Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-37590

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to develop the Scottish supply chain for the subcontract design, manufacture and export of pressure vessels for small modular reactors globally.

The Scottish Government has been clear that it does not support the development of new nuclear under current technologies. Small modular reactors, whilst innovative in size and location, present the same environmental issues as traditional nuclear power stations.

The Scottish Government supports investment in renewables, which is both safer and considerably more cost effective than the production of electricity using nuclear fission.

The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to drive the deployment of renewable energy in Scotland by leveraging private investment, building our supply chain and securing green jobs. This commitment includes our investment of up to £500 million over five years to anchor our offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-04731

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work Social Security Scotland is undertaking to improve its communication with applicants for Child Disability Payment.

Question reference: S6W-37341

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 21 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will escalate the emergency repairs and "living ruin" project at Springburn Winter Gardens from the reserve list of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund projects for the 2025-26 financial year, in light of it being an at-risk, category A-listed landmark building that is surrounded by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation decile 1 and quintile 1 areas.

Question reference: S6W-37342

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 21 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £2.64 million awarded to the Glasgow Meat Market sheds regeneration project by the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in the 2021-22 financial year has been spent to date.

Question reference: S6W-37592

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 21 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing for the renovation and restoration of the People’s Palace Museum and Winter Gardens at Glasgow Green.

The Scottish Government has not to date, provided any direct financial support for the People’s Palace redevelopment project. However, I understand that this project was accepted onto Historic Environment Scotland’s, Historic Environment Repair Grant programme in May 2023 and is currently going through the development process.

I will be meeting with Glasgow Life in the coming months to learn more about the project and the opportunities it could deliver for the local community, the wider heritage sector, Scotland’s economy, and tackling child poverty.

Question reference: S6W-37591

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 21 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on its financial support of the Scottish Events Campus expansion project.

As substantial financial pressures persist, we are unable to confirm whether it is possible to provide financial support to fund the planned expansion of the Scottish Events Campus (SEC). However, we continue to be open to further engagement with the SEC, which has an excellent track record and reputation for hosting conferences, concerts and events, ranking highly as it does in the global Pollstar rankings and contributing to Scotland’s reputation as The Perfect Stage.

Question reference: S6W-37470

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many sellers of tobacco-based products have had their registration with the Scottish Tobacco Register removed in 2024-25 due to committing three breaches of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 and Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 within a two-year period.

Question reference: S6W-37468

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to broaden the types of places that can be designated smoke-free.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has now entered into committee stage in the House of Lords. Following the conclusion of the Bill’s passage through Westminster, we expect to consult on the extension of restrictions on smoke-free places.

The Scottish Government has not yet taken any decisions on how these powers should be used in Scotland, but any regulations laid before the Scottish Parliament will be informed by evidence and outputs from public consultation. It is not possible at this stage to confirm timescales; however, we will keep Parliament informed as this work develops.

These powers fit with the commitment the Scottish Government has made within the Tobacco and Vaping Framework to review the value and potential implementation of further place-based restrictions alongside our review of the implementation of the hospital grounds restrictions.

Many public places in Scotland already have voluntary restrictions on vaping indoors. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides powers for the Scottish Government to expand on smoke free, vape free and heated tobacco free spaces in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-37469

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 19 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale will be for its consultation on a full ban on indoor vape usage.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has now entered into committee stage in the House of Lords. Following the conclusion of the Bill’s passage through Westminster, we expect to consult on the extension of restrictions on smoke-free places.

The Scottish Government has not yet taken any decisions on how these powers should be used in Scotland, but any regulations laid before the Scottish Parliament will be informed by evidence and outputs from public consultation. It is not possible at this stage to confirm timescales; however, we will keep Parliament informed as this work develops.

These powers fit with the commitment the Scottish Government has made within the Tobacco and Vaping Framework to review the value and potential implementation of further place-based restrictions alongside our review of the implementation of the hospital grounds restrictions.

Many public places in Scotland already have voluntary restrictions on vaping indoors. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides powers for the Scottish Government to expand on smoke free, vape free and heated tobacco free spaces in Scotland

Question reference: S6W-37099

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36135 by Kate Forbes on 10 April 2025, whether it will approach the UK Government and BAE Systems regarding becoming a partner in the Type 26 Norway frigate campaign, in light of the potential industrial opportunity it presents for Scotland.

Public sources of information indicate that BAE Systems is among the contenders to supply new frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy. No discussions have taken place between BAE Systems, the UK Government and the Scottish Government on partnership in the Type 26 Norway frigate campaign. However, given the potential industrial and employment opportunities for Scotland are significant, officials from the UK and Scottish Governments have held constructive informal discussions around how the bid might be best supported.

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