Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-36477

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of young people in Scotland who are classified as not in education, employment or training (NEET), in light of reports suggesting that almost one in eight 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK are classified as being in this category.

No One Left Behind is the Scottish Government’s shared approach with Local Government and wider partners to delivering an all-age, place-based, person-centred model of employability support in Scotland. Services are delivered locally, ensuring individuals, including young people, receive tailored support to help them progress into sustainable employment.

Reaching people who are classed as economically inactive requires services to do things differently. Employability support must be tailored to an individual’s circumstances and recognise that progress towards employment might not be linear. That is why we are working collectively with Local Government, the wider public sector, and third sector partners to enhance the reach and awareness of the support we provide.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) provides an all-age career service in every local authority with an SDS Careers Adviser in every mainstream secondary school to highlight the wide range of career options available. Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Regional Groups, School Coordinators, and third sector organisations also play an important role in supporting young people’s transitions to work, including those for whom the barriers are greater.

Question reference: S6W-36690

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency planning it has undertaken to mitigate the economic consequences of any tariffs being placed on Scotch whisky in foreign markets.

The Scottish Government continues to provide support to the entire food and drink sector to help businesses with their economic growth ambitions. This includes £10 million funding for the period 2023-2025 to support the implementation of Scotland's food and drink strategy “Sustaining Scotland, Supplying the World” which outlines how we are driving growth for businesses across various sectors, including the drinks industry. In addition, we have invested over £7 million in the Scotland Food and Drink Export Plan since 2014, helping Scottish businesses to capitalise on key global market opportunities. Specifically in relation to whisky the Scottish Government continues to actively engage with the UK Government to strike a good deal for whisky in the proposed India Free Trade Agreement, which is the largest market for whisky in the world.

Question reference: S6W-36694

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported calls for it to have urgent engagement with the UK Government and international partners regarding securing tariff exemptions for Scotch whisky.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with all our partners to call for a long-term return to tariff free trading that has been mutually beneficial for the Scottish and US spirits sectors, as part of a wider UK-US negotiated solution. I met with the UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security on 2 April to discuss this. The Deputy First Minister met with the US Chamber of Commerce on 3 April and the First Minister met with senior figures in the whisky sector in New York on 7 April to hear directly from the business leaders involved and hosted a business round table which included the Scotch Whisky Association and the Food and Drink Federation on 16 April. The First Minister also met with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, on the 11 April to discuss tariffs amongst other topics.

Question reference: S6W-35591

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Christine Grahame (on behalf of the SPCB) on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide a list of all organisations and groups that have exhibited at the Scottish Parliament, broken down by how many times each has exhibited, and which MSP sponsored the exhibition, since May 2021.

The list below includes all organisations and individuals that have exhibited at the Scottish Parliament as part of the Member-sponsored exhibitions programme, including the number of times they have done so, this session:

