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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-26157

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of any work that it is undertaking to understand and address gambling harms in Scotland, whether it has had any discussions with the UK Government regarding the potential disbursement of any funds raised through its proposed statutory levy on gambling operators, in the event that the levy is introduced.

The statutory levy will be applied across Great Britain and will be used to support potential spending on projects and services across all three nations to reduce gambling related harms.

We continue to work with the UK Government and the Welsh Government over the levy proposals to ensure that Scotland receives a fair allocation of this funding. It is Scottish Government’s view that this should be, at least, reflective of a population share of the funding.

Question reference: S6W-26158

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of any work that it is undertaking to understand and address gambling harms in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding its proposals to introduce stake limits for online slot games.

The Scottish Government has welcomed regular engagement with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport officials in UK Government to discuss a range of gambling policy matters, including its proposals to introduce stake limits for online slot games. The Scottish Government has also met and will continue to meet with a wide range of gambling stakeholders, including the Gambling Commission and public health organisations to inform our policy thinking.

Question reference: S6W-26155

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of any work that it is undertaking to understand and address gambling harms in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding (a) its proposed statutory levy on gambling operators and (b) the rates that gambling operators should pay in the event that the levy is introduced.

The Scottish Government have been actively engaging with the UK Government and the Welsh Government on the Levy, including on how funds could be allocated and will continue to do so now that the formal consultation process has concluded, and we await publication of the consultation response.

The Scottish Government has asked that the level of the levy is kept under regular review and that Devolved Governments and Administrations are a statutory part of this review process.

Question reference: S6F-02965

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2024

To ask the First Minister what analysis of passenger behaviour and numbers has been carried out since the inception of the removal of peak rail fares pilot.

Question reference: S6O-03216

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it has taken to support the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

Question reference: S6O-03187

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress towards introducing its proposed Land Reform Bill.

Question reference: S6O-03124

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to Aberdeen's festivals.

Question reference: S6O-03112

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the operations of the Parole Board for Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-24805

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 8 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of any potential disproportionate impact of UK visa restrictions, in relation to family members accompanying students, on students with children, what specific assessment it has conducted to understand any (a) gendered implications of these restrictions for students in Scotland and (b) potential effects on student (i) wellbeing and (ii) career choices.

Under the UK Government’s latest migration restrictions, as of 1 January 2024, most international students will no longer be able to bring family members with them to the UK. It is too early to assess the specific impact these changes are having, but we know the significant concerns that universities have about the anticipated effects on the numbers of international students coming to Scotland.

The UK Government frames family migration as a burden. The Scottish Government takes a different view. Scotland is encouraging people to live, work and raise their families here, in light of the pronounced demographic challenge ahead.

Question reference: S6W-24806

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 8 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported contribution of international students to Scottish universities and the wider economy in Scotland, what specific assessment it has conducted to understand any potential impact of new UK visa restrictions, in relation to family members accompanying students.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant contribution that international students and their families bring to our economy, communities and culture.

UK Government immigration policies fail to address Scotland’s distinct demographic and economic needs and highlights the need for a tailored approach to migration. We are working closely with colleges and universities in Scotland to establish and understand the impact that the UK Government’s damaging migration policies have on the sector.

The UK Government frames family migration as a burden. The Scottish Government takes a different view. Scotland needs people to live, work and raise their families here, in light of the pronounced demographic challenge ahead.