Ross Greer

30 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the release of the minute of a meeting in June 2024 between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK in which the cabinet secretary described Scotland and Israel as being "critical friends", whether it still ho…

Answer · Angus Robertson: Scottish Government Ministers regularly meet foreign diplomats and Ministers visiting Scotland. Agreeing to such meetings provides the opportunity to discuss international cooperation but also to express the Scottish Government's opinion on international issu…

30 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 3 March 2022, Stop trading with Russia, whether it remains its position that "Businesses in Scotland [should] withdraw from trading with Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine".

Answer · Kate Forbes: On 3 March 2022, when Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, I wrote an open letter to business in Scotland asking them to review their links to Russia, however indirect, and to sever them, with due regard for the safety of any employees or individuals th…

14 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund for local authorities and (b) Sustrans funding for the National Cycle Network and embedded officers has been awarded for 2025-26, and, if not, when it anticipates it will be.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) to support the design, development, and delivery of active travel infrastructure measures across all 32 Local Authorities has been approved for 2025-26 with the settlement letter issued for £37.5 million. In …

4 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-30627 by Ivan McKee on 24 October 2024, what the total value is of Green Freeports non-domestic rates relief that has been granted to date.

Answer · Ivan McKee: No Green Freeport relief had been granted by October 2024, when mid-year estimates of non-domestic rates income for 2024-2025 were collected. This is the latest available data.Provisional outturn data for 2024-2025 will be published later in the summer as par…

1 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when SEPA will issue a decision on Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) permit application PPC/A/1197167 for the Oldhall energy recovery facility in Irvine.

Answer · Gillian Martin: This is an operational matter for SEPA however I have contacted the organisation on your behalf. SEPA anticipates that the draft determination will be concluded within the next 2 months, and any draft decision will then be made available for consultation for …

27 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will confirm the process and timescale for its consideration of the recalled appeal PPA-002-2021 at West Riverside and Woodbank House, Balloch.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The recalled appeal is currently with Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) with further procedures being carried out, with a revised target date of 11 September 2025 to provide a report to Ministers.Once Ministers receive a reporter’s repo…

10 Jun 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress to identify local authorities that will take part in the test of change phase of the free school meals programme.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I am pleased to confirm that 17 local authorities applied to partner with the Scottish Government on the Test of Change phase of the Free School Meal programme.While considering these applications we have been able to maximise the spread of this phase across …

16 May 2025 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Ministers will call in appeal PPA-002-2021 on the Flamingo Land Lomond Banks resort development.

14 May 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its work to support faith and belief communities, what plans it has to join the Buddhist community in Scotland in celebrating the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 6 July.

7 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether regulations have been made under section (a) 46 and (b) 47 of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Open-Ended Investment Companies) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 were made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 46 of the 2013 Act.In respect of section 47 of the 2013 Act, no regulations have been made to date.

9 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to provide access for young people living on islands to mainland sports facilities and training.

Answer · Maree Todd: sportscotland, our national agency for sport, continues to engage strategically with local authorities and island communities to identify opportunities to deliver improved local facility provision for sport and physical activity.The Scottish Government recogn…

12 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures other than existing patronage numbers are used when considering varying the frequency of rail services on particular routes. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Existing patronage data is the main measure used to determine the necessary frequency on a given line, however various other data sources are consulted to determine the right service level. ScotRail engage with Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnershi…

12 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of patronage would be required on existing services calling at Milngavie Station for ScotRail to consider returning to quarter-hourly services throughout the day. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6O-03953 on 10 October 2024. All answers to Oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at Official Report: search what was said in …

11 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider designating new water quality monitoring locations north of Largs in the Clyde estuary.

Answer · Gillian Martin: A comprehensive range of monitoring activities are undertaken across Scotland for a variety of purposes. This includes for public health, at designated bathing waters, and assessing the state of the water environment. No new monitoring activities are planned …

11 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it selects locations for water quality monitoring and reporting.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Water bodies may be monitored for different purposes, such as public health or assessing the status of the water environment, which helps determine the location for quality monitoring and reporting.The process for the designation of new bathing waters is set …

3 Mar 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the debate on motion S6M-15875 (Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill) on 17 December 2024, what progress it has made with carrying out a pilot exercise in using the democratic engagement grant for the purpose of automatic registration at education institut…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Government is currently working on commencement of the Act. The ability to provide democratic engagement funding is intended to support involvement in elections and improve democratic participation. The Government made clear during the passage of the Bill…

