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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-01497

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 guidance for nightclubs under the new Level 0 framework and, in light of them being unable to reopen on 19 July 2021, what additional support it will offer to (a) these businesses, (b) staff and (c) freelance performers.

We do not underestimate the severe impact the pandemic is having on the night-time sector and restrictions will not be kept in place a day longer than necessary. As the First Minister made clear on 13 July, a gradual approach to the lifting of restrictions gives the best chance of sustainability and will help build people’s confidence to return to their normal lives and support these businesses.

We have previously made additional funding of up to £750 per week available to nightclubs depending on their Rateable Value. We regularly engage with the night time industry. Guidance for the night time economy will be developed in partnership with the industry in line with the decisions on moving beyond level 0 and taking account of the baseline measures which will be in place. We are however, at this time, unable to commit to further funding for businesses or their employees including those in the night time economy due to a lack of further consequentials from the UK Government.

We continue to urge the UK Government to extend both the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to support both workers and the self-employed impacted by the ongoing influence of COVID-19 the economy .

Question reference: S6W-00695

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 2 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide clarification of the COVID-19 guidance for (a) weddings and (b) funerals, and how many guests can attend these (i) indoors and (ii) outdoors.

The numbers who may attend marriage ceremonies, civil partnership registrations, funerals and wedding receptions and post-funeral gatherings in public places both indoors and outdoors are set out in guidance. These numbers only apply when the venue has sufficient capacity to hold them, with physical distancing. The position on permitted numbers at these events is as follows:

Level 0 - No more than 200 people should attend

Level 1 - No more than 100 people should attend

Level 2 - No more than 50 people should attend

Level 3 - No more than 50 people should attend

Level 4 - No more than 20 people should attend

Receptions and post-funeral gatherings are not permitted at protection level 4.

We have published guidance on marriages, civil partnerships and receptions and funerals and post-funeral gatherings. I would be happy to write to the member with further information about any points of clarification required.

Question reference: S6W-00443

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 17 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the guidance on whether parents and guardians can attend nursery and school graduations.

The Advisory Sub-group for Education and Children’s issues have carefully considered their advice on nursery graduations this week. They confirmed that groups of parents and carers should not attend end-of-year events in Early Learning settings or schools in this academic year.

The COVID-19 safety guidance seeks to minimise the number of contacts that children and staff have, to keep them safe and to reduce the risk that children and staff need to self-isolate in the event of someone in the setting testing positive.

Our guidance is also in place to keep children in learning, and essential childcare settings open to support families now and over the summer. This has been a difficult decision that carefully weighed up the risks against the benefits.

I understand that families are disappointed that they cannot be present to mark these transitions from ELC to primary school. I am grateful to settings that have found safe ways to allow children to celebrate with their friends and key workers and found creative ways to share this with parents and carers.

Question reference: S6W-00361

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 16 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the roll-out of 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare across all 32 local authorities will be completed.

Question reference: S6O-00018

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and improve child mental health services.

Question reference: S6F-00027

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 May 2021

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government plans to implement a national moratorium on incinerators, such as the proposal at Overwood Farm site near Stonehouse, in light of the reported detrimental impact that incinerators could have on Scotland’s bid to tackle the climate emergency.