Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 257 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-28315

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 16 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28018 by Ivan McKee on 18 June 2024, whether it will outline the non-consolidated performance payments awarded to chief executives since 2016, including the (a) amount and (b) reason for award.

Non-consolidated performance payments for chief executives continue to be suspended. There is a presumption against provision for non-consolidated performance payments in all new Chief Executive contracts or following a review. There are 71 public bodies covered by the Public Sector Pay Policy, and of these there are a small number of public bodies with specific exemptions agreed by Ministers. These are Scottish Water and the Scottish National Investment Bank. All aspects of chief executive pay are detailed within the annual accounts of each public body.

Question reference: S6W-28313

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 16 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28019 by Ivan McKee on 18 June 2024, whether it plans to publish the report alongside the new Chief Executive Framework.

The internal review is focused on the procedures and policies set out in the Chief Executive Framework section of the Public Sector Pay Policy Technical Guide for public bodies and government officials. The report is being finalised and Ministers have still to consider the recommendations, including any publication arrangements. Any agreed recommendations will be included in a renewed Chief Executive Framework.

Question reference: S6W-27722

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 July 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential impact on its funding of the service, what its position is on whether a single-sex exemption under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010, based on a candidate's biological and legal sex, should have prevented the board of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre appointing its current chief executive.

Question reference: S6W-28427

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 12 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of (a) council tenants, (b) private tenants and (c) private owner-occupiers regarding the Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council, in light of the remediation works set to be undertaken at Lochend and Restalrig.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme (MTIS) is operated under the Area Based Schemes which are designed, managed and delivered solely by Scottish local authorities or their managing agents. Hence any complaints about the MTIS should be directed to the council for resolution. The City of Edinburgh Council has a dispute resolution process for dealing with complaints which was used in the council’s first MTIS project undertaken in Westerhailes.

Question reference: S6W-28431

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the recent decision by the City of Edinburgh Council to permanently close Brunstane Road to through traffic, in light of the closure reportedly receiving 618 objections from the local community.

In Scotland, responsibility for all traffic management on local roads lies with local authorities. Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, local authorities have a general duty to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 set out the process that a local authority should follow when they are promoting Traffic Regulation Orders including the consideration of associated objections and when to refer for a Public Local Inquiry. The City of Edinburgh Council has referred a Redetermination Order to Scottish Ministers which has outstanding objections and is currently under consideration.

Local authorities are independent corporate bodies and as long as they act lawfully and follow the relevant legislation, it is a matter for them to arrange their day-to-day business.

Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver services to their local communities.

Question reference: S6W-28430

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) the Minister for Housing, (b) any other minister and (c) its officials have met with (i) the City of Edinburgh Council, (ii) Shelter Scotland, (iii) Living Rent, (iv) owner-occupiers, (v) representatives of owner-occupiers and (vi) tenant representatives, to discuss the reported concerns surrounding remediation works as part of the Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council, and, if so, what was discussed.

The former Deputy First Minister undertook a visit in December 2022 and the Minister for Housing visited the MTIS project in July 2023 in Westerhailes to understand the scope of the works being undertaken. The former Deputy First Minister also met with a homeowner to discuss the impact that the project had on their life. Scottish Government officials meet City of Edinburgh Council regularly to discuss progress with the MTIS and any issues arising. The Scottish Government has not met with Shelter Scotland or Living Rent in regards to the MTIS project in either Westerhailes or Lochend and Restalrig.

Question reference: S6W-28433

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that retrofit schemes are well designed with (a) tenants, (b) private owner-occupiers and (c) the local community at the heart.

Question reference: S6W-28428

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is currently available for private owner-occupiers in relation to remediation works as part of the Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council, in light of reports of significant financial constrains on vulnerable families.

Eligible owner/occupiers and eligible landlords can receive a minimum of £11,050 and a maximum of £16,900 as grant-in-kind funding as part of the Scottish Government’s Area Based Schemes allocation to the City of Edinburgh Council. Owners’ contributions to top up these grant levels are sometimes required. The council is working with Home Energy Scotland and the Energy Saving Trust to ensure that, where possible, owners are offered access to interest-free loans for these contributions. The council also offers payment instalment plans which are available to all participating property owners. The council is constantly reviewing its financial support for its Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-28331

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27492 by Fiona Hyslop on 31 May 2024, what financial support is being made available to local communities to install public EV charging points as part of its Vision for Scotland's Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network, and how groups can access any such funding.

As set out in my previous reply to S6W-27492 we have now reached a point where there is a need for a transition to a public charging network that will be largely financed and delivered through the private sector. The £30 million EV infrastructure fund will support local authorities across Scotland attract private investment to install public charging infrastructure in locations best suited to serve the local community’s needs. Residents and organisations should contact their own Local Authorities to discuss potential charging infrastructure opportunities in their own local area.

These are unprecedented times with significant pressure on financial resources and difficult decisions had to be taken when setting the 2024-25 Scottish Budget. Given these constraints, our consumer-focussed incentives are evolving to support individuals who live in rural and island communities, residents in flats and factored developments that do not have access to dedicated off street parking, and community transport organisations. This financial support will enable recipients to purchase and install charge points for private use, complementing Scotland’s public EV charging network. Those who wish to register their interest should contact Energy Saving Trust for further details.

Question reference: S6W-28316

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 9 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27997 by Ivan McKee on 17 June 2024, whether it will consider any benefits and drawbacks of the establishment of a new non-departmental public body, similar to Homes England, in advance of the Programme for Government, to speed up housebuilding in light of the housing emergency.

We are not actively considering the establishment of a non-departmental public body and there are no plans to consider this prior to publishing the Programme for Government. The Minister for Housing made a statement to Parliament on 20 June setting out the actions being taken to address the Housing Emergency and this can be accessed at:

https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-20-06-2024?meeting=15946&iob=136142