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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: S6W-35015

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to drive an increase in the uptake of heat pumps, in light of a reported reduction in field agents at Home Energy Scotland.

The Scottish Government delivers a broad range of programmes to provide advice and support for property owners related to energy efficiency and clean heating, including the Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Scheme.

There is no such role as field agent within this programme, however there are a range of advisor roles entailed in delivering the grant funded Home Energy Scotland advice service, as well as service delivery staff employed in delivery of the contracted loans and grant administration service. Across these, resource levels are aligned to demand for our services.

Our Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy published in December 2023 outlines our approach to increase awareness and understanding of heat decarbonisation and the support available to help make the transition.

Over 6,000 heat pumps were installed in Scotland last year, with 2,500 of those installs receiving support through HES Grant and Loan Scheme funding.

Question reference: S6W-34998

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin the review of the predicted absence allowance in the staffing level tools used by NHS Scotland, as it committed to in the recommended actions of the Ministerial Scottish Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce.

As set out in answer to Parliamentary Question S6W-34995 on 27 February 2025, the implementation phase of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has now begun, and two Implementation Delivery Groups are being established to oversee swift delivery of all 44 recommended actions. One group, chaired by the Interim Chief Nursing Officer, will meet at the end of February and then recurrently every 6 - 8 weeks. A further Implementation Delivery Group will be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and will meet in Spring and then every six months. These two Groups will ensure that priorities are clearly defined, progress is measurable, and key milestones are met. A detailed work plan and timeline to guide the delivery of the recommended actions will be agreed in Spring.

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

Question reference: S6W-34794

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns expressed by members of the muirburn code working group regarding the feasibility of introducing muirburn licensing provisions ahead of the 2025 muirburn season.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges associated with introducing this complex area of licensing but with the help of stakeholders through the Muirburn Code Working Group we are confident that the provisions can be in place ahead of the 2025 season. NatureScot has prioritised this area of work within its licensing team and online development and design team. Progress is being made in developing an easy-to-use online application form and in providing clear guidance around identifying peatlands.

Question reference: S6W-34795

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought advice from NatureScot regarding commencing the muirburn licensing provisions ahead of the 2025 muirburn season and, if so, whether it will publish this.

Question reference: S6W-34880

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether an official ministerial visit to Skye House has ever taken place, and, if so, when the last one took place.

Question reference: S6W-34844

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much it allocated to public health campaigns for stroke awareness in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-34834

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the First Minister has held meetings regarding the commitment to keeping The Promise for care-experienced children since May 2024; who attended; what was discussed, and what the outcomes were.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to keeping The Promise by 2030. Given the cross Governmental scope of the activity related to The Promise, the First Minister regularly discusses the commitment and has undertaken various engagements with the care community, meeting with children and young people with care experience, and the workforce who support them. To mark the recent 5th anniversary of the Promise the First Minister wrote to the care experienced community re-enforcing his commitment to The Promise and met with students with care experience at Glasgow University to discuss their experiences. The First Minister also chairs the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the Promise which was established to guide and support the cross-portfolio focus needed to deliver The Promise.

Question reference: S6W-35132

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-34488 by Ivan McKee on 19 February 2025, whether it will provide the information that was requested regarding for what reason its partial island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill did not recommend carrying out a full ICIA on the basis that the measures in the Bill were "not likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities", in light of the assessment also noting that "the geographical remoteness of islands can generate a number of particular challenges".

As set out in the answer to question S6W-34488, the responsibility of undertaking a full Island communities impact assessment is on local authorities. Additionally, Local authorities have the power to charge different rates and exemptions for different geographical areas. Each local authority has a responsibility to publish assessment of the impacts of introducing a Visitor Levy, and they have a statutory requirement to consult with local communities, businesses, and the public, prior to the introduction of a Visitor Levy.

We formed an Expert Group made up of key representatives from the tourism industry and local government, chaired by Visit Scotland. The Group developed Guidance for local authorities on introducing and administering a visitor levy. Chapter 18 of guidance published October 2024 has further details of what is required of local authorities when implicating a Visitor levy Visitor Levy Guidance I VisitScotland.org.

Question reference: S6W-35166

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to taxi licensing, which local authorities currently have a requirement for taxis with tinted windows to have CCTV installed.

Question reference: S6W-35158

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered any impact of local authorities continuing to use delegated powers on licensing committees, and what action it has taken in this regard.