24 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase availability of English as a second or other language (ESOL) classes in the Greater Glasgow area, in light of reports that lack of availability is causing challenges for people who require at least a B1 level of English to access employability, social security an…

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government recognises the vital role English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) plays in supporting people whose first language is not English, equipping them with the communication skills necessary to contribute and integrate economically, c…

18 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether (a) in principle, Scottish port authorities should be publicly owned and (b) the privatisation of some port authorities under previous UK administrations was the correct decision.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Ministers recognise the crucial role the port sector plays in supporting the Scottish economy. Ports ownership in Scotland is a diverse mix of mainly private, local authority and trust operated. We recognise that a diverse and successful ports sector…

18 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue the 2025 summer timetable service frequency between Ardrossan and Brodick into the (a) winter 2025-26 and (b) summer 2026 timetable.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The summer 2025 service between Ardrossan and Brodick will be delivered when MV Caledonian Isles returns. CalMac have advised she will be expected to operate to the agreed summer timetable which will provide 35 return sailings per week. Permanent changes to t…

18 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the 2025 summer timetable for the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry will have the same service frequency as before the recent reported disruption.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: When MV Caledonian Isles returns to service, CalMac have advised she will be expected to operate to the agreed Summer 2025 timetable which will provide 35 return sailings per week.

17 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any progress towards delivering each of the outcomes in its 2022 Fair Work Action Plan, including the commitment to support strong trade unions and promote national collective bargaining, particularly in underrepresented sectors.

Answer · Tom Arthur: A progress report on the Fair Work Action Plan (FWAP) was included in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) annual report in 2024. It is anticipated that the next FWAP progress report will be published alongside the third NSET annual report…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason guidance was issued to NHS boards and health and social care partnerships in August 2022 advising that the Primary Care Improvement Plan reserves should only be utilised in-year as part of the overall funding allocation.

Answer · Neil Gray: Given the significant challenges facing public finances at that time, utilising reserves that had been built up over time from underspend of previous allocations to reinvest in support of multidisciplinary team implementation was a prudent use of public funds…

5 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to revising the guidance on the Primary Care Improvement Plan reserves, with the aim of allowing for greater flexibility, including for the reserves to be allocated during the setting of annual budgets.

Answer · Neil Gray: We are investing over £190 million annually in the implementation of primary care multidisciplinary teams through the Primary Care Improvement Fund (PCIF) as well as additional funding for annual pay uplifts. The utilisation of PCIF funding held in rese…

3 Feb 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact Police Scotland being unable to request local authority CCTV footage of suspected fly-tipping due to it being considered a civil offence has on the effective enforcement of fly-tipping legislation.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Flytipping is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, albeit one in relation to which a Fixed Penalty Notice can be issued to discharge any liability to criminal conviction. Through our National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, we are w…

28 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government to the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 27 January 2025, how the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform is assessing the introduction …

Answer · Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34339 on 28 February 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-c…

28 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the information released under the freedom of information request FOI/202400435537, by what date the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform on (a) 18 April and (b) 24 October 2024 will be published.

Answer · Shona Robison: The minutes for the 18 April 2024 and 24 October 2024 meetings of the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform are available on the Group webpage. The webpage can be accessed at the following link, Local government fin…

28 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform will next meet, and what will be discussed.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Joint Working Group last met on the 29 January 2025. The group discussed and approved a programme of engagement on long-term Council Tax reform.Engagement aims to gather opinions on changes to Council Tax that could be debated by Parliament that will enha…

28 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government to the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 27 January 2025, by what date the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform will advise on furthe…

Answer · Shona Robison: The Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform continues to consider the analysis pertaining to all aspects of the Consultation on the Council Tax Treatment of Second and long-term Empty Homes, and whether there could be…

17 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken by (a) Scottish Water and (b) SEPA to address the reported escalating incidence of sewage spillages into the Firth of Clyde.

Answer · Gillian Martin: As this is an operational matter, I have asked Scottish Water and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to reply. Their responses are as follows:a)Not all spills from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are sewage spillages – CSOs are an integ…

9 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of their reported use by public agencies in Scotland, what its position is on the security credentials of Hikvision products, in light of recently reported claims made by the company on this matter.

Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is aware of the concerns raised by the Foreign Affairs Committee regarding equipment manufactured by Hikvision, and other such companies, where such companies are subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic …