Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the electrification of the Scottish ambulance fleet.
Answer · Michael Matheson: We have committed to investing £97.5m over a five year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 to support The Scottish Ambulance Services fleet replacement programme, which includes dedicated funding to support the introduction of over 250 electric vehicles. Transpor…
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on its (a) ministers and (b) officials using (i) air travel (ii) private air travel for official business.
Answer · Shona Robison: Ministers and Officials follow the Scottish Government’s travel policies when travelling on official business. The policy for air travel is outlined below. Section 5 of the policy relates to private air travel. Travelling by air - Colleagues can book flights…
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-17549 by Maree Todd on 15 May 2023, whether it will provide an update regarding the date on which its new Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy will be published.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was published on 29 June 2023, along with an Executive Summary and Easy Read version. A programme of stakeholder engagement will take place over the Summer on the accompanying Delivery Plan, with the intention of publi…
26 Jun 2023 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government's commitment to roll out universal free school meals, in light of reported concerns that there will be further delays to the expansion of universal free school meal provision for P6 and P7 pupils, and that no progress has been made …
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to maintain the provision of student accommodation at colleges.
Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19456 on 24 July 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…
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that college students from rural communities have access to affordable on-site accommodation.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has no direct role in the provision of student accommodation, whether managed by universities, colleges or private sector organisations. Colleges operate independently of government and there is therefore very little scope for the Sco…
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18938 by Neil Gray on 20 June 2023, whether it has plans to engage with the UK Government regarding any concerns that it has about the enforcement of workers' rights in Scotland.
Answer · Neil Gray: As the answer of 20 June set out, the Scottish Government is committed to promoting positive outcomes for workers and their rights. The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government at a variety of levels in order to advocate for these outcomes…
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18820 by Natalie Don on 21 June 2023, when its officials last met with Welsh Government officials to discuss issues relating to children in care and social care; what was discussed, and on how many occasions such meetings have taken place since 6 Ma…
Answer · Natalie Don: Scottish Government officials last met with their Welsh Government counterparts on 29 June 2023. The meeting was a Four Nations introductory meeting to share knowledge, policy and practice on foster care. Officials have met their Welsh counterparts on 16 occa…
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update as to what contact it has had with local authorities regarding the establishment of a pilot scheme for universal free school meals in secondary schools.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scotland continues to have the most comprehensive universal free school meal provision anywhere in the UK. We are in regular contact with local authority representatives regarding our free school meal expansion programme.
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update as to what contact it has had with local authorities regarding the expansion of universal free school meal provision to P6 and P7 pupils.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Scotland continues to have the most comprehensive universal free school meal provision anywhere in the UK. We are in regular contact with local authority representatives regarding our free school meal expansion programme.
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which minister is responsible for Scotland’s Shared Apprenticeship programme.
Answer · Graeme Dey: As Minister for Higher and Further Education, and Veterans, Scotland's Shared Apprenticeships sit within my portfolio of responsibilities.
26 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to raise the issue of any plastic packaging waste that is exported from Scotland with UK Government ministers.
Answer · Lorna Slater: International waste export legislation is a reserved matter for the UK Government. However we are working with the UK Government to support the delivery of its existing commitment to ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, while urging it to go furth…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its ministers have had with UK Government ministers regarding special taxation deals for Scottish cities.
Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Ministers have recently met with UK Government to discuss the creation of Investment Zones in Scotland. These are regional economic interventions that will benefit from a range of tax and spending incentives, that allow the Regional Economic Partners…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that patients with chronic pain receive treatment, in light of reports of an increase in the number of patients with chronic pain being removed from NHS waiting lists for unspecified reasons.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Decisions about the appropriateness of referral to pain specialist services, or medications for pain management, are made by the clinician in discussion with the patient, and with reference to their medical history. Patients may choose to take the offer of ne…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help employee-owned businesses to share best practice.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Co-Operative Development Scotland (CDS), operating within Scottish Enterprise, continues to work to raise awareness of the value of co-operative and employee ownership models, provides specialist advice and support to businesses and community groups who want …
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to introduce any tax incentives to encourage businesses to transition to employee ownership.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Many of the tax levers to support businesses remain reserved to the UK Parliament. The devolution of further taxes to Scotland would present new policy options for Scotland to support entrepreneurs and businesses. We constantly review the support we offer to…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to establish a dedicated specialist service to support employee-owned businesses.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Co-Operative Development Scotland (CDS),operating within Scottish Enterprise, continues to work to raise awareness of the value of co-operative and employee ownership models, provides specialist advice and support to businesses and community groups who want t…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to enable employee-owned businesses to access growth funding.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Ensuring businesses have access to the finance they need to invest and grow is a priority for the Scottish Government. Information on the range of funding available to Scottish businesses, including employee owned businesses can be found on https://findbusin…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish National Investment Bank is helping employee-owned businesses to access growth funding.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish National Investment Bank is a mission focussed impact investor. It was established to invest in Scottish business, projects, and communities in order to deliver positive environmental and social impacts and positive financial returns for the peop…
22 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that employee ownership is understood and promoted to business owners by (a) Scottish Government agencies, (b) business support organisations and (c) further education bodies.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Co-Operative Development Scotland (CDS), operating within Scottish Enterprise, continues to work to raise awareness of the value of co-operative and employee ownership models, provides specialist advice and support to businesses and community groups who want …
19 Jun 2023 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the healthy living scheme extends to MSP staff.
Answer · Jackson Carlaw MSP (on behalf of the SPCB) : The SPCB provides a range of benefits to support the physical health and wellbeing of MSPs, MSP staff and SPCB employees. This includes the provision of a free on-site gym, corporate gym membership discounts and the cycle to work scheme. The Healthy Livin…
15 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its reasons were for reshuffling some of the portfolio responsibilities that were previously the responsibility of the now Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition and her junior ministers.
Answer · George Adam: The composition of the ministerial team and the allocation of portfolio responsibilities are a matter for the First Minister.
15 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS staff do not have to pay for parking at NHS facilities.
Answer · Michael Matheson: There have been no charges for using hospital car parks in Scotland since the start of the pandemic and the Scottish Government has no plans to reintroduce them.
15 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what immediate action it is taking in response to reports of rising levels of hate crimes being committed.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns any form of hate crime. The latest figures from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are a reminder to redouble our efforts to tackle hate and confront prejudice wherever it occurs. We are resolute in o…
15 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase funding for skills related to retrofitting, in light of its announced policy to ban gas boilers in all new building developments, and, if so, whether it can provide details.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: Ensuring that we have a suitably qualified workforce in place will be imperative for delivering a smooth rollout of energy efficiency and zero emission heating measures which will support us to achieve our net zero ambitions. We currently offer support to th…
15 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18369 by Jenni Minto on 12 June 2023, whether it can provide exact numerical figures of how many of the (a) 20 short-term, (b) 29 medium-term and (c) 66 total actions in its Women's Health Plan 2021-2024 have been achieved.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Work has commenced on all 20 of the short term actions in the plan, with 12 now considered to be ‘complete’. As set out in the Report on Progress, it is the case that a number of the short term actions will necessarily continue beyond their short-term times…
12 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet has considered the matter of state intervention in the legal services sector, and, if so, when it last discussed this matter.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The role of legal services are central to the protection of human rights and freedoms, playing a vital role in upholding the rule of law and providing access to justice. In this regard, the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill sets out a regulatory o…
12 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it held with the (a) Lord President of the Court of Session and (b) Lord Advocate, regarding clauses 19, 20, 21 and 49 of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: In developing the Bill, the Scottish Government engaged extensively with key stakeholders, including legal stakeholders such as the Scottish judiciary as well as carrying out a full public consultation exercise. This engagement has culminated in careful consi…
12 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be developing any further safeguards with regard to state control over the legal services sector, in addition to those outlined in the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government very much recognise the importance of an independent legal profession and is committed to maintaining that independence. The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill retains and builds on the current oversight role of the Lord Pre…
12 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet with the Law Society of Scotland to discuss the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: I met with the Law Society of Scotland to discuss the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill on 24 May 2023. The Scottish Government continues to engage with the Law Society and is committed to continue engagement with stakeholders representing both co…