Part of Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 26 November 2025.
Maree Todd
Scottish National Party
Eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a national mission and is this Government’s top priority, with ministerial collaboration across portfolios to identify and implement effective measures such as the Scottish child payment.
We know that sport can change lives, creating meaningful and hugely positive opportunities for children who are affected by poverty. The benefit that it delivers can improve children’s and young people’s health and their educational and social outcomes. Through Government and sportscotland-funded initiatives such as active schools, the sport facility funds, the active play development project and the extra time programme, we improve opportunities for children to be active, ensuring that sport continues to contribute to our efforts to tackle child poverty and promote inclusion across Scotland.
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.
