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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-43704

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 26 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on solar PV installations between 2021 and 2025 and its rate of deployment, and whether it plans to publish this information.

Data on the number of solar PV installations is available from the “Energy Trends” publication, produced by the UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, as reported in the tables on the number of renewable electricity generating sites by region and technology.

According to the latest data, the total number of solar PV installations in Scotland has increased from 89,639 at the end of 2020 to 187,580 at the end of 2024. This is equivalent to a total of 97,941 installations across this period, and an average number of installations of 24,485 per year.

Data for 2025 will be made available in September 2026.

Question reference: S6W-43669

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35293 by Paul McLennan on 7 March 2025, when it plans to publish the next local authority analysis for the Scottish House Condition Survey.

Further to the response provided in question S6W-35293;

The Scottish Government publishes local authority analysis using a three-year pooled data set to ensure sufficient sample sizes. As set out in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2023 Key Findings Report (available at Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings - gov.scot) the lack of SHCS data for 2020 and the enforced changes for 2021 cause issues with the production of this analysis for two reasons.

Firstly, there is no SHCS data for 2020 so we cannot produce a three-year average for the 2019 to 2022 survey years. Secondly, the data from the 2021 external+ SHCS is not directly comparable with that from other survey years due to the methodological differences and it would therefore not be appropriate to combine it with the data for 2022 or 2023 to produce a multi-year average.

With the publication of the 2024 SHCS key findings report, on February 24th 2026, we will have a three year pooled data set (2022-2024), and a Local Authority level analysis will follow.

We have pre announced these statistics for publication in May 2026 and will confirm the date in due course.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S6W-43677

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many Foundation Apprenticeships have been funded at any level by Skills Development Scotland in (a) hospitality, (b) automotive, (c) construction and (d) undisclosed subject areas, in each year from 2023 to 2026 to date.

The Scottish Government recognises the value and positive impact of Foundation Apprenticeships for our young people.

A report on the number of Foundation Apprenticeships funded by Skills Development (SDS) can be accessed here:

https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/zxfjjm3q/sds-fa-progress-report-july-2025.pdf. This provides information on the number of starts up to 2024-25 and further data will be available at the end of academic year 2025-26.

The report does not include a breakdown by occupational group, however, SDS can provide a more detailed breakdown. I would encourage Mr Kerr to contact them directly.

It is worth noting that the Scottish Funding Council also funds the delivery of Foundation Apprenticeships through colleges.

Question reference: S6W-43675

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to implementing Modern Service Frameworks, as introduced in England.

The Scottish Government is aware of the development of Modern Service Frameworks in England for major conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. For clarity, these are being developed by the UK Government but have not yet been formally introduced.

In Scotland, our policy is guided by our own strategic frameworks, including the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. Together, these set out our shared long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services.

This work is underpinned by a ten-year programme focused on prevention, person-centred care, strengthened community services, digital innovation, and addressing the root causes of poor health.

Question reference: S6T-02909

Asked by: Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with SEPA and Scottish Water regarding the serious diesel pollution incident that has taken place in the River Dochart and the environmental risk to the wider River Tay system following reports that diesel spread to Loch Tay over the weekend.

Question reference: S6T-02910

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported disclosure that £96.2 million has been spent by NHS Scotland on damages, legal expenses and associated costs linked to maternity and obstetric care.

Question reference: S6T-02917

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Audit Scotland will investigate investment arrangements at ScotWind.

Question reference: S6F-04717

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 26 February 2026

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of warnings from industry leaders that high transmission charges are making wind farms in the north of Scotland uncompetitive, including any implications for its work to grow the renewable energy sector.

Question reference: S6F-04697

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 26 February 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04709

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 26 February 2026

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the outcome of the University of Aberdeen UCU ballot, which resulted in 83% of those voting in support of strike action and 90% in favour of action short of a strike.