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 4011 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-40912

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 29 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many prescriptions have been issued by weekend pharmacy services in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S6W-40465

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comment by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on STV News at Six on 9 September 2025 that “Chronic pain sufferers have a debilitating condition that has a chronic impact on their entire ability to live life well. That is why we are investing across the health service to improve waiting times, to improve capacity within the health service", how much additional funding it has allocated from the health budget to hospital-based NHS chronic pain specialist clinics to (a) reduce waiting times and (b) improve the capacity for treatment.

We are investing £200 million across the health and social care system to increase capacity and reduce backlogs. For chronic pain services, this investment will support Health Boards to create additional appointments and strengthen the flow of patients through the system, helping more people to be seen more quickly.

We want to deliver better and more sustainable care for people with chronic pain and we have outlined the action we will take to achieve this vision in our Framework for Pain Management Service Delivery Implementation Plan.

Through our Implementation Plan we are continuing to work with partners to improve how pain services are planned and delivered. We are also working to deliver a more sustainable and knowledgeable workforce by developing specialist training routes and new resources to enhance pain education and skills amongst NHS staff.

Question reference: S6W-40458

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38195 by Fiona Hyslop on 13 June 2025, what its position is on the introduction of a potential traffic congestion charge by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The Scottish Government’s position on the introduction of a potential traffic congestion charge by the City of Edinburgh Council remains the same as the one referenced in my response to S6W-38195. Local authorities have existing discretionary powers to introduce local road user charging schemes under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001, which was brought into statute by a previous Parliament. Once the necessary regulations and guidance are in place, it will be a decision for local authorities, including City of Edinburgh council whether and how to implement schemes.

Question reference: S6W-40457

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with airport operators regarding ending airport drop-off fees for blue badge holders.

Question reference: S6W-40461

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the framework legislation on the matter, how it will enforce Sections 13 and 19 of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 to ensure that funds raised by a local authority through such a levy are reinvested in tourist infrastructure only.

Sections 13 and 19 of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 set out requirements for local authorities to consult prior to introducing a visitor levy scheme, and to use the net proceeds of any scheme to support facilities and services substantially for or used by visitors. Local authorities are required to publish details of their schemes and report annually on their operation, including how funds have been used.

Question reference: S6W-40109

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 18 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many bowling greens/bowling clubs there have been in each local authority area in each year since 1999.

Question reference: S6W-40463

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns of the operators that will be required to apply the City of Edinburgh Council’s visitor levy to advance bookings from 1 October 2025, that they have not been provided with practical guidance on how to do so, and whether it has engaged with the local authority on this matter.

The City of Edinburgh Council has published detailed information on the implementation of its visitor levy scheme, including the treatment of advance bookings. The Council has committed to providing further practical guidance and support to accommodation providers, including a payment platform and training from March 2026. The Scottish Government continues to engage with the Council and the wider sector to support effective implementation.

Question reference: S6W-40462

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of people residing in Scotland being liable for such payments, whether it will hold a public information campaign highlighting who might be asked to pay a visitor levy as a consequence of the discretionary powers made available through the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of clear public communication and is working with VisitScotland and other partners to develop guidance and support materials. It is primarily for local authorities to make visitors aware of any levy in operation in its area, given these can vary by local authority. Businesses must also make clear that any visitor levy is included in the total price paid by the guest or that it is liable to be paid directly to the accommodation.

Question reference: S6W-40464

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 18 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38180 by Ivan McKee on 9 June 2025 regarding the current model of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, whether it will (a) provide an update on the progress of the discussions with the tourism sector regarding the model, including any proposed alternatives and (b) confirm what changes have been agreed to the model, and what the timeline for the implementation of these will be.

The Scottish Government has engaged extensively with the tourism sector throughout the development of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, including through a national consultation and the establishment of an Expert Group chaired by VisitScotland.

Ministers are aware that some areas of Scotland are seeking greater flexibility in how the levy is applied and administered. Consequently, we are now considering how to extend further powers to local authorities, in the future, including the option to introduce a single flat rate or tiered flat rate model alongside the existing percentage-based approach. This follows stakeholder feedback and would preserve local discretion. Any future changes will be shaped by consultation and evidence and I will update Parliament as officials progress this work.

Question reference: S6W-40313

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 17 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish, for each year since 2020, school-level data showing the (a) number and (b) percentage of pupils attaining (i) SQA National Qualifications at SCQF Level 6 (Highers and equivalent) and (ii) other SCQF Level 6 awards, such as Foundation Apprenticeships and National Progression Awards.

The Scottish Government has published school-level information in the Schools Information Dashboard covering the percentage of pupils attaining qualifications at each SCQF level. This covers all SCQF qualifications including National Qualifications and vocational and technical qualifications and awards such as (but not limited to) Foundation Apprenticeships and National Progression Awards.

The dashboard is available via the following link: Secondary School Information Dashboard