Rona Mackay

2 Apr 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on MSP pay for its ministers for 2025-26, and whether the ministerial element of pay will remain frozen.

Answer · John Swinney: Since 1 April 2009, Scottish Ministers have declined to accept their full salary entitlement, freezing it at 2008-09 levels.Between the start of the pay freeze on 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2025, this has resulted Scottish Ministers making over £2.2 mill…

10 Mar 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost would be of permanently extending free rail travel to companions of Blind Persons National Entitlement Card holders, in light of the campaigning by Sight Scotland and Deafblind Scotland.

18 Feb 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand dyslexia support in schools, to remove any barriers for children who need the right support to thrive.  

4 Feb 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the investment approach published on 19 September 2024, when it will increase Whole Family Wellbeing Funding to children's services planning partnerships for transforming holistic family support.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government is committed to transforming holistic family support in local communities through the Whole Family Wellbeing Funding. That is why we have agreed with COSLA that the funding for Children's Services Planning Partnerships, who are driving…

3 Feb 2025 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to keep The Promise, in light of the fifth anniversary of it being made.

14 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of the current cost of living crisis on the prevalence of food insecurity and reliance on food banks.

16 Dec 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to publish a new Scottish Ministerial Code before the end of 2024.

Answer · John Swinney: I have today published a new, strengthened Scottish Ministerial Code which sets the very highest standards of propriety and integrity.The changes I have introduced mark the most fundamental developments to the Code since the introduction of Independent Advise…

18 Nov 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that students with additional support needs receive adequate resources and tailored educational support.

13 Nov 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on local government finance of increased employee costs for staff funded through the Housing Revenue Account.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The imposition of changes to employer National Insurance Contributions has the potential to seriously impact available funding for public services in Scotland, including for local government staff working in all areas. Estimates suggest that the total cost to…

30 Oct 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Parliament agreed the general principles of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill in April. In advance of the dates for Stage 2 of the Parliamentary process being agreed, I am proposing to make some amendments to the Bill. On…

16 Sep 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on the Commonwealth Games potentially being hosted in Glasgow in 2026.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has conducted a thorough assessment of Commonwealth Games Scotland’s proposal for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. That assessment has been conducted alongside Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Feder…

10 Sep 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General will publish information on education, labour market and travel to work from the 2022 Census.

Answer · Angus Robertson: I have asked Janet Egdell, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:National Records of Scotland have today published: ‘Scotland’s Census 2022: Education, labour market and travel to work’.Scotla…

5 Sep 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of employing special advisers was in 2023-24.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Special Advisers are appointed in accordance with Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 by the First Minister as a Special Adviser for the purpose of providing assistance to the Scottish Ministers.The total cost of Special Advisers emplo…

29 Aug 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Short-Term Let Licensing Implementation Update will be published.

Answer · Paul McLennan: I am pleased to announce that the Short-Term Let Licensing Implementation Update has been published today [https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836016878]. This report follows on from the update provided to Parliament in June 2023 and details the findings of ongoing…

28 Aug 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any steps that it is taking to ensure that any increases in the Scottish Police Authority resource budget continue to support further police recruitment, in light of any challenging financial circumstances as a result of the UK Government’s prop…

19 Jul 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent memorandums it anticipates lodging in the Parliament in connection with the legislative programme of the UK Government announced in The King’s Speech on 17 July 2024.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government’s analysis is ongoing, but the Bills that appear to require legislative consent include, but are not limited to, the following: · Renters’ Rights Bill · Planning and Infrastructure Bill · Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership…

19 Jun 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any specific measures or alternative programmes it is considering as a replacement to Erasmus+ in Scotland, whether it can provide a timeline for any support that may be available for Bishopbriggs Academy and other schools.

20 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that disabled people who receive Scottish social security benefits are treated lawfully, in light of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s reported investigation into the treatment of some disabled benefits claimants by the UK Department for Work and Pensions.

16 May 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any implications of the UK Spring Budget for the 2024-25 Scottish Budget, and what its current position is on the 2023-24 Scottish Budget.

Answer · Shona Robison: The UK Spring Budget, announced by the Chancellor on 6 March, generated £293 million of resource consequentials for 2024-25, of which £237 million relates to Health. Health consequentials will be passed on in full to the Health portfolio, in line with our man…

30 Apr 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential impact on devolved benefits in Scotland, what representation it plans to make to the UK Government regarding its proposed changes to welfare benefits for people with mental health issues.

21 Mar 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the scoping study on historic forced adoption.

Answer · Natalie Don: Today marks the first anniversary of the Scottish Government’s national apology to those affected by historic forced adoption practices. I acknowledge the immense pain and suffering that adoptees, mothers and families have endured as a result of these unjust …

12 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to the UK Government regarding the potential amendment of its Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill to cover Scotland, to ensure that there is parity and equality for all sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses who have been affected.

5 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the availability of ADHD medication supplies in Scotland.

4 Mar 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of International Women's Day on 8 March, what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle gender-based violence.

22 Feb 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: To date, four out of six key measures provided for within the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 have been implemented, these are:A prohibition on providing or making available fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to children;A new statutory …

21 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will encourage the uptake of foreign languages at primary and secondary schools.

14 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Pain Management Task Force.

30 Jan 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the project board that is being formed to oversee the consideration of future funding for violence against women services will next meet.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Violence Against Women and Girls Sustainable Funding Project Board is currently being developed and I expect it to meet for the first time in March. It has been formed to take forward our commitment to develop a flexible and stable funding model that will…

26 Jan 2024 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the next major capital projects progress update.

Answer · Shona Robison: Today, the Scottish Government has published its latest Major Capital Projects Progress Update associated with the Infrastructure Investment Plan (IIP) for 2021-22 to 2025-26, which sets out progress on the delivery of infrastructure projects with a value ove…

23 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its funding for humanitarian assistance in Gaza.