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: S4W-16841

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 August 2013
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 18 September 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the impact of welfare reforms introduced on 1 April 2013 on the number of people in Scotland attending GPs.

The Scottish Government is aware that GPs are reporting that they are seeing a significant rise in requests connected to welfare reforms and appreciate the challenges facing GPs in trying to do the best for their patients while coping with a growing demand for evidence for benefits appeals.

GPs have many other competing priorities and completing paperwork in connection with benefit assessments cannot and should not be prioritised ahead of the immediate clinical needs of patients.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has recommended to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that urgent research is undertaken on the demands that welfare benefit reform is placing on primary care.

Question reference: S4F-01572

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 September 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 September 2013

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will spend the £20 million that it announced on 11 September 2013 to help people affected by the so-called bedroom tax.

Question reference: S4W-16840

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 August 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 August 2013

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-16302 by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 July 2013, how many of the claims made to the Scottish Welfare Fund since 1 April 2013 were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful.

Question reference: S4W-16304

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 July 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Legal Aid Board in relation to the delivery of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Question reference: S4W-16302

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 July 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how many claims have been made to the Scottish Welfare Fund from (a) individuals and (b) groups and organisations since 1 April 2013.

Question reference: S4W-16303

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 July 2013
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 15 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what collaborative work it undertakes with the third sector to provide advice and support to people affected by recent welfare changes.

The Scottish Government is committed to working collaboratively with the third sector and other organisations in Scotland who provide advice and support to people affected by recent welfare changes.

We are providing an additional £7.9 million to organisations who provide these services, such as Citizens Advice Scotland, to ensure that people have the help they need.

A range of third sector organisations are also represented on various stakeholder groups, such as the Welfare Reform Scrutiny Group. Their input is vital in helping us understand and respond as best we can within our powers and resources to the UK Government’s cuts and changes to the welfare system.

Question reference: S4W-15653

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 4 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd regarding any acceleration agreements and associated costs to complete construction of The Hydro arena on time.

Question reference: S4W-15654

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 4 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd has made acceleration agreements and agreed associated costs with Lend Lease to mitigate any delay in the construction of The Hydro arena and, if so, what the financial implications are.

Question reference: S4W-15655

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 4 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd is in discussion with Lend Lease regarding acceleration agreements and associated costs in relation to the construction of The Hydro arena and, if so, what the financial implications are.

Question reference: S4W-15652

Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2013
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 4 July 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Glasgow City Council and (b) SECC Ltd regarding construction of The Hydro arena being completed on time and in budget.

At a meeting on 17 April 2013 regarding the potential for business tourism in Glasgow, the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism enquired of SECC when The Hydro arena would be completed. The Scottish Government is not aware of any other discussions with either Glasgow City Council or SECC regarding completion of the construction of The Hydro arena.

Matters relating to any acceleration agreements or discussions with lend Lease are the operational responsibility of SECC.