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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-01359

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how it helps people in receipt of universal credit with managing their money.

The Scottish Government is using its new social security powers to give people in Scotland more choice in how they manage their Universal Credit benefit.

From 4 October, people making new claims in full service Universal Credit areas can choose to be paid either monthly or twice monthly and have their rent paid direct to their landlord.

The new Scottish Universal Credit choices have been warmly welcomed by people in receipt of Universal Credit, welfare advisors, local authorities and landlords. However, it will not address the fundamental flaws with Universal Credit – and that is why the Scottish Government, along with many others, has repeatedly called on the UK Government to halt the roll out of Universal Credit, until all the implementation issues are fully addressed.

Question reference: S5O-01107

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers negative media coverage of the education system could have on pupils and teachers.

Question reference: S5O-01042

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the rollout of superfast broadband in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency.

Question reference: S5O-00966

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to nursing and midwifery students.

In stark contrast to the UK government, we are continuing to protect core bursary support for nursing and midwifery students – this provides eligible students with a non-means tested, non-repayable bursary of £6,578 per year while studying.

Earlier this year we announced increased financial support for nursing and midwifery students with children and dependents – supported by £3m additional funding each year, benefitting around 1,000 of our most in need students.

Last October we launched a discretionary fund of at least £1m to provide a safety net for nursing and midwifery students needing additional support.

We’ve also committed to creating 1,000 extra training places for nurses and midwives over the course of this parliament.

We will continue to consider what additional support may be needed to enable wider participation and increased retention on programmes.

Question reference: S5W-08638

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 20 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to report by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) that complaints against lawyers have increased by 23% in the last six months; what assessment it has made of this increase, and what discussions it has had or plans with the SLCC regarding it.

The Scottish Government has no role in the regulation of the legal profession. This is a matter for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission who investigate in the case of a complaint about standard of service and the Law Society of Scotland in relation to disciplinary matters. The Commission has committed to engaging with the Law Society in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this rise.

Question reference: S5O-00708

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 1 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding its decision to end the Dubs scheme for bringing lone child refugees to the UK.

Question reference: S5O-00616

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the planning system will drive forward regeneration and promote long-term economic growth.

Question reference: S5O-00564

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 18 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis its education directorate has carried out regarding the number of school leavers who do not go on to further education or reach positive destinations.

A record low of eight per cent of young people leaving school in 2014-5 in Scotland were not in a positive follow up destination in March 2016. The majority of this group comprised young people that were unemployed and seeking employment or training (5.7 per cent of 2014-15 school leavers). The remainder were either unemployed and not seeking employment or training, or their destination was unknown. The latest figure is a considerable improvement over the position in 2009-10, when 14.8 per cent of school leavers were not in positive follow-up destinations.

Question reference: S5O-00481

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 December 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding Scotland's role in supporting refugees entering the UK.

Question reference: S5O-00454

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 December 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making Scottish history a priority subject on the school curriculum.