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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-41862

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 25 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the definition of “processing” being expanded under the new EU traceability regime, which takes effect on 10 January 2026, and that only seafood “frozen and/or packed without further processing” is exempt, how many businesses in Scotland it estimates will be subject to the new documentation requirements.

The requirement for processing statements currently only applies to seafood caught by non-UK vessels and processed in the UK prior to export. Rather than the definition being “expanded”, from 10 January 2026, the requirement for a Processing Statement will also apply to seafood caught by UK vessels and processed in the UK before export to the EU.

The EU have confirmed that where fish has only been subject to freezing and/or packed after landing and prior to export, they will not require a Statement.

Given the complexity of the seafood export supply chain, it is difficult to estimate the exact number of businesses impacted. However, given many of our exporters undertake processing that will be captured by the new requirement, we expect a significant number of Scottish businesses to be impacted.

Question reference: S6W-41865

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 25 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans are in place to help any of Scotland's seafood businesses that might not be ready in time for the new EU traceability rules, which come into effect on 10 January 2026, and therefore are unable to export to the EU.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) are responsible for updates to the IT system – the Fish Export Service (FES) – which exporters will use to provide the enhanced processing statements, catch certificates and other documentation required by the EU from 10 January 2026.

We are seeking assurances from UK Government that appropriate support will be available through MMO to deal with any immediate industry issues arising – including for out of hours service given the nature of seafood exports often occurs outwith routine business hours.

Question reference: S6W-41839

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 25 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its responsibilities are as a partner of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme.

The Home Office is leading the cross-government Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP) to deliver the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) critical communications system, in which the Scottish Government is a Funding Sponsor Body.

In addition to funding the Scottish share of the programme, the Scottish Government is responsible for working in partnership with the Home Office and the Scottish emergency services to ensure that ESN meets their operational needs, and that the network coverage is at least as good as Airwave, the existing communications system. In addition, the Scottish Government provides funding directly to the Scottish emergency services to support and de-risk their transition to ESN.

Question reference: S6W-41866

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 25 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with UK-wide agencies, industry bodies and the EU to ensure that there is as smooth a transition as possible to the new EU traceability regime, which comes into effect on 10 January 2026, to allow Scotland's seafood businesses to maintain competitive access to its largest market.

The programme of informing the UK industry of these changes is being led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) with input and support by Devolved Governments.

We would encourage industry to engage with the process and attend the virtual engagement sessions raising any concerns or questions they may have. The changes being introduced by the EU are mandatory for all imports of fisheries products entering the EU from all third countries after 10 January 2026 so there is no alternative to compliance when trading.

Alongside other Fisheries Administrations, we have been seeking clarity, via UKG engagement with the EU, on the most pressing areas where questions remain, so responses can then be passed to industry.

Marine Directorate compliance officials are also flagging the MMO guidance as part of their routine engagement with industry. A dedicated Scottish mailing address has also been created and communicated to industry to field direct queries to.

For those impacted, they should talk with other industry representatives and their associations to ensure as many as possible are aware of the changes and what additional actions will be required from each other to facilitate continued trade.

Question reference: S6W-41804

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 21 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent in total to date on consultancy fees in relation to the development of the MyCare.scot app.

National Education for Scotland (NES) holds the contract with BJSS for the development of MyCare.scot. The estimated value of this contract for 2025–26 is currently between £4.5 million and £5 million, subject to change depending on the pace of delivery.

In addition, the Scottish Government has spent £11,880 to date on QI Consulting. This work supports assurance activity for the wider programme and is not associated with the development of the MyCare.scot application.

Question reference: S6W-41741

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 21 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent AI was used in the process to determine the awarding of funding from the Future Farming Investment Scheme, and for what reasons.

As was made clear to Jamie Halcro Johnston and Douglas Ross in the Chamber on 5 November 2025, the claims that an AI based system was used to assess applications are not correct. Applications were assessed through a standardised framework that cross checked application data against the Single Application Form (SAF) and other system held data to ensure consistency, transparency, and audit defensibility.

Assessment work was led by the Agricultural Development Team, supported by staff from across the RPID area office network, which is experienced in delivering Scottish Government grant schemes. Independent validation was undertaken by a Project Board, which also included RPID Area Office representatives, as well as being reviewed by Internal Audit representatives.

Question reference: S6O-05222

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-41808

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are employed by Scotland’s Migration Service as of 31 October 2025.

Question reference: S6W-41738

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40374 by Jim Fairlie on 22 September 2025, how many applications for funding from the Future Farming Investment Scheme were (a) awarded and (b) not awarded support, broken down by area office.

Area Office	Grant Offers	Value of Offers (£)	% of Total Applications Supported	% of Total Scheme Budget
Ayr	268	£3,584,147.01	16%	17%
Benbecula	14	£97,720.42	2%	0.46%
Dumfries	168	£2,266,981.61	10%	11%
Elgin	60	£710,093.55	3%	3%
Galashiels	169	£2,448,442.06	10%	11%
Golspie	12	£155,201.11	1%	1%
Hamilton	96	£1,221,845.17	6%	6%
Inverness	64	£815,729.28	4%	4%
Inverurie	318	£3,926,865.68	18%	18%
Kirkwall	62	£744,915.16	4%	3%
Lerwick	59	£401,996.66	5%	2%
Oban	59	£727,252.93	4%	3%
Perth	252	£3,347,703.92	14%	16%
Portree	6	£59,278.85	0%	0.28%
Stornoway	4	£40,238.70	0%	0.19%
Thurso	61	£842,139.07	3%	4%

Question reference: S6W-41737

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the share of successful awards for the Future Farming Investment Scheme was reportedly 38.22% for Ministerial Priority Groups.

The priority group applicants who were successful were those who provided a combination of accurate information in their application, sufficient detail of their planned investment and their planned investment demonstrated strong alignment with the scheme objectives.

Although eligible applications from priority groups were given an uplift as part of the scoring criteria, priority status alone did not guarantee funding. Funding was awarded only where applications met all verification checks and the planned capital investment would deliver strongly against the schemes objectives, which is why only a proportion of priority applicants ultimately received support.