Paul Sweeney

29 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission a modern traffic circulation plan for Greater Glasgow that focuses on reducing traffic, particularly in residential neighbourhoods, and maximising access to jobs and key services, while prioritising sustainable modes of transport, and whether such a plan will i…

15 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current number of social rental dwellings is as a share of the total number of dwellings, and how this share compares to other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) states.   

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government routinely publish data for Scotland on the number of social rented dwellings as a share of the total number of dwellings on an annual basis, and it is available Housing statistics: Stock by tenure tables. The latest data shows that 23%…

15 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to improve the oversight and regulation for construction projects delivered using the design and build procurement route, to ensure that build quality is not compromised should the initial requirements not adequately ensure that the anticipated specifications are…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government’s Client Guide to Construction Projects provides detailed guidance for public bodies on the conduct of all construction projects including design and build. It reinforces the importance of embedding the delivery of quality in con…

14 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the augmentation of the UK Government's AI Hardware Plan.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Scotland is uniquely positioned to support delivery of the AI Hardware Plan, with globally competitive strengths in photonics, semiconductors, novel architectures, low-power and edge AI systems. These are areas specifically identified in the Scottish governme…

11 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date Transport Scotland will approve the opening of the new M80 overbridge at Robroyston.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: Transport Scotland is not currently able to approve the opening of the M80 overbridge at Robroyston. This is because the developer has still to complete all outstanding construction works, carry out a Principal Bridge Inspection, and finalise a Stage 3 Road S…

7 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware that the Grangemouth refinery was a bottom quartile-performing refinery on the Solomon Associates Energy Intensity Index, and what measures it proposed to address this.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has a long established relationship with Petroineos, and our engagement has centred on progressing transition options for the asset and site, in particular following the onset of Covid-19 pandemic travel restrictions which further inte…

6 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland will renew the tiled linings of the M8 Charing Cross underpass in Glasgow.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: A scheme to replace fire-damaged tiles at the M8 Charing Cross Underpass is currently in development, following a vehicle fire in April 2025 that caused damage to a section of the underpass’ tiled lining. Works are programmed to commence in October, wit…

5 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether design work has been carried out on quad-tracking the railway between Hyndland East Junction and Kelvinhaugh Junction.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The Scottish Government has not undertaken design work in relation to quad-tracking the railway between Hyndland East Junction and Finnieston East Junction (located at the site of the former Kelvinhaugh Junction).

5 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether design work has been carried out for the electrification of the Maryhill Line.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The option to electrify the Maryhill Line has been previously been considered as part of wider reviews of Scotland’s railway infrastructure to identify routes that could benefit from electrification. Assessments that were previously undertaken in the 20…

5 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether designs have been prepared for track doubling of single track sections of the Highland Main Line.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27087 on 7 May 2024.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/wri…

4 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work carried out by Creative Scotland to support the reopening of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) at 350 Sauchiehall Street, in Glasgow.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The insolvency of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) is an ongoing legal process. The Scottish Government appreciates the challenges that this has created for the staff affected and for Glasgow’s cultural community more broadly.The Scottish Governme…

4 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider reallocating any projected underspends in local authority budgets for affordable housing supply to Glasgow City Council.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: There is currently no projected underspend in the 2026-27 Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP).The AHSP seeks to optimise the positive impact of spend and delivery, and does so by supporting local authorities to deliver fully against its Resource Planni…

2 Jun 2026 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will ensure that there is a basic late lunch hot food option available to purchase between 2.30 pm and 5.00 pm on sitting days.

Answer · Graham Simpson (on behalf of the SPCB): Catering service provision across the Parliament provides a robust offer around parliamentary business. Service timings for lunch in the Garden Level Restaurant are based on levels of demand, ensuring efficient use of resources in line with parliamentary requ…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40188 by Fiona Hyslop on 16 September 2025, what progress has been made to enable local authorities to participate in e-scooter hire trials.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: Some Scottish local authorities had previously expressed interest in participating in the Department for Transport’s shared e-scooter trials, and we had planned to support them. However, the short application window offered by DfT for participation in t…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work it has undertaken with the Transforming Communities Glasgow partners to finalise the financial framework required to unlock the funding for the remediation of the Red Road Transformational Regeneration Area in the Barmulloch district of Glasg…

