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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-04960

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recently published report by Humanist Society Scotland, Preaching is not Teaching, regarding concerns that pupils in non-denominational schools may feel compelled to take part in religious worship activities against their own wishes.

Question reference: S6O-04902

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support small-scale food producers in rural communities, in light of its commitments under the National Good Food Nation Plan.

Question reference: S6O-04869

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recently published NatWest Group and Beauhurst’s New Startup Index, indicating that Scotland has one of the fastest growing startup economies in the UK.

Question reference: S6W-39534

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 21 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government (a) what training and (b) how much training time on neurodivergence is allocated to staff across all education settings.

The provision of ongoing professional learning opportunities and collaboration with other partners on professional development is primarily the responsibility of local authorities.

In education settings, the Scottish Government has worked closely with partners to develop resources for teachers such as the Home | Autism Toolbox Autism Toolbox. The toolbox provides a range of information and guidance to support the education of autistic learners and complements the free autism and inclusive practice professional learning resources available to all staff. We have also created resources to support universities teaching their students about autism and how best to support autistic children and young people in their classrooms.

The Teachers' Agreement (2001), which aims to enhance opportunities for professional development, made continuing professional development a condition of service while also specifying that teachers should undertake a maximum of 35 hours CPD in each working year. Within this, there is flexibility and opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of neurodivergence and ASN.

In 2024, the Scottish Government committed to examine options for teacher training and to analyse the number of initial teacher training hours attributed to additional support needs. The Scottish Council of Deans for Education is currently undertaking this work. We will consider next steps in this area once we have considered their findings, which are due shortly.

The Scottish Government has also commissioned NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and the National Autism Implementation Team to provide professional learning about neurodevelopmental conditions at informed, enhanced, specialist and expert levels (according to the NES framework). These can be found on the Turas page (NHS Education for Scotland’s unified training platform) and accessed by the NHS and teachers.

Children and young people - national neurodevelopmental specification: principles and standards of care - gov.scot is also available for educators to refer to and specifies the standards that all children’s services should follow to ensure access to support is effective and consistent across Scotland. We recently reviewed the implementation of this specification in partnership with COSLA, including engagement with education staff, and have identified potential areas for improvement, including further professional learning opportunities. We have recently announced the establishment of a cross-sector task force, co-chaired by health and education officials to drive forward these changes, alongside a £500,000 investment in 2025-26 to support system improvements.

Question reference: S6W-39533

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 31 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much time and training on neurodivergence is allocated to community psychiatric nurses and mental health workers.

Staff training is an operational matter for the Boards and employers. However, in 2021 the Scottish Government published the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People. This sets out standards for all children’s services to follow to ensure children and young people can access the support they need for their neurodivergence. This includes ensuring staff undertaking the initial assessment are appropriately trained, supervised and experienced for the purpose, including identifying strengths, as well as difficulties.

The Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Education for Scotland (NES) for Staffing and Multidisciplinary training delivery and resources to help address mental health inequalities, supporting groups who are particular risk. This activity will strengthen support and care pathways for people requiring neurodevelopmental support, working in partnership with health, social care, education, the third sector and other delivery partners. This will ensure those who need it receive the right care and support at the right time in a way that works for them.

Question reference: S6O-04835

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the latest births and deaths figures published by National Records of Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-38181

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS primary care audiology services in (a) addressing any inequality in access to and (b) reducing wait times for adult ear and hearing care needs.

The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland. However, in considering the future direction for the audiology sector, it is right that we move forward in step with the work of the Independent Review of Audiology and this – together with the wider financial and strategic context in which we are currently operating – has necessitated the re-phasing of our commitment on community hearing. We will continue to meet with Professional Bodies, NHS services, third sector, private providers and individuals with lived experience to help inform decision-making as our work progresses.

The 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for health and social care - with NHS boards receiving an additional £200 million to reduce waiting lists and help support reduction of delayed discharge. Ear, Nose and Throat will be an important part of this work, with over £9 million being allocated as part of this funding.

In addition, NHS Boards have been proactive in addressing waiting times by releasing additional appointments and reducing their failed to attend rate.

There has also been substantial work to redesign patient pathways and Specialist Audiologists/Diagnosticians now handle referrals traditionally made through Ear Nose and Throat. This practice not only reduces Board costs for unnecessary medic time and expertise, but also directs the patient to the correct speciality and reduces the number of appointments needed overall.

Question reference: S6O-04777

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting colleagues in COSLA regarding their call for civility in public life.

Question reference: S6O-04740

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the impact of the MalDent Project on oral health policy in Malawi.

Question reference: S6W-37700

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation on fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and priority marine features outside MPAs.

Our marine environment is one of Scotland's most important natural assets and we are committed to protecting it for future generations.

Ministers have a legal requirement to put in place fisheries management measures for Marine Protected Areas and priority marine features.

Developing evidence-based and effective fisheries management measures for more than 160 sites and areas within the inshore region is a complicated and challenging process.

We are continuing to work at pace to complete the necessary statutory social, economic and environmental assessments. These are currently being undertaken and we are progressing them as a matter of urgency in preparation for the launch of the public consultation. Fisheries management measures will be implemented as soon as possible after this.