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 43418 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6O-01810

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to curb the recently reported outbreak of squirrelpox.

Question reference: S6O-01826

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with East Renfrewshire Council.

Question reference: S6O-01821

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what guidance it gives to landlords in all sectors to help prevent and deal with damp, condensation and mould in their properties, including when this was last revised.

Question reference: S6O-01824

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has conducted on the effect of the rent cap on the number of homes available for rent in the private sector.

Question reference: S6O-01819

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Leave no one behind, from The Health Foundation.

Question reference: S6O-01815

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last spoke to NHS Lothian and NHS Borders.

Question reference: S6W-13685

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to invest in more flood defences in the South Scotland region.

It is the responsibility of local authorities to develop and deliver flood protection schemes in Scotland. Since 2008, the Scottish Government has provided £42million/ yr through the general capital grant to support the delivery of flood risk management actions. The 2020 PfG also committed an additional £150 million over the course of this parliament.

Flood Risk Management Plans have been developed to reduce the devastating and costly impact of flooding in Scotland. The plans coordinate the efforts of all organisations that tackle flooding and concentrate the work to where the risk of flooding and benefits of investment are greatest. The 2015-2021 Plans included a number of flood protection schemes in the South Scotland region including in Hawick and Whitesands.

Flood Risk Management Plans for the period 2022-2028 were approved by Scottish Ministers in December 2021 and published by SEPA in January 2022. A COSLA/ Scottish Government Funding Working Group has been set up to discuss funding arrangements for flood risk management actions including those set out in the
‎ 2022-2028 plans. This group will put recommendations to the joint Scottish Government/COSLA officers’ Settlement Distribution Group. Ministers and Council Leaders’ will subsequently be provided with advice in 2023.

Question reference: S6W-13653

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 18 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the support available to prevent suicide among students in universities and colleges in Scotland.

The Scottish Government and COSLA published ‘ Creating Hope Together , Scotland’s ten year suicide prevention strategy’ in September 2022 alongside an initial three year action plan. The development of the strategy and action plan involved engagement with key stakeholders, including those working across the further and higher education sector, as well as people with lived experience of suicide. The action plan includes a focus on developing tailored approaches to suicide prevention to meet the needs of different groups, and students are identified as one such group.

The Government is also currently developing a Student Mental Health Plan, due to publish in Spring 2023, which will complement ‘ Creating Hope Together’ and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which is due to publish in Spring 2023. The Student Mental Health Plan will provide a framework for action by universities and colleges.

The Student Mental Health Plan will be informed by key research, such as the Mental Health Foundation’s Thriving Learners Surveys and Universities UK’s ‘Suicide-safer universities’ resource. The development of the Plan is being driven forward by the Student Mental Health and Well Being Working Group, which I chair. Membership includes NUS Scotland, Think Positive, Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-13678

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action Scottish Water is taking to prepare for the impact of any increasing extreme weather events, including the impact of episodes of freezing weather leading to increasing instances of burst pipes.

Scottish Water is investing over £87 million during the current regulatory period (2021-27) to improve its network of water mains and reduce the risk of interruptions to supply for customers. It is also continually working throughout the year to actively find and repair water leaks on the network and to manage water resources. Unfortunately, there can be an increased risk to water pipes as a result of a freeze and rapid thaw, as was experienced recently in December 2022, and Scottish Water operatives worked tirelessly in freezing conditions during this time to respond to the issues which occurred on the water network. During this period, Scottish Water also saw an increase in bursts on customer private supply pipes and internal plumbing, which had a significant impact. Scottish Water has an annual campaign to raise awareness about how important it is for customers to protect their pipes by taking appropriate measures. More information about this is available on their website at "Winter Wrapped Up" and "Protect your Pipes".

Question reference: S6W-13568

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what communications strategy it has developed to help charities to share public health messages on government media outlets.

The Scottish Government works closely with relevant third sector organisations at a policy and communication level when developing public health messaging. Charities across Scotland are invited to disseminate vital public health messages via relevant charity outreach and platforms.

No specific strategy is in place to help charities share public health messages on government social media feeds. Any request from a charity for information to be shared on Scottish Government social media feeds is reviewed on a case by case basis by relevant officials across policy and communications.