Parliamentary questions
Stephen Kerr
2,595 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £297,500 was provided to Generations Working Together between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Opening Doors project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £165,750 was provided to Friends of Romano Lav between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Roma Opportunities Project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £170,000 was provided to Freedom from Torture between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Helping Survivors of Torture to Recover and Integrate in Society project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £170,000 was provided to Fife Migrants Forum between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Connexions project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fu…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £170,000 was provided to Faith in Community Scotland between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Faith in Community Dundee project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £425,000 was provided to Ethnic Minorities Law Centre between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Highland project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £85,000 was provided to Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) between 2017-18 and 2020-21 for the True Colours project, as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of this project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £106,250 was provided to Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) between 2017-18 and 2020-21 for the Equality Engagement project, as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of this…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £212,500 was provided to Edinburgh Interfaith between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Bridges not Barriers project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £191,250 was provided to Dundee International Women's Centre between 2017-18 and 2020-21 for the Safety Net project, as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of this project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £212,500 was provided to Dundee International Women's Centre between 2017-18 and 2020-21 for the Gaining Recognised Employment and Training project, as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were …
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £127,500 was provided to Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Equalities in Advice project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £127,500 was provided to Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (CAS) between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Minority Communities Service Developm…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £191,250 was provided to Deafblind Scotland between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Deaf Sector Partnership project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fu…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £297,500 was provided to Deaf Action between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Deaf Sector Partnership project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £148,750 was provided to Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC) between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Equality in the Community project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £212,500 was provided to Crossroads Youth and Community Association between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Hearts of Govanhill project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £42,500 was provided to Community Info Source between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Women Asylum Seeker Housing Project (WASH) project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £148,750 was provided to the British Red Cross between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of The STAR project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £373,227.50 was provided to the British Deaf Association between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the (a) Bridge Builders: Engaging with the BSL Community and (b) D…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £85,000 was provided to African Council between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the "African representation and participation in all levels of Scottish society" pr…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
3 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £148,750 was provided to Action on Hearing Loss between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Hear for Welfare project.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.The Promoting Equality…
30 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided directly to each local authority, via grants or other funding, for the purpose of supporting the Regional Improvement Collaboratives (RICs) in each of the last five financial years.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Following a review of the impact of the Regional Improvement Collaboratives, I confirmed to Parliament in 2023 that funding would be tapered in 2024-25 and repurposed thereafter, including to support the establishment of the Centre for Teaching Excellence.The…
30 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding it has provided directly to each Regional Improvement Collaborative (RIC) in each of the last five financial years.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38258 on 18 June 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-committees/…
28 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the budget for the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill in 2025-26 is £11 million, in light of its decision to withdraw plans for a national care service.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government is delivering improvement and reform of social care, social work and community health.Financial information, including the National Care Service Programme 2025-26 budget position, has been provided to the Finance and Public Administrat…
28 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will address Audit Scotland’s comment in its recent publication, NHS in Scotland: Spotlight on governance, that "NHS boards operate within parameters set by Scottish Government which impacts on how well they can plan and make decisions to deliver the reform needed".
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government acknowledges Audit Scotland’s observation and is committed to ensuring that the governance framework for NHS Boards enables effective planning and delivery of reform. The recently published NHS Scotland Service Renewal Framework …
28 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it is taking to address the governance weaknesses in the NHS in Scotland as identified by Audit Scotland in its recent publication, NHS in Scotland: Spotlight on governance.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government recognises the governance challenges highlighted in Audit Scotland’s NHS in Scotland: Spotlight on Governance report and is committed to a continuous improvement approach to strengthening Board effectiveness, transparency and acc…
28 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mitigate any risks associated with the visitor levy, in light of reported concerns that it could push some operators over the VAT threshold and potentially cause them to close down.
Answer · Ivan McKee: VAT is a reserved matter and outwith the responsibility of the Scottish Government. This includes decisions on the interaction between VAT and the visitor levy. The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act allows for local authorities to make the levy not payable by accom…
28 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the total projected cost of the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill over the next five years.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government’s supplementary Financial Memorandum, to reflect the scaled-back care reform proposals for the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill, was published on the Health, Social Care & Sport Committee’s website on 25 March 2025.
28 May 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current staffing headcount is for civil servants working on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Maree Todd: Currently there are 110 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Civil Servants in the NCS Programme working on wider social care reform. Within the 110 (FTE) we have four staff working on the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill.