Parliamentary questions

Liz Smith

954 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will fulfil its commitment in its Framework for Tax, and the recommendation of the Barclay Review of non-domestic rates, to restore the level playing field with England for commercial premises liable for the higher property rate.

Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18317 on 8 June 2023. 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…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Tax Advisory Group is tasked with considering whether new taxes on households or businesses should be introduced.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Tax Advisory Group has been set up to look across a broad spectrum of views to ensure we continue to offer a fair and progressive but sustainable system. Tax policy for 2024-25 will be set out at the Budget later this year. The group will be a long-term …

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any local authorities have opted to introduce a Workplace Parking Levy to date.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13971 on? 31 January 2023, which sets out the circumstances in which Scottish Ministers are notified of a local authorities’ proposal to introduce a scheme. While no such notifications, required at the stage of…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Retail Consortium’s suggestion, in its Scottish Budget 2024-25 recommendations paper, that spending restraint rather than tax rises should form the majority of the measures to meet the projected gap in devolved government finances.

Answer · Shona Robison: We thank the Scottish Retail Consortium for their considered paper and look forward to constructive engagement with stakeholders across Scotland as we work to produce and deliver the 2024-25 Scottish Budget. For example, the Minister for Community Wealth and …

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make the granting of licence permissions conditional on payment of the real living wage, as part of its Fair Work Action Plan, and, if so, which types of licences it anticipates will be in scope.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government’s Fair Work Action Plan sets out actions to promote fair and inclusive workplaces across Scotland. We are committed to using all levers at our disposal to extend Fair Work conditionality with clear standards and minimum requirements to…

7 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make eligibility for business rate reliefs conditional on payment of the real living wage, as part of its Fair Work Action Plan, and, if so, which rate reliefs it anticipates will be in scope.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government’s Fair Work Action Plan sets out actions to promote fair and inclusive workplaces across Scotland. We are committed to using all levers at our disposal to extend Fair Work conditionality with clear standards and minimum requirements to…

5 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made in response to the protracted start to the 2023 grain harvest.

18 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered expanding the eligibility for the drug, Paxlovid, to people aged over 50.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Medicines Consortium ( SMC) has collaborated with The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on a multiple technology appraisal (MTA) of all COVID-19 treatments (known as TA878). NICE guidance for technology appraisal TA878 …

13 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to support new entrants into agriculture.

5 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the negative revenue reconciliation of £687 million for 2024-25 that is currently forecast by the Scottish Fiscal Commission.

1 Jun 2023 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will next review the car parking arrangements for MSPs and staff.

16 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent report by Changeworks, which found that homes in rural areas have a lower Energy Performance Certificate rating than the rest of Scotland.

15 May 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to a recent poll that found that more than a third of people in Scotland would consider relocating if income taxes were increased further.

19 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the most up-to-date Pupil equity funding - school level funding figures will be published.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Pupil Equity Funding allocations are updated and published annually to take into account new, closed and merged schools of that year. The 2023-24 Pupil Equity Funding allocations are currently being finalised and will be communicated to local authorities shor…

26 Mar 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of last week's Fiscal Sustainability Report published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission, what the Scottish Government’s economic priorities are.