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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.

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Question reference: S5W-31806

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 14 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 24 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of what actions ministers have taken under section 9 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 regarding opportunities to advance equality and non-discrimination when exercising their functions under the Act.

Assessment of the equality, human rights and children’s rights impacts continues to be a central aspect of our approach to review and reporting on the Coronavirus Acts; and in developing our two-monthly reports, we have sought to examine these impacts.

The equality duty, part of the Equality Act 2010, seeks to advance equality and we have sought to do this through provisions contained in the legislation, or by support and guidance available. Additionally, where we have identified any particular impacts of the legislation, we have sought to address these quickly and effectively.

For example, during the coronavirus outbreak, we have maintained our priority that victims of domestic abuse and gender based violence get the support they need during these challenging times and are kept safe from harm. Section 15A of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and section 13 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 require Scottish Ministers to take account of any information about the nature and number of incidents of domestic abuse which is given to them or published by the Scottish Police Authority, or the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland. Scottish Ministers are also required to explain how the information was taken account of.

In relation to housing, the provisions under section 2 and schedule 1 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 which increase the notice period across all eviction grounds in the private and social rented sector, with limited specific exceptions, provide renters with additional protection from eviction. These provisions are complemented by Section 2 and schedule 1, Part 2 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020, which relate to pre-action requirements for order for possession or eviction order on ground of rent arrears. The Scottish Government considers that these provisions continue to have a positive impact across those with protected characteristics and continue to prevent all renters across all equality groups from being evicted during the current crisis. This includes women who are more likely to have caring responsibilities and therefore be impacted more significantly – socially and financially - by the consequences of the outbreak.

As a further example, Section 2 and schedule 1, part 1 of the second Scottish Act aims to ensure that an appropriate notice to leave period exists for students residing in halls of residence and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). During this time of great uncertainty and financial hardship for many, these provisions ensure appropriate notice to leave periods exist for students seeking to end their tenancy early for a reason relating to coronavirus . The Scottish Government considers that the temporary extension of these provisions is likely to positively impact across those with protected characteristics, as the legislative measures will protect them from the financial impact of being held liable to pay for accommodation they are not able to use.

Further examples and more information on the equality impact of the measures contained within the Coronavirus Acts is contained within the reports submitted by the Scottish Government to the Scottish Parliament every 2 months, and the Statement of Reasons published alongside the regulations laid by the Scottish Government last month which seek to extend the Scottish Coronavirus Acts to 31 March 2021.

Question reference: S5O-04629

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since 2019 to ensure that social housing rents are affordable to tenants.

Question reference: S5O-04596

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest engagement has been with the UK Government regarding the UK Internal Market Bill.

Question reference: S5W-31021

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 13 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its commitment to remain aligned to EU environmental regulations at the end of the transition period, what discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that the future relationship with the EU will not result in the chemical industry having to repeat animal tests in order to retain their registrations under a new UK-REACH system.

Question reference: S5O-04492

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of NSPCC highlighting Police Scotland data showing that recorded sexual offences against children have increased by 30% in the last five years.

Question reference: S5O-04445

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to third sector and community organisations to address hunger and isolation during the COVID-19 crisis.

Question reference: S5O-04394

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact on rural businesses, what engagement it had with equestrian governing bodies to inform the phased return to activity.

Question reference: S5O-04372

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has made available to support businesses in North Ayrshire during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S5O-04193

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by David Stewart on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body on 5 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it makes of the content of Member-sponsored exhibitions in the Parliament.

All Member-sponsored exhibitions must secure the sponsorship of a Member and fulfil the SPCB’s agreed criteria for Member-sponsored exhibitions. The criteria are that exhibitions must be related to parliamentary business or support Members in their parliamentary role for example by informing Members about a specific issue.

Member-sponsored exhibitions are not approved but are allocated according to availability.

As Member-sponsored exhibitions are aimed at Members only and take place in passholder areas of the building, the SPCB does not feel it is necessary or appropriate to assess the content being provided by other organisations to brief Members on subjects that the organisation is typically an expert in.

As part of the allocations process, parliamentary officials give consideration to the best venue for specific exhibitions and take into account where organisations have asked for preferred dates.

Question reference: S5O-04176

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 February 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of punitive sanction regimes in drug and alcohol treatment services.