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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: S6O-04058

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how the planned review of Creative Scotland will improve compliance with fair work principles in the culture sector.

Question reference: S6O-04062

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it can do to support access to library services in rural areas.

Question reference: S6W-31638

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Scottish Power.

Question reference: S6W-31637

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met the National Energy Systems Operator.

Question reference: S6W-31636

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy last met Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.

Question reference: S6W-31755

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to publish a pilot proposal that would enable asylum seekers to work in Scotland and to share these proposals with the UK Government for consideration.

The Scottish Government made a commitment in the 2024 New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy to develop an Asylum Right to Work Pilot proposal. I am pleased to confirm that we have today published our proposal setting out a design for a prospective pilot scheme which would enable a cohort of those seeking asylum to work in Scotland, operating within the current UK immigration framework.

We have worked closely with a range of key stakeholders including local authorities, the third sector and employers to shape the development of the pilot proposal. This proposal would allow pilot participants awaiting a decision on their asylum claim to work after six months rather than the current twelve months, to no longer be restricted to roles on the Immigration Salary List, and to be supported by a flexible, wrap-around provision of support including employability and language learning. Individuals will be able to access employment sooner, have fewer restrictions on the jobs they can do and be supported in accessing, and maintaining, securing employment.

The next step is to share this proposal with the UK Government. I would urge the UK Government to engage constructively to agree a delivery model which supports individuals in making a positive contribution to their family and the community and includes safeguards.

Working jointly to develop and deliver a pilot will help individuals, communities and help to inform future policy approaches on the right to work.

The publication link will go live at 09:30 at: http://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781836910466

Question reference: S6W-31771

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Richard Lochhead on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the work of its Digital Assets in Scots Private Law Expert Reference Group.

The Digital Assets in Scots Private Law Expert Reference Group has made its findings and recommendations to the Scottish Government, and a consultation on possible legislative reform was published today, 27 November 2024, with a closing date of 5 February 2025. The consultation seeks views on proposals to provide greater legal certainty on the kinds of digital asset that can be objects of property in Scots private law and some key features as to how they would operate in property law. The consultation can be accessed here: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836910510.

Question reference: S6W-31778

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Alasdair Allan on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish a final Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plan.

I am delighted to confirm that today the final Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery plan is being published. The strategy sets out our ambition: to halt the loss of nature by 2030 and to make significant progress in restoring nature by 2045.

Our Strategic Vision is for a nature positive, net zero future where Scotland’s natural environment is restored, and where everyone can play their part in securing that future. The delivery plan, the first in a series, sets out the actions needed, which taken together represent a step change that will accelerate the pace and scale of our efforts to address the biodiversity crisis.

A new Natural Environment Bill, planned in year 4 of this Parliament, will establish a framework for statutory nature targets securing accountability and driving action across government. Protecting our natural environment will lead to a greener, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for all.

Question reference: S6W-31783

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that national speed limits and speed limits for HGVs are appropriate for Scotland.

Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2030 sets out a vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030 and an ambitious long-term goal where no one is seriously injured or killed on our roads by 2050. However, the number of fatal casualties in 2024 are tracking 21% above the same period in 2023.

The reasons behind this are varied, with speeding and driver frustration being a persistent factor in a number of injury collisions on Scotland’s roads. It is therefore timely that Transport Scotland have undertaken a National Speed Management Review. This review seeks to ensure speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate and help contribute to a reduction in injury and death on our roads.

The review examined a range of approaches, including HGV-specific speed limits, drawing insights from both national and international case studies. This includes the impact of the 50 mph speed limit trial for HGVs on the A9 single carriageway sections between Perth and Inverness. Since this trial there has been improved driver behaviour on this section of the route, a greater compliance with speed limits and a reduction in deaths and serious injuries.

I can therefore announce that a public consultation on proposed changes to speed limits has launched and will be open until Wednesday 5 March 2025. It invites feedback on proposals to lower the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph and to increase speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single-carriageways from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph. Analysis from the review indicates that these changes could significantly reduce injury collisions while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.

I urge all elected members to encourage constituents and stakeholders to participate in the consultation at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/consultation/national-speed-management-review-consultation/

Question reference: S6W-31730

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-04532 by Mairi Gougeon on 2 December 2021, how much it has allocated in each year since 2021 to the delivery of its Agritourism Growth Strategy.