Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 141 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6T-02709

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding its response to Storm Amy.

Question reference: S6W-40918

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the establishment of Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland following the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 receiving Royal Assent.

I can confirm that both Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) will begin the process of establishment and operation from the end of 2025.

Implementation of the Education (Scotland) Act is supported by a Scotland Act section 104 Order (SAO) to be passed by the UK Parliament. Based on current information, we expect this to be completed before the end of this calendar year, though this is subject to UK Parliament timetabling.

Qualifications Scotland will be established as a legal entity on 1 December 2025, with Shirley Rogers appointed as Chair and the Board being established by transitioning selected current members of the SQA to Qualifications Scotland and the recruitment of new members. Recruitment of members to the Learner and Teacher Interest Committees and the Strategic Advisory Council will also begin in December.

From 1 November 2025, HMIE will begin phased establishment, pending the passage of the SAO by the UK Parliament. During this time, HMIE will operate increasingly independently as part of Education Scotland, with a new website and business support functions and will begin to develop and establish its Advisory Council. Subject to successful recruitment, a substantive appointment to the role of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland will also be confirmed during this period.

The focus for both bodies during this process will be to ensure continuity of service and to establish critical business functions in accordance with the legislation. This will ensure they are ready to deliver meaningful change which puts our children, young people, and adult learners, their teachers, practitioners and school leaders at its heart once they are fully operational.

Question reference: S6O-05052

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the education secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how to support people in Aberdeen to gain the skills and qualifications needed for the energy transition, to ensure that north east Scotland has a world-leading workforce.

Question reference: S6W-40855

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 29 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when revised guidance on Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools will be available.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that Transgender young people are supported in Scotland’s schools.

I confirm that the Scottish Government has published revised guidance for education authorities and schools on Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools. This concludes the detailed work which was been undertaken since the Supreme Court Judgement in April to consider the guidance for schools.

The revised guidance for schools will be available from https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806432097

Question reference: S6O-05008

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on Scotland’s dentistry sector of the UK Labour administration’s recent changes to the Skilled Worker visa.

Question reference: S6O-04983

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the steps that it is taking to increase service capacity in GP practices within NHS Grampian.

Question reference: S6W-40261

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 September 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the commitment in its Programme for Government 2025-26 to set out its "priorities for future reform of school education by June 2025, appointing an experienced headteacher to lead this work".

I am pleased to advise Parliament that John Wilson, the recently retired headteacher of Broughton High School in Edinburgh has been appointed as an Independent Professional Adviser to Scottish Ministers to lead on this work.

Mr Wilson will provide advice and recommendations to Scottish Ministers on what further reforms of school education could be made following the passage of the Education (Scotland) Act by the Scottish Parliament to ensure that we have an education system fit for the future to deliver equity and excellence for all.

Drawing on his experience of 30 years of working in the education system, Mr Wilson will be focussed on three key areas - education governance, where he will be assessing the areas where further focus and activity is required to support school leaders; school funding, where he will reflect on 10 years of the Scottish Attainment Challenge Fund; and support for improvement, where he will be looking to establish what more could be done to ensure more consistent outcomes for secondary schools.

He will be guided in his work by an advisory group made up of experienced headteachers and other education system leaders; and by headteacher panels which have been set up and which I will chair.

Question reference: S6W-38757

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 9 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support LGBTI+ people (a) during Pride month and (b) in the coming year.

The Scottish Government remains committed to advancing equality for LGBTQI+ people, and promoting, protecting and realising the rights of every LGBTQI+ person in Scotland. We recognise that policies that value diversity and advance equality and inclusion are under threat around the world and the impact this has for the LGBTQI+ community. The Scottish Government respects the call from several Pride organisers in Scotland for no political representation during marches. During Pride season, the Scottish Government has met with LGBTQI+ organisations to discuss key issues impacting on the community and how we are advancing equality for this group as outlined in our Programme for Government 2025-26.

Actions include providing support of over £1.1 million in funding to organisations working to promote LGBTQI+ equality. This delivers a range of projects to tackle inequality and realise rights for LGBTQI+ people across all areas of Scottish life.

We are also working to implement our non-binary equality action plan and take forward our commitment to ending conversion practices. We will continue to work with a wide range of third sector organisations to ensure that the voices of those with lived experience can help to improve outcomes for LGBTQI+ communities across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-38727

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the planned publication of new guidance on consequences and risk assessments in schools.

I can confirm that guidance on fostering positive, inclusive and safe school environments was published today: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836917014

The guidance supports schools’ approaches to use of consequences as part of approaches to improving positive relationships and behaviour.

New guidance on risk assessments for violent, aggressive and dangerous behaviour was also published today: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836917953

Question reference: S6O-04830

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting tenants in Aberdeen to protect and enhance their rights to a safe, secure and affordable place to live.