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-28079

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation was provided to passengers on the (a) Ardrossan to Brodick and (b) Largs to Cumbrae ferry route in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-30016

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the link between alcohol addiction and suicide, in light of the reported comment by the deputy chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland that the link between the two is on an "upwards trajectory".

, our 10 year joint suicide prevention strategy with COSLA, adopts a whole of government and society approach to reducing suicide in Scotland. This allows us to focus on tackling the social determinants of suicide such as poverty, which also presents increased risk for alcohol addiction; and we are taking forward work to join up mental health and addiction support. For example, Healthcare Improvement Scotland has recently produced an exemplar joint working protocol for mental health and substance use services, which draws on best practice from across the country and internationally. We are also prioritising suicide prevention training for the workforce supporting people with addictions.

In developing the Creating Hope Together strategy, and the associated , we reviewed all available evidence on suicide, including risk factors such as alcohol addiction. This was complemented by extensive engagement with communities and partners across Scotland. The delivery of our strategy continues to be evidence informed and guided by our suicide prevention Academic Advisory Group whose most on the risk and protective factors associated with suicide includes analysis of alcohol related factors. Insights from such research, along with those from our suicide prevention lived experience panels, are informing the design and delivery of interventions which meet the needs of different groups and communities, including those with addiction issues.

The full suite of Academic Advisory Group reports on suicide prevention research can be accessed through the

Question reference: S6W-30022

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase the number of affordable homes being built.

Affordable housing has a clear priority in this year’s Programme for Government. We are investing nearly £600 million in affordable housing in 2024-2025, which includes the additional £40 million capital announced earlier this year, and will deliver social and affordable homes across Scotland, including new build, rehabilitation and acquisitions. We have also committed £100 million over the longer term to grow institutional investment to at least £500 million and support the construction of around 2,800 mid-market rent homes.

We also recognise the key role that planning plays in supporting the delivery of housing and are working collaboratively to introduce new approaches to performance reporting and improvement action by planning authorities – as well as taking action to improve skills and increase recruitment and retention of planners.

We have supported the delivery of more than 133,000 affordable homes since 2007, over 94,000 of which were for social rent, including 26,000 council homes. Of these, between 23 March 2022 and end of June 2024, we have delivered 22,743 affordable homes towards the 110,000 target, of which over 17,000 have been homes for social rent. We continue to work closely with partners to deliver the right homes in the right places.

The Scottish Government regularly publishes figures on homes delivered, which can be found online at:

Question reference: S6W-30025

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that more than one million calls to Police Scotland's 101 service went unanswered over the last two years.

As I made clear in the Chamber on 18 September during Portfolio Questions in reply to Katy Clark MSP, Police Scotland does not recognise those figures. Indeed Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said:

"It is misleading and inaccurate to suggest that non-emergency 101 calls are being left unanswered, missed, or are disconnected by our call handlers.”

This position was reinforced by DCC Bex Smith at the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee meeting of 18 September.

Many discontinued 101 calls will be cases where callers have been instructed to hang up and dial 999, they have decided to redial and select another option from a pre-recorded menu, or they have realised they should be calling another agency.

I am very grateful for the hard work of Police Scotland’s call handlers to ensure all calls to the service are answered as quickly and as safely as possible.

Question reference: S6W-30020

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it will maintain the (a) quality and (b) availability of mental health support provision, in light of reported in-year funding reductions to mental health services.

Through the 2024-25 budget, NHS Boards and the Scottish Government continue to support spend in excess of £1.3 billion on mental health.

The recent reduction in the Scottish Government’s direct programme funding has been identified through programmes being adapted, or which have come to an end. In some cases work has been re-profiled where this has been possible.

Whilst any reduction is regrettable, it is only right that we make a contribution to the overall savings required to enable a balanced budget for Scottish Government in 2024-25; ensuring a stable base for future years.

We remain committed to taking forward our work across mental health, working closely with key partners. Our collective focus has to be on making as much difference as possible with our funding.

Question reference: S6W-30015

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the letter from the chief executive of the Ferguson Marine shipyard to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 12 September 2024 stating that the delivery of the MV Glen Sannox will be further delayed due to ongoing issues with the vessel's liquefied natural gas (LNG) system.

I wrote to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 13 September 2024 to give the Scottish Government’s response to the latest progress update on the delivery of MV Glen Sannox.

Since then, liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel has been successfully loaded on to MV Glen Sannox and sea trails to test those systems commenced on 20 September. Work on the vessel will continue in the coming weeks, with a further set of sea trials planned for the end of September.

Question reference: S6W-30018

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports given to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry that a “culture of bullying” existed at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, and what steps it is taking to eradicate any such culture in all NHS hospitals.

The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry is a public inquiry established in accordance with the Inquiries Act 2005 and is entirely independent of the Scottish Government. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government or Ministers to comment on the Inquiry’s proceedings while the Inquiry is ongoing.

Bullying and harassment is unacceptable in any circumstance. We expect all staff, regardless of position, to act in line with the values and behaviours expected of everyone in NHSScotland.

Staff must be confident in raising any concerns they may have, and when they do, that these concerns are fully investigated. The NHSScotland Bullying and Harassment Workforce Policy provides a supportive environment for employees seeking an early resolution to bullying or harassment concerns. It is also a formal mechanism to address unresolved, significant or persistent bullying or harassment, or both.

We emphasised the importance of good workplace cultures with the publication of Improving Wellbeing and Working Cultures (IWWC) in July 2024. IWWC sets out our ambition to enhance working cultures across our health, social work and social care workforce, through programmes of work at a national level that focus on the pillars of: wellbeing, leadership and equality.

Question reference: S6W-30007

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what it expects the long-term legacy benefits to be for greater Glasgow, particularly to grassroots sports, by hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, in light of reported concerns that the reduced timetable for its approval to go ahead has not outlined the obvious benefits to the city in the way that a normal award process would have.

The Commonwealth Games is a hugely important event for Scottish sport.

Hosting the 2026 Games will deliver economic and sporting opportunities for Glasgow and Scotland, and it is vital that the event leaves a positive legacy.

Scotland, and in particular Glasgow, has a world-renowned reputation for delivering outstanding major events, from Glasgow 2014 to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

Details are still being finalised, but the legacy of Glasgow 2026 is expected to include vital infrastructure upgrades to sporting facilities. which will benefit individuals, communities and clubs in Glasgow, particularly at the grassroots level.

Inspirational performance by Scottish athletes on the world stage can also inspire the public to be more active, try a new sport, or join a local sports club, contributing to our vision of a more active Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-03788

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the first statutory National Islands Plan, published in 2019, has been a success.

Question reference: S6T-02111

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported announcement that issues with the gearbox of the MV Caledonian Isles have been identified, resulting in a further delay to its return to service on the Arran route.