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: S6O-03816

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what the total monetary cost has been, including in relation to travel, accommodation and staff and ministerial working time, of all overseas trips taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture since his appointment in 2021.

Question reference: S6O-03828

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure access to advice and advocacy for civil justice issues, especially for people in rural and island communities, in light of the reported recent reduction in funding for the Early Resolution and Advice Programme.

Question reference: S6O-03817

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with local arts organisations to address any current challenges they face in maintaining their operations.

Question reference: S6O-03836

Asked by: Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what plans there are for the future provision of Gaelic education in primary schools in the Glasgow Anniesland constituency.

Question reference: S6O-03821

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in reforming the female custodial estate.

Question reference: S6W-30019

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether reducing the working hours of 8,000 civil servants while increasing pay by 3% represents value for money.

A key condition of the agreement for the Scottish Government to move to a 35-hour week was that productivity levels are maintained, and that costs are not increased as a result. These conditions are consistent with the findings of research into shorter working weeks, which point towards the wellbeing benefits of such improvements to terms and conditions and, in some cases, even positive impacts on productivity.

The Scottish Government’s position is that the 3% (of which 2.25% was in-year) pay award for 2024-25, alongside the introduction of the 35-hour week, does represent good value for money. Both elements formed part of a two-year pay deal, which was reached during a period of high inflation, and is consistent with pay awards reached across the Scottish Public Sector. Achieving agreement on pay with the recognised trade unions for this extended period has also meant the Scottish Government has avoided the costly impacts of industrial action.

Question reference: S6W-30011

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 2 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on airport drop-off fees in Scottish airports and any equalities impact that they have on people with mobility issues or who rely on vehicular drop-off and pick-up when no other option is available or suitable.

Question reference: S6W-30042

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been budgeted by Transport Scotland for the delivery of the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme, and what impact the "current funding restraints", which the Cabinet Secretary for Transport made reference to on 10 April 2024 in a letter to a representative of Aberdeen City Council, has had on (a) this budget and (b) the delivery of the scheme.

The Scottish Government is facing significant pressures on its capital budget, with an expected real terms reduction from the UK Government to capital funding in Scotland of nearly 9% over five years. This equates to a cumulative loss of over £1.3 billion between 2023-24 and 2027-28 which will significantly affect the Scottish Government’s ability to maintain investment in transport infrastructure across Scotland.

However, the Scottish Government remains committed to the delivery of the proposed A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement scheme as part of a package of additional investment alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

The current estimated cost for the scheme is approximately £24.7m at 2019 prices (excluding non-recoverable VAT). This estimate will continue to be refined and updated as the scheme design becomes more developed.

The necessary on-going design preparatory work in 2024-25 is being funded through the Scottish Government’s Roads Improvement budget line.

Delivery of the scheme itself can only commence when the scheme is approved under the statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for construction can be determined in line with available budgets.

Question reference: S6W-29477

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any funding reductions that have been made as a result of the reallocation of funds to local authority pay awards.

Public sector pay continues to be a significant driver of in-year pressures and, under the current devolution settlement, any substantive in-year pressures can only be funded by reductions elsewhere. If the UK Government does not fully fund public sector pay deals, there will be a significant gap between the expectations of the workforce and the available funding.

As confirmed in the Fiscal Statement to the Scottish Parliament on 3 September, the Scottish Government has identified a range of measures to support the 2024-25 budget totalling almost £1 billion, of which up to £500 million are direct savings. Correspondence with the Convenor of the Finance and Public Administration on 3 September, confirmed that the impact of these measures has been appropriately assessed, including in formal impact assessments where required.

In relation to local authority pay awards, the Scottish Government has agreed with local government that they can draw on specific existing programmes to fund pay deals. The relevant funding will be replaced in 2025-26 and assurance has been sought from local authorities to confirm that they are able to mitigate any impacts in 2024-25 and that delivery timescales will not be significantly impacted.

Question reference: S6W-30005

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 2 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Audit Scotland report, Scotland’s colleges 2024; what its position is on the ongoing viability of Scotland's colleges, and how it plans to address any financial shortfalls in funding for this sector, in light of the role that it plays in skilling the next generation of Scotland's workforce.

Ministers recognise the crucial role that our colleges play and notably, the Audit Scotland report recognises that the courses that college students undertake contribute not only to their own development but also to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth.

Against a challenging backdrop of financial pressures across the public sector, a priority has been to protect investment in the college sector as far as possible. It is the responsibility of each college to manage its operations in line with the funding allocated by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). As part of this we expect each institution to continually reassess operational models and explore avenues for cost reduction and revenue maximisation in this demanding climate.

We are committed to work alongside colleges and the SFC through the Tripartite Alignment Group to provide greater flexibility for institutions in how they use the investment that is available. The SFC has proposed modifications to the college funding model to provide short-term relief to colleges and has expressed plans to revamp the funding model for future sustainability; while Scottish Government has progressed work on college disposals in order to help deliver flexibilities to colleges in their approach to managing their estate.

The Audit Scotland report recognises there are important opportunities coming from reform. As we progress with reform, we will work closely with colleges and other stakeholders to ensure that they have a sustainable future.