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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: S6F-02494

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 November 2023

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is making public transport more affordable.

Question reference: S6F-02474

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 November 2023

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-02473

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 November 2023

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-22403

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for the funding it provided to Big Hearts Community Trust in 2022.

During Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities (CashBack) programme (2020 – 2023), funding was awarded to the Scottish Professional Football League Trust (SPFL Trust). Their ‘Off the Bench’ project worked to provide young people in need of support with opportunities to access education, employment and build better futures.

The SPFL Trust provided onward funding to the Big Hearts Community Trust to support 23 young people in 2022. The main objectives set for Phase 5 CashBack projects were to:

• Support people, families and communities most affected by crime

• Support those most at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending into positive destinations

• Support young people most at risk of entering the justice system

• Provide intergenerational support for parents, families and children impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences

All CashBack projects are evaluated against their objectives. The independent evaluation of Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities programme is due to be published by December 2023.

Question reference: S6W-22380

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of households at risk of being disconnected from (a) an electricity supply, (b) a gas supply and (c) an alternative heating source over the forthcoming winter period due to debt.

While we do not hold information on the number of households at risk of being disconnected this winter due to debt, we are clear that suppliers must exhaust all possible options to prevent this.

The power to take meaningful action to alleviate the effects of high energy costs on households over the long term, such as the introduction of a social tariff, sits with the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government continues to do everything we can, within the limited powers available to us, such as tripling our Fuel Insecurity Fund to £30 million for this year.

I also recently chaired three working groups focusing on rural, non-domestic and vulnerable (now known as priority) energy consumers, helping to identify and deliver collaborative actions to help mitigate the impact of the continued high cost of energy on households and businesses across Scotland.

I would urge anyone struggling with energy debt to contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 80 960 for free, impartial advice.

Question reference: S6W-22333

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider the merits of the Private Members' Bill, the Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill, which is currently being considered by the UK Parliament, with a view to introducing similar legislation in Scotland.

Policy responsibility for this issue is a devolved matter, and the potential introduction of any new legislation would be given careful consideration by Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government understands that the Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog Attacks) Bill would require a person in charge of a dog to take all reasonable steps to ensure that that dog does not fatally injure another dog. The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 already makes it an offence for a person to cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, however the Scottish Government is open to considering if further provision is necessary in this area.

Question reference: S6W-22359

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21543 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, what was discussed in its meeting with the Gambling Commission regarding the UK Government White Paper on Gambling on 21 September.

The meeting on the 21 September was an introductory meeting with the Gambling Commission. It discussed the role of the Gambling Commission and the consultations that they were leading on as part of the White Paper.

The meeting also discussed the role of evidence and the developments by the Gambling Commission to improve the evidence base across the UK. There was a commitment to build links between officials to support the development of gambling policy in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-22350

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a Green Industrial Strategy, as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.

Question reference: S6W-22360

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21540 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, when the "whole systems approach" being piloted by Public Health Scotland in Glasgow to mitigate the impact of gambling harm will (a) begin and (b) report back on its findings to the Scottish (i) Government and (ii) Parliament.

The whole systems approach in Glasgow to mitigate the impact of gambling harm is led by a Multi-Agency Group chaired by Glasgow City Council. It reports into the Glasgow City Council Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture and Engagement City Policy Committee (WECCE).

A report on progress was taken to the WECCE in August 2023. It is available from Committee Information - View Committee Document (glasgow.gov.uk) .

Question reference: S6W-22349

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline how the First Minister's commitment to "invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain" will be delivered in conjunction with the £500 million Just Transition Fund.

It is important that we take the time to work closely with industry, with investors and with our partners across the public and private sectors to ensure that we get our approach to this right. This process is already well-underway and will update the market once it has been completed.

Delivery of the £500 million Just Transition Fund remains ongoing with £75 million allocated to date, supporting projects and communities across the North East and Moray to create jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.