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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: S5O-00566

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how it tackles bullying that affects LGBTI-identifying young people in education.

The Scottish Government is clear that bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed swiftly and effectively whenever it arises. It is the responsibility of head teachers, teachers and other school staff and local authorities to decide on the specific actions to do this in schools in consultation with parents and carers and children and young people.

To support schools and all adults working with children and young people; Respect for All, the refreshed national anti-bullying strategy for children and young people, will take a holistic approach to addressing the issue and include an explicit commitment to addressing prejudice-based bullying.

The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee are currently engaging with stakeholders on this refreshed guidance. I will carefully consider any points raised by the Committee as a result of this and I will look to publish the refreshed guidance in the Spring.

Question reference: S5O-00517

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 22 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed closure of Jobcentre Plus offices in Glasgow will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the city.

In advance of the conclusion of the DWP’s consultation on this issue, we don’t yet know the impact of the UK Governments proposed closures will have on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Glasgow. However, we are particularly concerned that the Department for Work and Pensions has not given sufficient consideration to this matter.

We believe it could be more difficult for people to access Jobcentre Plus services in the city and travel costs for those required to register unemployed on a weekly or fortnightly basis could increase. Disabled people and those without access to internet services could be particularly disadvantaged by the changes.

Given the challenges Glasgow faces in terms of unemployment levels – particularly in its most deprived areas, I am pressing UK Ministers to reconsider these proposals, and to consult properly, not just in Glasgow, but across the whole of Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-00439

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reduction in the benefit cap will have on disabled people and households in Scotland.

Question reference: S5T-00126

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 October 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 October 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward plans for the minimum pricing of alcohol following the decision by the Court of Session.

Question reference: S5O-00100

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 7 September 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what impact withdrawal from the EU single market could have on Scotland's public finances.

The Member will be familiar with the paper published last month by the Scottish Government’s Office of the Chief Economic Adviser, which summarised the potential impact that leaving the EU could have on Scotland’s GDP and public spending based on recent studies. For example, Treasury analysis suggests that by 2030 funding for public services could be between £20 billion and £43 billion a year lower under Brexit compared to circumstances where the UK remained in EU.

Looking at direct funding flows, EU funding benefits Scotland significantly, supporting jobs, delivering infrastructure and providing valuable support for the farming and fishing industries. This should have benefited Scotland to the tune of over £5 billion over the life of the current EU budget round (2014-2020) but this is now at significant risk due to the UK Government’s unwillingness to guarantee continuity for all funds.

Whilst the arrangements announced by the Chancellor on 13 August 2016 are to be welcomed, this still leaves around £750 million of funding that remains at risk. It puts at risk significant investment and jobs, revealing the reality of Brexit and demonstrates that the best way to guarantee the jobs, investment, services and projects all over the country which depend on this funding beyond 2020 is by maintaining Scotland's relationship with the EU.

Question reference: S4O-05708

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what progress Digital Scotland has made in providing 95% superfast broadband coverage to communities by 2017.

Question reference: S4O-05682

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 March 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported 12% increase in small business jobs in five years, what it is doing to ensure that this growth continues.

Question reference: S4O-05637

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 March 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to develop transport infrastructure in Glasgow.

Question reference: S4O-05599

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 March 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to alleviate pressure on the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Question reference: S4O-05573

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 24 February 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to promote Scottish food and drink at home and abroad.

The Scottish Government works with a range of public and private sector partners to promote and invest in the food and drink sector, and our success is reflected in the latest figures, which show, since 2007, an increase in food exports of 57% and drink exports of 40%. Retail sales of Scottish brands across these islands have also increased by 35% since 2007.

The food and drink growth sector has also reached record turnover of £14.3 billion, moving closer to the target of £16.5 billion the industry set for 2017.