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-28088

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 21 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support with energy costs is available to organisations in the cultural sector.

The Scottish Government recognises the ongoing and serious impact that high energy costs is having on the culture sector in Scotland and that is why we are increasing funding to the culture sector by £15.8m this financial year. The Scottish Government continues to call on the UK Government to bring in regulation of the energy market and other measures which will help to address the energy cost crisis.

Question reference: S6W-27990

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential impact on its rail freight strategy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that any upgrade to rail connections between Wembley and the Channel Tunnel rail freight depot would benefit rail freight transportation from Scotland to continental Europe.

The Scottish Government’s leadership in support for rail freight is outlined in our rail freight strategy and put into practice with significant investment and our first of a kind regulatory growth targets. Benefits for rail freight are included in our rail projects and we will continue to maximise these benefits in our future investment in the rail network in Scotland. Rail connections between Wembley and the Channel Tunnel have not been specifically discussed, but the Scottish Government meets the UK Government regularly to consider how to maximise the potential for rail freight growth and these discussions include the importance of sufficient capacity and power supply for cross-border rail freight services.

Question reference: S6W-28081

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Transport Scotland being cited as a co-lead for a number of actions in the Glasgow City Centre District Regeneration Framework for Cowcaddens, published in November 2022, what Transport Scotland is doing to support work to (a) "undertake an accessibility audit of streets leading up to the M8, ensuring fair access for pedestrians and cyclists from all walks of life, and making sure connections across the barriers are prioritised", (b) undertake "junction assessments with the express aim of simplifying the connections between the M8 and the city and humanising streets connecting to the junctions through conducing a Junction Rationalisation Study", (c) "design up interventions and test/model in order to identify additional measures needed to ensure successful delivery, rather than allowing the modelling to steer or dictate the design process" and (d) "snip the motorway junctions and humanise city streets leading to and from the motorway" and "undertake design and delivery of new uses and programmes on now available land to further stitch the city back together".

Transport Scotland continues to engage with Glasgow City Council regarding their aspirations for Glasgow City Centre, noting it is they who are responsible for bringing forward land use changes and the associated planning duties. The interests of Transport Scotland lie in the safe and effective operation of the M8.

Transport Scotland has communicated to Glasgow City Council that to take forward potential proposals identified in its District Regeneration Framework for Cowcaddens, a robust assessment of the potential impacts on the M8, access roads and adjacent facilities should be carried out. Officials from Transport Scotland are currently scoping an assessment on the future of the M8.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27301 on the Broomielaw District Regeneration Framework on 17 May 2024.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-28143

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it will involve (a) industry and (b) key stakeholders in the design of policies, as set out in its Heat transition: public engagement strategic framework, published on 13 December 2023.

We already work with a range of stakeholders to design heat in buildings policies. The Scottish Government has established a number of expert groups including the Green Heat Finance Taskforce, EPC External Reference Group and the Strategic Advisory Group, who provide independent advice on a range of policies.

Recently, we consulted on proposals for legislation to improve energy efficiency and drive the clean heat agenda in the existing built stock – both homes and non-domestic buildings. A number of stakeholder engagement events were held across Scotland for people to learn and give feedback to the consultation proposals. There were c1650 responses to our consultation from various stakeholders and industries which are now being independently analysed.

We also ran a consultation to invite views on proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard (SHNZS), which will replace the post-2020 Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing, or EESSH2. Stakeholders from the social rented sector, who are part of the EESSH2 Review Group, will be asked to help consider the final design of the proposed SHNZS policy, based on the consultation analysis.

In addition, the Strategic Public Engagement Delivery Partnership, which will be developed in 2024, will further strengthen those relationships.

Question reference: S6W-28132

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs that will be created in Scotland by the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) programme.

The potential impacts, including that of job creation, of the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (“INTOG”) leasing round are currently being assessed through the sectoral marine planning process. The INTOG sites together with the commercial-scale sites leased by Crown Estate Scotland through the ScotWind leasing round will form the spatial basis for the updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy. The planning process includes undertaking a plan-level social and economic impact assessment which will provide an estimate of the positive impacts INTOG developments may have on employment opportunities. The assessment will be made available for public consultation, alongside the draft updated Plan, later this year.

Question reference: S6W-28118

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 June 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on (a) ScotRail and (b) Scottish Water having a representative of (i) customers and (ii) employees on its company board.

The majority of non-executive appointments to the Boards of Non-Departmental Public Bodies are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. This means that the process used to appoint Board members is governed by the 'Revised Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies in Scotland’. Those which are not regulated, choose to adopt the same principles.

The entities advise Scottish Ministers on their Board’s membership needs, the ScotRail Board determines this themselves, with a focus on diverse boards comprised of members who possess the right skills, experience and knowledge. In addition to other relevant attributes, such as, integrity and commitment. STUC's General Secretary, Roz Foyer, is a non-executive Director on Scottish Rail Holdings’ Board, the parent company of ScotRail Ltd, is appointed to that role with the support of railway trade unions.

As set out in the Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, non-executive Board members appointed by Scottish Ministers are required to have knowledge and experience relevant to the functions of Scottish Water. In addition, one of the non-executive members must have special knowledge of the interests of the employees of Scottish Water.

Question reference: S6W-28258

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 June 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish economic link licence condition will be kept under review, and when it will share the findings of any review of the policy.

Question reference: S6W-28273

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 June 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to assist Glasgow Airport in increasing passenger numbers.

Question reference: S6W-28276

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 June 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for funding of (a) under £5 million, (b) £5-25 million, (c) £25-50 million and (d) more than £50 million have been (i) received, (ii) declined and (iii) approved by the Scottish National Investment Bank in each year of its operation.

Question reference: S6W-28281

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 June 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it will consult with employers to assess any impact of the ScotRail peak fares removal trial on businesses, including on business costs associated with any employee travel in the course of their work.