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: S5W-22319

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 28 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-22113 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019, how much its legal directorate has spent on legal fees relating to social security.

Question reference: S5W-22181

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 27 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government which providers it has considered to assume responsibility for employability programmes in Scotland administered by Working Links.

The Scottish Government did not hold any employability contracts with Working Links (Employment) Limited. Working Links did hold shares in Start Scotland Limited which delivers two Fair Start Scotland contracts. The selling of these shares to Fedcap Rehabilitation Services was a matter for Start Scotland Limited and the appointed administrator and not the Scottish Government.

At no stage have Start Scotland Limited stopped administering their Fair Start Scotland contract, which they continue to do.

Question reference: S5W-22320

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 26 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-22113 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019, whether it will provide a breakdown of the £64,531.05 paid by the Social Security Directorate.

Question reference: S5W-22116

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of members has been at a Social Security Experience Panel session.

Question reference: S5W-22115

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much the Social Security Experience Panels have spent on expenses since their creation.

Question reference: S5W-22118

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether all staff working on Social Security Scotland premises (a) are entitled to and (b) receive at least the living wage.

Social Security Scotland have their headquarters in Dundee with a secondary site in Glasgow. The Agency is based in interim accommodation at Dundee House where they co-locate with Dundee City Council. In Glasgow the current interim accommodation is at the Glasgow City Council’s building at 220 High Street. All staff working for Social Security Scotland receive the Living Wage rate in line with Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy. It is not possible to comment on staff employed by for other organisations in Dundee House and 220 High Street.

Question reference: S5W-22111

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost will be to it of the DWP continuing to administer wave 2 benefits until it assumes full responsibility for devolved welfare.

Question reference: S5W-22117

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether Social Security Scotland is a living wage employer.

Question reference: S5W-22112

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost will be to it of the DWP continuing to administer Severe Disability Allowance.

Question reference: S5W-22110

Asked by: Michelle Ballantyne, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many temporary staff are employed by Social Security Scotland.

Facilities/building management	£15,788.80
Digital/software licences	£35,617.00
Procurement management	£13,125.25
Total	£64,531.05