- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42938 by Neil Gray on 21 January 2026, what action it will take to address its inability to obtain this information, in light of the Audit Scotland report, Delayed discharges: A symptom of the challenges facing health and social care, which was published on 8 January 2026 and recommended that "the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Healthcare Improvement Scotland, integration authorities and their partner NHS boards and councils, should...over the next 12 months, work together to develop and action an implementation plan to share learning and practice from digital solutions used for tackling delayed discharges, early intervention and prevention”.
Answer
As indicated in the answer to S6W-42938, spend on IT is a matter for NHS Boards and is not held centrally.
The member will be aware from the answer given to S6W-42937 on the 22 January 2026 that the Scottish Government welcomes Audit Scotland’s report and has asked the Collaborative Response and Assurance group to come together to consider these recommendations as a whole and develop a partnership approach to addressing them.
The Scottish Government remains committed to sharing learning and practice from digital solutions and will work with our partners to further develop this approach.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rising cost of electricity transmission charges, in light of reported concerns that these are undermining the economics of offshore wind projects.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose, and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage and Officials regularly raise this with UK Government including most recently with Minister Shanks on Wednesday 21 January at the Offshore Wind Roundtable.
We are unequivocal that the UK Government must, as a matter of urgency, set out the long-term direction of reforms to the transmission charging regime. The current charging system makes Scottish projects less competitive in Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions and undermines investor confidence. We have therefore been equally clear that the UK Government must also set out measures to address the impacts of unfair transmission charges in the short to medium term.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the safety of fixed ankle leashes in water sports, and what consideration it has given to regulating the sale and use of these for such purposes.
Answer
We are committed to increasing opportunities for people to participate in sport and be active. At the same time, the safety and wellbeing of all who participate is paramount.
The use of safety equipment in sport is not a legal requirement but rather will be determined by relevant governing bodies, international federations, or specific competition rules.
Advice on the use of ankle leashes have been developed by Scottish Governing Bodies of sport and supported by national bodies such as Water Safety Scotland, the RNLI and Paddle UK.
The Scottish Government encourages any participant in sport to ensure they have the appropriate safety equipment for the activity in which they are engaging.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Friday, 23 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will update cervical screening information to raise awareness that cervical screening cannot detect other cancers, such as ovarian cancer.
Answer
The NHS inform webpage for cervical screening has been updated to highlight that cervical cancer screening cannot detect other cancers of the reproductive system, such as ovarian cancer. In addition, NHS Scotland’s Get Checked Early cervical screening webpage also advises cervical screening cannot detect other cancers.
Public Health Scotland have also confirmed that cervical screening public information resources, such as the information leaflets provided to women invited for cervical cancer screening, will be updated to make it clear cervical screening cannot detect other cancers. These resources are due to be published and distributed later this year.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Submitting member has a registered interest.
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what legal advice it has received on the legal status of the sheep of St Kilda, including whether they are considered wild animals, livestock, or fall within any other legal classification, and what implications this advice has for their ownership, management and welfare.
Answer
The content of any legal advice is confidential. By long-standing convention, successive Scottish and Westminster Governments have not disclosed the source or content of legal advice other than in the most exceptional circumstances.
The Scottish Government’s position has been established for several years and reflected in submissions to the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee. The sheep on St Kilda are regarded as an unowned and unmanaged population of wild animals. They are protected under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 when brought under human control, and at other times by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.
PE2021 EnsureAnimal Health and Welfare Scotland Act 2006 applies to the sheep on St Kilda | Scottish Parliament Website
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission have confirmed, at the request of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland, that it will establish a working group to consider the moral and ethical issues for landowners in managing feral animals in Scotland, including the St Kilda sheep, and to develop an opinion on their welfare.
The National Trust for Scotland is undertaking a full review of the situation on St Kilda and as the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands confirmed in Parliament on 08 January 2026, the Scottish Government willingness to engage and work closely with the Trust on this matter.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Landlord Registration regime, what its position is regarding whether this is functioning as planned, in light of The Highland Council reportedly stating that its officer-level escalation powers have not been exercised over multiple years.
Answer
The Landlord Registration regime is established under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, with statutory guidance issued by Scottish Ministers to support local authorities in carrying out their duties.
Local authorities are responsible for administering and enforcing the regime, and the legislation provides a range of enforcement powers that can be used to address non-compliance. It is for each authority to determine the appropriate use of these powers in individual cases.
Decisions on whether to use officer level escalation powers in individual cases lie with the relevant local authority.
