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 46887 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-21782

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many young people have received support through the Young Person's Guarantee since it was launched.

Question reference: S6W-21664

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-02470 by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 September 2023, whether it will provide a breakdown of where it has allocated the additional Barnett consequential funding to, including how much has been allocated to (a) local authorities and (b) fund other priorities, such as social security.

Question reference: S6W-21725

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind development with a capacity of less than 50 megawatts have been overturned by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.

The number of decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind developments*, with a capacity of less than 50 megawatts, which have been overturned (appeal allowed) by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division is set out in the table below.

The number of decisions to refuse applications for onshore wind development which have been upheld (appeal dismissed) by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division are also provided as a point of comparison.

	Single Turbine	Windfarm (multiple turbines)	Total
Appeals Allowed	78	84	162
Appeals Dismissed	75	112	187

Decisions are required to be made in line with the development plan for the area and on the planning merits of each case . Planning approvals by reporters make up a small percentage of permissions granted each year. In the last year planning authorities determined 24,983** planning applications granting planning permission in 93.5% of cases.

* figures shown cover the period between 2002 and 26 September 2023

** Planning applications referred to cover a wide range of matters and are not restricted to wind farm proposal applications

Question reference: S6W-21667

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure the ability for the equal provision of services and facilities across all local authorities through the shared priorities that it hopes to agree in its proposed new deal for local government.

The Verity House Agreement sets out our joint vision with COSLA for a more collaborative approach to delivering our shared priorities for the people of Scotland. We have agreed three shared priorities - tackling poverty, just transition to net zero and sustainable public services - and recognise that local flexibility will be required to maximise impact.

The Agreement also highlights the importance of mutual trust and respect and promotes the maxim of "local by default, national by agreement" whilst recognising the benefits that consistent national approaches can bring for people and communities.

Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities and how to manage their own budgets within this national framework.

Question reference: S6W-21520

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government from which part of its education budget funds will be reallocated to fund the pay deal for teachers.

Question reference: S6W-22068

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to work jointly across the health and culture portfolios to ensure that culture is represented in social prescribing discussions, as set out in its response to the recommendations from the National Partnership for Culture.

As set out in Programme for Government 2023, the Scottish Government is continuing to prioritise working across the Health and Wellbeing portfolio to maximise the contribution of culture to achieving key cross-policy outcomes.

The Scottish Government has set up an internal Health and Culture Working Group to support this work and will continue to ensure that culture is represented in any wider Scottish Government discussions about social prescribing going forward.

Question reference: S6W-22066

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its new youth arts strategy, as set out in its response to the recommendations from the National Partnership for Culture.

Question reference: S6W-21878

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any risk of local authorities declaring bankruptcy.

Audit Scotland conduct annual audits of the financial reports of local authorities in Scotland. In addition, Best Value audits ensure that a local authority is delivering its duty of best value and operating in a prudent and sustainable manner. The audit and assurance and best value frameworks are overseen by the Accounts Commission and any risk of bankruptcy should be identified at an early stage.

The Scottish Government also captures and scrutinises local authority financial data and would identify any financial concerns through this process.

Question reference: S6W-21882

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the key stakeholders in the private sector are aware of the issue of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete and know where to go for advice, as referenced in the minutes of the meeting of the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group on 14 August 2023.

Question reference: S6W-21877

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place in the event that a local authority is declared bankrupt.

Any indications of concern would be raised with the local authority. The Scottish Ministers would consider how best to support the local authority including and may seek assurance that action would be taken to address concerns.

In a case of serious financial failure, such as bankruptcy, the Scottish Ministers may make use of legislative powers to ensure appropriate steps are taken to remedy the situation.