Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-35822

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 March 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Russell on 8 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish details of its view regarding the UK Government’s activity in relation to devolution following Brexit.

The Scottish Government published a report on 8 March 2021 showing the extent to which the Scottish Parliament’s powers are being eroded by the UK Government following the 2016 Brexit vote.

The report details the way in which devolution is being fundamentally undermined, culminating with the introduction of the UK Internal Market Act upon EU exit.

The report can be found on the Scottish Government’s website: After Brexit: The UK Internal Market Act & Devolution - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S5W-35554

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 26 February 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 8 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the amount paid in income tax paid by people earning the UK median wage in each of the last two years, and how this compares with the rest of the UK.

According to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), median gross annual pay for all workers, both full- and part-time, in the UK was £25,780 in 2020. From this we can calculate the following tax liabilities, assuming the individual in question is in receipt of the standard UK Personal Allowance and is not in receipt of any other reliefs and exemptions.

	Tax Due
	2019-20	2020-21
Scotland	£2,643.85	£2,641.37
rUK	£2,656.00	£2,656.00
Difference	£12.15	£14.63

This shows that taxpayers earning the UK’s median pay will pay less tax in Scotland in both 2019-20 and 2020-21 than they would do elsewhere in the UK.

Question reference: S5W-35555

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 26 February 2021
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the average household water bill is, and what information it has regarding how this compares with England and Wales.

Question reference: S5O-05057

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 February 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce health inequalities.

Question reference: S5O-05021

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 February 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting rail services in the Renfrewshire South constituency.

Question reference: S5O-04888

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that care home residents who are unable to go outside can still meet friends and family.

Question reference: S5W-33578

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 November 2020
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kate Forbes on 30 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to help small businesses access digital technology.

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of digital technologies for businesses of all sizes, but in particular for small businesses. To support SMEs to take advantage of digital technologies we offer The Digital Development Loan which enables businesses to invest, interest-free, up to £100k to improve their digital capabilities. We also have DigitalBoost, delivered by Business Gateway which provides expert digital advice and guidance. In August we doubled the funding for DigitalBoost and today I am pleased to announce the Scottish Government is investing a further £11.8m in digital support for business.

Question reference: S5O-04807

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 November 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting social enterprises.

Question reference: S5O-04794

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with amateur football organisations regarding the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Question reference: S5O-04686

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the New Zealand Government.

Tell us your views

Seòmar agus comataidhean