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-19470

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of increased mortgage rates on the Scottish economy.

Forecasts for the Scottish economy are produced by the independent Scottish Fiscal Commission. They published their most recent forecast in May 2023.

The Scottish Government has not made any formal assessment of the impact of increased mortgage rates on the Scottish economy. However, the Scottish Government regularly monitors trends in mortgage rates and the level of mortgage lending through the quarterly Scottish Housing Market Review , and also monitors trends in economic activity, which is affected by mortgage and other interest rates, through the monthly Economic Brief .

The Scottish Government has recently conducted an evidence review on the impact of the wider cost of living crisis on low income households with children. A part of the report includes a section on housing which briefly summarises the impact of higher mortgage costs for families on low incomes.

Question reference: S6W-19846

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendations of the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic, what it is doing to address affordable housing for young families and young people in rural communities.

The Scottish Government recognises that good quality, affordable housing is essential to help attract and retain young families and young people in Scotland’s rural communities. We are committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 of which 10% will be in remote, rural and island areas.

We are funding up to £25 million over the next five years for local authorities to identify affordable homes for key workers in rural areas.

In Autumn, we will publish a Remote, Rural and Island Housing Action Plan to help attract and retain people in these communities.

Question reference: S6W-19811

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) COSLA and (b) Homes for Scotland regarding any need for the creation of data sets relevant to planning performance and housing need and demand.

The creation of data sets relevant to planning performance and housing need and demand has been discussed recently with COSLA and Homes for Scotland in the context of the following:

Housing to 2040 Strategic Board – the role of data in the housing sector was discussed. Both COSLA and Homes for Scotland are represented on the Board.
Housing Review Group – the group is using data to inform responses to pressures on affordable housing availability. COSLA is represented on this group.
Meetings with Ministers and/or officials – the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning and the Minister for Housing met jointly with Homes for Scotland in June 2023 and discussed data sets in the context of additional data to supplement existing Housing Need and Demand Assessments (HNDAs). Scottish Government officials have also met with Homes for Scotland to discuss the HNDA process.
Digital Planning Data Strategy – this aims to unlock the value of planning data. COSLA is engaged in the future implementation of the strategy.
Developing research proposals for a Gypsy / Traveller Accommodation Needs Toolkit – COSLA has been involved in the development of the research bid.

Question reference: S6W-19765

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the National Youth Arts Advisory Group has met since it was established, and when it is next due to meet.

Question reference: S6W-19731

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with Dance Base since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

Since May 2021, Scottish Ministers have met with Dance Base on two occasions.

On 24 February 2022, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine met with the Edinburgh Cultural Venues Group, which Dance Base also attended. The discussion included the challenges brought on by COVID-19 restrictions.

On 7 September 2022, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine met with Dance Base to discuss the impacts inflation and the cost crisis were having their organisation.

As part of Scottish Government’s regular engagement with cultural organisations, officials have met with Dance Base to discuss support for the culture sector and the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.

Question reference: S6W-20032

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-19840

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to increase public awareness of any environmental and economic benefits of using reusable nappies.

The Scottish Government promotes the use of reusable nappies by including a voucher for one waterproof nappy wrap and five stay dry nappy pads in Scotland’s Baby Box. The voucher also signposts families to the Scottish Government Parent Club website which highlights the benefits of using reusable nappies and provides helpful advice and tips on nappy use. Ready Steady Baby , which is given out at antenatal appointments, also highlights the benefits of reusable nappies.

Question reference: S6W-19222

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, whether it has carried out contingency planning for a situation where Circularity Scotland would cease trading.

The Scottish Government assesses and monitors a range of risks relating to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland and takes appropriate action.

Circularity Scotland is now in administration and the Scottish Government is considering the next steps in accordance with the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020.

We remain committed to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme but as stated in Parliament on 7 th June, this will not now launch until October 2025 at the earliest due to the UK Governments 11 th hour intervention through their decision on the Internal Market Act exclusion.

Question reference: S6W-19299

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for the (a) decanting and (b) operational closure of HMP Barlinnie.

We are committed to replacing HMP Barlinnie with HMP Glasgow which is being designed to deliver safe and secure accommodation, with maximum possible benefit and opportunity to those who live and work there, as well as surrounding communities.

Time-scales for the replacement prison will be set out once a final design is available and transition plans will be developed closer to the date of transition.

When planning to decant a part of, or an entire prison, SPS will communicate and consult with the affected population, and ensure that each individual’s needs are taken into account when considering the relocation. For affected staff, individual needs and requirements are also taken into account before any change in their working location.

Question reference: S6W-19622

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met with the administrators appointed to oversee Circularity Scotland.