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is a partner in Transforming Communities Glasgow alongside Glasgow City Council and Wheatley Homes Glasgow.Partners are working collaboratively to progress the site at Red Road, recognising the challenges relating to viability, remedia…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support mechanisms are available to small business owners whose businesses have been significantly impacted by harassment, online abuse or prolonged legal disputes.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: Any small business owner who experiences harassment or online abuse can report these matters to the police for consideration of investigation. There are a range of laws which operate that may be relevant depending on the specifics of any harassment and online…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve practical access to legal representation for people who qualify financially for legal aid but are unable to secure a solicitor to take their case.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: A number of factors can impact on the ability of individuals to secure legal assistance, for example the type of case and the existing workload of a solicitor. Being registered to provide legal aid does not require a solicitor to take an individual case that …

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with business support agencies regarding recovery support for small businesses affected by reputational attacks or loss of online trading infrastructure.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: Any small business owner who experiences harassment or online abuse can report these to Police Scotland for consideration of investigation.The Scottish Government engages regularly with key business support agencies, including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands a…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the vulnerability of sole traders and small creative businesses to legal and financial pressure arising from civil disputes.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: All businesses – wherever they are in the country – can access support from a wide variety of public sector organisations through the Find Business Support website.Many civil disputes are settled through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms s…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding whether Scottish universities should exhaust alternative options, including the use of reserves and phased workforce planning measures, before pursuing compulsory redundancies.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government’s position is that Scottish universities should consider compulsory redundancies only as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding whether publicly-funded institutions pursuing compulsory redundancies while substantial cash reserves remain available is consistent with Fair Work principles.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Presuming the question refers to Scotland’s universities, these institutions are autonomous bodies with responsibility for their own operational decision making, including in relation to their use of cash reserves and decisions regarding redundancies. T…

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it has sought from Scotland's universities that compulsory redundancies will be avoided wherever possible, in light of the current financial pressures that are affecting the sector.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Scotland’s universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own operational decision making and compliance with employment law, which remains a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998. Through its engagement with the university…

30 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any impact that the reduction of firm power capacity following the closure of the Hunterston B power station in 2022 has had on constraint payments made to balance the grid.

Answer · Stephen Gethins: The management of the grid and the administration of constraint payments are reserved matters and are the responsibility of the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator. The Scottish Government has no role in setting or administering such payment…

29 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider opening a GP walk-in centre in the Greater Easterhouse and Gartloch area.

Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00662 on 12 June 2026. 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/…

29 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider opening a GP walk-in centre in Robroyston.

Answer · Angela Constance: We are delivering on our commitment to open GP walk-in services, with six open since the start of the year and more due to open before the end of the summer. I appreciate the hard work of the health boards to get these services up and running and I'm sure the…

28 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to the development of a new campus plan setting out a phased redevelopment of the land and vacant buildings within the Stobhill Hospital campus, with a focus on the preservation and adaptive re-use of the listed and unlisted historic buildings at risk.

Answer · Angela Constance: We are currently working with all health boards to develop an NHS whole system infrastructure plan for Scotland. This supports continued safe and effective use of existing facilities, through ongoing business continuity planning, as well as informing future i…

28 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to co-investing in the long-proposed expansion of the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, in light of reports that Glasgow risks falling behind international competitors in the global conferencing and events sector if the expansion project is not real…

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The Scottish Government supports the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) ambition for growth and recognises its strong track record in hosting conferences, concerts and events. SEC makes a vital contribution not just to Glasgow’s economy, but to Scotland&rsquo…

26 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish an urban regeneration company for Glasgow city centre, based on the Clyde Gateway model, in light of the debate on motion S6M-06302 (Transforming Scotland’s Vacant and Derelict Sites) on 14 December 2022 in which the Minister for Public Fina…

Answer · Tom Arthur: The work of Clyde Gateway has been instrumental in the delivery of large scale physical, social and economic transformation across the east end of Glasgow.We are committed to taking steps towards the establishment of an Urban Development Company for Glasgow t…

26 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that the Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) Single Procurement Document (Scotland) requirements in its contract notice, Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract RoPax Vessel, for the Mallaig-Lochboisdale route reportedly exclude all UK shipbuilding …

Answer · Stephen Flynn: Whilst we cannot comment on a live procurement, CMAL have previously stated the questions in the SPDS (Single Procurement Document Scotland) for the vessel replacement have been designed to ensure the best outcome for island communities.

26 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will directly award the design and construction of the planned replacement for MV Lord of the Isles to a UK shipbuilder, in line with the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: As announced in Parliament on 03 March 2026, CMAL, as Procuring Authority for the MV Lord of The Isles replacement project, will follow the industry standard two stage competitive procurement. Following the initial SPD stage, qualifying shipyards able to bid …