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-02976

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been invested in the trunk road network in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency since Amey took over management of the network.

Question reference: S6O-02959

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on future funding for South of Scotland Enterprise.

Question reference: S6O-02963

Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what impact its Budget will have on city centre recovery and small businesses.

Question reference: S6W-23971

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last engaged with South Lanarkshire Council regarding the proposed introduction of a speed limit of 20 mph on most urban roads.

Question reference: S6W-23901

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for the processing of claims at Social Security Scotland.

The most recent Adult and Child Disability Payment statistics show improvement, with more applications being processed in the last quarter than at any time since the benefits were launched – underlining the strong progress Social Security Scotland are making.

The most recent published statistics show the average processing time for Scottish Child Payment and Adult Disability payments had both reduced, but we recognise there is more to do.

It was announced in the budget that we will invest £6.3 billion in social security benefits and payments, over £1 billion more than in 2023-24 – our single biggest increase on record in social security funding.

Social Security Scotland now administers 14 benefits to the people of Scotland, helping deliver our national mission to tackle child poverty and inequality, treating people with dignity, fairness and respect, and ensuring people receive the benefits they are due. 94% of clients rate their overall experience of receiving benefits as good or very good.

Question reference: S6W-23904

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its progress so far on and (b) the next steps for its Islands Connectivity Plan.

I informed the Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee on 19 December 2023 that I have received the Islands Connectivity Plan Strategic Approach Paper and the Vessels and Ports Plan. I am now taking some time to ensure that they reflect the issues raised in the Committee's recent inquiry into "A Modern and Sustainable Ferry Service for Scotland" and issues that communities have raised with me directly. I intend to publish both documents early this year.

The full text of my letter to the Committee is available here: Minister for Transport (parliament.scot)

Question reference: S6W-23341

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will continue to evaluate any benefits of the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (LIFT) by including further funding for the scheme in its Budget for 2024-25.

An evaluation of the Scottish Government shared equity schemes (Help to Buy, Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) and New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE)) was published in June 2020. The evaluation can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/publications/evaluation-scottish-government-shared-equity-schemes/

The LIFT scheme continues to contribute to the Scottish Government’s 110,000 affordable homes target.

Any decisions on future funding should be determined by The Scottish Government’s budget announcement on the 19 December.

Question reference: S6W-23859

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it has considered the mobility needs of older people in its design of low traffic neighbourhoods and low traffic measures, including modal filters such as (a) bollards, (b) bus gates and (c) one-way streets.

The Scottish Government is not responsible for the design of low traffic neighbourhoods; local authorities are responsible for management and maintenance of local roads and paths in their area under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Low traffic neighbourhoods guidance provided alongside the Place Standard Tool on the “Our Place Scotland” website. Local authorities should undertake an equality impact assessment prior to any changes to ensure the needs of our most vulnerable people are taken into account.

The Scottish Government will also launch consultation early in 2024 on new draft guidance to support Inclusive Design for Town Centres and Busy Streets.

Question reference: S6W-24094

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make it a requirement for schools to provide single-sex toilets for pupils aged eight and over.

Question reference: S6W-24093

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to request that every school records the name and biological sex of every pupil in its admissions register.