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-31696

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the University of Manchester research article, All present and correct? Alternative provision and school attendance, and, in light of this research, what action it is taking to (a) increase collaborative working at local authority level to improve school attendance, (b) develop localised approaches to reduce rates of school non-attendance and (c) develop processes to support children and young people with complex needs who require alternative provision outside of the school setting, including to support them when returning to regular education provision.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving attendance in Scottish schools. Last year, we requested that Education Scotland undertake a 'deep dive' to support greater understanding of the issue and the reasons for it.

Within the resulting report 'Improving Attendance: Understanding the Issues', five recommendations were identified including 'Education Scotland, working with stakeholders and partners, should bespoke support for areas where improving levels of attendance remains a challenge'. The research article from the University of Manchester, ‘All Present and Correct’ is based on only one local authority in the North West of England. Key findings of the article align to the Education Scotland report which was based on a more comprehensive evidence base.

Education Scotland is working closely with local authorities and with schools. This includes the establishment of an Improving Attendance National Network aimed at senior officers within local authorities. Regular engagement with various levels of the system including the ADES Performance and Improvement Network is in place, informing support required and ongoing challenges as well as any successes.

Education Scotland is working intensively with six local authorities to support identified establishments to use Quality Improvement approaches to improve attendance. This programme is running until March 2025 and provides regular opportunities for collaboration. A second cohort will begin early next year.

A steering group of senior school leaders is in place, informing planning for headteacher events starting in February 2025. In addition, all local authorities are invited to an event on 6 February 2025, focussed on strategic approaches to improving attendance. A second package of support, focussed on implantation strategies and effective practice, is currently being developed and will be published in March 2025.

Education authorities have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 to identify, provide for and review the additional needs of their pupils. This includes any support required following a period of absence. Education authorities are also responsible for determining the most appropriate provision for children and young people with additional support needs, taking account of their legislative responsibilities and the individual circumstances and wishes of children, young people and their families.

Education authorities are supported in implementing their duties under the 2004 Act through the statutory code of practice on additional support for learning.

Question reference: S6T-02237

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government at the British Irish Council summit regarding ending the two-child benefit cap.

Question reference: S6T-02241

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported review of more than 1,000 CT scans, in light of concerns regarding the quality of assessments made by a consultant radiologist.

Question reference: S6F-03620

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-03618

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-03621

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with local authorities regarding the reported impending closure of library facilities across Scotland.

Question reference: S6F-03622

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to bring forward legislation to criminalise non-fatal strangulation.

Question reference: S6F-03628

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reported comments from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland that “children are being let down” by an education system that needs “radical reform”.

Question reference: S6F-03619

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-31888

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been awarded through Greening payments for the restoration of natural processes in each year since 2015.

The Greening Scheme was introduced in 2015 with the intent to improve the environmental performance of farming. The Scheme delivers thirty per cent of Scotland’s Direct Payment budget as a top up to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Farmers and crofters must comply with the Greening requirements to receive their BPS and Greening payments. For those that meet the eligibility requirements this also includes carrying out Ecological Focus areas (EFA’s) that are beneficial for the climate, environment and biodiversity.

Several of the EFA options encourage land stability and prohibit the use of artificial fertilisers/ chemicals, which create benefits for restoration of natural processes but there is no direct funding link that can be quantified for the “restoration of natural Processes”.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

Chamber and committees

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