is a matter for local authorities to decide how services work together in individual areas.

Question reference: S6O-03511

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that local authorities are able to provide full-time schooling for children with complex additional support needs.

Question reference: S6O-03508

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on work to extend the application of Road Equivalent Tariff to Northern Isles ferry routes.