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: S5O-00508

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 21 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme in meeting its target of delivering access to fibre broadband to at least 95% of premises by the end of 2017.

The Scottish Government’s Digital Scotland Superfast Programme met its interim target of 85% coverage six months early and continues to make good progress to meeting its overall target of 95% fibre broadband coverage by the end of 2017.

As at 30 November 2016, the programme had connected around 679,000 homes and businesses; over 90% of which are able to receive superfast speeds. Around 746,000 premises will be connected by the end of the programme.

The impact of this investment has been recognised by Ofcom. Their Connected Nations 2016 Report, published last week, highlighted that superfast broadband availability in Scotland has increased at a faster rate – 14% year on year – than any of the other UK nations.

Question reference: S5W-05703

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 December 2016
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 20 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how its Draft Budget will support its commitment to an enhanced Education Maintenance Allowance programme.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is an entitlement in Scotland. This means that any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria will be entitled to receive EMA support. The budget change will therefore not impact on those who are about to apply nor on those who currently receive EMA support. In the event the EMA budget is exceeded the Scottish Government will ensure the additional cost is met. The new EMA budget reflects the anticipated spend on EMA and ensures we make the best use of the resources available to support young people.

The Scottish Government is committed to the EMA programme, unlike in England where the programme has been abolished. We want young people to have a choice to stay on in learning and that is why we launched a national promotional campaign making young people aware of the support available.

Question reference: S5W-05664

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 December 2016
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-04857 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 5 December 2016, whether it will provide an update on what progress there has been on the appointment of a Commissioner for Fair Access.

Question reference: S5W-05533

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 14 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in reducing youth unemployment through the Developing the Young Workforce Programme.

The second Developing the Young Workforce annual progress report (Developing the Young Workforce Scotland's Youth Employment Strategy 2nd Annual Report 2015/2016), covering academic year 2015-16, was published on 14 December 2016. The report highlights significant progress made to date. This includes 17 regional DYW employer groups in place working with schools and colleges across the country; expanded vocational provision for young people in the senior phase, including a significant expansion of foundation apprenticeships; exceeding the increased target for modern apprenticeships; investing in the introduction of careers advice earlier in schools and creating new standards for careers education and for work placements in schools and colleges.

Question reference: S5W-05523

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S5W-04574

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 21 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it is marking Inter Faith Week 2016.

The Scottish Government is pleased to support Scottish Interfaith Week and is providing £145,000 to Interfaith Scotland in 2016-17 to help support its work to develop interfaith dialogue.

The First Minister hosted the second Interfaith Summit on 8 November 2016. The Summit brought together faith leaders and interfaith workers to discuss how interfaith work can help to build good relations, understanding and co-operation between different faith communities. This year the discussion had a particular focus on interfaith work by young people; support by faith communities for refugees and asylum seekers; and community support following the EU Referendum.

As well as attending the Interfaith Summit, I will also be speaking at the launch of the Food for Justice Declaration at the Interfaith Food Justice Network on 17 November.

Question reference: S5O-00325

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Fife Council.

Question reference: S5W-04169

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 October 2016
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 31 October 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the findings of the independent review of its recent consultation on the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy.

Question reference: S5O-00132

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 September 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 September 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the US Department of Agriculture regarding relaxing the import restrictions on Scottish beef and lamb.

Question reference: S5F-00184

Asked by: Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 September 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 September 2016

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide an update following the first meeting of the International Council of Education Advisers.