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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-19105

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the full membership of the New Deal for Business Group, co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.

The New Deal for Business Group membership is now published on the Scottish Government Website ( Business: New Deal for Business Group - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . Representation is across a range of business sectors, sizes and locations in both the Group’s membership as well as members and contributors to the five subgroup’s led by Scottish Government and Business. After June, the membership and frequency of the Group will be reviewed as we move to the implementation phase.

Question reference: S6W-19079

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the average strike price is under the Contracts for Difference scheme of the operational wind farms in Scotland, given in (a) 2012 prices and (b) current prices.

Question reference: S6W-18373

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take in response to the recently published Office of National Statistics figures, which reportedly show that Scotland is the "zero-hours contracts capital of the UK", with 105,000 workers in Scotland on zero-hours contracts.

The Scottish Government firmly opposes the inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts and other non-standard types of employment that offer workers minimal job or financial security. We continue to press the UK Government for the full devolution of employment powers in order to allow us to protect and enhance workers’ rights and tackle the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts.

We are limited to what we can achieve at present and recognise that only with independence can we realise our full potential. Our Fair Work Action Plan sets out the action we are taking, using the levers we have control over, to promote and deliver fairer working practices.

Through our flagship Fair Work First policy, we are applying Fair Work criteria to as many funding streams, business support grants and public contracts as we can. The inclusion of the criterion no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts is a key mechanism for driving fair pay in Scottish workplaces.

For the last seven years we have funded the STUC to support its efforts in tackling precarious work and promoting fair work in under-unionised sectors.

In 2021 we introduced a Living Hours Employer Accreditation Scheme for Scotland, recognising that as well as payment of the real Living Wage, the number and frequency of working hours and security of contract are critical to addressing in-work poverty.

My previous answer to S6W-18372 on 8 June 2023, S6W-18374 on 9 June 2023 & S6W-18375 on 6 June 2023 provides the details on how the Scottish Government is engaging in these areas with various stakeholders, businesses, unions and employers on the matter of Zero Hours Contracts using our Fair Work policy to promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6T-01462

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being done to support local communities that have recently been affected by water shortages.

Question reference: S6T-01459

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, when it and its agencies were informed of Circularity Scotland's financial position, including the company's reported need to send staff home.

Question reference: S6F-02272

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2023

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is responding to the ongoing industrial disputes in further and higher education.

Question reference: S6F-02273

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2023

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on whether the Scottish Government is fully committed to improving the safety and condition of all of Scotland's major roads.

Question reference: S6F-02257

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2023

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-02259

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2023

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to improve access to sexual health advice.

Question reference: S6F-02266

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2023

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will recommit to the leadership needed to tackle the climate emergency.