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.

Question reference: S5W-00375

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 June 2016
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 14 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help businesses address the gender pay gap.

Scotland has led the way since 1999 in narrowing the gender pay gap, which at 7.3% is currently the lowest in the UK and one of the lowest in the EU. However, that there is any pay gap at all in 2016 is unacceptable.

We know that there are many factors which influence the pay gap and we are providing practical support to businesses such as: funding the Close the Gap toolkit for small businesses on the benefits of improving gender diversity; funding initiatives to encourage businesses to adopt family friendly policies; and providing support to carers. These types of employer practices help women to enter and progress in the labour market and contribute towards narrowing the pay gap.

Question reference: S5O-00043

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 June 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what role breakfast clubs play in closing the attainment gap, and what support it provides to them.

Question reference: S5W-00303

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 June 2016
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 8 June 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many organisations have signed up to the Partnership for Change pledge to make a commitment to work toward a 50:50 gender balance on their boards by 2020.

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