Stephen Kerr

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers there have been in each division in each year since 2020, and what assessment it has made of any impact that these levels have had on local community safety perceptions in that period.

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 assessment it has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Alloa campus of Forth Valley College on (a) students and (b) staff.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: While colleges are responsible for their own operational matters, such as their campus footprint, they must consider the needs of the people, region, and the communities they serve. This includes students and staff, for whom I recognise this is a worrying tim…

24 Sep 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has in place to ensure that public body officials do not misuse their position for personal gain.

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how attendees for trips under the Techscaler programme to Singapore and SiliconValley are selected, including what selection criteria are applied.

Answer · Kate Forbes: In the early stages of the programme, a small number of companies were identified directly by CodeBase, drawing on its position as a national start-up incubator with a deep understanding of Scotland’s start-up economy. This approach ensured that the mos…

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish in full all promotionalmaterial, invitations and the selection process for any overseas trips thathave taken place under the Techscaler programme.

Answer · Kate Forbes: International programmes are advertised to Techscaler members.Under the terms of the contract, we have also instructed CodeBase to publish promotional material for future activities to enhance transparency and public awareness.In addition, CodeBase will under…

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reported concerns regarding the alleged misuse of funds inthe publicly funded Techscaler programme, what assessment it has made of anyreputational risk to Scotland as a result of any such activity.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Far from damaging Scotland’s reputation, the Techscaler programme has enhanced it. Through its international activity, Scottish start-ups have secured multiple export contracts, with six participants raising £5.4 million in investment and several …

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its ministers were aware of reports that marketing officers took part, as substitutes for company founders, in international trips under the publicly funded Techscaler programme.

Answer · Kate Forbes: During Techscaler’s initial pilot cohort to Silicon Valley, two Chief Marketing Officers attended in place of their respective founders, who were unavailable. These individuals were nominated by the founders, and CodeBase confirmed that it was entirely …

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that publicly funded trips under the Techscaler programme are not misused, in light of reported concerns of them being used as "free holidays" involving individuals who are not business founders.

Answer · Kate Forbes: There is no evidence of any misuse of public funds. On the contrary, a number of business leaders who took part in the programme have publicly refuted these claims.As has been made clear, the costs of flights, accommodation and workspace were covered in line …

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that participants in any publicly funded trips under theTechscaler programme are selected through a competitive, open applicationprocess.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The eligibility criteria for Techscaler’s international programmes continue to evolve as the initiative matures. A formal, open, and competitive application process is now in place, with cohorts for upcoming trips selected accordingly and engaged in pre…

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what processes are in place to ensure that any negative feedback regarding publicly funded Techscaler trips cannot be concealed.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government uses governance processes in accordance with best practice as set out in the HM Treasury Green Book. Officials meet with Codebase regularly to oversee progress and delivery through weekly oral updates and the submission of detailed for…

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment in terms of value for money it has undertaken of Techscaler's £42 million programme.

Answer · Kate Forbes: As I set out in my statement to Parliament on 30 September, early performance of the programme is impressive: 1,300 member companies, 35% of members are women and, collectively, members have raised £195m of investment.I have also commissioned an indepen…

18 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which organisations are represented in the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group, also broken down by the rationale for each being invited to participate.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40652 on 2 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…

18 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the terms of reference are for the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The terms of reference, membership and minutes of the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) Strategic Group’s meetings are published on the Scottish Government website: National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group - gov.sco…

17 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to the Child Poverty Action Group in each of the last three years, and what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of this expenditure.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: Eradicating child poverty is a national mission and this Government’s top priority, and our Programme for Government sets out how we will continue to drive forward progress on child poverty and tackle the cost of living crisis facing households in the f…

17 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to Brand Scotland media in each of the last three years, and what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of this expenditure.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Brand Scotland media spend can be found here Marketing spend - gov.scotEffectiveness of Brand Scotland marketing is assessed throughout and at the conclusion of activity reviewing a combination of metrics and using an independent market research agency wh…

17 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided to the Centre for Good Relations CIC in each of the last three years; how this funding was used, and what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of this expenditure.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Centre for Good Relations has been grant funded to carry out three strands of work – civic diplomacy in relation to marches and parades; civic mediation and facilitation of dialogue in relation to protest and demonstrations; and steward and marshal …

16 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA about increasing the transparency of senior officer pay and conditions alongside improved democratic oversight and accountability.

12 Sep 2025 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what its policy is on issuing multiple parliamentary security passes to individuals who identify as having more than one gender identity.

Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): We can confirm that security passes are not issued on the basis of gender identity. Our pass management system records the details necessary to ensure safe and secure access to the Parliament estate and gender identity is not a factor in the issuing of passes…

9 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on aiming to ensure that all NHS Scotland dental practices can see patients within three months of an appointment request.

Answer · Jenni Minto: I don't recognise the member's timeframe of 3 months. As Independent Contractors, it is the responsibility of NHS dentists to manage their patient lists in line with clinical guidelines.However, I can advise that the Scottish Government is taking several step…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards offer thrombectomy services, and for what hours of the day.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Thrombectomy services are run on a regional basis with a North, East and West of Scotland ‘hub’ providing thrombectomies in NHS Boards.NHS Lothian (East of Scotland): Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm for patients arriving directly at Edinburgh Royal In…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many knife-related offences have been prosecuted in each year since 2015, and how many subsequent convictions there were.

Answer · Angela Constance: The following table provides data on proceedings and convictions for ‘having an article with a blade or point’. It is not possible to disaggregate these figures by the specific type of weapon involved.The most recent information on proceedings and…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much core funding Forth Valley College has received annually since 2016.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Since 2016 the Scottish Funding Council has allocated the following core teaching and capital funding to Forth Valley College: Core Teaching FundingCapital Funding2016-17£20,142,485£1,055,8802017-18£20,695,118£8,176,2942018-19&pou…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many teaching and support staff jobs at (a) Forth Valley College and (b) other further education colleges are at risk due to funding pressures.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government does not hold information on staffing levels and future workforce plans: operational decisions are for individual colleges to determine.Colleges are responsible for making workforce-related decisions in line with legislative requiremen…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to recover the reported £36 million of benefit overpayments currently held by Social Security Scotland.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is committed to recovering benefit overpayments wherever it is considered economic and reasonable to do so in line with the principles set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual.The Scottish Government is actively exploring all avai…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing any reported regional inequality in access to emergency stroke treatment.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We remain committed to implementing a high quality and clinically safe thrombectomy service that is available across Scotland whenever people need it and Scottish Government officials and NHS planners are working at pace on developing a plan for the next step…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many jobs in Scotland will be supported by the recently announced Type 26 frigate contract.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Details of defence programme contractual arrangements, including associated jobs, are a matter for individual companies. Information on contracts awarded through the UK Government Ministry of Defence are published and publicly available.

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many welfare recipients are subject to active employment support requirements.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland does not hold information on whether its clients are subject to active employment support requirements, as there is no eligibility need to collect or retain this data.

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many stroke patients have (a) died or (b) experienced disability due to delayed thrombectomy access since 2020.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The information requested is not held centrally.

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many apprenticeships will be created as part of the recently announced Type 26 frigate contract.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Details of defence programme contractual arrangements, including associated apprenticeships, are a matter for individual companies. Information on contracts awarded through the UK Government Ministry of Defence are published and publicly available.

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding what infrastructure upgrades have been funded at BAE Systems Govan to support the recently announced Type 26 frigate contract.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Scottish Enterprise recently provided a £7.4 million Research and Development grant and a £1.8 million Training Aid grant to BAE Systems to help them maximise skills development and support the establishment of a collegiate training facility which…