Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-41911

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 1 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages schools to teach pupils about the Scottish enlightenment, including its impact in Scotland and beyond, and to what extent the subject is taught.

It is important that young people are supported to develop an understanding of the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, and an appreciation of local and national heritage within the world. While the curriculum in Scotland does not mandate specific areas of history to be taught in schools, the experience and outcomes cover a range of key themes which are relevant to the Enlightenment.

For example, the social studies curriculum at second level states that pupils should be able to investigate a Scottish historical theme to discover how past events or the actions of individuals or groups have shaped Scottish society. The social studies curriculum at third level states that pupils should be able to show my understanding of how people and events have contributed to the development of the Scottish nation. Further detail on these and other Experiences and Outcomes is available at:

Curriculum for Excellence: Experiences and outcomes.

Within the social studies curriculum framework, it is then for teachers and schools to determine detailed courses of learning. The number of pupils in Scotland who sat Advanced Higher History was 1,305 in 2025. The Scottish Government does not hold data on the extent to which schools cover the Scottish enlightenment within the Broad General Education.

In the senior phase history qualifications, there is a further option to focus on Scotland: from the Treaty of Union to the Enlightenment, 1707–1815 as a field of study in Advanced Higher. Pupils also have an opportunity to undertake an assignment as part of qualifications in the senior phase and have the option to focus on an area of history which is of interest to them. The SQA’s Advanced Higher History course specification provides further detail on the Scottish enlightenment field of study, confirming that it covers cultural achievements of the Enlightenment, including: education and attitudes towards improvement; history, philosophy, social commentary; contacts with England and Europe; architecture, painting, literature; poetry and the languages of Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-05227

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with UK Government ministers regarding the devolution of additional powers to the Scottish Parliament, including those over alcohol and tobacco duty.

Question reference: S6W-42139

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 November 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in accordance with section 61 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, when it plans to take forward regulations to change the economic index for the uprating of mobile home pitch fees.

Question reference: S6F-04479

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2025

To ask the First Minister what impact the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement will have on Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-42016

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when the refreshed strategy for the life sciences sector will be published.

I am pleased to confirm that the Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland 2035 Vision: Accelerating Growth, Driving Innovation has been published today. Link: https://www.lifesciencesscotland.com/life-sciences-strategy-for-scotland

The Strategy was developed in partnership with the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group and sets out the shared commitment and confidence of the triple helix model between industry, Government and the university base in Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises the Life Sciences sector as one of Scotland’s most productive, high-growth sectors, that provides high quality jobs and supports better healthcare across the country.

Together with industry and academia, we are determined to see the industry grow and thrive over the next ten years.

Question reference: S6O-05159

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Pride in Place Programme.

Question reference: S6W-41352

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost the Scottish economy in the financial year 2025-26.

The increase in employer’s national insurance contributions is imposing additional costs on businesses and public services in Scotland’s economy. Published Scottish Government analysis shows that for affected businesses, the average increase in NICs per employee is estimated to cost a business £850 and the total cost to a business is around £24,500 on average. These changes will disproportionately impact on businesses in industries such as hospitality or social care, hitting lower paid and part-time staff. This follows on from other UK Government decisions, such as austerity and Brexit, which have contributed to Scottish households now being over £10,000 worse off than other European countries.

Scottish Government continues to raise the impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions with the UK Government, and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury this month to set out our priorities for the UK Budget.

Question reference: S6W-41348

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost each NHS board in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

We are engaging with NHS boards and COSLA to understand the cost impact caused by the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

Question reference: S6W-41347

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost each integration joint board in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

We are engaging with the Integration Joint Boards and COSLA to understand the cost impact caused by the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

Question reference: S6W-41350

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost the third sector in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has estimated that the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance will cost Scottish voluntary organisations £75 million per year.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. This includes the vital services provided by third sector organisations. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

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