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 1311 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-44159

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government in what ways it works with Scottish universities to review the courses that they offer to students, including new courses that can help address skill shortages.

Universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own operational decision making, and this includes determining which courses to run.

The Scottish Government has committed to leading skills planning nationally, whilst strengthening regional approaches. We have agreed a high-level, skills planning model with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to deliver this commitment. The skills priorities we will collectively identify with stakeholders will be able to inform decisions that universities make about the courses they offer.

Question reference: S6W-44202

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government where in Moray its proposed new walk-in GP clinic will be located, and when it is expected to open.

NHS Boards submitted formal proposals for walk-in services in their Board area in response to a formal commission from DG Health and Social Care on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Proposals were generated that considered the needs of local populations, taking into account local issues and circumstances.

There will be 3 pilots located in NHS Grampian, one in each of their Health and Social Care Partnership areas. NHS Grampian intend to open the Moray site in Summer, however they are not in a position to confirm the location. Further details will be announced when possible.

Question reference: S6W-44160

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any analysis of the number of undergraduate courses that are not available at Scottish universities but are available at universities in other UK nations.

Question reference: S6O-05708

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that NHS Grampian is looking to save £177 million over the next five years, what impact this will have on the board's staff and services, and, in particular, on Dr Gray's Hospital.

Question reference: S6W-44284

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the most up to date total cost is of the (a) MV Glen Sannox and (b) MV Glen Rosa, including ongoing repairs.

Question reference: S6W-44200

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much of its National Drug Mission Fund has been spent on (a) rehabilitation services and (b) non-rehabilitation services, in each year since it was launched.

National Mission on Drugs funding for rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation services can be found across the following sources in the public domain:

National Mission Annual Report

The Scottish Government publishes an annual National Mission report. The report is structured to relate to the six outcomes and six cross-cutting priorities in the National Mission Plan. Outcomes and cross-cutting priorities chapters have the following format: an overview provides context, including data, to understand the scope and purpose of the outcome. Progress set out our activities related to the outcome throughout the reporting period: the projects being delivered across sectors, locally and nationally have been highlighted, including dedicated funding and case studies.

The National Mission annual report finance sections aim to provide greater transparency of National Mission funding. Section 8.3 shows the funding distribution and section 8.4 shows the funding commitment and theme. The reports for financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 are available at:

National Mission on Drugs: annual report 2024-2025 - gov.scot

National Mission on Drugs: annual report 2023-2024 - gov.scot

National Mission on Drugs: annual report 2022-2023 - gov.scot

National Mission on Drugs: annual report 2021-2022 - gov.scot

As the 2025-26 financial year has not yet concluded, full financial details will be published in the 2025-26 National Mission annual report, however, current forecasts suggest spending will be broadly in line with 2024-25 levels.

National Drugs Mission Funds annual report

The Corra Foundation publish an annual report on projects funded via the National Drugs Mission Funds and are available at:

National Mission Drugs Funds Report 2024-2025

National Drugs Mission Funds Report 2023-2024

National Drugs Mission Funds Report 2021-2023

Alcohol and Drug Partnerships funding allocations

Funding allocated to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) is available at: Alcohol and Drug Partnerships: funding allocations - gov.scot

Question reference: S6W-44283

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has with solicitors about (a) the timely conclusion of missives and (b) conveyancing delays.

Question reference: S6W-44289

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it can offer to Moray Council to help expedite the safe reopening of Lea Bridge in Forres.

Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads and associated infrastructure in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

As part of the record funding package for Local Government, in 2026-27, Moray Council will receive £246.3 million to fund local services which equates to an extra £12.3 million or an additional 5.3% compared to 2025-26 alongside full discretion over decisions on Council Tax.

The vast majority of funding available to councils is provided by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on maintenance of local roads and bridges, on the basis of local needs and priorities

Question reference: S6W-44282

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any economic analysis of delays to the conclusion of missives between buyers and sellers of residential properties.

Question reference: S6W-44199

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much Social Security Scotland spent on polling services to conduct its survey on tackling stigma around social security.

Pre and post-campaign surveys provide essential insight into the performance of marketing activity and help ensure campaigns are targeted and cost-effective. The two surveys related to the Tackling Stigma campaign together cost £7500.

Data from the pre-campaign survey directly informed the campaign’s development and design, including media activity, social media content, and stakeholder toolkit. The results of campaign surveys will be used to evaluate the campaign’s overall impact and improve performance of future activity.

Under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, the Scottish Government has a statutory duty to promote the take-up of devolved benefits. The Poverty Alliance’s Get Heard Scotland report (2024), commissioned by the Scottish Government, highlighted the impact of stigma on benefit take-up and recommended a public awareness campaign to normalise social security as a human right and improve awareness of entitlements. The Tackling Stigma campaign was developed in line with the Poverty Alliance’s recommendations.