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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: S6O-04380

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is facilitating direct links with markets to promote economic development.

Question reference: S6O-04386

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the ways in which local authorities engage with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.

Question reference: S6O-04388

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Institute for Fiscal Studies' assessment in its Scottish Budget 2025-26 report that "it is particularly important that the front-loaded increases in investment and public service spending planned are undertaken effectively".

Question reference: S6O-04390

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comment by the Scottish Information Commissioner that Scotland’s non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, are costing taxpayers £6.6 billion annually.

Question reference: S6O-04409

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to reduce car use by 20% by 2030.

Question reference: S6O-04402

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-34021

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last five years it has met BBC Scotland executives; who attended; what was discussed; whether it will publish any formal minutes that were taken, and what plans it has to next meet.

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot. Minutes of Ministerial meetings are not published routinely.

I last met with the BBC on 27 January 2025 for an introductory meeting with the new BBC Scotland Director. This meeting was arranged at my request to explore how the BBC can improve its support for Scotland-based productions and grow our broadcasting sector. The First Minister had an introductory meeting with the new BBC Scotland Director on 20 February. I have no future meetings currently scheduled with the BBC.

Over the last five years, several matters within my portfolio have been discussed with the BBC, including: plans and opportunities in Scotland; the BBC’s annual report and reports published by the regulator, Ofcom; the Media Bill and subsequent Media Act 2024; the BBC’s delivery of programmes and skills training; and the BBC’s provision of services and plans to grow the broadcasting sector in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-34036

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question by S6W-33053 by Shona Robison on 21 January 2025, what the cost was of contracting media planning and buying agencies in each of the last five years.

Total spend with media agencies over the last five years (2019-2024) was £50,729,800.33, as published here Marketing spend - Marketing spend - gov.scot

Media planning and buying is placed by call-off from the Media Planning, Buying and Associated Services framework (Ref: SP-23-05). The work is competed through the Framework and tenders are evaluated for value and quality. Framework suppliers when bidding are required to provide full detailed costs against indicative volumes, using the price guarantees set under the Framework.

Where appropriate media spend is audited for value against the Framework pricing as well as quality by an independent media auditor on a six monthly basis.

Question reference: S6W-34210

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how Food Standards Scotland monitors and enforces food safety standards in rural and remote areas.

As part of its competent authority role Food Standards Scotland (FSS) monitors and enforces regulations in marine waters, slaughterhouses, standalone cutting plants, game handling establishments, feed, and wine business, throughout the length and breadth of Scotland including on the Islands and all remote areas where a business is located.

As part of its assurance role, FSS is required independently to audit delivery of official controls carried out by FSS and take appropriate measures in the light of the results of those audits. The audits shall be subject to independent scrutiny and conducted in a transparent manner.

FSS have a primary responsibility to monitor the performance of, and promote best practice by, enforcement authorities enforcing food legislation in Scotland.

The overarching aim is to provide assurance that the delivery of official controls for food and feed is compliant with Scottish and UK legal requirements and official guidance.

The audit programme is risk-based, and all reports are published.

https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/business-and-industry/safety-and-regulation/audit-and-monitoring

Question reference: S6W-34824

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 26 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how the reported additional £13.6 million investment in general practice in 2024-25 is being allocated, and what proportion will be directed towards recruitment and retention initiatives.

Scottish Government have allocated £13.6 million to General Practice to assist with recruitment and retention by directly funding GP practices to pay partners and staff; distributed by Scottish Workload Formula and Income & Expenses Guarantee entitlement this year, next year by Scottish Workload Formula, Income & Expenses Guarantee entitlement and increased item of service fees for some optional services.