Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 43592 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-10668

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to financially supporting third sector organisations with rising utility bills.

We recognise the challenges faced by the third sector in the current cost crisis and we will ensure the sector is not excluded from any financial support made available to the public or private sectors.

We have asked the UK Government to take key actions without delay. These include freezing energy prices at their current level for households, businesses and the public and third sectors.

We are aware of the recent announcement by the UK Government around the Energy Price Guarantee for households and businesses. We await further detail but this must include all types of third sector organisations too.

While the UK Government’s long anticipated Energy Price Guarantee is welcome and may limit the impact of the energy price crisis on some organisations, this announcement has come too late for many third sector organisations across Scotland who are already struggling to pay bills.

It is vitally important that the review on identifying 'vulnerable non domestic customers' is accelerated and those in need should be offered guaranteed support past March 2023.

Question reference: S6W-10850

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been allocated to Scottish Canals in each of the last five years.

Scottish Canals has benefitted from significant increases in grant in aid awards in recent years. Since 2019, the Organisation’s capital grant from the Scottish Government has increased by 87% and it has received an annual uplift in resource funding since 2020. The Organisation has also received substantial additional funding support. A breakdown of the funding is attached in the following table.

Year

Grant allocation

Capital funding

Revenue funding

Additional funding

Total funding

22-23

£22.7m

£12.2m

£10.5m

21-22

£21.9m

£12.2m

£9.7m

£662k (rev)

Covid consequential funding.

£2.4m in additional funding. (cap)

£14.6m (cap)

£10.4m (rev)

£22.6m(total)

20-21

£20.7m

£12.2m

£8.5m

£1m (cap) Dredging Caledonian and Crinan.

£545k(cap) Weedcutter.

£6.5m (cap) Union Canal Breach.

£1.1m (rev) Covid funding

£2.8m in additional funding. (cap)

£20.2m (cap)

£12.4m (rev)

£32.6m (total)

19-20

£15m

£6.5m

£8.5m

£262k (rev)

Bowling works.

£6.5m (cap)

£8.8m (rev)

£15.3m (total)

18-19

£11.6m

£3.5m

£8.1m

£1.625m (cap) Twechar, Bonnybridge and Ardrishaig.

£5.350m (cap) Cullochy Lock Gates and Fort Augustus.

£10.475m (cap)

£8.100m (rev)

£18.575m (total)

Question reference: S6W-10926

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the electricity and natural gas framework agreements offered via its procurement contracts directory will be affected by any ongoing escalation in energy prices.

The national frameworks for the Supply of Electricity and Supply of Natural Gas wholesale volumes are bought up to 2½ years in advance in tranches, following a proven ‘hedging’ purchasing strategy overseen by a cross-sectoral Risk Management Committee. The Committee comprises senior managers representing procurement, finance and energy management interests.

Whilst energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels because of global influences, the Scottish Government purchasing strategy has mitigated some of the increases. As an illustration, if we were to seek a fixed price today on the wholesale market for Electricity and Gas for 2022-2023, it would be more than double the contract prices that the Scottish Government framework currently enjoys.

Question reference: S6W-10862

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether alcohol should be banned on (a) LNER, (b) Avanti, (c) Cross Country and (d) TransPennine express services when in Scotland.

LNER, Avanti, Cross Country and TransPennine Express are cross-border railway passenger operators whose contracts are specified and managed by the Department for Transport, under UK Government railway legislation which the Scottish Government does not have devolved authority to amend. Therefore the sale and consumption of alcohol on these services is currently a matter for the individual operators in accordance with applicable legislation and the policy of their franchising authority, the Department for Transport.

Question reference: S6W-10738

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Public Health Scotland regarding the public health implications of waste accumulation across local authorities as a result of the recent strike action by refuse workers.

Question reference: S6O-01410

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what accountability mechanisms are available to communities who believe they are receiving inadequate GP services.

Question reference: S6O-01409

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the funding of extra-curricular activities in schools.

Question reference: S6O-01405

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding the impact in Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, to UK Government announcements regarding support for people facing poverty as a result of the rising cost of living and inflationary energy costs.

Question reference: S6O-01408

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to safeguard patients and staff within NHS Lanarkshire, in light of reports of the NHS board returning its risk level to Code Black.

Question reference: S6O-01407

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it will work in partnership with landlords in the social rented sector to keep rents as affordable as possible for tenants.