Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41530 on 11 November 2025. 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.

The Scottish Government are awaiting the outcome of the Scottish Parliament Finance and Public Administration Committee (FPAC) inquiry on the cost-effectiveness and timescales of public inquiries in Scotland before making any legislative and non-legislative commitments.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41532 on 11 November 2025. 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.

The Scottish Government does not collect information on the immigration status of those applying to local authorities in Scotland for homelessness support.

The eligibility status for main applicants is collected, although this is not the same as immigration status.

The following table shows how many people associated with homelessness applications in Glasgow were in a temporary accommodation placement at any point between January and March 2025, broken down by eligibility status of main applicant.

The new Code of Practice for Statistics was published on 30 October 2025. The Code states that statistics producers should “make impartial decisions about statistics, under the direction and authority of the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics”. This means that statistical decision making should be free from political interference and produced in accordance with the public good to drive trust in statistics.

Statistical decisions, such as publication of workforce absence data, should be made based on the oversight of the wider user needs, the data landscape in the topic area and resources available.

The Scottish Government has increased police funding to £1.64 billion in 2025-26, an increase of £90 million on 2024-25.

As Public Inquiries are independent of Ministers, it is for the Chair to direct how an Inquiry carries out its duties whilst being mindful of their responsibilities under section 17(3) of the Inquiries Act 2005 to avoid unnecessary costs.

While this particular issue has previously been raised by Police Scotland, it is for public bodies to determine whether to apply to be core participants in a public inquiry and the extent of legal representation required.

Police Scotland is operationally independent of the Scottish Government, and decisions on the allocation of resources are for the Chief Constable, under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. This includes the allocation of budget and staff to support the work of Public Inquiries.

Public inquiries are set up when no other avenue is deemed sufficient given the issues of public concern. In many cases, such as the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry and the Emma Caldwell Inquiry, they are set up with the support of, or in response to calls from, the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency may incur costs for rectifying errors through interest payable on delayed pensions or lump sums, or through the payment of compensation for upheld complaints or appeals.

The following table records the information held for the full financial years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 and is a total costs for the four public service pension schemes administered by the Agency.

The Scottish Government does not collect cost information in relation to Glasgow City Council use of hotel accommodation in line with their housing duties.

Scottish Government funding and grant making is allocated across portfolios to various parts of the third sector to improve a wide range of outcomes. Some Scottish Government funding will be issued through third sector intermediary organisations.

Funding allocated to the third sector is not always specifically classified as such. Consequently, the information requested is not available.

Scottish Government funding and grant making is allocated across portfolios to various parts of the third sector to improve a wide range of outcomes. Some Scottish Government funding will be issued through third sector intermediary organisations.

Funding allocated to the third sector is not always specifically classified as such. Consequently, the information requested is not available.