Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 9113 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S5W-33304

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason non-essential retail is to close under the level 4 restrictions, in light of reports that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has assessed that the impact on transmission of the closure of non-essential retail was "low’" and has "very minimal impact on R values".

The Strategic Framework sets out a "whole system approach" to supressing the virus while seeking to minimise its broader harms. Level four measures are close to full lockdown to provide a short and sharp suppression of the virus. It is the overall package of measures, as opposed to any one measure individually, which has this effect. We know how difficult the measures are for businesses and have weighed up the transmission risk in different settings and activities as well as the impacts on broader health and well-being, society and the economy.

The evidence used to support decision making is available at https://data.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/detail.html . We will keep the protective measures in all levels under review to ensure that they remain necessary and proportionate to address the ongoing public health emergency.

We will continue to do everything we can to support businesses in these unprecedented and challenging circumstances, including through the provision of grant funding through the Strategic Framework Business Support scheme, access to non-domestic rates relief and through UK Government supportive measures such as the Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Support. More information can be found on the Find Business Support website. This website and local authority websites were updated on 13 November to allow eligible businesses to apply.

Question reference: S5W-33305

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 26 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what proportion of annual retail sales are received during the November to December shopping period.

Question reference: S5O-04803

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to food banks.

Question reference: S5W-33110

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 23 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it will progress with the devolution of VAT powers, and for how long it will leave the VAT assignation power with the UK Government.

The Scottish Government has agreed with HM Treasury to postpone the implementation of VAT assignment and commit to review it as part of the Fiscal Framework Review. Postponement is necessary in light of the extraordinary economic circumstances now facing Scotland and the UK, and responsible financial management requires that we delay the introduction of this new source of budgetary volatility.

This represents an opportunity for the Scottish Government to re-evaluate the VAT assignment model and consider whether other options, including full devolution of policy powers following EU Exit, could bring greater benefits to Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-33100

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 23 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-31664 by Joe FitzPatrick on 23 September 2020, whether a date has been agreed for the reopening of NHS pain clinic services to allow people to resume treatment.

On 24 September the Scottish Government published a Recovery Framework for Pain Management which set out clearly that pain management services should be considered essential in NHS Health Board remobilisation planning. The Scottish Government has consistently made clear that we will provide the necessary funding across health and care services to recognise the additional costs of responding to COVID-19 and to ensure that patient safety remains the top priority at all times. On 29 September the Scottish Government confirmed additional funding of £1.1 billion across NHS Boards and Social Care Partnerships to help them meet COVID-19 related costs and remobilisation of services.

Question reference: S5W-33027

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether eight-year-olds are required to wear face coverings when entering and exiting buildings, including sports centres.

In recognition that there are times when a person might be unable, or it would be inappropriate for them to wear a face covering, there are exemptions in the regulations and guidance.

This includes an exemption for babies, toddlers and children under 5 years of age, due to the possibility of overheating, suffocation and strangulation and they are safe without one.

Children over 5 years of age should wear a face covering in the mandated places unless exempt, this includes entering and exiting most public buildings, such as gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres.

The settings were face coverings must be worn can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Question reference: S5W-33028

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances eight-year-olds are required to wear face coverings, broken down by the environments in which these requirements exist.

Question reference: S5W-33188

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 20 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32683 by Roseanna Cunningham on 10 November 2020, on what date it received Scottish Water's 2019-20 annual accounts.

Question reference: S5W-33118

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32560 by Kevin Stewart on 27 October 2020, for what reason no Equalities Impact Assessment, Business Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Appraisal have been undertaken for the proposals set out in its technical consultation on amendments to housing planning policy.

Question reference: S5W-33102

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart: on 16 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the eligibility criteria are for (a) mandatory and (b) discretionary grants to pay for home aids and adaptions in the (i) Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and (ii) Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Scheme of Assistance) Regulations 2008.

The Scheme of Assistance is a grant for homeowners and private tenants who require significant changes to the structure of their home, such as an accessible bathroom, wider doors to accommodate a wheelchair and lowering kitchen work surfaces. The Scottish Government believes that older and disabled people should be supported to live independently in their own home for as long as possible.

Where an adaptation has been assessed as necessary, usually by an occupational therapist or other health professional, mandatory grant funding is available from the Local Authority. The level of funding applied is 80% of the total eligible costs or 100% if the applicant; any person who is dependent on the applicant or any person who resides with the applicant is in receipt of universal credit or pension credit (guarantee element).

Where there is an assessed need and the work is not covered by 100% grant funding, local authorities have a duty to provide assistance. This can be given in the form of advice, guidance or practical help. Local authorities also have discretionary powers to provide top-up funding.

The following guides provide further information: