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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.

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Question reference: S6O-05269

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Aberdeen City Council to maintain its local government services, including in response to any increasing social need in the city.

Question reference: S6W-42264

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 December 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 2 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Action Plan.

The Scottish Government will today publish the Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Action Plan.

This sets out a bold national vision to ensure every child in Scotland has the strongest possible foundation in speech, language and communication from the earliest stages of life. The Plan reflects our commitment to prevention, equity and partnership, recognising that early support is crucial to improving outcomes for children and reducing inequalities.

Supporting our Programme for Government commitment to reduce developmental concerns at the 27–30 month review by a quarter by 2030, the Action Plan outlines how we will embed speech, language and communication as a national priority, strengthen support for families and communities, and build a skilled and confident workforce across health, education and social care. Together, these actions will help ensure that all children, particularly those in our most disadvantaged communities, benefit from high-quality support for their early development.

The Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Action Plan will be available shortly at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781806430925.

Question reference: S6O-05249

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Government Budget regarding how it affects the North East Scotland region.

Question reference: S6O-05207

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress made towards issuing Scottish Government bonds, in light of Scotland's recent high credit ratings.

Question reference: S6O-05125

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its latest engagement with STV regarding the broadcaster's plans to cut jobs and regional news programming.

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.