Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 48968 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-05844

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Islands Energy Strategy, including its timetable for consulting on the draft strategy.

We will consult on the draft Islands Energy Strategy during the summer of 2022.

The Strategy will set out an approach to supporting island residents and communities to decarbonise, and to develop renewable energy solutions that can promote resilience, enhance sustainability, and meet their energy needs.

In developing the draft Strategy, we will engage with our island stakeholders, to ensure we reflect their differing needs and priorities and work alongside the Carbon Neutral Islands initiative to maximise impact and shared learning.

Question reference: S6W-06064

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it or its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have, in accordance with the document, Guidance on due diligence: human rights, undertaken human rights checks on organisations that have successfully bid for offshore wind projects under the ScotWind leasing round announced on 17 January 2022.

ScotWind leasing is administered by Crown Estate Scotland who are responsible for completing the process of due diligence in line with relevant guidance.

Crown Estate Scotland advises that all project partners were required to make a declaration providing Crown Estate Scotland with written assurance that they have not been convicted of unlawful activity in relation to a range of requirements, including aspects such as; corruption, bribery, fraud and human trafficking and exploitation, within the last five years. Only companies providing such assurances were allowed to proceed with bids.

The ScotWind terms and conditions make clear that Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to void any application which is found to have provided false information. If any companies have been found to have made false declarations on these matters Crown Estate Scotland will take the appropriate action.

The Scottish Government is clear that both public authorities and private enterprises have a responsibility to ensure human rights are respected and protected in the workplace. Scottish Ministers remain committed to defending the vitally-important legislation which protects human rights in Scotland and in the UK – including both the Human Rights Act 1998 and the constitutional protections built into the Scotland Act 1998.

Question reference: S6W-06060

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-05465 by Patrick Harvie on 24 January 2022, when it will publish its response and any regulations.

Question reference: S6W-06174

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) funds are available and (b) action it is taking to support community energy and local energy development.

The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) provides free advice, and loan and grant funding, with up to £8.25M made available this financial year (2021-22) to assist community groups in developing renewable energy projects, supporting the growth of community and locally owned energy in Scotland.

The Scottish Government launched a ‘Let’s Do Net Zero Community Buildings’ funding call last year which received 85 applications for support. Planning for support that CARES will provide in 2022/2023 is currently underway and a greater focus and priority will be given to decarbonisation, including for heat in buildings.

CARES also offers an enablement grant of up to £25,000 as well as funding for connections to district heating schemes that are powered fully or partially by a renewable source of energy. Funding of up to £5,000 (75% grant and 25% loan) is available per connection.

Funding is also being made available through CARES to help communities in rural and island areas develop cleaner, greener and cheaper energy.

The investment will empower communities which operate existing local independent grid electricity systems to develop local, independent climate-friendly electricity supplies. £3 million is being made available to develop projects in 2022-23, and expressions of interest to the fund, administered by Local Energy Scotland, closed on 31 January 2022.

Question reference: S6T-00519

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the most recent recorded crime statistics showing a rise in violent crime.

Question reference: S6T-00513

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing the disruption to ferry services in the West of Scotland that has reportedly resulted in significant supply issues and interruptions to the lifeline service.

Question reference: S6F-00842

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the report by Andrew Webster QC into the handling by Scottish Borders Council of school assault allegations, in particular those relating to the abuse of vulnerable children in the Tweeddale Support Unit.

Question reference: S6F-00832

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

Question reference: S6F-00815

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the reported view from Common Weal that action is needed to address weaknesses in social care provision due to it being in a critical state, not fit for purpose, underfunded, rationed, fragmented, centralised and risk averse.

Question reference: S6F-00816

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the recent report on the Scottish Crofting Commission.