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-15035

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been undertaken of the efficacy of national recruitment campaigns in the social care sector in relation to (a) public, (b) private and (c) third sector providers, over the past five years.

The Scottish Government’s ‘There’s More to Care than Caring’ campaign launched 27 January 2020 and has run four times, with the latest activity starting on 23 January 2023 and due to conclude on 20 March 2023. We have evaluation data from the previous 3 campaigns, which details the achievements of the campaign in regards to engagement with the audience however this information is not broken down into subsectors across social care.

Question reference: S6W-14864

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it is having with (a) Scottish-based shipbuilding firms and (b) Shetland Islands Council to help ensure that the procurement exercise for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle is responded to and won by a Scottish shipyard, in light of the UK Government's £27 million funding award for the project through its Levelling Up Fund.

The Scottish Government recognise the challenge for local authorities that have responsibility for ferries and welcomes all extra funding for Scotland. However, it is unacceptable for the UK Government to decide how money is spent in areas of devolved responsibility.

The Scottish Government actively engages with the shipbuilding industry, through individual companies and our enterprise and skills agencies. Transport Scotland has no role in the procurement of local authority ferries.

Question reference: S6W-15273

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the eligibility criteria for the Young Scot National Entitlement Card, for what reason the current age range of 11- to 25-year-olds is considered to be the most appropriate, and whether it has considered lowering the age range to include all young people living in Scotland who are of primary school age.

The National Concessionary Travel Schemes are delivered on both Young Scot-branded and non-Young Scot-branded National Entitlement Cards (NEC).

Children aged 5-11 are able to access the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme (YPTS) using a photoless NEC. Young people aged 11-21 can choose to access the YPTS with either a Young Scot NEC or non-Young Scot branded photo NEC. Information on the types of NECs available to access YPTS is available at freebus.scot .

Young people in the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Disabled Persons aged 11-25 can choose to access the scheme through either a Young-Scot branded or non-branded NEC.

Non-concessionary travel benefits of the Young Scot NEC are the responsibility of Young Scot who determine the age at which this is available.

Question reference: S6W-15219

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when in Spring 2023 the long-term solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful will be announced.

The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. This scheme is technically challenging and the landscape is dynamic so it is vital we understand the terrain we are working in, in order to develop a suitable solution of the correct standard in the correct place.

The necessary engineering and environmental assessment work is progressing at pace and whilst I cannot confirm a precise date for the announcement of the preferred route for the long term solution at this time, I can confirm that it remains our intention to announce the decision this Spring.

Question reference: S6W-15216

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what potential impact the current inflationary pressures may have on the delivery of the (a) medium- and (b) long-term solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. I share the urgency communities and businesses place on maintaining and improving connectivity of this vital route, which is why we are progressing measures for the short, medium and long term in tandem.

Transport Scotland continues to progress design and assessment work on both the medium and long-term solutions at pace. Transport Scotland also continues to explore methods to reduce the timescales to bring forward both the medium-term and long-term improvements as soon as possible, whilst continuing to maximise the availability of the existing A83.

Clearly market conditions have changed in the past few years - the pandemic, Brexit and inflationary pressures have all played their respective parts in changing the procurement and delivery landscape across Government. However, we will continuously review the impact of current inflationary pressures and market conditions on both medium and long-term measures.

A detailed programme for the proposed medium-term improvements to the Old Military Road through Glen Croe is now being developed. It is expected that these works will be carried out on a phased basis starting later this year. I will provide an update on the delivery programme for the medium-term improvements at the next A83 Taskforce meeting which is scheduled to take place in June 2023.

In terms of the long-term solution, we are working towards announcing a preferred route option by this Spring.

Question reference: S6W-15206

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards delivering the National Dashcam Safety Portal initiative, led by Police Scotland with financial support from the Road Safety Framework Fund.

The Scottish Government recognise the significance of National Dashcam Safety Portal initiative and its potential positive impact on road user behaviour and therefore the road safety outcomes for communities across Scotland.

I met with Police Scotland on 9 February to discuss the importance of delivering the NDSP.Police Scotland is now reviewing the project’s timings as part of their wider planning for 2023/24 and beyond.

All those involved in delivering the NDSP remain committed to implementing this valuable safety initiative.

Question reference: S6W-15122

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 6 March 2023

To ask Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the outcome of its 2016 commitment to provide £30 million over five years to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

Question reference: S6W-15171

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to remove funding from any of the school culture coordinators that it presently supports and, if so, how many coordinators will be affected.

The Scottish Government does not fund culture coordinator posts in schools. However, some Local Authorities choose to employ culture coordinators to support the delivery of the Youth Music Initiative programme, administered on behalf of the Scottish Government by Creative Scotland.

Creative Scotland do not require Local Authorities to have a specific coordinator role in place to deliver the fund. Scottish Government give Local Authorities the financial freedom to operate independently and allocate the resources available to them in response to local need.

Question reference: S6W-15026

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on time chartering vessels, including catamarans, to provide additional capacity on the current Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Question reference: S6W-15025

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with CalMac regarding employment conditions on its vessels, chartered from CMAL, which are operating on routes on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.