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: S6O-04021

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on population trends, what its response is to National Records of Scotland data showing that 2023 had the lowest number of recorded births since records began in 1855.

Question reference: S6O-03958

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what impact free university tuition has had on young people deciding to stay in Scotland to study for a degree.

Question reference: S6W-30612

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many people were living with secondary breast cancer on the last date for which figures are available.

Question reference: S6W-30613

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve secondary breast cancer data collection as part of its Cancer Action Plan for Scotland 2023-2026.

The Scottish Government is working with Public Health Scotland to review options in relation to collecting data on secondary breast cancer in Scotland. This includes consideration of the NHS England audit, data available in Scotland, clinical time required, other cancer data priorities and how it can be used to improve services. We are aiming to agree the best method of data collection by the end of the current Cancer Action Plan in March 2026.

Question reference: S6W-30536

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 17 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) raise awareness of the concept of “digital legacies” and (b) encourage people to make provision for their digital accounts and assets after they pass away.

The Scottish Government does not have any plans to raise awareness of digital legacies or to make provision for their digital accounts and assets after they pass away. The Scottish Government encourages all individuals to consider taking professional advice and make a will. Digital assets take many forms and will vary from one individual to another. Solicitors are best placed to offer advice tailored to a person’s specific circumstances and the Law Society of Scotland offers training and advice to its members on digital legacies and digital assets.

Question reference: S6W-29259

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29221 by Fiona Hyslop on 21 August 2024, which refers to "delivering smart concessionary travel for young people and on our ferry services to Orkney and Shetland", for what reason such concessionary travel does not include young people on other islands.

Young people aged 16-18 (or 19-25 for full time volunteers) who live on the Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, plus islands in North Ayrshire, Argyll and Bute and Highland Council areas are entitled to receive ferry vouchers.

Transport Scotland has been undertaking a project to modernise ferry concessions by introducing digital vouchers which are stored on a National Entitlement Card. This was rolled out to cardholders in Orkney and Shetland in April 2024.

Whilst we intend for digital ferry concessions vouchers to be used on any Scottish ferry route in time, the initial focus has been introducing the digital vouchers in Shetland and Orkney as a pilot area. At present, all other eligible cardholders continue use paper vouchers.

Question reference: S6O-03723

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any impact on the development of its constitutional policy and strategy, what its position is on whether the promises made by the leaders of the three main UK unionist parties prior to the 2014 independence referendum, known as The Vow, have been kept.

Question reference: S6W-29007

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when CalMac’s winter timetable for 2024-25 will be published.

Question reference: S6W-28753

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28535 by Fiona Hyslop on 24 July 2024, whether it will provide the information requested regarding by what date, at the latest, it expects that the business case review into the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour will be concluded.

I understand and share the Member's frustrations on the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment, as do my Officials working on the project. The business case work and overall delivery of the project needs to be supported by the financial packages from each of the main funding partners. It is imperative therefore that these and the legal agreements are clearly defined, affordable and ensure value to the public purse.

During recent discussions with funding partners there have been some emerging issues in relation to the funding packages and costs to Government that require further investigation and to be concluded before the business case can be finalised.

Officials are progressing these matters as quickly as possible and will look to provide respective updates when notable progress is made.

Question reference: S6W-28476

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any skills shortages within the Scottish hospitality sector, and what action it is taking to address any such shortages.

We understand that the hospitality sector, alongside other sectors within the economy, including construction and manufacturing, are facing challenges in attracting, recruiting and retaining workers. This situation has been exacerbated by Brexit and the loss of people from the EU, as well as problems caused by the pandemic.

We regularly monitor and assess the performance of the tourism and hospitality sector through a range of official statistics, as well as via regular engagement with key stakeholders, including the main hospitality trade bodies. Our most recent statistics show that in May 2024 29% of businesses in the accommodation and food services sector reported difficulties in recruiting employees, slightly higher than the Scotland average (27%). (Source BICS ONS May 2024).

In April 2024 , one in five (18%) of businesses within the accommodation and food sector reported recruitment difficulties (lower than the Scottish average for all businesses at 24%). The most common reason given for businesses reporting recruitment difficulties, by over half, was a lack of qualified applicants for the roles on offer (53%), while just under a third cited the reduced number of EU applicants (30%). (Source BICS ONS April 2024).

The Scottish Government is taking measures within our powers, to address labour and skills shortage issues. These include providing a range of employability support to help people enter the workforce alongside funding for the development of modern apprenticeships via Skills Development Scotland to meet the needs of the tourism and hospitality sector. We are also working to explore solutions to staff shortages in collaboration with the sector, through our Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group and our Tourism and Hospitality Skills Group.

Fair Work is at the heart of our national Tourism Strategy; Outlook 2030 which commits to support and enable the adoption of Fair work practices in Scotland’s tourism sector. We continue to promote fair work measures in the sector which will help businesses attract and retain staff and will carefully consider recommendations from the Fair Work Convention’s Hospitality inquiry and take forward as appropriate.

While immigration is reserved, we hope to work collaboratively with the new UK Government to make a difference to the lives of people in Scotland, as the First Minister made clear in his meeting with the new Prime Minister on Sunday 7 July.

Scotland’s distinct demographic and economic needs require a tailored approach to migration. Scotland needs access to international talent and skills at all levels of the economy, for vital, challenging roles within sectors including tourism and hospitality.

Scottish Ministers are committed to working closely with the UK Government in delivering an immigration system that supports the prosperity of Scotland’s economy and communities.