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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: S6O-04122

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its position is on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Question reference: S6T-02237

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government at the British Irish Council summit regarding ending the two-child benefit cap.

Question reference: S6W-31804

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Gillian Martin on 28 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out its ambition to grow Scotland’s hydrogen potential internationally, and publish an export plan for that sector.

Scotland has the resources, skilled workforce, and ambition to become a leading hydrogen nation and developing this sector will create international trade opportunities in terms of our hydrogen production and across the supply chain.

That is why an export plan aimed at realising Scotland’s hydrogen potential as a leading net exporter of hydrogen will be published on 29 November 2024.

The plan will set out how Scotland will realise the international opportunities presented by the development of the Hydrogen sector and will outline the immediate international export opportunities and strategic actions needed to support Scottish businesses.

Achieving this goal presents a great opportunity to combine the efforts of a range of partners. I look forward to continuing to work with them as we take forward delivery of the plan and realise Scotland’s hydrogen future.

Question reference: S6O-04083

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that college courses are being tailored to meet the needs of industries involved in energy efficiency, carbon reduction and the just transition.

Question reference: S6O-03893

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it anticipates that the recent UK Government Budget will have on its aim to deliver social justice.

Question reference: S6O-03780

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations from the National Review of Eating Disorder Services.

Question reference: S6W-29520

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to educate (a) communities and (b) businesses to recognise and support people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence (LDAN).

The Scottish Government is already engaged in work to educate communities and businesses to recognise and support people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.

The differentminds website (Different Minds | Autism Scotland) was launched in 2020 to provide clearer information on autism. It aims to deliver a better understanding of autism and dispel myths surrounding it, leading to greater acceptance and increased awareness. The site and its resources have been co-produced with autistic people.

The Scottish Government also funds an organisation called Into Work, through the Autistic Adult Support Fund. This helps various organisations throughout the country to educate employers and offer support on how to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people or those with a long term health condition. Autistic people and their support needs have been both highlighted and supported by Into Work.

We are taking forward the Review of Supported Employment within Scotland (2021). This recommended that work continues to support the professionalisation of the supported employment workforce, including ensuring it is well equipped to provide appropriate support to people with learning disabilities.

Question reference: S6W-29521

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage the employment of more people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence (LDAN) in the public sector.

The Scottish Government is taking a range of actions to encourage the employment of people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence in the public sector, including investment of up to £90 million in employability services in the 2024-25 financial year.

We are delivering all-age, person-centred, tailored employability services to those further from the labour market, including people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence, and those with health conditions, through locally designed services such as No One Left Behind.

Under No One Left Behind, participants can access person-centred support to gain employment, which includes roles within the public sector. From summer 2025 all local employability partnerships will have an enhanced specialist employability offer which may be beneficial for those with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.

We are also undertaking work internally to encourage the employment of people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence within the Scottish Government as a public sector body.

The Scottish Government launched its Diversity and Inclusion Employer Strategy in April 2024. This sets out how the organisation will make further progress towards our employer equality outcomes. It is complemented by an action plan for 2024 - 2027 setting out what we will do to achieve this, and when we will do it. Improving the experience of disabled applicants and employees is an integral part of this plan, and employees who are neurodivergent, are autistic and/or have learning disabilities are a central focus of our activity.

Question reference: S6W-29555

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB) on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what it is doing to encourage the employment of more people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence (LDAN) in the Parliament.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is committed to building a diverse and representative workforce. The SPCB monitors and reports on the diversity of its staff, including people with a disability. Where a group is identified as underrepresented in the workforce, positive action measures are used to remove barriers and increase representation.

The SPCB is one of a small number of organisations in Scotland to be recognized as a Disability Confident Leader. This accreditation recognises the actions taken to actively encourage the recruitment of disabled people and the support provided to foster career progression. In keeping with this accreditation guidance has been developed for managers to ensure that they take an inclusive approach to recruitment, ensuring that our approach is open and accessible for all. This includes guidance and resources for managers and staff on creating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent colleagues. Where a colleague with a learning disability, autism or neurodivergence requires support to access the recruitment process or work effectively, an adjustment plan is agreed with them to ensure that appropriate adjustments are put in place and updated, as required.

Question reference: S6O-03720

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government about improving relations with the European Union, including on rejoining the single market and customs union.