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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: S6W-41428

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a flexible delivery model for roofing apprenticeships, including in South Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-41427

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage an uptake in construction apprenticeships, including in South Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-41426

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the barriers young people face in accessing construction apprenticeships, including in South Scotland.

The Construction Accord is a collaborative approach between the public sector and the construction industry to identify the challenges within the sector and the changes needed to improve access for young people, particularly at entry level.

To address these challenges, the Construction Accord Transformation Board has launched the Construction Workforce Mission, a strategic initiative aimed at transforming recruitment and skills development across Scotland’s construction industry, including how to attract new talent into the sector.

Question reference: S6W-41929

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve NHS boards' performance against the 62-day target for those diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Question reference: S6W-41932

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to improve prevention of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Question reference: S6F-04472

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 November 2025

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to news that public satisfaction with the NHS has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to the Scottish Household Survey.

Question reference: S6W-41627

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 31 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any recent analysis of the economic value of the A77.

The South West Scotland Transport Study (SWSTS) was undertaken as an advance study to feed in to the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) and published in March 2020. It considered the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors including those served by the A77.

As part of the study, a specialist Heavy Goods Vehicle survey noted the range of goods being transported along the A77 between Ayr and Cairnryan from which it was estimated that the value of goods was approximately £10 million per day (2019 estimate).

The importance of the A77 to the economy is recognised by its inclusion in Recommendation 40 of STPR2 which recommends safety, resilience and reliability improvements are made on the A75 and A77 strategic road corridors. These improvements will support economic development in South West of Scotland to benefit the economy and local communities.

Question reference: S6O-05170

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated in its Budget for the improvement of road safety on the A77 trunk road.

Question reference: S6W-41626

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 31 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the (a) action that it has taken and (b) engagements that it has carried out in relation to improving road safety on the A77 ahead of winter.

We are committed to improving safety across our network. Since 2007, over £146 million has already been invested on the A77 to ensure its safe and efficient operation.

Each year Transport Scotland, through its Operating Companies, undertakes a review of collisions on the trunk road network to identify cluster sites, or routes with recorded collisions that may be worthwhile of further investigation. The screening process, together with a detailed understanding of collision trends around the network, results in a prioritised programme of sites that will be investigated further. This evidence-led approach ensures that resources can be targeted at locations where the greatest potential for casualty reduction is available. This approach has been successful in reducing casualties across Scotland’s trunk road network.

In 2022, a Vehicle Activated Sign with legend ‘VEHICLES TURNING’ was implemented at the A751 junction on the A77 to warn approaching southbound drivers of potential vehicle conflicts with construction of markings and road studs completed in September 2024 and signs completed in April 2025. In Girvan, a speed management scheme, which included carriageway narrowing to improve speed compliance and walking routes for pedestrians, was constructed in March 2024. In July 2025, signalisation was introduced at A77 Doonholm Road staggered junction to reduce vehicle conflicts and personal injury collisions at the junction.

Maintenance schemes programmed from November 2025 to March 2026 include resurfacing at: Drummuckloch to Ferry Terminal, Burnside and Kilantringan to Smyrton. Drainage improvements planned during this timeframe include: A77 DBFO boundary to North of Coodham Estate, Kirkoswald, Girvan and South of Ballantrae Bridge.

The Scottish Government has committed to implement 20 mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so as set out in the Programme for Government by 31 March 2026, making our streets feel safer and encouraging active travel. In 2025-2026, on the A77 trunk road, 20 mph speed limits are programmed to be introduced in Stranraer, Cairnryan, Ballantrae, Girvan and Minishant.

Regarding engagements, on 29 October 2025, I attended the second South West Roads Focus Group meeting alongside members of the A77 Campaign Group to hear their views on prioritised maintenance schemes for the A77. My officials are committed to working alongside the campaign group to develop recommendations for targeted improvements on the A77.

To improve road safety on the A77 ahead of winter, our South-West Unit Operating Company (Amey) has submitted their Winter Service Plan for the 2025-26 season and also circulated to key operational partners. The Performance Audit Group (PAG), who provide audit and monitoring services for Transport Scotland, has completed pre-winter depot visits and preparedness audits across all Units, including the South-West Unit. Transport Scotland is facilitating a “Severe Weather Media Launch” on Wednesday 12 November at the Shettleston Rail Depot, which I will be attending. This will provide the opportunity to raise awareness of the level of preparedness and collaboration that go into keeping Scotland moving during severe weather 365 days a year across modes. Collaboration with our operational partners is key to the co-ordinated communications process. Our Transport Scotland communications colleagues are working with our trunk road maintenance contractors (Operating Companies & DBFOs), Traffic Scotland, and relevant partners in the Scottish Government to deliver shared messaging across all channels to keep traffic moving safely.

Question reference: S6W-41624

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 31 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to support people after they leave a coercive and abusive relationship, particularly in relation to financial abuse.

The Scottish Government is clear that financial uncertainty should not be a barrier to women leaving an abusive partner.

We are investing £1.5 million in a national Fund to Leave, which aims to help reduce the financial burden of leaving an abusive partner by providing financial support to help to pay for the essentials women and children need.

Our £26.1 million a year Delivering Equally Safe Fund supports a range of services for survivors of gender-based violence. The Victim Centred Approach Fund provides £12 million to 23 organisations between 2025 and 2027 for advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally we have increased funds to Financially Included to establish an economic abuse helpline.

This year we have allocated £2.2 million to roll out a national Council Tax Debt project, delivered by Citizens Advice Scotland to increase the support available to those that need advice and support on any aspect of Council Tax including arrears.