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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-04499

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the University of Edinburgh’s reported announcement that it is seeking to make around £140 million of cuts to its budget.

The Scottish Government fully appreciates the financial sustainability challenges being faced by many universities due to a range of factors, including inflation, the impact of UK Government immigration policies on international student recruitment, and the increase to employers’ National Insurance Contributions.

Universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own strategic and operational decision making. The Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council will continue to work closely with the sector as they develop their own plans to mitigate financial challenges.

Question reference: S6O-04497

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the proposal by Scotland's Rural College to close the animal care unit at its Elmwood Campus in Cupar, following the sale of the farm and closure of the student accommodation.

I appreciate that the proposed closure of the main building at SRUC’s Elmwood campus will be deeply concerning for affected staff and students.

Although SRUC is an autonomous institution with responsibility for its own strategic and operational decision, I would expect them to ensure that they engage meaningfully with staff affected by these proposals, in line with our Fair Work principles and in doing so explore any alternative options which might see delivery of these courses remain in the locality.

I would also expect any affected students to be appropriately supported by SRUC throughout this period, and to receive timely information about the impact of any disruption on their studies and the options available to them.

Question reference: S6O-04500

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to incentivise the restoration and reuse of listed buildings in Glasgow that are considered to be at risk.

Responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of a listed building lies with the owner of the property. Consequently, the removal of VAT on these repairs would be a strong incentive for owners to undertake necessary work.

The Scottish Government will continue to make representations to UK Government requesting the implementation of a VAT reduction in the context of encouraging maintenance and energy efficiency improvements in traditional buildings.

Additionally, through Historic Environment Scotland’s Grants programme, we invest around £13.5 million a year to support building repairs, ancient monuments, archaeological work, and conservation.

Question reference: S6O-04501

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it will give to expanding the scope of statutory grounds for holding a fatal accident inquiry.

Question reference: S6O-04496

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of some teachers requesting self-defence classes due to the prevalence of violence in schools.

It is the Government’s understanding that Freedom of Information requests recently released by Scotland’s Councils found that only two teachers across Scotland have made this request, whilst fifteen other Councils that responded said no requests have been made.

Our approach is focused on creating safe and nurturing schools, prioritising prevention and de-escalation of distressed behaviour.

Teachers and pupil support staff should be supported through their school’s relationships and behaviour policy. Arrangements for de-escalation and support should be provided to them where situations do escalate.

This is a view shared by some of our teaching unions, including NASUWT and the SSTA.

Question reference: S6O-04498

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that local authorities are failing to ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations in relation to Scotland-based racing greyhounds being transported to race meetings in England.

Question reference: S6T-02457

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent NASUWT survey, which recorded that 49% of female teachers in Scotland had reported physical abuse or violence in the last 12 months.

Question reference: S6F-03996

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on whether the reported increased annual cost of Scotland's prisons to over £77,000 per prisoner represents good value for public money.

Question reference: S6F-03977

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025

To ask the First Minister what engagement the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding what assessment has been made of the potential impact of an extension of US tariffs on Scottish businesses that export to the US market.

Question reference: S6F-03974

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.