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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: S5W-14047

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 1 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-06962 by Kevin Stewart on 24 February 2017, whether it will confirm the target number of homes for social rent to be built in 2017-18 that was set by the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP); how many such homes have been built since 6 April 2017, and how many will be built by 5 April 2018.

The Scottish Government does not set annual targets for homes for social rent, rather the target is to deliver 35,000 social homes over the five years to March 2021.

Official statistics published for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017 show that a total of 1343 homes have been built for social rent. As well as new build homes, there were 178 homes delivered for social rent by way of rehab projects and off-the-shelf projects.

The next set of quarterly statistics for the period to end December 2017 is due to be published on 13 March 2018. Following that, official statistics showing the number of homes built by 31 March 2018 will be available in early June 2018.

Question reference: S5W-13771

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 25 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to support the establishment of the Levenmouth Rail Link, and whether Transport Scotland will undertake the GRIP 4 study as part of this.

Transport investment decisions have to be supported by robust evidence. Transport Scotland has now appointed consultants to progress the transport appraisal work for the Levenmouth Sustainable Transport Study, which will be undertaken in line with STAG and in close collaboration with Fife Council. With Government rightly being held to account for public investment in transport, it is important that a transport appraisal demonstrates how any emerging project optimises Value for Money in terms of economic, social and environmental benefits.

The evidence from a completed and robust transport appraisal and a GRIP Stage 3 assessment is needed before consideration could be given to progressing the development of an emerging rail project through GRIP Stage 4.

Question reference: S5W-13848

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 12 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been agreed for the replacement of Fife College's Carnegie Campus, and when this will be made available.

Fife College submitted a Business Case to the Scottish Funding Council. Last month the SFC published their Estates Condition Survey. This provides a robust and consistent assessment of the condition of buildings across the college estate to help identify priorities for future investment. It is my expectation that the Scottish Funding Council and the college sector will use this report to prioritise the finite capital investment available and ensure resources are targeted to where they are needed most.

Question reference: S5O-01694

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reports that rail travellers on the Fife Circle face poor journey experiences and that there are consistent failures of service.

Question reference: S5W-13788

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had or plans with the UK Government regarding citizens' basic income schemes.

On 21 December 2017 I wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding the Scottish Government's intent to facilitate exploration of a Citizens Basic Income.

Within the letter the Cabinet Secretary requested that the Secretary of State progressed this within the UK Government, in order to ensure support for the pilots from both DWP and HMRC. No response has yet been received.

Question reference: S5W-13772

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) funding and (b) support it is making available for local authorities to pilot and develop citizens' basic income schemes.

As outlined within the letter sent from myself to the Social Security Committee on 20 November 2017 a fund of £250,000 will shortly be made available for the four pilot authorities to bid into. This funding is to support feasibility work during the period April 2018 to March 2020.

In addition to the fund, government analysts will assist the pilot authorities by using tax and benefit models held within the government to help them assess the cost and feasibility of their plans.

Question reference: S5F-01652

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 October 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 November 2017

To be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-01625

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2017

To be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-01599

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 October 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 October 2017

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S5F-01565

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2017

Question to be taken in Chamber.