We will continue to support local authorities in delivering the regime effectively, and will keep its operation under review to ensure it continues to meet its intended purpose.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding will be made available to (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) Argyll and Bute Council to fund the pledge to deliver free Learn to Swim sessions, which was set out in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27.
Answer
The draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 delivers a significant uplift in funding to sport. This allows us to deliver on our key ambition of ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn basic swimming skills, building confidence and safety in and around water.
We will work with Scottish Swimming and sportscotland to design a phased national roll-out of the National School Swimming Framework, ensuring the funding is targeted into addressing inequalities in access to swimming lessons across all local authority areas. That work is due to commence imminently.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Landlord Registration regime, whether a
so-called light touch approach is compatible with local authorities' statutory
enforcement obligations in cases where escalation powers are not being applied.
Answer
The Landlord Registration regime is established under the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, with statutory guidance issued by Scottish Ministers to support local authorities in exercising their functions.
Local authorities are responsible for delivering the regime and for determining how best to meet their statutory enforcement obligations using the powers available to them. A proportionate or risk-based approach can be compatible with these duties, provided that escalation powers are used where necessary to secure compliance.
Decisions on the appropriate use of enforcement powers in individual cases rest with the relevant authority. Where appropriate, concerns about unregistered letting may be referred to Police Scotland, and tenants may seek recourse through the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber) where relevant.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been (a) allocated and (b) spent in each year since 2021 on each of its energy efficiency and decarbonisation programmes.
Answer
Data for 2025-26 is to Quarter 3 (December 2025)
Programme | Allocation 2021-22 £m’s | Spend 2021-22 £m’s | Allocation 2022-23 £m’s | Spend 2022-23 £m’s | Allocation 2023-24 £m’s | Spend 2023-24 £m’s | Allocation 2024-25 £m’s | Spend 2024-25 £m’s | Allocation 2025-26 £m’s | Spend (Dec 25) 2025-26 £m’s * |
Home Energy Scotland Advice Service | 12.0 | 12.0 | 17.6 | 17.6 | 21.0 | 20.6 | 20.1 | 19.4 | 18.2 | 12.0 |
Area Based Schemes | 64.0 | 39.6 | 64.0 | 41.5 | 64.0 | 58.3 | 55.0 | 59.7 | 59.0 | 16.1 |
HES Grants and Loans | 21.0 | 11.7 | 42.0 | 35.7 | 39.9 | 62.3 | 45.8 | 40.0 | 44.0 | 15.6 |
Warmer Homes Scotland | 50.0 | 20.7 | 55.0 | 38.8 | 55.0 | 59.8 | 65.0 | 90.4 | 90.0 | 57.5 |
SME | 9.5 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 4.2 | 8.0 | 5.4 | 3.0 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 1.2 |
Social Housing | 20.0 | 0 | 30.0 | 4.0 | 39.5 | 29.5 | 35.0 | 19.0 | 36.0 | 0.2 |
Public Sector | 8.0 | 20.2 | 25.0 | 8.8 | 50.0 | 27.7 | 40.0 | 29.1 | 32.0 | 1.9 |
LCITP/Heat Networks | 57.0 | 4.0 | 30.0 | 18.5 | 27.0 | 16.0 | 15.0 | 2.6 | 35.0 | 0.9 |
Other | 92.3 | (45.7) | 58.5 | 6.4 | 37.1 | (29.8) | 23.4 | 13.2 | 16.4 | 0 |
Affordable Housing ** | 5.0 | 0 | 10.0 | 0 | 15.0 | 0 | 40.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*Whilst spend for 2025-26 appears low, many claims are received in the final quarter of the year.
**Allocation transferred to Affordable Housing
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the provision of secure parking facilities for HGVs on the trunk road network.
Answer
The Scottish Government does intend to review the provision of secure parking facilities for HGV's on the trunk road network.
Providing adequate lorry parks would contribute to improving road safety and reducing crime and would significantly improve working conditions for HGV drivers. It would also avoid disruption in locations not designed to accommodate lorry parking. Rest and welfare facilities are a key part of national and international road freight infrastructure, and provision of these to an appropriate standard is fundamental to ensuring safe, efficient and effective supply chains. Improvements to facilities would therefore also help support the Scottish economy and its growth.
The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) ‘Recommendation 36’ includes proposals for a detailed national audit and review of support for lorry parks. This would include consultation with the freight industry, representative bodies, local authorities, and other stakeholders to collect views on the provision of lorry parks including where and what type of facilities are required.
I am meeting with the Road Haulage Association in February to discuss recommendation 36 and how Transport Scotland can support key stakeholders in the HGV industry.