- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 6 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether any NHS boards have discontinued the supply of nasal naloxone, and, if so, which boards, and what the reasons are for this in each case.
Answer
The Scottish Government is unaware of any NHS Board having discontinued the supply of nasal naloxone.
All NHS Boards in Scotland have access to both nasal and injectable formulations of naloxone as part of Scotland’s national harm-reduction approach. The exception is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which has historically utilised injectable naloxone within its services and did not introduce nasal naloxone into routine clinical provision. As such, nasal naloxone has not been discontinued in that Board area, as it was not previously adopted.
Decisions regarding formulation reflect clinical practice, service delivery models and operational considerations, while maintaining alignment with national policy to ensure timely access to life-saving overdose reversal medication across Scotland
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 6 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of the provision of nasal naloxone in tackling drug-related deaths.
Answer
The Scottish Government considers the provision of nasal naloxone to be an essential harm-reduction measure in tackling drug-related deaths. Naloxone is the recognised emergency antidote for opioid overdose, and both nasal and injectable formulations are central to preventing fatal overdoses.
Nasal naloxone enables rapid, easy-to-use overdose reversal, particularly for individuals without clinical training. Its availability increases access by allowing police officers, community members, families and bystanders to respond quickly in an emergency. The national rollout across Police Scotland further demonstrates its value in providing immediate, life-saving intervention.
Overall, the provision of nasal naloxone significantly strengthens Scotland’s public health response and supports the National Mission to reduce harm and save lives.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 5 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to (a) expanding four-day working week trials, (b) moving towards a 32-hour working week within the public sector and (c) promoting fair working time practices, as part of its wider commitment to wellbeing and sustainable development.
Answer
Scottish Government committed to a Four Day Working Week pilot in the public sector to explore the wellbeing and productivity benefits that a shorter working week could bring. The pilot was delivered in partnership with The Autonomy Institute and identified several examples of more efficient and innovative working practices at Accountant in Bankruptcy and South of Scotland Enterprise. The pilot formally concluded on 03 November 2025 and the evaluation report can be accessed here - Four day working week pilot - Public sector pay - gov.scot
Whilst there are no plans for any further trials or a broader move to a 32-hour week across government, the learnings from the pilot will be integrated into the Public Service Reform Programme to inform future productivity improvements. Scottish Government continues to support flexible working arrangements that enhance wellbeing and operational efficiency, including the recent move to a 35-hour working week framework.
While the legal powers governing flexible working are currently reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to working with employers to explore ways of promoting and encouraging flexible, agile and inclusive workplaces that benefit all workers and employers. Since 2020/21, we have provided over £1.5m in funding to help promote and support employers and workers across Scotland to adopt flexible workplace practices.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the National Child Mortality Database finding that one in 14 children who die in England have closely related parents, and whether it plans to review Scottish marriage law to ban first-cousin marriage as a result.
Answer
The recommendations of the National Child Mortality Database study emphasise the importance of timely and appropriate genetic testing and clear communication to support informed decisions about pregnancy, clinical care and family planning.
The Scottish Government does not have any plans to ban first-cousin marriages in Scotland.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020 will come into force, and what its position is on whether there would be less instances of female genital mutilation if it had been brought into force in 2020.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s intention is that the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020 will be commenced by December 2026. Work is progressing with necessary partners towards this deadline.
FGM has been illegal in Scotland since 1985 and there is no evidence to indicate that it is taking place in Scotland. The Act will strengthen the existing legislative framework offering extra protection to women and girls through statutory guidance and protective orders, which allow the courts to impose conditions which will prevent someone from taking a girl abroad for FGM.
While the Act is not yet in force, existing legislation and measures and child protection orders, remain available to protect any child who may be at risk.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require NHS Scotland to issue guidance on any potential genetic risks associated with children born to parents who are first cousins.
Answer
Couples who are first cousins need, and want, to be supported and empowered to understand the potential genetic risks within their families and the potential impact on any children. Clinical services and guidance are currently available within the NHS to cope with the current level of demand for those aware of genetic risks within their families or with children already suspected of having an inherited genetic condition.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care last met with Police Scotland to discuss any impact associated with the Thistle drug consumption facility.
Answer
I have not held a meeting with Police Scotland specifically to discuss the impact of the Thistle drug consumption facility. However, Scottish Government officials maintain regular engagement with Police Scotland and local partners to monitor the delivery of the service and any identified community impacts.
Operational policing of the facility and surrounding area remains a matter for Police Scotland, which retains operational independence. In addition, an independent evaluation of the pilot is under way and will assess a range of outcomes, including community impact and any unintended consequences, and will inform future decisions regarding the service.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care last met with residents in Calton to discuss any impact associated with the Thistle drug consumption facility.
