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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-40701

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 1 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to improve clinical training and pathways for diagnosing and managing migraine.

We recognise the distress and pain that migraines cause and we take the issue of migraine seriously.

The Centre for Sustainable Delivery launched the national headache pathway in October 2023, to improve care for migraines and headache across Scotland. The pathway is being implemented to aid with the diagnosis and management of headache disorders including migraine, offer guidance on management, and support health boards to aid their future planning.

Additionally, NES Pharmacy hosted a webinar in September 2024 to provide guidance to pharmacy staff on the assessment, support and management of people living with migraine in line with the Scottish National Headache Pathway.

Question reference: S6W-40666

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding fire-raising and antisocial behaviour in Mid Scotland and Fife.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been working closely with partners, including Fife Council, to address a previous rise in fire-related antisocial behaviour. SFRS believes prevention and education to be the best method of dealing with fire-related antisocial behaviour and has confirmed that this partnership approach has contributed to a recent decline in such behaviour locally.

SFRS staff work year-round to share key fire safety guidance and to engage communities on the dangers and consequences of deliberate fire-setting. The Service’s Youth Volunteer Scheme operates in areas across Scotland, including in Methil, and is open to all 12 to 18 year-olds.

Question reference: S6W-40660

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the crew structure for MV (a) Hamnavoe, (b) Hjaltland, (c) Hrossey, (d) Hildasay and (e) Helliar, under schedule 4 of the Northern Isles Ferry Services Contract 2020-28.

Question reference: S6W-40667

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding antisocial behaviour and fire-raising, how it is working with local fire services to ensure they are adequately resourced and supported to deliver local patrols and community engagement.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has four national youth engagement services on offer ranging from primary, secondary and tertiary interventions depending on local partnerships, funding and need. These are:

FireSkills – This is a fully flexible programme, free for those aged between 12-18, consisting of a range of sessions based on firefighter drills, adapted to provide a unique opportunity and learning experience for young people.
FireSkills Employability Award (FEA) - Building on the sessions from FireSkills, the FireSkills Employability Award has been developed in partnership with Ayrshire College and demonstrates the SFRS commitment to supporting the attainment challenge by providing the best opportunities for young people through providing formal recognition of their achievement.
Fire Safety Support and Education (FSSE) - SFRS works in partnership to deliver FSSE to those under the age of 18. Through a programme of tailored interventions, FSSE offers a flexible approach to assist in the early intervention of those who demonstrate an unsafe interest in fire or fire related anti-social behaviour. The scheme aims to educate young people and their families on fire safety and consider wider implications and impact of their actions.
Youth Volunteer Scheme (YVS) – SFRS’s YVS is a free national youth initiative that creates opportunities for young people aged 12-18. The main objective of YVS is to provide a safe, welcoming, enjoyable and fun environment where young people can learn as individuals, develop positive relationships and actively work together for a safer Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-40665

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress made on each of the recommendations in the Report from the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour since its publication in February 2025, and what steps it is taking to accelerate implementation.

Since the report from the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour was published on 25 February 2025, the Scottish Government has been engaging with partners including COSLA and Police Scotland regarding a comprehensive response. The Scottish Government’s response to the report will be made available to both Members of the Scottish Parliament and the wider public as soon as practicable.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with partners, including antisocial behaviour teams in local authorities, regarding best practice in this area. The Government also engages with colleagues in Police Scotland and other agencies to ensure they have the capacity and capability for tackling antisocial behaviour.

Question reference: S6W-40661

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the annual freight volumes carried on the MV (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay under the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract have been since 30 June 2020 to date.

Question reference: S6W-40475

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 19 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the concluding observation by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2023 that all marriages of under-18s should be prohibited in Scotland, what progress it has made with increasing the legal age of marriage to 18, and by what date it will publish its consultation on this matter.

The Scottish Government is taking seriously concerns that 16- and 17-year-olds may need more protection. Our consultation on a range of family law matters, including whether we should legislate to raise the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership to 18, is in the latter stages of preparation and will be published this Autumn. The responses to the consultation will, along with other available evidence, help inform our decisions on next steps.

Question reference: S6O-04945

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with authorities in Mid Scotland and Fife to address antisocial behaviour.

Question reference: S6O-04897

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on work to improve safety on public transport.

Question reference: S6W-39279

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an updated timetable for the application and allocation process for freight facilities grants, including when the projects will receive their funding.

Freight Facilities Grant for 2025-2026 opened to applications on 7 April and closed on 1 May. Any company which wants to move freight by rail or water rather than by road and which is proposing to invest in new freight handling facilities in Scotland or re-invest in existing facilities in Scotland was able to apply for an FFG. Applications were considered against published criteria on what is and is not eligible under the scheme.

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their bids shortly. Payment of grant to any successful applicants will be made no later than 31 March 2026.

Lane Meters
	Hildasay	Helliar
30 Jun 2020 - 30 Jun 2021	194,180	174,447
1 Jul 2021 - 30 Jun 2022	214,412	190,072
1 Jul 2022 - 30 Jun 2023	197,638	190,899
1 Jul 2023 - 30 Jun 2024	212,222	185,072
1 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2025	207,824	217,451
1 Jul 2025 - 31 Aug 2025	37,897	39,922

Total	1,064,173	997,863