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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-18822

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will provide a further update to the Parliament regarding the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.

Following the appearance of the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport at the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on 9 May, the Scottish Government intends to provide a further update to the Committee in early July. The Scottish Government has also agreed to provide an updated Financial Memorandum to the Finance and Public Administration Committee at least 4 weeks before the Stage 1 debate.

Question reference: S6W-18647

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the working conditions of police officers.

The deployment of officers and their health, safety and wellbeing are matters for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority, (SPA) and scrutinised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS).

The Police Negotiating Board and the Scottish Police Consultative Forum negotiate and discuss changes to terms and conditions, before amendments are made to regulations; and then approved by Ministers

As part of the 2022-23 police officer pay deal, a strategic commitment was made to consider ways to reduce the working week and the disruption to police officers lives. Work has been ongoing since then with staff associations and across Scottish Government to look at ways to lower demands on officer time, in particular focussing on attendances at court and supporting mental health needs in the community.

Question reference: S6W-18648

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (a) last met and (b) will next meet with the Scottish Police Federation to discuss (i) pay and (ii) working conditions.

On 10 May I met with David Kennedy and David Threadgold from the Scottish Police Federation as part of my regular meetings where we discussed various topics of interest. As the pay claim for 2023-24 had been submitted, in line with the Police Negotiating Board, (PNB) protocols, it was not appropriate for us to discuss details of this during our meeting.

Our next planned meeting has been arranged for the 14 September 2023.

Question reference: S6W-18650

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the pay of police officers is not outstripped by inflation.

The Scottish Government’s 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy (PSPS) sets the framework to deliver fair and affordable pay awards. It takes into account the impact of high inflation on households and governments, whilst balancing the need for sustainable public finances.

The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) provides the negotiating forum for the pay and conditions of service of police officers in Scotland. While police officers are not subject to PSPS, PNB negotiations are guided, but not bound, by its parameters, alongside a range of other evidence, as part of its ongoing considerations and negotiations around officer pay. As the pay claim for 2023-24 has been submitted, in line with PNB protocols, it is not appropriate to comment further.

Question reference: S6W-18747

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the amount of information detailed in the list of ministerial engagements, travel and gifts that is published monthly, in light of its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Question reference: S6W-18748

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on when it will next publish information on ministerial engagements, travel and gifts.

Question reference: S6W-18506

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the proposed summit on tackling violence in schools, (a) where and (b) on what date it will be held, and who will be invited.

Question reference: S6W-18693

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ministers last met with (a) UK ministers, (b) the Welsh Ministers and (c) representatives of international governments to discuss (i) period dignity and (ii) the provision of free period products.

Question reference: S6W-18625

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17951 by Tom Arthur on 30 May 2023, as it "routinely mandates the payment of at least the Scottish real Living Wage (£10.90) to employees directly involved in the delivery of its contracts", whether it plans to enshrine this mandate in legislation.

Employment law, including the minimum and national living wage rates, remains reserved to the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government will continue to use our Fair Work policy to encourage and promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland, including through conditionality in public sector funding. As such, there are no current plans to legislate in this area.

Payment of at least the real Living Wage is a clear way that an employer can demonstrate a commitment to their workforce, alongside other Fair Work First criteria.

Public bodies are responsible for their own procurement decisions. Despite that, we are continuing to engage with relevant sectors to encourage and promote fair work practices, including the real Living Wage, across the whole of the public sector in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-18559

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with UK ministers to discuss its consultation on alcohol advertising and marketing, and what was discussed.

The then Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport Maree Todd MSP raised the consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion with Neil O'Brien MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care at a bi-lateral meeting on 1 March 2023.

Ms Todd set out the importance of taking action to reduce alcohol-related harms in Scotland, indicated that the consultation on alcohol advertising and promotion had issued and was live and highlighted that a UK wide approach on some areas of alcohol policy would be beneficial.