Answer
I have not held a meeting with residents in Calton specifically to discuss the impact of the Thistle drug consumption facility. However, Scottish Government officials continue to engage regularly with local partners, including Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, to monitor delivery of the service and any identified community impacts.
In addition, an independent evaluation is under way. This evaluation will assess a range of outcomes, including community impact and any unintended consequences, and will inform future decisions regarding the service.
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what renewed action it will take to improve tree equity in Scotland’s urban areas.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2026
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 25 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what projects have been delivered as a result of any funding provided to the Scottish Drugs Forum in the last five years.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the important contribution that the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) has in delivering services to people who use substances. The Scottish Government has provided funding to the SDF for a number of projects over the past five years (2021-22 – 2025-26) from both Alcohol and Drugs Policy and Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Policy.
A list of SDF projects delivered with Scottish Government funding is provided below. Total funding for each year is provided in response to question S6W-43679 on 25 February 2026.
Drugs Policy Funded Projects by year
2021-22
Project | Purpose |
Core Funding | To support SDF’s organisational infrastructure and fund core projects aligned with the aims and outcomes of the National Mission. |
Lived and Living Experience Engagement | Ensuring the voices of people with living experience influence service developments, service delivery, policy and strategy development. |
Naloxone Campaign | National promotion to increase naloxone uptake and awareness. |
Naloxone Promotional Items | Materials to support naloxone awareness. |
Naloxone supplied to Police Scotland | Supply of naloxone kits to Police Scotland. |
Local Support Fund Team | Support for applicants to the Corra-administered National Drugs Mission Local Support Fund. |
Harm Reduction Training | Delivery of workforce harm reduction training. |
2022-23
Project | Purpose |
Core Funding | To support SDF’s organisational infrastructure and fund core projects aligned with the aims and outcomes of the National Mission. |
Lived and Living Experience Engagement | Ensuring the voices of people with living experience influence service developments, service delivery, policy and strategy development. |
Harm Reduction Post | Training on wound care, injecting risk, naloxone and other harm reduction measures. |
Local Support Team | Support for applicants to the Corra-administered National Drugs Mission Local Support Fund. |
Peer Naloxone: Prisons | To increase access to naloxone among the prison population and on release. |
2023-24
Project | Purpose |
Core Funding | To support SDF’s organisational infrastructure and fund core projects aligned with the aims and outcomes of the National Mission. |
Lived and Living Experience Engagement | Ensuring the voices of people with living experience influence service developments, service delivery, policy and strategy development. |
Addiction Worker Training Programme | To expand the reach and scale of the programme which to supports people with lived or living experience of drug or alcohol problems into employment. |
Local Support Team | Support for applicants to the Corra-administered National Drugs Mission Local Support Fund. |
Peer Naloxone: Prisons | To increase access to naloxone among the prison population and on release. |
2024-25
Project | Purpose |
Core Funding | To support SDF’s organisational infrastructure and fund core projects aligned with the aims and outcomes of the National Mission. |
Emergency Response Post | To contribute to Scotland’s resilience and capacity to identify and respond to emerging drug trends and associated harms, including injecting wounds and outbreaks of infection. |
Lived and Living Experience Engagement | Ensuring the voices of people with living experience influence service developments, service delivery, policy and strategy development. |
Addiction Worker Training Programme | To expand the reach and scale of the programme which to supports people with lived or living experience of drug or alcohol problems into employment. |
Local Support Team | Support for applicants to the Corra-administered National Drugs Mission Local Support Fund. |
Peer Naloxone: Prisons | To increase access to naloxone among the prison population and on release. |
Blood Borne Viruses funded projects by year
2021-22
Project | Purpose |
BBV – People Who Inject Drugs | Programme aimed at reducing BBV infections and unplanned pregnancies. |
BBV – Specific Populations | Supports workforce working with chemsex, IPED use and prostitution. |
BBV – Vulnerable Young People | Training workforce supporting young people at risk. |
Emergency Responses | To support Scotland’s readiness and response to outbreaks of infection among people who use drugs. |
HCV Uptake & Awareness Training | Improves hepatitis C awareness and treatment uptake. |
Hepatitis Scotland | Leads voluntary sector response to viral hepatitis. |
2022-23
Project | Purpose |
BBV – People Who Inject Drugs | Programme aimed at reducing BBV infections and unplanned pregnancies. |
BBV – Specific Populations | Supports workforce working with chemsex, IPED use and prostitution. |
BBV – Vulnerable Young People | Training workforce supporting young people at risk. |
Emergency Responses | To support Scotland’s readiness and response to outbreaks of infection among people who use drugs. |
Harm Reduction Training | Workforce training on harm reduction. |
Hepatitis Scotland | Leads voluntary sector response to viral hepatitis. |
2023-24
