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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.

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Question reference: S6W-28925

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 14 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the UK Government's reported decision to means test Winter Fuel Payment on Social Security Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, and any subsequent effects on pensioner poverty levels in Scotland.

The Chancellor has set out plans to end universal Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales by restricting it to those receiving Pension Credit and other means tested benefits from this year onwards. This decision was taken without any consultation or discussion with Scottish Government Ministers, which is deeply disappointing given both governments committed to resetting the relationship between them.

The UK Government’s approach reduces the Block-Grant Adjustment associated with devolution of the UK’s Winter Fuel Payment by an estimated £140 million to £160 million in 2024-25 – nearly 90% of the cost of the Scottish Government’s new replacement benefit, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

Following careful consideration of the options available for Scotland it is with deep regret that I confirm that the Scottish Government must replicate the decision made by the UK Government and restrict eligibility for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to older people on relevant eligible benefits. This has been a very difficult decision and not one we want to, or expected to, be making. However, despite all efforts to review our financial position it is a necessary decision when faced with such a deep cut to the budget and in the most challenging financial circumstances since devolution.

The timing of the UK Government announcement has meant it is not practical to make changes in good time for the launch of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Delivery will therefore be deferred until winter 2025. However, I can offer reassurance that the Scottish Government is in discussion with the Department of Work and Pensions, which has committed to make payments this winter to eligible pensioners in Scotland on terms equivalent to Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales.

We are also keen to understand the UK Government’s wider plans to protect energy customers in greatest need, such as a social energy tariff, and will work closely to ensure that they take every possible step to drive up the take-up of Pension Credit and other benefits which pensioners are entitled to.

Question reference: S6W-27953

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to (a) prevent severe topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) reactions that can result from long-term use of topical steroid treatments, (b) monitor and review the prescribing of topical corticosteroids on the NHS and (c) consider a four-nation approach to include TSW in the MedDRA clinical coding system.

Following the recent MHRA review into topical steroid withdrawal, regulatory action means topical steroids will soon be labelled with their potencies. This will aid correct selection and simplify the advice for patients. The Scottish Government will cascade the MHRA updated safety alert, new labelling and revised patient safety leaflet to prescribers through clinical networks.

The Scottish Government encourages individuals to review their treatment plans with their healthcare professionals at least annually, and we are working with Health Improvement Scotland to develop searches for clinicians to identify patients using steroids.

We are already working on a four nations approach with MHRA as a hub.

Question reference: S6W-28020

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for mothers with bottle-fed newborns who have tongue-tie, and what steps are being taken to raise awareness of this condition in newborns.

All new parents are entitled to infant feeding support regardless of how they feed their babies. Appropriate assessments will be carried out by qualified staff where there are feeding issues that could impact growth and development.

Information on feeding issues including tongue tie, and where to seek help, is available on national on-line platforms such as Parent Club Tongue-tie | Parent Club and through local resources.

Question reference: S6O-03382

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of reports that HC-One plans to terminate the contract for the Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care service at Hatton Lea Care Home.

Question reference: S6O-03313

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Child Poverty Action Group’s recent analysis of official data showing that 4.3 million children were in relative poverty across the UK, up from 3.6 million in 2010-11.

Question reference: S6W-26187

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently published inquiry into public financial support for tree planting and forestry, launched by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The report makes a number of useful contributions, which Scottish Forestry is considering. A number of the recommendations made are already in place, including changes to sustainability standards increasing the required proportion of tree species diversity, tougher measures to protect soils during tree planting, and supporting an increase in woodlands by rivers across Scotland.

Public forestry grants are vital and a well-established means used across the UK to stimulate woodland creation, supporting Scottish sector worth over £1bn annually and 25,000 jobs. The Scottish Government is clear that Scotland needs to plant a mixture of both productive as well as native species if we are to tackle climate change, nature loss and a growing demand for timber.

Question reference: S6F-02909

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-25574

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to mesh survivors in Scotland, what consideration it has given to The Hughes Report, by the Patient Safety Commissioner for England, which sets out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh.

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: S6O-03107

Current Status: Withdrawn