Stephen Kerr

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether biological sex determines legal sex for the purposes of the law.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Scottish Government accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court that in the Equality Act 2010, sex means biological sex, and that a Gender Recognition Certificate does not change a person’s sex for the purposes of the 2010 Act.

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any legal advice regarding its obligations to implement laws on single-sex spaces and services.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The SG’s position is consistent with and informed by legal advice but, due to long-standing convention, any such advice is confidential and we cannot disclose who provided any such advice or its content.

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not implemented updated guidance for all public authorities to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court judgment in the case, For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is the body responsible for issuing guidance to and ensuring compliance by public bodies in this matter as it is the statutory regulator and enforcer of the Equality Act 2010. The Scottish Government has consist…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Equality and Human Rights Commission since April 2025.

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: Scottish Government officials from the Directorate for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights meet with EHRC Scotland staff regularly for general updates, and highly value the positive working relationship in Scotland.We welcome all opportunities to engage with…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much public money has been spent on emergency accommodation as a result of any breaches of homelessness laws in each of the last five financial years.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Local authorities are obliged to offer advice and assistance to people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness, and provide temporary accommodation if it is needed, including on an emergency basis. The Scottish Government supports local authoritie…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for the Scottish economy, what its current position is in relation to seeking devolved powers over immigration and asylum; whether its position on this matter has changed since May 2025, and, if this is the case, whether its previous statements on a separate a…

Answer · Kaukab Stewart: The Scottish Government’s position remains that the current UK immigration system is not working for Scotland.We continue to call on the UK Government for urgent changes to ensure that the immigration system reflects Scotland’s distinct demographi…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing an age restriction for nicotine pouch sales.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Nicotine products, including pouches, should not be used by children and young people. The Scottish Government supports age restrictions for all commercially available nicotine products. The UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, will introduce new restri…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in response to reports of over 40,000 breaches of homelessness laws by local authorities in recent years.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40792 on 9 October 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committee…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking in response to reports of a 94% increase in nicotine pouch use in Scotland.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Through Curriculum for Excellence, children and young people learn about a variety of substances, including nicotine pouches.The Scottish Government continues to work with Young Scot and other third sector organisations to ensure that young people, their teac…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that repairing Police Scotland’s estate will cost £232 million.

Answer · Angela Constance: The management of the Police Scotland estate, including the allocation of resources to the police estate, is an operational matter for the Chief Constable under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.We are investing a record £1.64 billion in po…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Funding Council regarding the financial sustainability of Forth Valley College.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: It is the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) role to monitor the institutional landscape, to ensure sustainable and coherent provision, and to engage with institutions as needed. The Scottish Government and the SFC are in regular discussions on issues aff…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has met with the Scottish Police Federation to discuss any Police Scotland building repair needs.

Answer · Angela Constance: I meet regularly with the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), where we discuss a range of issues which affect their members.At our meeting on 19 December 2024, the SPF raised concerns about the condition of buildings in the Police Scotland estate, and we discus…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on officer morale of Police Scotland buildings that are in a poor condition.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government welcome’s Police Scotland’s commitment to providing a safe environment for officers, staff and the public.Management of the Police Scotland estate, including assessing the impact of the condition of police buildings on staf…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns by unions regarding a national crisis in college funding.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The college sector currently faces a number of high-level pressures and the Scottish Government acknowledges the extremely challenging operating environment in which they continue to deliver services.In recognition of colleges’ vital role in our economy…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that (a) disabled and (b) older people are protected in their communities, in light of reports that they experience lower levels of safety.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government believes everyone should be safe, and feel safe, in their home and community. Our communities are safer than they were a generation ago.Community safety is not the responsibility of one organisation – it is a shared endeavour. Lo…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve community safety in the most deprived areas, in light of reports that public confidence in community safety is lowest in these areas.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government believes everyone should be safe, and feel safe, in their home and community. Our communities are safer than they were a generation ago.Community safety is not the responsibility of one organisation – it is a shared endeavour. Lo…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Police Scotland buildings require major repairs.

Answer · Angela Constance: The management of the Police Scotland’s estate, including assessments of the condition of its buildings, is an operational matter for the Chief Constable under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that public safety is not compromised as a result of any dilapidated Police Scotland buildings.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government welcome’s Police Scotland’s commitment to providing a safe environment for officers, staff and the public.Management of the Police Scotland estate, including assessments of the condition of its buildings, is an operational …

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any risks from asbestos in police stations.

Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40057 on 16 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reduce the number of people waiting for urgent NHS dental treatment.

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS patients requiring urgent care will be seen by practices based on clinical need. Unregistered patients can access emergency and urgent dental care via Public Dental Service clinics. The PDS are NHS Board-run services and therefore the responsibility of th…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent the closure of the Alloa campus of Forth Valley College.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Forth Valley College’s campus in Alloa plays a vital role in providing access to services for the people in that community, and everything possible must be done to keep the campus open.The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) have …

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Housing Regulator regarding any systemic failures in the delivery of homelessness and housing services.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government meets regularly with the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) to discuss housing and homelessness issues and with local authorities on the importance of fulfilling their statutory duties. The Scottish Government’s approach is to work…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has identified any police stations that are at risk regarding the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40058 on 16 September 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the proportion of people in Scotland who feel safe walking alone after dark has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government believes everyone should be safe, and feel safe, in their home and community. Our communities are safer than they were a generation ago.Community safety is not the responsibility of one organisation – it is a shared endeavour. Lo…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it will allocate to Police Scotland to meet any repair needs.

Answer · Angela Constance: The management of the Police Scotland estate, including the allocation of resources to the police estate, is an operational matter for the Chief Constable under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority.We are investing a record £1.64 billion in po…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported link between reduced public confidence in community safety and police officer shortages.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of visible policing for public confidence. However, perceptions of community safety are shaped by a range of factors, including falling levels of crime, local police engagement, and broader community support.C…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans exist for police operations in the event that any Police Scotland buildings are deemed unsafe.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government welcome’s Police Scotland’s commitment to providing a safe environment for officers, staff and the public.Management of the Police Scotland estate, including contingency plans in the event that any of Police Scotland’…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) ban or (b) restrict the sale of high-strength nicotine pouches.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The UK wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, empowers the Secretary of State to limit the amount of nicotine in a nicotine pouch, as well as ban any other ingredient that might be harmful in a pouch.The powers within the Bill, subject to consultation, can b…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with UK counterparts on making nicotine pouches subject to the same laws as tobacco products.

Answer · Jenni Minto: During the development of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill (the Bill) the Scottish Government has had constructive discussions on new restrictions for all nicotine products. The Bill, if passed, will introduce restrictions on the age of sale for all nicotine produc…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the potential impact of the closure of the Alloa campus of Forth Valley College on the (a) Stirling and (b) Clackmannanshire economy.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: While colleges are responsible for their own operational matters, such as their campus footprint, Ministers are clear that they must consider the needs of the people, region, and the communities they serve.Forth Valley College’s campus in Alloa plays a …