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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: S6W-10924

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether an eligible third sector organisation applying for use of its electricity framework agreement in the current economic climate will still receive the stated access to wholesale electricity purchased on the futures market long-term.

The national frameworks for the Supply of Electricity wholesale volumes are bought up to 2½ years in advance in tranches, following a proven ‘hedging’ purchasing strategy overseen by a cross-sectoral Risk Management Committee. The Committee comprises senior managers representing procurement, finance and energy management interests.

Whilst energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels because of global influences, the Scottish Government purchasing strategy has mitigated some of the increases for customers on the framework. However, given the substantially increased price risk that this market volatility has brought, the Risk Management Committee has temporarily suspended the on-boarding of all new customers with immediate effect in order protect the organisations currently using the framework from increase costs. Organisations that are currently customers (including some third sector bodies) will remain on the framework.

The Risk Management Committee will keep that decision under regular review and when market conditions and risk profile allow, will permit new customers to join.

Question reference: S6W-10925

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether any envisaged benefits of its electricity framework agreement, such as a lack of market fluctuations and improved budget predictability, remain, despite escalating energy prices.

The national framework for the Supply of Electricity, wholesale volumes are bought up to 2½ years in advance in tranches, following a proven ‘hedging’ purchasing strategy overseen by a cross-sectoral Risk Management Committee. The Committee comprises senior managers representing procurement, finance and energy management interests.

Whilst energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels because of global influences, the Scottish Government purchasing strategy has mitigated some of the increases. As an illustration, if we were to seek a fixed price today on the wholesale market for Electricity 2022-2023, it would be more than double the contract prices that the Scottish Government framework currently enjoys.

The underpinning risk management strategy will continue to provide some mitigation against the unprecedented volatile market conditions.

Question reference: S6W-10927

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the electricity and natural gas framework agreements offered via its procurement contracts directory provide an opportunity for eligible third sector organisations to lessen the impact of rising energy prices.

The national frameworks for the Supply of Electricity and Supply of Natural Gas wholesale volumes are bought up to 2½ years in advance in tranches, following a proven ‘hedging’ purchasing strategy overseen by a cross-sectoral Risk Management Committee. The Committee comprises senior managers representing procurement, finance and energy management interests.

Whilst energy prices have risen to unprecedented levels because of global influences, the Scottish Government purchasing strategy has mitigated some of the increases for customers on the frameworks. However, given the substantially increased price risk that this market volatility has brought, the Risk Management Committee has temporarily suspended the on-boarding of all new customers with immediate effect in order to protect the organisations currently using the frameworks from increased costs. Organisations that are currently customers (including some third sector bodies) will remain on the framework.

The Risk Management Committee will keep that decision under regular review and when market conditions and risk profile allow, will permit new customers to join.

Question reference: S6W-10923

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it anticipates the cost of living crisis will have on the framework agreements currently available to central government, the public sector and third sector organisations via its procurement contracts directory.

Scottish Government Framework Agreements include pricing clauses which may differ depending on the products and services being procured.

The majority of our frameworks have fixed prices for the duration of the agreements, therefore providing a degree of protection from inflationary pressures.

Where the frameworks do not include fixed prices for the duration of the agreement, any potential price increases, as a result of inflationary pressures, will be addressed in accordance with the framework terms and conditions.

The Scottish Government is reviewing its framework agreements to assess likely price increases, where applicable.

Question reference: S6O-01371

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to support pupils with a declared or assessed disability at school.

Question reference: S6W-10136

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 2 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in the last 12 months on preparations for the introduction of the Pension Age Winter Heating Assistance scheme.

Staff in the Social Security Directorate are working across a number of benefits and functions. It is therefore not possible to fully attribute implementation costs to any particular benefit. Implementation costs for Pension Age Winter Heating Assistance are therefore contained within the Social Security Advice, Policy and Programme budget line of the Scottish Budget, which is £195.4 million for 2021-22 and £219.6 million for 2022-23.

Question reference: S6O-01339

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Super Sponsor scheme.

Question reference: S6W-10140

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 30 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in the last 12 months on funding third-sector organisations that help children and vulnerable groups.

The third sector plays a critical role in supporting the people of Scotland.

In 2021-2022 the Scottish Government spent over £123 million on funding third-sector organisations that help children and vulnerable groups. Over £109 million was provided via specific grants or funding streams, with an additional £13.8 million in core funding being provided to third-sector organisations via the Children Young People Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities third sector fund.

In addition, I refer the Member to S6W-10137. In 2021-2022, the Scottish Government invested over £12 million to support free income maximisation, welfare and debt advice services. This overall figure includes some funding to third sector organisations to provide debt advice to vulnerable people and funding for Scotland’s National Advice and Information Line.

Question reference: S6W-10139

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 30 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in the last 12 months in order to tackle social isolation.

The Scottish Government recognises that Social Isolation and Loneliness is a public health issue, which has been exacerbated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between August 2021 and March 2022, £1 million was allocated by the Directorate for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights to organisations working to tackle social isolation and loneliness. This funding has supported work including helplines, befriending, and practical support. Many of the 48 organisations funded through the Equality and Human Rights Fund (2021-2024) also make a valuable contribution to tackling social isolation.

In addition, £21 million has been spent in 2021-22 via the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, which helps to tackle priority issues including social isolation and loneliness. This fund has been continued for 2022-23 with a further £15 million.

A total of £48 million has been spent via the Connecting Scotland programme to improve connectedness through digital inclusion.

Tackling social isolation and loneliness is a shared responsibility across government and the wider public sector, as well as the private and third sectors. There is a range of work being carried out across Scottish Government which will also make a positive impact on social isolation and loneliness in the medium to longer term, and which will be referenced in the forthcoming Social Isolation and Loneliness Plan.

Question reference: S6W-10138

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 29 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in exploring systems of automatic payment for devolved social security benefits.

Across the devolved benefits, the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring we minimise as far as possible any burden on clients, and to ensuring we put in place the appropriate mechanisms to maximise uptake.

We have already automated several payments. Child Winter Heating Assistance is paid automatically based on entitlement to the qualifying benefits, and Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments are made automatically to carers living in Scotland and getting Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Additionally, by the end of the year, we will award Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment automatically to eligible families in receipt of Scottish Child Payment, without the need to apply.

We continue to explore further opportunities to automate social security payments.