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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-44090

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the current average processing time is for Adult Disability Payment applications submitted under the special rules for people with a terminal illness, and what steps are being taken to reduce waiting times.

Social Security Scotland fast-tracks Special Rules for Terminal Illness applications, aiming to make a decision within seven working days of receiving a shortened application and confirmation of a terminal diagnosis.

Latest statistics show the average processing time for Adult Disability Payment applications made under Special Rules for Terminal Illness is two working days.

Social Security Scotland promotes awareness of the Special Rules for Terminal Illness policy on its website and social media channels, highlighting the fast-track, accessible application process and the support available for individuals. The organisation engages with health and social care stakeholders to strengthen their understanding of the process. Guidance for clinicians, including from the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, is available online.

Applications received under the normal rules process are reviewed for Special Rules eligibility and, where appropriate, are fast-tracked.

Adult Disability Payment statistics can be found on Social Security Scotland's website at: Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 October 2025 - Social Security Scotland

Question reference: S6O-05649

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland region, in light of reported issues, including high vacancy rates.

Question reference: S6W-43927

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what review it has undertaken of procedures relating to the disclosure of abuse by children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity, including those children who are non-verbal.

Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that robust child protection measures are in place across Scotland, and continue to be followed at all times. This includes for children with a learning disability, autism or neurodiversity.

The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland was reviewed and updated in 2023, including specific considerations for children with disabilities. A range of research and specialist resources informed this including reports from NSPCC, Disability Equality Scotland and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

The guidance sets out that the experience of each child must be central. Their voice and feelings must be heard when people make decisions that involve them. It recognises that some children require specific assistance and communication support so that they can share their experience.

Scottish Government officials also sit on the independent Disabled Children Child Protection Network which brings together workers from across Scotland who are currently involved in working within child protection or services for disabled children. The Network aims to improve practice in the protection of disabled children by supporting practitioners to develop and share best practice. One of the Network’s current workstreams is focussed on the voice of disabled children, looking at how it is captured, responded to and used to inform decision making.

Question reference: S6W-44089

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the Early Learning and Childcare formula for funding provided to local authorities, in light of concerns that children who turn three shortly after a term start date, such as in early January, cannot access funded nursery provision until the following term.

Question reference: S6O-05563

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly reduced the funding it provides to the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award programme for 2026-27.

Question reference: S6W-42962

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 26 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Police Scotland has the capacity, training and resources to respond effectively to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) incidents in Scotland, including improving coordination with UK military EOD units to reduce response times and bolster public safety.

Officer training and the associated resources and capacity in how Police Scotland respond to incidents involving unexploded ordnance are operational policing decisions for the Chief Constable, under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), as is how they work with other agencies on this issue.

It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities including the provision of all necessary training. For the last ten years, the Scottish Government has increased the SPA budget year on year. We will invest record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing in 2026-27, a total budget increase of £81.5m or 5% compared to the published 2025-26 Autumn Budget Revision (ABR) budget.

Question reference: S6O-05388

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government action it is taking to support island connectivity in the West Scotland region.

Question reference: S6T-02831

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a postcode lottery for classroom supplies and that some schools have only 93p per child per week for basic classroom supplies.

Question reference: S6W-42780

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 7 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to a fireworks licensing scheme or restrictions on the days on which fireworks can be supplied and used.

We have aimed to strike a balance between introducing restrictions, while still enabling fireworks to be used safely in appropriate circumstances. We have already implemented four out of the six key measures provided for within the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. These include:

A prohibition on providing or making available fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to children;
A statutory aggravation for courts sentencing offenders where fireworks have been used to attack emergency workers;
Discretionary powers for local authorities to designate firework control zones; and
New offences of possession of pyrotechnics in public places and at designated venues and events.

After careful consideration and assessment, the introduction of a licensing scheme and restricting sales days were paused due to significant financial and resource implications. We are, however, keeping the pauses under review, and will continue to assess how existing measures are having an impact.

Question reference: S6W-42781

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it is taking to address the problematic use of fireworks.

The Scottish Government continues to work with partners throughout the year in addressing the misuse of fireworks. I welcome that Police Scotland reported a more peaceful and safe Bonfire Night period in comparison to recent years and that they recorded an almost 37 per cent reduction in calls relating to fireworks offences compared to the previous year. I commend the important preparatory and preventative work of Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and local authorities, including the introduction of firework control zones, which all contributed to a safer Bonfire Night.

We continue to keep the operation of the legislation under review. As the sale of fireworks is a reserved matter, I also continue to engage with UK Ministers to ensure that the Scottish Government is kept closely updated on the UK Government’s plans in relation to fireworks, including on its consideration of a Private Members’ Fireworks Bill which calls for stricter rules for fireworks sellers and a reduced noise limit from fireworks.