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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-37599

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has made of any impact of ingested fire contaminants being passed on to babies via their mother's breastmilk.

Question reference: S6W-37606

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's period of paternity leave should be increased to support women after having a baby.

Question reference: S6W-37601

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Fire Brigades Union’s campaign calling for all women firefighters to be able to access 52 weeks of paid maternity leave.

The terms and conditions of firefighters are negotiated on a UK wide basis through the National Joint Council. The Fire Brigades Union is the largest staff representative body at those negotiations and that is the appropriate avenue to change pay and conditions for firefighters. The Scottish Government is not part of those negotiations as that is rightly a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as the employer.

Question reference: S6W-37600

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that maternity pay for firefighters in Scotland is £16,400 less than other regions of the UK, whether this is compatible with its commitment to fair work.

The pay and conditions of firefighters are negotiated through well-established collective bargaining arrangements at a UK wide level. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Maternity Policy provides maternity leave for 26 weeks at full pay and 13 weeks at Statutory Maternity Pay in line with the current terms and conditions agreed at the National Joint Council.

SFRS is committed to the national collective bargaining arrangements for the sector and therefore this remains the Service's preferred route to agree changes to terms and conditions.

As SFRS is complying in full with the terms and conditions negotiated with trade unions in 2024, it is compatible with its commitment to fair work.

Question reference: S6W-37602

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the reported 26 weeks of maternity pay is an obstacle to the recruitment and retention of women in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Question reference: S6O-04678

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what impact the National Strategy for Economic Transformation is having on the economy of the West Scotland region.

Question reference: S6T-02508

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the number of new rape cases being reported to police has increased by more than a third since 2020-21.

Question reference: S6O-04636

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it can take to increase the stock of accessible housing.

Question reference: S6W-36411

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of first aid cover at major sporting events, including in relation to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and whether it has taken any specific action to ensure that private first aid companies and ambulance providers meet appropriate standards.

Question reference: S6W-36416

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken since the publication of the Manchester Arena Inquiry reports to review and strengthen the regulatory framework for private first aid and ambulance providers, including in relation to preparations for major events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Government continues to work closely with the UK Government on the development of Statutory Guidance that will support the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, which received royal assent on 3 April 2025. We continue to encourage and signpost stakeholders to both the Protect UK and Gov.UK websites for information and updates on the legislation.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with event organisers to ensure that Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Boards and Public Health Scotland are appropriately engaged in planning groups for major sporting events. Public sector health colleagues work meticulously with the event organisers and any procured private first aid and ambulance services to ensure adequate first aid and health care is provided to event participants, workforce and spectators, in line with the guidance and requirements set out in the Green and Purple Guides.

The Green Guide, or ‘Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds’, provides guidance on safety at sports grounds for stadium operators and event organisers. The Purple Guide is aimed at event organisers who are responsible for managing health and safety and at events in more general terms.