- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication in January 2025 of the paper, Scottish Government Response to the Report by the
Independent Expert Group
for the Unlocking the Value of
Data Programme, whether it will provide an update on the progress with the Proof of Concept project.
Answer
Since the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to the final report by the Independent Expert Group for the Unlocking the Value of Data programme, in January 2025, an Industry Data Access Steering Group has been established to oversee the development of an operational framework, as outlined in the Scottish Government response.
This project supports the aim of the Unlocking the Value of Data programme to realise greater value from public sector personal data when used with, or by, the private sector, for public benefit. The framework will facilitate private sector access to public sector data, in collaboration with the Scottish Safe Havens Network and through citizen and stakeholder engagement. This project aims to promote transparency, efficiency, and alignment with public expectations, ensuring the safe, secure and ethical use of public sector data by private organisations.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any forecasts or economic modelling regarding the projected impact of the proposed US tariffs on jobs and business turnover in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government reviews studies on the economic modelling of the impact of proposed US tariffs for Scotland, including from the Office for Budget Responsibility and the National Institute for Economic and Social Research.
These studies suggest that UK GDP will be lower with US tariffs in place. The economic impact will be dependent on the level of tariffs that are ultimately imposed by the US and the response of other countries to the US tariffs.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the (a) North Sea Transition Authority and (b) UK Government regarding the future of oil and gas extraction in Scottish waters.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-36532 on 29 April 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has met prison governors since 29 March 2023 and what subjects were discussed, broken down by governor.
Answer
I have undertaken an extensive programme of visits to Scotland’s prisons where I have met with Governors and/or Deputy Governors and other members of prison staff. Details of these visits are shown in the following table.
Establishment | Date(s) of Visits | Agenda |
HMP Stirling | 25 May 2023 | Tour of facility and discussion ahead of formal opening |
HMP Polmont | 9 June 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Shotts | 23 June 2023 | HMP Shotts Visitor Centre Roadshow |
HMP Edinburgh | 27 June 2023 | Book launch of “The Good Prison Officer” and discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Grampian | 19 July 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Inverness | 20 July 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Perth | 20 July 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Dumfries | 2 August 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Kilmarnock | 2 August 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Greenock | 3 August 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Barlinnie | 25 August 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Glenochil | 13 September 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Edinburgh | 29 September 2023 | Participate in Recovery Walk and tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Shotts | 3 October 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Addiewell | 27 October 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
Lilias Centre | 1 December 2023 | Tour of facility and discussion on managing prison population and issues specific to establishment |
HMP Low Moss | 13 December 2023 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Castle Huntly | 21 February 2024 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Perth | 8 July 2024 | Visit to establishment and announcement around Consultation on Long Term Prisoners |
HMP Stirling | 15 August 2024 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Highland site | 28 August 2024 | Tour of site and existing structure |
HMP Edinburgh | 18 December 2024 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Barlinnie | 5 February 2025 | Announcement of signing of HMP Glasgow Stage 2 contract |
HMP Polmont | 20 March 2025 | Tour of facility, discussion on managing the prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
HMP Low Moss | 24 March 2025 | Discussion with prison senior management team on managing prison population and other key issues specific to establishment |
I met with the Prison Governors Association on 19 September 2023 where we discussed a range of issues including prison population, case management, recruitment and terms and conditions for governors.
In addition Prison Governors will have been attendees at wider meetings in relation to Scotland’s prisons as appropriate.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce compensation for any individuals affected by a decline in (a) land and (b) property value due to the impact of large-scale energy projects on property prices.
Answer
As per the response provided to question S6W-34540 on 4 March 2025, Compensation provisions do exist where land, or rights over land, are acquired by compulsion for the development of energy infrastructure under the Electricity Act 1989. However, there is no statutory provision or process set out in the Act to financially compensate those who consider their property value may be affected.
The Scottish Government does, however, continue to use all levers available to deliver sustainable, meaningful and impactful outcomes from the energy transition, informed by the voices of our diverse communities.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Veterens expects to attend the Forces Children Scotland event, Forces Children's Charter Roundtable, which is scheduled for 25 April 2025.
Answer
The Scottish Government want all children and young people to get the support that they need to reach their full learning potential, no matter their circumstances. As such we highly value the work of Forces Children Scotland in advocating for children and young people from service families across the country.
The Scottish Government will continue to meet regularly with Forces Children Scotland to discuss our shared interests in supporting service children. The Minister for Children and Young People met with Forces Children Scotland on 18 September 2024. Forces Children Scotland are a member of the Scottish Armed Forces Education Support Group, which is chaired by a Scottish Government Official and meets quarterly. We are currently funding Forces Children Scotland through the Scottish Veterans Fund to support their Future Transitions project. In addition, the Minister for Veterans is meeting with the Armed Forces Families Federations on 6 May.
Unfortunately the Minister for Veterans was unable to attend the Forces Children's Rights Charter Roundtable on 25 April due to a pre-existing diary commitment.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 April 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure greater access to affordable early years provision, in light of reports of the rising cost of childcare for families with children under the age of three.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 April 2025
- Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 April 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the interim update from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission on the practical implications of the recent UK Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 April 2025
- Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 April 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025
- Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 28 April 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025
