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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.

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Question reference: S6W-31739

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms it has put in place to monitor the effective implementation of the provision of free period products across local authorities.

As outlined in the Access to period products: Monitoring and Evaluation strategy 2021/22 - 2024/25, we intended to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021(the Act) in 2025. However, due to funding for local authorities being baselined from this financial year (2024-25) under the Verity House Agreement, the Scottish Government and COSLA agreed that local authorities will not be asked to collect any data going forward. This means that the planned evaluation will no longer take place.

Local authorities are under a statutory duty to meet the requirements of the Act and are open to challenge by Judicial Review.

Question reference: S6W-31499

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken on Project Pegasus in England and Wales to tackle retail crime, and what conclusions it has drawn from this research.

Discussions regarding retail crime have taken place between the Scottish Government and retail stakeholders through the Retail Industry Leadership Group (ILG), Co-Chaired by the Minister for Employment and Investment. Additionally, there has been early engagement between Scottish Government officials and Police Scotland around potentially developing a similar system in Scotland alongside partner organisations. No research has currently been undertaken by Scottish Government officials on this matter but the early findings from Project Pegasus will be of interest in taking forward action in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-31490

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues to (a) its departments and (b) organisations working on its behalf regarding its (i) definition of, (ii) criteria for and (iii) expectations surrounding the process of a peer review.

Two peer review processes are overseen by the social research profession in Scottish Government.

Organisations working for Scottish Government and officials may be involved in an Ethics Peer Review. The Scottish Government Ethics Guidance for Social Research (https://www.gov.scot/publications/ethics-guidance-scottish-government-social-research/) sets out the criteria, expectations and process ensuring ethically highly sensitive projects receive this additional scrutiny.

The Scottish Government Social Research Contractor Handbook (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-social-research-publication-protocol/) suggests peer reviews to assess the quality of completed reports. These are internal or external by independent researchers. Internal social research guidance advises external peer review may be useful at the start of complex projects.

Question reference: S6W-31498

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it would provide funding to an equivalent scheme to Project Pegasus in England and Wales to tackle retail crime.

The Scottish Government is aware of the business and policing partnership Project Pegasus, currently operating in England and Wales. We are committed to exploring any possible options to tackle organised retail crime in Scotland and are open to exploring the prospect of implementing a similar joint initiative between Police Scotland, the Scottish Government and our valued retail stakeholders in an effort to do all we can to combat the unacceptable rise in organised crime affecting retailers.

To demonstrate this commitment, the Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2025-26 includes up to £3 million in funding to be used for the purpose of exploring the implementation of a similar partnership between the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and Scotland’s retail sector in an effort to combat organised retail crime.

Question reference: S6W-31736

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to publish its plans for overnight accommodation for parents as part of the implementation of the new model of neonatal care.

The Scottish Government has directed NHS Boards to move forward with detailed implementation planning led at a regional level, with a designated lead Chief Executive Officer to deliver this programme from planning to full implementation.

Accommodation is a key part of the model of neonatal care described in Best Start and we expect all Boards to provide emergency overnight accommodation on the unit for parents who need it, with other accommodation for neonatal parents nearby.

Initial plans were submitted to the Scottish Government in September 2024 for consideration. Feedback has been provided to the Regional Chief Executives and NHS Boards will continue to refine and develop plans as implementation proceeds.

Question reference: S6W-31699

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their buildings.

Although it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate, Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust continue to engage with local authorities about Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

In September, the Scottish Government published a report regarding RAAC across the public sector in Scotland, and it contains a dedicated section on schools and early learning and childcare.

Question reference: S6W-31696

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the University of Manchester research article, All present and correct? Alternative provision and school attendance, and, in light of this research, what action it is taking to (a) increase collaborative working at local authority level to improve school attendance, (b) develop localised approaches to reduce rates of school non-attendance and (c) develop processes to support children and young people with complex needs who require alternative provision outside of the school setting, including to support them when returning to regular education provision.

The Scottish Government is committed to improving attendance in Scottish schools. Last year, we requested that Education Scotland undertake a 'deep dive' to support greater understanding of the issue and the reasons for it.

Within the resulting report 'Improving Attendance: Understanding the Issues', five recommendations were identified including 'Education Scotland, working with stakeholders and partners, should bespoke support for areas where improving levels of attendance remains a challenge'. The research article from the University of Manchester, ‘All Present and Correct’ is based on only one local authority in the North West of England. Key findings of the article align to the Education Scotland report which was based on a more comprehensive evidence base.

Education Scotland is working closely with local authorities and with schools. This includes the establishment of an Improving Attendance National Network aimed at senior officers within local authorities. Regular engagement with various levels of the system including the ADES Performance and Improvement Network is in place, informing support required and ongoing challenges as well as any successes.

Education Scotland is working intensively with six local authorities to support identified establishments to use Quality Improvement approaches to improve attendance. This programme is running until March 2025 and provides regular opportunities for collaboration. A second cohort will begin early next year.

A steering group of senior school leaders is in place, informing planning for headteacher events starting in February 2025. In addition, all local authorities are invited to an event on 6 February 2025, focussed on strategic approaches to improving attendance. A second package of support, focussed on implantation strategies and effective practice, is currently being developed and will be published in March 2025.

Education authorities have duties under the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 to identify, provide for and review the additional needs of their pupils. This includes any support required following a period of absence. Education authorities are also responsible for determining the most appropriate provision for children and young people with additional support needs, taking account of their legislative responsibilities and the individual circumstances and wishes of children, young people and their families.

Education authorities are supported in implementing their duties under the 2004 Act through the statutory code of practice on additional support for learning.

Question reference: S6T-02241

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported review of more than 1,000 CT scans, in light of concerns regarding the quality of assessments made by a consultant radiologist.

Question reference: S6T-02237

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with the UK Government at the British Irish Council summit regarding ending the two-child benefit cap.

Question reference: S6F-03628

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2024

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reported comments from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland that “children are being let down” by an education system that needs “radical reform”.