#MEAction Scotland - Ben Macpherson MSP
2023 UCI Cycling World Championships - Clare Adamson MSP
Aberdeen Minerals Ltd - Jackie Dunbar MSP
Action Against Stalking - Sharon Dowey MSP
Advice Scotland Direct - Paul O'Kane MSP
Alcohol Focus Scotland - Gillian Mackay MSP
Alzheimer Scotland - Fulton MacGregor MSP
Amey Limited - Sarah Boyack MSP
Art in Healthcare - Sarah Boyack MSP
ARTconnects: The Migration Blanket - Paul Sweeney MSP
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry - Kenneth Gibson MSP
Asthma + Lung UK Scotland - Annie Wells MSP
Asthma and Allergy Foundation - Michael Matheson MSP
Asthma UK/British Lung Foundation Scotland - Alexander Stewart MSP
AstraZeneca - Alexander Stewart MSP
BBC Scotland - Sarah Boyack MSP
Bhopal Saathi - Sarah Boyack MSP
Blood Bikes Scotland - Alexander Stewart MSP
Bodyworks - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
British Heart Foundation - Christine Grahame MSP
British Transport Police - Russell Findlay MSP
Carers Scotland - Gillian Mackay MSP
Cats Protection - Marie McNair MSP
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland - Bob Doris MSP
Christian Aid, Eco Congregation Scotland & Operation Noah: Get Your Skates On - Ross Greer MSP
CILIP Scotland - Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP
CIPD - Tess White MSP
Climate Café CIC - Mark Ruskell MSP
Competition and Markets Authority - Stuart McMillan MSP
Craft Scotland and Panel - Michael Marra MSP
Crichton Carbon Centre - Ariane Burgess MSP
Crisis - Mark Griffin MSP
Crown Estate Scotland - Jenni Minto MSP
Cycling UK - Graham Simpson MSP
Cycling Without Age Scotland - Michael Matheson MSP
Cyrenians - Sarah Boyack MSP
Dignity in Dying Scotland - Liam McArthur MSP
Dogs Trust - Colin Smyth MSP
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Drinkaware - Jackie Baillie MSP
Dyslexia Scotland - Oliver Mundell MSP
Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council - Foysol Choudhury MSP
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (2) - Emma Harper MSP (1) & Paul Sweeney MSP (1)
Educational Institute of Scotland - Monica Lennon MSP
Elaine Robinson (artist) - Foysol Choudhury MSP
ENABLE Scotland - Paul O'Kane MSP
Energy Industries Council (EIC) - Brian Whittle MSP
Equity - Mark Ruskell MSP
Erskine Veterans Care - Neil Bibby MSP
Fablevision (2) - Paul Sweeney MSP (1) & George Adam MSP (1)
Falling UP - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Family Fund - Bob Doris MSP
Fashion Revolution Scotland - Monica Lennon MSP
Fight Bladder Cancer - Stuart McMillan MSP
Finding Your Feet - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Siobhian Brown MSP
Food Standards Scotland - Paul O’Kane MSP
Forces Children Scotland - Alexander Stewart MSP
Forth Valley Sensory Centre - Michael Matheson MSP
Friends of the Earth Scotland - Mark Ruskell MSP
Friends of Thomas Muir - Rona Mackay MSP
Galloway National Park Association - Colin Smyth MSP
General Dental Council, General Medical Council, Nursing and
Midwifery Council and General Pharmaceutical Council (2) - Anas Sarwar MSP (1) & Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP (1)
Generations Working Together - Carol Mochan MSP
Genetic Alliance UK - Paul McLennan MSP
Glasgow Centre for Population Health - Paul Sweeney MSP
GoFibre - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Golden Threads Group Tapestry Weavers - Daniel Johnson MSP
GREY2K USA Worldwide - Mark Ruskell MSP
Gypsy Traveller History and Future - Maggie Chapman MSP
Health and Social Care Scotland - Jamie Greene MSP
Held In Our Hearts - Stephanie Callaghan MSP
Hey Girls - Paul McLennan MSP
Horticultural Trades Association - Christine Grahame MSP
Hubbub - ACS Clothing Limited - Stephanie Callaghan MSP
Ian Whyte (artist) - Fergus Ewing MSP
Intuitive - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Inverness Women’s Aid/Reina Edmiston Art - Emma Roddick MSP
John Muir Trust - Paul McLennan MSP
Kidney Research UK - Pam Gosal MSP
Kirrie Connections - Graeme Dey MSP
Kooth plc - Paul Sweeney MSP
Lews Castle College UHI - Alasdair Allan MSP
Libereco, Partnership for Human Rights - Willie Rennie MSP
Liquid Gas UK - Liam Kerr MSP
Living Streets Scotland - Foysol Choudhury MSP
Logos Scotland - Murdo Fraser MSP
Lothians Speak Their Name CIC - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Magic Breakfast - Beatrice Wishart MSP
Make 2nds Count - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Marie Curie and University of Glasgow - Evelyn Tweed MSP
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Myeloma UK - Paul O'Kane MSP
National Biodiversity Network Trust - Ariane Burgess MSP
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Clare Adamson MSP
