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-25016

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a projected timeframe for the return of any money issued through its (a) Electric Vehicle Loan scheme and (b) Used Electric Vehicle Loan scheme.

The Low Carbon Transport Loan (LCTL) is administered by Energy Saving Trust (EST) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The scheme’s terms and conditions require the loan to be repaid over a term of up to 6 years (depending on the loan applied for). EST can recycle loan repayments to fund further loans in order to maximise the value and impact of the loan funding in supporting Scottish drivers make the transition to EVs.

The funding to support the loan for 2023-2024 is fully allocated. Currently Transport Scotland officials are considering future levels of funding together with the terms and conditions that support these schemes, with the intention to re-open subject to final considerations. Individuals and businesses can register their interest on the EST website to receive further information - Used Electric Vehicle Loan - Energy Saving Trust .

Question reference: S6W-25048

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish a list of all universities identified as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) present.

Question reference: S6W-25008

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to extending the current limit of three years of Student Awards Agency Scotland funding, for part-time postgraduate MSc courses with no full-time equivalent, to support people who may need extra time to complete their course, such as those who work full time, are disabled or have caring responsibilities.

Question reference: S6W-25066

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether applications for Individual Training Accounts administered by Skills Development Scotland will reopen for the 2024-25 financial year.

Question reference: S6W-24957

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23885 by Jenny Gilruth on 23 January 2024, how many surplus teachers are currently allocated to local authorities.

The Scottish Government does not allocate fully registered teachers to local authorities. Statutory responsibility for the recruitment and employment of teachers and all other support staff in local authority schools sits with individual councils.

Probationer teachers progressing through the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) are placed with local authorities through an allocation process. This is a placement and not employment. Where the number of probationers exceeds the number of places offered initially by local authorities these are subsequently allocated on a supernumerary basis. As previously indicated in answer to S6W-23885 this number was initially 626. To date there are over 500 deferrals and withdrawals from this year’s initial cohort so the 600 “supernumerary” figure as of May 2023 does not mean there are 600 surplus teachers.

Question reference: S6W-24938

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the conduct of Erudio Student Loans, and any impact of its debt recovery practices on people in Scotland.

The Scottish Government regularly engages with the UK Government and devolved government administrations in respect of student financial support matters. However, we have not been made aware of any issues relating to the conduct of Erudio Student Loans debt recovery practices that are impacting on Scottish borrowers.

If the member is aware of any specific issues for Scottish borrowers, they should be advised to contact Erudio Student Loans directly to raise their concerns. If, following that, they are not satisfied with the response then the issue can be taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service to consider.

Question reference: S6W-24962

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish an update on its reconsideration of delivery options to meet its commitment to support the update of pupils' digital devices when necessary, in light of its announcement that the £13 million allocated for this has been identified as a necessary saving.

An update on the provision of digital devices was given in the 2024-25 Scottish Government Budget.

In order to maximise the impact of capital funding available, we will seek to provide support at a household level, targeting investment specifically at disadvantaged families with children. This approach will improve equity of access to devices and connectivity for those who need it most, helping families realise the broad range of benefits associated with digital inclusion. It will also enable access not only to digital tools and resources for learning, but to digital society and online public services. Through doing so, it will expand the impact of this investment beyond learners to their wider families.

We are currently in the early stages of scheme design with Connecting Scotland, who will use their established model to distribute devices to eligible households, and will provide a further update on this work in due course.

Question reference: S6T-01830

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Police Scotland's Proportionate Response to Crime pilot, in which not all reported crimes were investigated, is to be extended across Scotland.

Question reference: S6T-01818

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure optimum ferry capacity to and from Arran, in light of reports that repairs to the MV Caledonian Isles are not expected to conclude before mid-June.

Question reference: S6F-02874

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 February 2024

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the latest reported figures highlighting the impact of livestock worrying in Scotland.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

Chamber and committees

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