Chamber and committees

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-12076

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline its plans for the upcoming review of the National Outcomes; when the review process will start; how long it will last, and how it plans to ensure that the review includes as broad a consultation process as possible before presenting new draft National Outcomes to the Parliament.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-11086 on 30 September 2022 which is available on the Parliament’s website. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Further detail on plans for the review of the National Outcomes will be published in the coming weeks.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the considerable work conducted by the Finance and Public Administration Committee on the issues affecting better implementation of the NPF. The Committee has captured a breadth of responses and range of perspectives demonstrating the continued wide appeal of the NPF. Whilst the Scottish Government will meet the necessary statutory requirement to review the National Outcomes, we will also focus on drawing upon a number of helpful recommendations made by the Committee to strengthen and further integrate the NPF into the systems and processes of government.

Question reference: S6W-12189

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the expert research that was commissioned to advise on the establishment of a Peace Institute.

Question reference: S6W-11920

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that its new Cancer Strategy, due to be published in March 2023, addresses any unique difficulties in the early diagnosis of leukaemia.

Our new 10 year cancer strategy due to launch in Spring 2023 will take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care.

An earlier diagnosis vision is being developed as part of the new strategy and consideration is being given to how improvements will be measured, including blood cancers.

The challenges in diagnosing cancer earlier is being explored with key stakeholders as part of the development of the earlier diagnosis vision, with any decisions based on latest available evidence.

Question reference: S6W-11742

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 9 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the restoration of tax-free shopping for overseas visitors as a means of supporting Scotland’s retail and tourism sectors.

The Scottish Government does not have policy control over VAT rates or VAT exemptions. This is a fully reserved policy.

In a letter of 22 October 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes, and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop, jointly called on the UK Government to reverse their decision to end VAT-free shopping following EU Exit. The letter called on the UK Government to introduce a VAT-free shopping scheme for EU and non-EU visitors to the UK.

The UK Government, as part of their ‘Mini Budget’ on 23 September 2022 announced the introduction of a new digital VAT-free shopping scheme. This however was scrapped as part of the reversal by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

The Scottish Government’s position remains that the restoration of VAT-free shopping for all overseas visitors to the UK would help support Scotland’s retail sector.

The new rules put Scottish and UK-wide businesses at a disadvantage when compared to other European destinations who continue to operate VAT refund schemes.

Ultimately, the Scottish Government believes that all tax powers should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament so that we can provide the support that Scottish retailers and tourism businesses need.

Question reference: S6O-01453

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps have been taken to ensure that retailers are aware of and comply with the measures in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 that came into effect on 10 October.

Question reference: S6W-11296

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 19 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Short Life Food Security and Supply Taskforce report, whether the Food Security Unit has been set up and, if this is not the case, when it anticipates that this will take place, and what engagement it has had in this regard with (a) the UK Government, (b) the EU and (c) other international food security structures, including the European Food Security Crisis Preparedness and Response Mechanism (EFSCM).

The Programme for Government 2022 to 2023 on 6 September 2022, outlined that a dedicated Food Security Unit would be established within the Scottish Government with a view to monitoring ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities and linking with future food security work’. The Food Security unit is in the process of being established.

However, until the unit is officially established and underway, work is being taken forward by officials in regards to food security including the completion of other recommendations from the Short Life Food Security and Supply Taskforce Report as well as regular engagement with the Food and Drink industry.

The Scottish Government takes the topic of food security in Scotland seriously and I, as well as my fellow Scottish Ministers continue to press the UK Government, urging them to take action immediately on particular issues they have control over. I also recently wrote to the UK Government again to highlight the cumulative impact on the food and drink sector of labour and skills shortages and now rising costs.

We also continue to have a range of regular engagement with the EU, including on the important issue of food security and the associated work of the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism.

Scottish Ministers and officials will continue to work closely with industry representatives, and continue to engage across the sectors and governments in relation to food security and supply issues.

Question reference: S6W-11630

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 October 2022
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 17 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the next paper in the Building a New Scotland series to inform the debate on Scotland’s future.

I am pleased to advise Parliament that the Scottish Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to give people the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, and is today publishing A stronger economy through independence.

The third paper in the Building a New Scotland series sets out proposals for the economy of an independent Scotland and how new powers, combined with existing strengths, would give Scotland the opportunity to build a better future for everyone who lives here.

The paper describes this Government’s proposals for how an independent Scotland would improve access to flexible working and strengthen workplace rights, would use its extraordinary energy resources to build an economy based on low-cost, renewable energy and would invest in infrastructure through the Building a New Scotland Fund. It also includes information on currency, borders and fiscal sustainability.

Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy through independence is available to view on the Scottish Government website from today at www.gov.scot/newscotland .

Question reference: S6O-01428

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of the cost of living crisis on poverty levels in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-01388

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the cumulative impact on business of the pressures of a weak currency, high inflation, rising energy costs and Brexit.

Question reference: S6W-10497

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the terms of reference are for its Women in Enterprise Review, and when the review is scheduled to be published.

Responding to a recognised gender gap in business participation, Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy commissioned Ana Stewart, entrepreneur and investor, to deliver an independent Review on widening access to entrepreneurship for women.

The Stewart Review, due to publish later in the year, will identify the root causes of the continuing under-representation of women in enterprise and propose specific actions required to address the needs of female-led businesses in Scotland.

The expected themes of the review are to include, but not be limited to:

Access to Finance
Networks, mentoring and role models
Advice and Support
Education

The response of the Scottish Government to the Review will be mindful of existing activity and align with NSET recommendations on transforming the Scottish economy through widening business participation under the Entrepreneurial People and Culture programme.