National Mining Museum Scotland - Christine Grahame MSP
National Trust for Scotland - Sharon Dowey MSP
Network Rail Scotland - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Networking Key Services Limited - Foysol Choudhury MSP
NFU Scotland - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Obesity Action Scotland - Clare Haughey MSP
One Parent Families Scotland - Colette Stevenson MSP
Optometry Scotland - Stuart McMillan MSP
Our Seas - Rhoda Grant MSP
Place2Be (2) - Sarah Boyack MSP (1) & Martin Whitfield MSP (1)
Planet Youth - Marie McNair MSP
Planning Aid Scotland - Sarah Boyack MSP
PlusZero - Alasdair Allan MSP
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness - Pam Gosal MSP
Poppyscotland (3) - Presiding Officer (3)
Powering Futures - Michelle Thomson MSP
Quakers in Britain - Michelle Thomson MSP
Recovering Justice/The Scottish Psychedelic Research Group - Pauline McNeill MSP
Relationships Scotland - Emma Harper MSP
Results UK - Miles Briggs MSP
Revive: The coalition for grouse moor reform - Mark Ruskell MSP
Right There - Miles Briggs MSP
RNIB Scotland - Stuart McMillan MSP
Rothesay Pavilion Charity - Clare Adamson MSP
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and MSD - Elena Whitham MSP
Royal College of Occupational Therapists - Emma Harper MSP
Royal Pharmaceutical Society - Jeremy Balfour MSP
RSPB Scotland - Karen Adam MSP
Scotch Whisky Association - Ivan McKee MSP
Scotland Malawi Partnership - Liam McArthur MSP
Scottish Association of Social Work - Fulton MacGregor MSP
Scottish Book Trust - Jackie Baillie MSP
Scottish Coastal Clean Up - Colin Beattie MSP
Scottish Enterprise - Ivan McKee MSP
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations - Collette Stevenson MSP
Scottish Fishermen's Federation - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Scottish Football Museum: Rutherglen Ladies FC - James Dornan MSP
Scottish Grocer's Federation - Gordon MacDonald MSP
Scottish Hazards - Bill Kidd MSP
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Programmes - Paul O'Kane MSP
Scottish Land & Estates - Christine Grahame MSP
Scottish Prison Art - Fulton MacGregor MSP
Scottish Racing - Miles Briggs MSP
Scottish Renewables - Jenni Minto MSP
Scottish SPCA - Emma Harper MSP
Scottish Water - Liam McArthur MSP
Scottish Women's Aid - Monica Lennon MSP
Scottish Youth Parliament (3) - Presiding Officer (3)
SGI-UK Seeds of Hope and Action - Paul McLennan MSP
Shared Lives Plus - Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP
Shetland Islands Council - Beatrice Wishart MSP
Sight Scotland - Stuart McMillan MSP
Skye Arts-Sea, Land & Sky - Emma Roddick MSP
Smart Energy - Liam Kerr MSP
Social Enterprise Scotland - Miles Briggs MSP
Soil Association Scotland - Ariane Burgess MSP
Sovereign Property Partnership - Paul McLennan MSP
SSE Renewables - Paul McLennan MSP
SSEN Transmission - Michael Marra MSP
Staf (Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum) - Paul O'Kane MSP
Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Belfast Harbour - Emma Harper MSP
Stroke Association - Gillian Mackay MSP
Suzi Morris (artist) - Ruth Maguire MSP
Team Jak - Jeremy Balfour MSP
The Aiteal Trust - Jackie Baillie MSP
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation/Country Food Trust - Sharon Dowey MSP
The Coalition of Carers in Scotland - Jackie Baillie MSP
The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK - Emma Roddick MSP
The Gift of Grouse - Jim Fairlie MSP
The Larder - Fiona Hyslop MSP
The Leprosy Mission Scotland - Jeremy Balfour MSP
The Munro Society - Liz Smith MSP
The National Lottery Community Fund - Collette Stevenson MSP
The Open University - Clare Adamson MSP
The Royal College of Physicians - Clare Haughey MSP
The Royal Society of Edinburgh - Willie Rennie MSP
The Society of Independent Brewers - Craig Hoy MSP
The Trussell Trust - Claire Baker MSP
The Young Women's Movement - Monica Lennon MSP
Timebanking Scotland - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
TSB Bank - Paul McLennan MSP
Unity Consulting Scotland: Zero Hours Justice - Richard Leonard MSP
University of Edinburgh - Sarah Boyack MSP
University of Parma - Alasdair Allan MSP
University of the West of Scotland - Christina McKelvie MSP
Upstart Scotland - Kaukab Stewart MSP
Victim Support Scotland - Neil Gray MSP
VoiceAbility - Collette Stevenson MSP
WASPI Scotland - Katy Clark MSP
Water Safety Scotland - Clare Adamson MSP
Waverley Care - Gillian Mackay
West Lothian Diabetes Scotland Group - Angela Constance MSP
Women's Support Project - Ruth Maguire MSP
World Horse Welfare, BHS Scotland & Horsescotland - Sharon Dowey MSP
Young Enterprise Scotland - Jackson Carlaw MSP
Young Scot - Karen Adam MSP

