Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for ��˿�� to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-36425

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement its enterprise agencies plan with Anduril Industries regarding it locating in Scotland its proposed factory and research and development site.

Question reference: S6W-36391

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 29 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council regarding funding the capital works necessary to fully reopen Whitehill Pool in Dennistoun.

The Scottish Government understands the important role that sport and leisure services play in improving people’s lives, and the physical, mental, and social health benefits they can bring.

The Scottish Government recognises the financial challenges that local government are facing and that local authorities and their employees play a crucial role in communities and that is why the 2025-26 Scottish Budget provides record block grant funding of over £15.1 billion for local government, an increase of £1.1 billion or 5.5 per cent in real terms compared to 2024-25.

In 2025-26, Glasgow City Council will receive over £1.8 billion to support day to day services and capital investment plans, which equates to an extra £96.8 million or an additional 5.5% compared to 2024-25. In addition, all Councils will receive their fair share of the currently undistributed sum of £245 million and £144 million allocated for employers' National Insurance Contributions.

While it is for local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, we will work together to find collective solutions about issues that matter to the people of Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-04592

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to any people in Glasgow who are at risk of losing their mental health support due to the reported reductions announced by the Integration Joint Board.

Question reference: S6W-36229

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what sub-contracting opportunities are contained in the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, as defined by section 24 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

Sub-contracting arrangements within the Small Vessel Replacement Programme Phase One vessel contracts are ultimately determined by the main contractor and may reflect existing supply chain relationships. The wider programme of works to support the new vessel deployment and operation includes around £40 million of shore power upgrades, power connections and port improvement works. These works will be progressed across the network over the coming years to enable delivery from around summer 2027 and may present further sub-contracting opportunities.

Question reference: S6W-36228

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what community benefit requirements have been included in the contract for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme under the terms of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

CMAL has confirmed that it included two strands of community benefit commitments in its contract with Remontowa. The first provides opportunity for three Scotland-based shipbuilding apprentices per vessel, 21 in total, to attend optimisation and sea trials for training purposes when the vessels are delivered. The second is that Remontowa shipyard will match CMAL’s funding for its Corporate Social Responsibility programme over the course of the build, which supports charity initiatives across local communities in the Clyde and Hebrides region.

Question reference: S6W-36291

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether any Barnett consequential funding arising from the Lower Thames Crossing project will be used to accelerate the development of the Clyde Metro project.

Development consent for the Lower Thames Crossing was granted by the UK Secretary for State for Transport on the 25 March 2025. The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer noted in a speech made on the 29 January 2025, that the UK Government was exploring private finance as option to fund the project. Therefore, it is currently unclear what, if any, Barnett consequentials may arise from this project and in any case, these are not ring fenced for transport projects in Scotland.

The ongoing stage of the early development process for Clyde Metro, known as the Case for Investment, is being led by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), supported by Glasgow City Council, with Transport Scotland providing a project assurance role. This key stage, which will inform decisions around network selection, phasing and implementation is well underway and is currently anticipated to be complete by mid-2027.

This initial stage in the development process is being delivered drawing upon funding from the Glasgow City Region Deal. It is too early in the development process to determine the longer term funding of Clyde Metro, however, it is envisaged that the funding models for its implementation will be considered as part of the on-going Case for Investment work.

Question reference: S6W-36423

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 11 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made regarding trade union recognition at the HMP Glasgow construction site.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

HMP Glasgow is a nationally important infrastructure project which is committed to working with, and employing, local people.

Whilst this is a matter for the contractor, I understand Kier Construction has been actively engaged with representatives of Unite and met with them as recently as 1 April for further discussions.

Question reference: S6W-36135

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 10 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the UK Government and BAE Systems campaign for the Type 26 frigate to win the Norwegian Future Frigate competition, in light of the potential subcontracting opportunity for Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited.

Question reference: S6W-36041

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a feasibility study on emulating the Common User Facility (CUF) model at the Australian Marine Complex in Perth, Western Australia, and Osborne Naval Shipyard near Adelaide, South Australia, at the (a) Newark Shipyard facility, which is owned by the Scottish Ministers via Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited, and (b) Inchgreen Marine Park, which is owned by Peel Group and operated in a joint venture with Inverclyde Council.

The Scottish Government provides a range of support to shipbuilding, marine engineering, harbours and ports across Scotland, but has no plans to undertake a feasibility study to emulate a Common User Facility for shipyards in Australia and Scotland, as the skill sets of the staff at the respective yards will differ.

This Government took a proactive approach to preserve commercial shipbuilding on the Clyde at Ferguson Marine and remains committed to invest in the skills and capabilities needed to secure a sustainable future for the shipyard.

Question reference: S6W-36040

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish details of Project Chia's consideration of the social value of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow.