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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-37607

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's maternity policy, what its position is on whether 26 weeks of full pay restricts the numbers of women firefighters who want to breastfeed their child.

In recognition of the potential risks which could be caused by contaminants, it is Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) policy for firefighters who are breastfeeding to not undertake operational activity. In addition, employees who wish to continue to breastfeed upon their return to work following maternity leave are supported to do so, through the provision of appropriate facilities to express and store milk.

Question reference: S6W-37597

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many firefighters have accessed maternity leave in each of the last 10 years.

Question reference: S6W-37600

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that maternity pay for firefighters in Scotland is £16,400 less than other regions of the UK, whether this is compatible with its commitment to fair work.

The pay and conditions of firefighters are negotiated through well-established collective bargaining arrangements at a UK wide level. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Maternity Policy provides maternity leave for 26 weeks at full pay and 13 weeks at Statutory Maternity Pay in line with the current terms and conditions agreed at the National Joint Council.

SFRS is committed to the national collective bargaining arrangements for the sector and therefore this remains the Service's preferred route to agree changes to terms and conditions.

As SFRS is complying in full with the terms and conditions negotiated with trade unions in 2024, it is compatible with its commitment to fair work.

Question reference: S6W-37602

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the reported 26 weeks of maternity pay is an obstacle to the recruitment and retention of women in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Question reference: S6O-04678

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what impact the National Strategy for Economic Transformation is having on the economy of the West Scotland region.

Question reference: S6T-02508

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the number of new rape cases being reported to police has increased by more than a third since 2020-21.

Question reference: S6O-04636

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it can take to increase the stock of accessible housing.

Question reference: S6W-36412

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to launch its consultation on the regulation of private (a) first aid event cover companies and (b) ambulance providers, in light of its previous commitments and the reported significant first aid demands of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Scottish Government is committed to implementing further regulation of independent healthcare, through a phased approach to ensure that Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) has the capacity and appropriate staff in place to regulate the independent sector effectively.

The Scottish Government plans to engage with HIS and other relevant stakeholders during 2025-26 to ensure the proportionate scope of regulation of the private ambulance and the first aid sector. We anticipate completing the engagement with stakeholders prior to the Scottish parliamentary elections in 2026.

Once scoping is complete, a public consultation will be brought forward detailing proposals for regulation of the sector.

Question reference: S6W-36415

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18113 by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2023, whether it has conducted any further engagement with (a) Healthcare Improvement Scotland and (b) other stakeholders regarding concerns in relation to the regulation of private first aid companies, including in the context of large-scale sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games.

Question reference: S6W-36414

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what specific issues it plans to address during the stakeholder engagement process on the regulation of independent ambulances and private first aid providers, and how these align with the concerns raised in the Manchester Arena Inquiry reports.

In response to the Manchester Arena Inquiry the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act received royal assent on Thursday 3rd April 2025 and has a 24 month commencement period before it will come into force.

The Scottish Government continues to work in collaboration with the UK Government in the development of Statutory Guidance that will support the legislation. The Scottish Government will consider how the regulation of ambulances and first aid provision in Scotland needs to align with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act as this guidance is developed and in response to the views of stakeholders.

The Scottish Government continues to encourage and signpost stakeholders to both the Protect UK and Gov.UK websites for further information and updates on the legislation. Materials and guidance to support duty holders is available on both websites over the commencement period.