Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-34977

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 February 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what formal representations it has made to the UK Government regarding which sectors in Scotland could be exempted from the planned increase in the rate of employer national insurance contributions, and, if it has made any such representations, which sectors it has specifically raised with the UK Government, and whether this included licensed hospitality.

Question reference: S6W-34492

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason water charges are being increased by a reported 9.9%, in light of them increasing by 8.8% in 2024, which was above the inflation rate.

As published in the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s (WICS) Final Determination of charges for 2021-27, the maximum amount of charges that Scottish Water can levy on its customers is CPI+2% on average for each year of the regulatory period (equivalent to CPI+12.6% over the 6 year period). Charge increases in the first half of the regulatory period were significantly less than the charge cap, reflecting the financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis on households.

Water charges are set by Scottish Water’s Board, with approval from the independent economic regulator WICS. The Board must balance affordability with funding critical investment needs to protect our drinking water quality and the environment. As recognised in Scottish Water’s Draft Long Term Strategy published on 4 February 2025, charges need to increase to fund the impacts of the climate emergency, the replacement of ageing assets and a growing population.

Question reference: S6W-34491

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government which bodies incur the cost of discounts, exemptions and qualified reductions to household water charges.

Discounts, exemptions and reductions for household water and sewerage charges are funded by the wider household customer base.

Roughly 50% of households receive a discount on the published rates. These include status discounts which apply to Council Tax (e.g. single occupant) and reductions for those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. This helps to ensure that charges remain progressive and protect those on the lowest incomes.

Question reference: S6W-34493

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the size is of Scottish Water’s financial reserve.

Cash balances are published in Scottish Water’s annual and interim accounts which are laid before Parliament. The latest figure is available in Scottish Water’s interim report and accounts for 2024-25, published on 18 December 2024 and available at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/-/media/ScottishWater/Document-Hub/Key-Publications/Annual-Reports/Interim-Reports/SCW2701-Interim-report-2024-NOT-SIGNED.pdf.

Question reference: S6W-34494

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 13 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much Scottish Water has paid in debt interest in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-34864

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many operational frontline officers there were in each division of Police Scotland in each year from 2014 to date.

Question reference: S6W-34861

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the average net pay was, after deductions for tax, national insurance and pension, for each grade of frontline officer in Police Scotland for the financial year 2023-24, and what information it has on how this compared with the equivalent grades in forces in England.

Question reference: S6W-34863

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to trial the “Right Care, Right Person” scheme that has reportedly seen officer capacity increase in Merseyside police, and, if it will not trial this scheme, for what reason.

Question reference: S6W-34866

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many operational police stations there were in each division of Police Scotland in each year from 2014 to date.

Question reference: S6W-34860

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on replacing single-year funding settlements for Police Scotland with multi-year settlements.

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