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-20429

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 4 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the current system of energy performance certificates is fit for purpose.

Earlier this year, the Climate Change Committee wrote to the Scottish Government setting out a series of recommendations for the reform on EPCs, noting that the current arrangements are “not fit for purpose”. We responded to this letter acknowledging that EPCs need to be reformed in order to deliver our climate targets.

The Scottish Government published a consultation on EPC reform on 25 July 2023. In addition to proposals to reform domestic and non-domestic EPC metrics, the consultation also highlights that we are reviewing existing assessment and quality assurance processes. We will draw from previous independent analysis and work with the Approved Organisations that accredit energy assessors, and the UK Government to identify changes and best practice to help maintain and improve standards. Together, we are confident that these proposed reforms will ensure that in future EPCs can be fit for purpose.

Question reference: S6W-20428

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 4 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that home buyers have accurate information on the energy efficiency of any home.

In most cases it is a legal requirement to provide a Home Report to prospective buyers when selling a home. The home report comprises of a single survey, property questionnaire and energy report and is completed by a qualified surveyor. The energy report gives information on the home's energy efficiency in the form of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC states the energy efficiency of a building based on standardised assumptions about the way in which a building is used.

The Scottish Government published a consultation on EPC reform on 25 July 2023 seeking stakeholder views on proposals to reform the current metrics to provide more holistic information about the efficiency of a home that is relevant to current and potential owners and occupiers. Our reform proposals include responding to recommendations on improvements to the EPC scheme made by the Climate Change Committee, our statutory advisers on climate matters.

Question reference: S6W-19238

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 16 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an update to its palliative care strategy.

Question reference: S6W-18450

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Holding Answer by Mairi McAllan on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what cost-benefit analysis has been conducted regarding any impact on the wider economy of the abolition of peak fares on trains.

Question reference: S6W-18440

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to remove the previous franchisee of ScotRail, Abellio, entirely from any role in ScotRail's operations, now that it is publicly-owned.

As part of the transition to a public ownership of ScotRail, there was a continuation of four existing Abellio contracts. This was necessary to ensure consistency of service for passengers and facilitate a smooth transition. These four Abellio contracts are for 1) Shared Services Centre, 2) Bus Service link between Central, Queen Street and Buchanan Street, 3) Rail Replacement and 4) the Management of Station Tenancy and Advertising Management.

One of these contracts is now operating in-house within ScotRail with the remaining three being at various stages of procurement for replacement contracts.

Question reference: S6W-18441

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a full breakdown of ScotRail’s fleet of trains, including details of until when ScotRail is contracted to keep the current fleet, and how much it currently costs ScotRail to lease the trains on the fleet.

Question reference: S6W-18448

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Holding Answer by Mairi McAllan on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it has taken in relation to the development of hydrogen-powered trains.

Question reference: S6W-18449

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place between Transport Scotland, ScotRail and any rolling stock companies in relation to hydrogen-powered trains.

Question reference: S6W-18443

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the creditworthiness of the High Speed Trains (HSTs) that are currently part of the ScotRail fleet.

Question reference: S6W-18446

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it has in place to replace ScotRail's High Speed Trains (HSTs) in the event that drivers choose not to drive them out of concern that they do not meet the expected safety standards.