Question reference: S6W-36567

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS (a) boards, (b) frontline staff and (c) patients regarding the latest satisfaction survey.

Through our work on NHS renewal we are continuing to collect views through a series of engagements with a wide range of stakeholders. This builds on the feedback and understanding gained through the Health and Care Experience Survey and other channels. We are translating this into action and transformation through our ongoing work with NHS Boards, supporting staff to help deliver against the recently published Operational Improvement Plan, and building through the forthcoming population health framework and health and social care renewal framework

Question reference: S6W-36602

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the provision of additional financial support for housing decarbonisation.

The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the UK Government about heat decarbonisation. For example, we continue to press the UK Government to align delivery of the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Schemes with Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies.

While heat and energy efficiency are devolved, however, we need to see further and urgent action by the UK Government in reserved areas. These actions, which include market reforms designed to make electricity cheaper to use than gas, will be vital to ensure that the transition is fair and affordable.

Question reference: S6W-36597

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers the level of funding for the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund to be adequate to meet its stated targets.

The Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund has supported over 13,000 social homes since its launch, investing approximately £70 million in energy efficiency and clean heat projects.

While public funding and support will continue to play a big part in the clean heat transition for social housing, decarbonising Scotland’s buildings will require a mix of both public and private finance with the recent Green Heat Finance Taskforce Part 2 report exploring how to attract greater private investment. The Scottish Government will respond to the Taskforce report in the coming months.

Question reference: S6W-36595

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an impact assessment on rent affordability, in light of any additional costs associated with greener heating compliance.

Our consultation last year on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard (SHNZS) asked for views on proposals to require social landlords to improve fabric efficiency and install clean heating where it is technically feasible and cost-effective to do so.

We continue to discuss next steps for the proposed Standard with key stakeholders from the social housing sector. Before it is finalised and implemented, we will complete and publish final impact assessments which will include consideration of the associated costs.

Question reference: S6W-36285

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the updated list of public appointments by public body, which was published on 25 March 2025, is an exhaustive list of all public appointments.

The list of public appointments by public body, which was published on 25 March 2025, is an exhaustive list of Ministerial regulated public appointments only. Ministerial regulated public appointments are those governed by the Ethical Standards Commissioner and the Code of Conduct for Public Appointments (2022).

The list is intended to be updated regularly so that it reflects recently made appointments. It was corrected on 25 March 2025 following the identification of errors.

Details added to the spreadsheet should be correct at the point of the appointment commencing. These details may change over time and become out of date. A process is underway to update the spreadsheet to ensure accuracy, including rectification of any other errors identified, and it will be re-published when complete.

Question reference: S6W-36284

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how often the full list of public appointments by public bodies is published.

The list of public appointments by public body, which was published on 25 March 2025, is an exhaustive list of Ministerial regulated public appointments only. Ministerial regulated public appointments are those governed by the Ethical Standards Commissioner and the Code of Conduct for Public Appointments (2022).

The list is intended to be updated regularly so that it reflects recently made appointments. It was corrected on 25 March 2025 following the identification of errors.

Details added to the spreadsheet should be correct at the point of the appointment commencing. These details may change over time and become out of date. A process is underway to update the spreadsheet to ensure accuracy, including rectification of any other errors identified, and it will be re-published when complete.

Seòmar agus comataidhean