Questions and answers

Question reference: S4F-02512

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 January 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2015

To ask the First Minister how many families will benefit from the policy of free school meals.

Question reference: S4W-23514

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2014
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 15 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how much the average Scottish student in Scotland (a) saved in 2013-14 and (b) has saved in 2014-15 compared with studying in England as a result of the policy of free tuition; how many students were affected, and how much was saved in total.

In academic year 2013-14, the Scottish Government’s policy of free tuition meant that over 120,000 eligible undergraduate students did not have to pay fees.

If studying in England, the same group of students would have had to pay fees of up to £9,000 to cover their tuition.

As not all higher education institutions in England charge £9,000 per annum for tuition, it is not possible to provide an exact total for the notional savings made by all Scottish domiciled students in 2013-14.

However, if 120,000 students had been obliged to pay the average fee of £7,860 charged in England during 2013-14, this would total £940 million.

Final student numbers for eligible Scottish domiciled undergraduates are not yet available for 2014-15.

Question reference: S4O-03748

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what help and support are available to help veterans access housing.

Question reference: S4O-03711

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how important local authority care homes are in the provision of care for older people.

Question reference: S4O-03634

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many active business improvement districts there are.

Question reference: S4O-03566

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S4O-03496

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 August 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has had with the UK Government regarding the implementation of legislation relating to data laws.

Question reference: S4O-03475

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 August 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 August 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on tourism has been of the various events across the country in 2014.

Question reference: S4W-21578

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 June 2014
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Alasdair Allan on 4 June 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the Curriculum for Excellence Working Group on Tackling Bureaucracy's report.

Good progress is being made. In particular:

SQA has announced plans to reduce workload requirements for the new qualifications whilst maintaining standards.

Education Scotland is using its inspection teams to challenge unnecessary bureaucracy in schools and offer practical advice for improvements.

Education Scotland has worked with local authorities and teacher associations to organise a series of well received events for teachers on the best means of tackling excessive bureaucracy.

We will maintain momentum on implementing the Group’s report to ensure that teachers can focus on teaching and not be stifled by unnecessary bureaucracy.

Question reference: S4O-03303

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle fly-tipping.

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