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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-43199

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many employees within the devolved civil service are currently on a development programme for underperformance.

The Scottish Government’s performance management policy and procedure provide a structured, supportive framework to help staff maintain effective performance. Under these arrangements, line managers are responsible for dealing with any concerns about performance at an early stage and on an informal basis initially. If concerns continue, formal processes can apply.

Currently, within the core Scottish Government Director-General business areas, there are 6 employees subject to formal performance management procedures for less than effective performance.

The core Director-General business areas are:

Director-General Communities

Director-General Corporate

Director-General Economy

Director-General Education and Justice

Director-General Health and Social Care

Director-General Net Zero, Director-General Scottish Exchequer

Director-General Exchequer Strategy & Performance.

Question reference: S6W-43187

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with NHS Tayside regarding mental health services, in particular the proposed move of inpatient learning disability services from Strathmartine Centre in Dundee to Murray Royal Hospital in Perth, in light of the comment by the First Minister on 20 November 2025 in which he stated that he would “give…an undertaking that I will review the issue in January, once I have seen the conclusions of the work that NHS Tayside has committed to doing...I will return to it once I see what progress has been made by December”.

Question reference: S6W-43218

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the overall pause on new health capital projects remains in place.

The pause on all health capital projects was lifted in last year’s draft budget and Programme for Government, which committed to the replacement projects for Monklands University Hospital, the Belford Hospital and the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion, as well as the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus.

As set out in the infrastructure delivery pipeline (13 January 2026), we are developing a revenue funding model to enable additional infrastructure investment across primary and community care, with a network of local care and wellbeing centres – starting with projects in Port Glasgow; East Calder and East Livingston; Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly and the range of sites further listed in the document.

We are also working with all boards to develop an NHS whole system infrastructure plan to inform future investment priorities across the estate and ensure available funding is directed to best effect.

Question reference: S6W-43210

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the programme to build three Fleet Solid Support (FFS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is facing early disruption due to a cash flow shortage at Liberty Steel Dalzell in Motherwell, which has left the company unable to purchase steel slab to start production, despite the order to supply 34,000 tonnes of rolled steel plates for the FSS programme, and whether it will engage with Sir David Murray about his reported interest in acquiring the Dalzell Plate Mill with government support.

Question reference: S6W-43220

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 assurance it has been given that local authorities are not structurally bypassing statutory enforcement provisions, and what steps might be taken to ensure that the regime operates effectively.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to administer and enforce the Landlord Registration regime in accordance with the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, supported by statutory guidance issued by Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government has not received any evidence to suggest that local authorities are structurally bypassing their statutory enforcement responsibilities.

We continue to support local authorities in delivering the regime effectively by providing guidance, sharing best practice, and monitoring issues raised by stakeholders. We will keep the operation of the regime under review and consider further measures, where appropriate, to ensure it continues to function as intended.

Question reference: S6T-02875

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent announcement that the total projected cost of MV Glen Rosa has risen by £12.5 million to £197.5million, whether it will confirm how much further public funding will be required before the vessel enters service.

Question reference: S6T-02879

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that pupils, parents and teachers may have to wait until 2031 for meaningful reform of the qualifications system, and that Qualifications Scotland will only be a rebrand of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, with many of the same structures and staff remaining in place.

Question reference: S6F-04638

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 February 2026

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to ensure the long-term financial and operational stability of specialist domestic abuse services in the Highlands.

Question reference: S6F-04651

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 February 2026

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reported warnings that a significant proportion of the medical workforce is experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout.

Question reference: S6F-04650

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 February 2026

To ask the First Minister how the new measures that the Scottish Government has announced to tackle long-term unemployment will support its work to grow Scotland’s economy.