Parliamentary questions
Paul Sweeney
1,340 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many care homes in each local authority area are currently subject to moratorium and large scale investigation, and how many care beds are affected by this.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The information requested is not held centrally and is a matter for local authorities.Statistics published by the Scottish Government on Adult Support and Protection activity undertaken by local authorities in 2024-25 showed that 49 large scale investigations…
20 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) South project has been designed with passive provision measures for future integration of light rail, including by ensuring that underground utilities are designed accordingly.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) South project is being led by Renfrewshire Council. The Scottish Government is funding the Gallowhill link of the project, which will use a former railway underpass to provide crossing under Renf…
19 Nov 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to its previous answer on 12 November, whether it will take the lead in establishing a common housing register in Glasgow to simplify applications and address the city's long social housing waiting lists.
18 Nov 2025 · SPCB Oral Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consult MSP staff trade unions before deciding on uprating the Staff Cost Provision in the 2026-27 financial year.
16 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will mandate public ownership of all new rolling stock for Scotland's railways, to transition away from the current reliance on private rolling stock companies.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has powers under the Fiscal Framework to borrow for capital investment, but outright purchase of new fleets would require significant upfront capital and would count against the Scottish Government’s borrowing limits. For context…
12 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41283 by Mairi McAllan on 12 November 2025, and in light of the acute nature of the housing emergency in Glasgow, what its position is on whether the Scottish Government has an active leadership role to play in facilitating a Common Housin…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Further to my answers S6W-41283 on 12 November 2025 and S6W-41415 on 17 November 2025 I would reiterate that the Scottish Government supports the establishment of a Common Housing Register in Glasgow, either city wide or on a district basis, where the Council…
5 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the launch of the procurement process for ScotRail's new suburban train fleet on 5 November 2025, whether this will include having Scotland-based social value requirements or other incentives to deliver local manufacturing and assembly work, similar to the plan ann…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The procurement of ScotRail’s new suburban fleet will comply with the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Procurement Duty, requiring bidders to demonstrate social, environmental and economic benefits, including community benefits and reducing inequ…
4 Nov 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council regarding reports of a lack of sufficient local school provision in Robroyston.
31 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that the recently launched Scottish National Building Standards Hub is equipped to provide the expertise of conservation accredited structural engineers, who are on the Conservation Accreditation Register of Engineers (CARE), to local authorities that may require s…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Building Standards Hub (SBSH) is an independent unit hosted by Fife Council, providing support to all building standards services across Scotland in both verification and enforcement. Responsibility for decisions regarding the professional qualif…
29 Oct 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that housing supply in Glasgow will keep up with the predicted 10% rise in population by 2032.
26 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the permitted development rights are of (a) local authorities and (b) registered social landlords in relation to social house-building, and what its position is on the greater use of these powers.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Under Class 33 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, local authorities have permitted development rights (PDR) to carry out works for the erection of dwellings, provided that such works conform with the adopte…
22 Oct 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with Transport Scotland, ScotRail, First Glasgow, McGill's Buses and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding the possible introduction of free public transport across Glasgow for those attending the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
20 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with Glasgow City Council to support any extra resource that might be necessary to expedite the contract for the refurbishment of George Square, which is due for completion at the end of August 2026, by approximately four weeks so that the location can be made avai…
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government engage regularly with Glasgow City Council regarding plans for the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Any decision regarding the timeline for the refurbishment of George Square is a matter for the Council.
19 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Glasgow City Council and all of the city’s registered social landlords to establish a common housing register, either on a single city wide or on a district basis.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government supports the establishment of a Common Housing Register in Glasgow either city wide or on a district basis, where Glasgow City Council and housing associations involved are in agreement that this is the best way to manage their allocat…
18 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the latest economic inactivity rate in Scotland of 22.7% compares with the latest available rates in ITL 1 statistical regions of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with all other 37 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD).
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The estimated economic inactivity rate for people aged 16 to 64 in Scotland was 22.7% in June to August 2025. This was lower than the estimated economic inactivity rates for Northern Ireland (26.9%) and Wales (25.0%), but higher than the estimated rate for En…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the apparent reduction in the Mental Health Services budget line to £133.9 million in the 2025 26 Autumn Budget Revision, given that this figure includes a £120 million internal transfer to local government for the Mental Health Transition and Recovery…
Answer · Tom Arthur: The 2025-26 direct mental health programme budget remains as originally published at £270.5 million. There is no reduction to that budget. In keeping with normal practice, some of this budget is transferred to other portfolios for mental health projects…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered engaging with the UK Government to explore the potential for a proportion of the increased UK defence budget to be ring-fenced specifically for veteran mental health support.
