- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 8 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of new UK visa restrictions, in relation to family members accompanying students, and any potential negative impact on student wellbeing and academic success as a result of family separation, whether it is considering any measures or support programmes to mitigate any such impact, to ensure that the reported positive contribution of international students in Scotland can continue.
Answer
We remain deeply concerned that the new UK Government visa restrictions will make Scotland a less attractive destination for international students. We are working closely with the sector to minimise impact.
Universities in Scotland are autonomous bodies with responsibility for teaching, assessment and academic and student support.
The Scottish Government will, throughout February 2024, undertake consultation events with members of the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Group on a draft Student Mental Health Action Plan.
The draft Plan recognises the critical importance of early intervention and prevention, ensuring effective access to a diverse range of community-based clinical and non-clinical services, and providing timely clinical acute care for those who require it. It sets out our expectations for institutions on supporting student mental health and wellbeing and how Scottish Government will work with them and the wider public sector.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 25 January 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 8 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of any potential disproportionate impact of UK visa restrictions, in relation to family members accompanying students, on certain nationalities, and the reported importance of attracting diverse talent to Scottish universities, whether it has had any discussions with the UK Government to advocate for exemptions or greater flexibility in the policy for specific cases or countries.
Answer
The Scottish Government has urged the UK Government to adopt an inclusive approach to family migration to ensure that those with caring responsibilities are not excluded from our education institutions. Scotland must be able to attract and retain talent without excessive barriers and migration policy should support mobility, collaboration and innovation.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice wrote to the new Home Secretary on the 22 December, highlighting Scotland’s distinct demographic needs and requested a meeting to discuss our concerns.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle the potential harm of gambling to individuals, families and communities.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 21 December 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many children in Aberdeen have received the Scottish Child Payment since its inception.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 21 December 2023
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 December 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 14 December 2023
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to grow the green economy.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 14 December 2023
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what work the NHS is undertaking to support people with gambling addiction.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 November 2023
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what difficulties there are, if any, in recruiting staff for jobs in the Scottish Parliament.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the impact on production in Scotland, what its position is on whether the current industrial hemp licensing regime is a "light touch regime", as stated by the UK Government.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22375 on 3 November 2023 . All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding changing the licensing regime to increase the production of industrial hemp in Scotland.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22375 on 3 November 2023 . All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 6 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21542 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, whether it plans to lobby the UK Government and the Gambling Commission to restrict the advertising of gambling in Scotland.
Answer
We will continue to work with the UK Government, the other Devolved Administrations and the Gambling Commission over proposals included in the White Paper, which include further restrictions on advertising of gambling across the UK.