Parliamentary questions
Stephen Kerr
2,595 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review future grant funding for any activist groups found to have been spreading misinformation and hostility in relation to the expression of gender-critical views.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government provides funding to a range of organisations through several different funding streams. Each fund has its own set of monitoring and reporting requirements to assess that the recipient is meeting the criteria of the fund. We expect all …
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that all perspectives, including those of women’s rights campaigners, are included in future stakeholder consultations on sex-based rights and equality policy.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: There are many ways in which the Scottish Government consults citizens and organisations. For example, through written consultations, which are open to anyone who is interested in contributing their views, public and stakeholder meetings, focus groups, and qu…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports a UK-wide framework to safeguard universities against intellectual property and technology transfers to foreign military regimes.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Scottish Government officials are engaging closely with UK Government, via the Department for Education, Department for Science Innovation and Technology, and the Home Office, on the development of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme due to come into fo…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether poor parental attitudes contribute to rising pupil indiscipline in schools, in light of reports that NASUWT members expressed such views at its recent annual conference.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research, published in 2023, identified a range of factors that staff identified as contributing to the rise in challenging pupil behaviour, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these factors included “wi…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any risks posed by Scottish universities maintaining research and commercial partnerships with Chinese institutions identified by UK national security agencies as being linked to the Chinese military or state.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Although national security is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government has continued to engage with UK Government regarding collaborations with Chinese state-linked institutions.The Scottish Government expect universities, as autonomous bodies, …
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a register of all current public bodies, including their (a) functions, (b) staff numbers, (c) budgets and (d) board members.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Information on public bodies for which either the Scotish Government or Scottish Parliament are responsible is publicly available on the National Public Bodies Directory Executive non-departmental public bodies - National public bodies: directory - gov.scot.E…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether any higher education institution has sought its advice, or approval, before entering into partnerships with Chinese organisations engaged in defence, surveillance, or dual-use technology research.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Scottish higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and any partnerships they enter are a matter for them and their governing bodies.The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities to carefully consider and manage the reputational, ethical and…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to universities and research institutions regarding collaboration with Chinese entities that UK intelligence agencies have deemed a security risk.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has no plans to issue additional guidance for universities and research institutions regarding collaboration with Chinese entities that UK intelligence agencies have deemed a security risk.Universities are autonomous institutions and a…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what due diligence requirements are in place for Scottish universities entering into, or renewing, international research agreements, particularly with institutions linked to states designated as strategic competitors or hostile by the UK Government.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Although universities are autonomous institutions, we expect them to be conducting due diligence on international research agreements - including complying with relevant legal requirements already in place and carefully considering guidance published by Unive…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding university collaborations with Chinese state-linked institutions.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has continued to engage with UK Government regarding university collaborations with Chinese state-linked institutions. Whilst national security is reserved to the UK Government, we expect universities to comply with relevant legal requ…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it is appropriate for Scottish universities to pursue joint research ventures with Chinese state-owned companies or universities that have been sanctioned or identified as high risk by the UK or allied governments.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities, as autonomous bodies, to carefully consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with pursuing joint research ventures within global academic networks. Alliances that univers…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of any parental disengagement from school behaviour policies on classroom discipline and teacher wellbeing.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: We recognise the importance of schools and families working together to promote positive relationships and behaviour in schools. A strong partnership between home and school helps create a consistent, supportive environment where children feel safe, respected…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that all public bodies and agencies under its control are subject to meaningful parliamentary scrutiny and accountability.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Public bodies are reviewed quarterly as part of the Scottish Government’s Assurance cycle to ensure they are operating efficiently and effectively. We also set frameworks and provide guidance documents. One of the key aims of our Public Service Reform (…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has that the £20,000 teaching bursary scheme is effective in addressing any teacher shortages in STEM and modern language subjects.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Since 2018 732 bursaries have been awarded to individuals who may not otherwise have applied for teacher training in STEM and modern language subjects.The bursary scheme has been effective in increasing the number of teachers teaching in these hard-to-fill su…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent analysis it has conducted of the amount of higher education funding per student in Scotland compared with other UK nations, and what steps it will take to close any identified gap.
