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: S6F-04025

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 28 April 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04036

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 April 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025

To ask the First Minister, in light of the reported high demand for neurodevelopmental assessment services, when the Scottish Government plans to publish the report on the work that it funded on the five “tests of change” across Scotland, which concluded in March 2024.

Question reference: S6W-36252

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that colleges are adequately and fairly funded.

I recognise the financial challenges colleges are currently facing. The 2025-26 budget sees a £13.2 million uplift on 2024-25 to the college resource allocation, in recognition of the vital role colleges play in communities across Scotland. On top of this a further £3.5 million in targeted support has been announced for offshore wind and social care skills pathways. This is alongside an increase of almost 5% in capital maintenance funding which will help colleges further invest in student’s learning experiences. Following the decision by UKG to increase employer National Insurance contributions we have agreed to allocate 60% costs to colleges. While this does not fully meet the estimated cost pressures, we will continue to engage with sector representative bodies on their concerns. We called on the Chancellor to fund these costs in full and will continue to press UKG on this matter.

It is the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) role to work closely with the college sector to identify the best split of the available resources, taking into account Government priorities and the college sector’s needs.

Question reference: S6W-36250

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Scottish Funding Council regarding a revised funding model for colleges.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) regularly on a range of issues. This has included SFC’s plans to implement changes to the Council’s approach to college funding allocations in response to requests from the sector, and their discussions with the sector on these changes. In my recent letter of guidance, I made it clear that we expect the SFC to consider the financial sustainability of individual institutions, and needs of learners, as part of any decisions around funding allocations.

Through the Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group (comprising of Scottish Government, the SFC and Colleges Scotland) collaboration continues to work on identifying and implementing workable flexibilities to ease colleges’ financial pressures while ensuring accountability for public funds. For example, a revised process for the disposal of college assets has recently been implemented, where colleges can retain a higher amount of the sale proceeds.

A fresh set of priorities for the Group was agreed last year, and work is underway across those areas, namely diversification of funding into the sector, establishment of a new way to flexibly fund investment in Curriculum Transformation, and exploration of the breadth of delivery via colleges.

Question reference: S6W-36251

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to any colleges that will see a reduction in their core teaching grants.

It is the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) responsibility to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of the funding across the college sector. SFC have confirmed no college will see a funding reduction in Academic Year 2025-26 when compared with 2024-25 and are engaging with affected colleges around mitigations that will help them adjust as changes in the funding allocation approach are implemented.

Question reference: S6W-36253

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to support the Scottish Funding Council in increasing transparency in relation to revised funding models for colleges.

In the approach to the recent indicative college allocations for Academic Year 2025-26, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) responded to requests from the sector to address issues regarding transparency and funding comparability between learners on similar courses and colleges. Through the Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group (comprising of Scottish Government, the SFC and Colleges Scotland) collaboration continues to work on identifying and implementing workable flexibilities to ease colleges’ financial pressures while ensuring accountability for public funds.

Question reference: S6W-36254

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering to any colleges that are projected to record a budget deficit in 2025-26.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) regularly monitors individual institution’s financial sustainability and considers appropriate forms of support. The indicative allocations published by the SFC on 10 April will enable colleges to move forward with planning for academic year 2025-26. The SFC allocations include a 2.6% increase in teaching funding compared with last year; an additional £4.5 million for lecturer's pay and £8.3 million for pensions; and an increase of almost 5% in capital maintenance funding to help colleges further invest in student’s learning experiences. The student support budget has also been maintained at the same level as last year, despite pressures on the public purse.

Question reference: S6W-36512

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides support to the Scottish Assembly, and if this is the case, what kind of support it provides.

Over the last three years, the Scottish Government has provided the Scottish Assembly with £425,136 to build capacity via our leadership and engagement framework and £316,349 of core funding via our Inspiring Inclusion charity portfolio over the last 4 years. Both of these funds are managed and distributed by fund manager, Inspiring Scotland.

Inspiring Scotland offer management consultancy services to the Scottish Assembly’s executive team and Board and provide intensive support where needed. This includes support to explore alternative funding and income streams aimed at long term sustainability of the organisation.

Question reference: S6W-36536

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency planning or business support measures it is considering to mitigate any economic impact on businesses in Scotland of any new US trade barriers.

The Scottish Government continues to closely monitor and assess the direct and indirect impacts of new US goods tariffs, and is working closely with our enterprise agencies, the UK Government, and the business community, to assess the implications and consequences for the Scottish economy and businesses. Information for businesses on US tariffs can be found at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/usa-tariffs

We will continue to promote the export growth of Scottish businesses in both current and emerging markets as they find a way through this challenging time.

In recognition of the significant impact of tariffs on both the Scottish and UK economy, the First Minister has called on the UK Government to provide additional measures and economic support in response.

Question reference: S6W-36514

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has allocated any funding to support the Scottish Assembly for the financial year 2025-26.