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-27509

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent investigation into non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, by The Scotsman, which reportedly found that 66 of 114 quangos have failed to publish financial information as required by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.

Public bodies listed in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 have a duty to comply fully with responsibilities set out for them in the Act. I expect them to fulfil these duties, including in relation to the publication of financial information.

While it is for those public bodies to ensure that they fulfil all statutory duties to which they are subject, I have written to chairs and chief executives of these public bodies, in which I have reminded them of these duties.

Question reference: S6W-27511

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) correspondence and (b) engagement it has had with non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, in relation to the recent findings from The Scotsman investigation.

I have written to chairs and chief executives of public bodies, in which I have reminded those bodies listed in Schedule 8 to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 that they have a duty to comply fully with responsibilities set out for them in the Act.

In addition, Scottish Government officials have engaged or corresponded with a small number of public bodies listed in that Schedule since articles on this matter were published in The Scotsman between 7 and 11 May 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27559

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to change current guidance in relation to HEPA filters in classrooms to allow parents to donate filters to schools, in light of recent reported research on the health benefits of clean air in preventing COVID-19.

Although the “Reducing the risks of COVID-19 in schools” guidance has been stood down and there are no current plans to revise it, we recognise the benefits of clean air in preventing COVID-19.

It is the statutory duty of Local Authorities to manage their school estate and it would, therefore, be for them to consider local circumstances and determine if it would be appropriate to allow parents to donate HEPA filters to their schools.

Question reference: S6W-27623

Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to increasing the recommended foster care allowance in line with inflation for 2024-25.

The Scottish Government committed at the time the Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA) was launched to, maintaining the 2023-24 levels of support for the allowances going forward, and to reviewing the funding implications for future years from 2024-25.

We are carefully considering what is affordable for 2024-25 given we have already invested an additional £16 million per year, and the financial challenges facing the whole of the public sector. We plan to make an announcement shortly following discussions with COSLA.

Question reference: S6W-27527

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed Education Bill, as set out in its Programme for Government 2023-24.

The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the system and culture change required to improve outcomes and support professionals in classrooms and education settings all over Scotland. As part of this work, a Bill will be laid before parliament this year which will underpin the establishment of a new qualifications body and an independent officeholder for education inspection, to be in place in the Autumn of 2025.

Question reference: S6W-27510

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent investigation by The Scotsman, which reportedly found that non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, are failing to disclose key financial and transparency details at key intervals.

Public bodies listed in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 have a duty to comply fully with responsibilities set out for them in the Act. I expect them to discharge these duties, including in relation to the publication of financial and other transparency details.

Question reference: S6W-27514

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an independent review of the current landscape of non-departmental public bodies, also known as quangos, to ensure that they are fit for purpose and providing taxpayers value for money, and whether it will review the remuneration paid to (a) chairpersons, (b) non-executive directors and (c) executives, in light of the recent findings from The Scotsman investigation.

Scottish Government’s responsibilities for its public bodies include taking appropriate steps to ensure that the landscape is appropriate. This does not require an independent review.

As part of the Public Service Reform programme, we will look to ensure the landscape and operations of public bodies are fit to deliver sustainable public services which meet present and future needs across Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s approach to public sector pay features specific controls for higher earners, to help ensure spending by public bodies remains affordable and delivers value for money. This includes a requirement for a 10% reduction for new Chief Executive appointments, unless market conditions or recruitment and retention issues require otherwise.

Following a commitment in the 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy, an internal review of the Chief Executive Framework has been undertaken. It is expected the report will be submitted to Ministers in early summer.

Question reference: S6W-27595

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints of breaches of section 7.3 of the Scottish Ministerial Code by (a) ministers and (b) special advisers have been upheld in each year since 2016.

Question reference: S6W-27596

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been reported to it in relation to potential breaches of section 7.3 of the Scottish Ministerial Code by (a) ministers and (b) special advisers in each year since 2016.

Question reference: S6W-27555

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to re-examine the installation of a fixed link between the Isle of Jura and the mainland, as originally proposed in the option appraisal for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).