Answer · Graeme Dey: It is not appropriate to undertake such analysis given Scottish and rUK education systems are not comparable due to several key reasons, including but not limited to:Higher education is 'free' at the point of delivery in Scotland, and not in the rest of the U…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what urgent steps it is taking to address the reported significant shortfall in Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) secondary teacher training enrolments for the 2024 intake.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group figures are indicative and are provided by universities at the start of the academic session. Official Statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, covering 2024-25, will be available in early 2026. The…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what additional measures it will introduce to increase recruitment to Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) courses in subjects that are reportedly well below the target level, including maths, computing and chemistry.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Local authorities are responsible for the recruitment and deployment of teaching staff. We are providing £186.5 million to local authorities this year as part of an agreement with COSLA to restore teacher numbers to 2023 levels and will continue to supp…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason its targets for teacher training enrolments in key subjects such as maths, physics, chemistry and computing in 2024 have reportedly been missed.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Teaching is a rewarding and exciting career, with opportunities to share passion and expertise to inspire young people on their future pathways. While it is encouraging that intakes for primary teaching are overall above target, we are taking action to encour…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to NFU Scotland’s warning that many farms will not survive without urgent and continued farm support.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37115 on 6 May 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/wr…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of recent reported findings linking untreated hearing loss to a third of dementia cases in older people.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government recognises the serious impact that untreated hearing loss can have on individuals, including potential links to cognitive decline and dementia risk in older people.The Independent Review of Audiology Services, published in August 2023,…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any concerns raised by independent schools in Scotland about financial pressures arising from the proposed VAT change.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scottish Government engaged extensively with UK Government regarding the development and implementation of their policy to remove the VAT exemption for independent school fees, emphasising the distinctive nature of the Scottish independent school sector.Scott…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its strategy is for ensuring that Scotland’s coasts remain safe and sustainable, in light of reported evidence showing significant gaps in vessel tracking and monitoring.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37121 on 1 May 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/qu…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the current availability and waiting times for NHS hearing aid provision, in light of the reported link between hearing loss and dementia risk.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government recognises that some people have had to wait longer than they should for audiology services, and this is not acceptable. Sustained pressure is being experienced across the system, and we are taking action to support service recovery an…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of farm businesses it estimates are currently operating at a loss, and how that compares with the previous five years.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37115 on 6 May 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/wr…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding that average farm income has dropped by more than 50% in 2023-24.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Scottish Government is committed to support active farming and food production that is why we continue to deliver direct payments – to provide certainty to the industry, in stark contrast to the policy approaches taken by the current and previous UKG.We…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted a full assessment of any administrative and financial risks associated with its plan to mitigate the two-child benefit cap, and, if so, whether it will publish that assessment.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We are working at pace to develop the systems needed to effectively mitigate the two-child cap in 2026. We recently carried out an online consultation to inform policy development and are engaging with the Department for Work and Pensions to develop the neces…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will work with the Alzheimer’s Society and other organisations to develop integrated strategies addressing both hearing loss and cognitive decline.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders across the public, third, and independent sectors to support individuals affected by hearing loss and cognitive decline.The Scottish Government’s 2023 Dementia Strategy fo…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific support it is providing to lowland cattle and sheep farmers, in light of the 87% drop in average income in 2023-24.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37115 on 6 May 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/wr…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it proposes to mitigate any knock-on effects of closures or reductions in provision from independent schools on public sector schools, in light of the UK Government's decision to make independent schools liable for VAT.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scottish Government continues to work with local authorities and the independent sector to understand the impact of the UK Government policy on Scottish schools to date. Scottish Ministers have received assurance from local authorities that they have the capa…
22 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times each local authority has breached its legal duty to provide suitable accommodation for homeless people in the last five years.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The first table shows instances where local authorities are not able to fulfil their legal duties in offering temporary accommodation to households who make a homelessness application, annually for 2019-20 to 2023-24, and for the most recent six months April …