Part of General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 12 December 2024.
Natalie Don-Innes:
I am happy to provide an update on that. Jointly with COSLA, we have established a sustainable rates review implementation working group that brings together sector and local government representatives to inform delivery of the sustainable rates review actions. A key recommendation of that review was the need to improve the cost data that is available to inform rates setting. I am pleased to update Mr Rennie that the Scottish Government has just completed the commissioning of a new national cost collection exercise, which will take place in spring next year.
Together with COSLA, we also hosted six provider reference groups during October and November, and we have had really good involvement from across the sector to inform that cost collection exercise.
I have some other things to update Mr Rennie on, and I would be happy to do that later, as I believe that I need to keep my answer short.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