Answer · Tom Arthur: As the member will be aware, defence is a reserved matter. Scottish Government officials continue to engage closely with colleagues at the Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans to ensure that the needs of veterans living in Scotland are considered f…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of any impact that limited transparency and accountability in mental health spending has had on service provision, particularly in relation to disproportionate reductions affecting services for the most vulnerable groups, including veterans.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government’s published mental health programme budget for 2025-26 remains as originally published at £270.5 million.The vast majority of spending on Mental Health continues to be delivered through NHS Board budgets. Between the Scotti…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is aiming to improve the transparency and accountability of mental health spending, in light of the report by Audit Scotland Adult Mental Health, published in September 2023, which identified a lack of transparency and comprehensive data on mental health spending in Scotland, maki…
Answer · Tom Arthur: Through our delivery plan, which supports implementation of our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, we have looked to ensure that the actions set out reflect and respond appropriately to those Audit Scotland recommendations.We are currently developing a Mon…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will request that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pause the withdrawal of the Family Protection Plan (FPP), in light of reports that members of credit unions across Scotland face the sudden loss of this long-standing insurance policy, which was brokered by CMutual and un…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has engaged with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL) to understand the implications of the withdrawal and the support being provided to current policyholders. We will conti…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government of the 21 transfers of engagements of housing associations approved and actioned across Scotland since 2010, which of those involved (a) the transfer of a community-based housing association (CBHA) to a neighbouring CBHA, thereby retaining local accountability and (b) the transfer of a C…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: This matter relates to an issue that is the responsibility of the independent Scottish Housing Regulator. I therefore refer Mr Sweeney to the SHR who will reply directly.
16 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its procurement of lifeline ferries, whether it will request that CMAL seek advice from the UK Government National Security Unit for Procurement regarding an assessment of any potential national security concerns in relation to any prospective non-UK based…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41401 on 5 November 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-committe…
16 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct CMAL to disregard any tenders from Chinese shipbuilding firms, in light of reported concerns regarding unfair, market-distorting state support for Chinese shipbuilding firms, and the lack of a trade agreement between the UK and China as defined by section 89 of t…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There is no policy or approach that excludes Chinese companies from bidding for work on Scottish Government led or funded projects. CMAL, as the Procuring Authority, considers bids for vessel contracts in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contrac…
16 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the temporary barriers will be removed from the carriageway at the railway overbridge at Sword Street in Dennistoun.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-41398 on 5 November 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-committ…
16 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the temporary barriers will be removed from the carriageway at the railway overbridge at Whitevale Street in Dennistoun.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Maintenance of overbridges is generally the responsibly of the owner, which in this case is Network Rail.Glasgow City Council is responsible for the approval of traffic management measures on the bridge as the roads authority.The Member my wish to contact Net…
16 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40892 by Jenni Minto on 16 October 2025, whether it will clarify how the recently announced extra GP appointments to be allocated by March 2026 will support those who may be at risk of cardiovascular disease, and whether these appoint…
Answer · Neil Gray: As part of the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) enhanced service, GP practices are required to identify people on their practice lists at risk of developing CVD, and carry out appropriate checks with those people, with a particular focus on people who live in are…
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to encourage organisations tobuy from Scotland's social enterprises.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government supports a range of activity to encourage organisations to buy from social enterprises.Through funding for Social Enterprise Scotland, we support the Buy Social Scotland initiative which promotes responsible procurement and connects bu…
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it provides any support to local authorities to encourage the creation of communal community gardens and urban food forests.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government recognises the wide-ranging benefits of community growing, not only for physical and mental wellbeing, but also for fostering social cohesion and resilience within local communities. Community food growing activities have potential to …
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken any research into the commercial potential of community gardening, in light of the findings of the James Hutton Institute in its 2024 report, Rapid Evidence Review: Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Scotland.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government commissioned the James Hutton Institute 2024 report, Rapid Evidence Review: Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture in Scotland. The report notes that evidence of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Scotland is more focused on the social, com…
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to local authorities and businesses to make their facilities more accessible for those who walk or wheel to access them.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: For 2025-26 the Scottish Government is investing £188.7 million in high-quality active travel and bus infrastructure, with associated behaviour change programmes, supported sustainable travel integration. This funding enables local authorities to improv…