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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: S6T-00024

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent Audit Scotland report, which highlighted that the gap between colleges funding and expenditure has grown to £54 million.

Question reference: S6T-00019

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether the reported security flaw in the vaccination status letter has been resolved, and whether it will provide an update on the provision and use of vaccine passports for both international and domestic purposes.

Question reference: S6T-00001

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the ongoing disruption to lifeline ferry routes served by CalMac.

Question reference: S6W-00094

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether, similar to Wales and Northern Ireland, it will produce guidance on school uniform supplies, regarding (a) reducing costs, (b) preventing exclusive suppliers and (c) making uniforms affordable for all, and if so, when the guidance will be delivered.

The Scottish Government recognises the cost of buying a school uniform can be considerable for many families. In 2018, in partnership with local authorities, we introduced the national minimum school clothing grant of £100 for all eligible children and young people.

We are committed to developing guidance to ensure consistency on school uniform policies across all of Scotland, ending expensive insistence on exclusive suppliers and to support the automation of school clothing grants in every local authority area in order to remove barriers to application and to boost uptake. We will work with our partners in local government on the development of guidance and on measures to support the automation of school clothing grants during 2021-22.

Question reference: S6W-00085

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of cases of the so-called Indian variant of COVID-19 increasing, when it plans to offer vaccinations to under-16s, and whether it plans to prioritise young people who (a) have (i) cystic fibrosis and (ii) other serious lung conditions and (b) are otherwise clinically vulnerable.

The Scottish Government continues to be guided by the science and independent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The Scottish Government vaccination programme adheres to strict medical guidance and JCVI advice and at present although this situation is constantly reviewed; the MHRA has not authorised any vaccines for those aged under 16 years old, across the Four Nations.

If there is a change for under 16 year old then the vaccination process will be in accordance JCVI advice and supply of authorised vaccines.

Question reference: S6W-00054

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason frontline police officers have reportedly been prioritised for their COVID-19 vaccination by age profile rather than their risk of contact with the public.

The Scottish Government follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Guidance in the planning of vaccine delivery. This evidence-based guidance advises that the single greatest risk of mortality from COVID-19 is increasing age, and that the risk increases exponentially with age.

The Scottish Government greatly values the work of Scotland’s police officers and staff in keeping communities safe throughout this pandemic. They have been at the frontline of this public health response, and we are so grateful for the work they have undertaken.

Decisions to prioritise one population group over another are not taken lightly, nor are they straightforward. That is why our prioritisation decisions are guided by the independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

We are adhering to the priority list devised by the JCVI which has been designed to target those at greatest risk from COVID-19 and is estimated to address over 90 per cent of preventable mortality from the virus in Scotland. This is the priority rollout all nations of the UK are working towards and it is important that we adhere to these lists in order to avoid more lives being lost.

Question reference: S6W-00041

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering a ban on (a) enriched cages for hens and (b) farrowing crates for sows.

Question reference: S6W-00031

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date phase three of the Scottish Schools for the Future programme will begin.

The £1.8bn Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme is now complete, and delivered 117 new or refurbished schools across the country. Our current school building scheme - the £2bn Learning Estate Investment Programme - aims to build on the success of the Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme.

Officials are preparing options for Phase 3 of the Learning Estate Investment Programme which will be considered by Ministers. We hope to make an announcement on the timescale for Phase 3 later this year.

Question reference: S6W-00033

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how phase three of the Scottish Schools for the Future programme will take account of areas of population growth when considering the requirements for local authority schools.

As part of the project selection process for the Learning Estate Investment Programme, local authorities put forward their priority school projects for consideration as part of the programme.

As agreed with COSLA leaders, the main premise of the programme is to address those schools that are in poor or bad condition, on a like for like basis. New schools in relation to growth can form part of the programme, if put forward as priorities by local authorities.

Question reference: S6W-00032

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for the (a) application, (b) award and (c) drawdown for phase three of the Scottish Schools for the Future programme.