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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-42781

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it is taking to address the problematic use of fireworks.

The Scottish Government continues to work with partners throughout the year in addressing the misuse of fireworks. I welcome that Police Scotland reported a more peaceful and safe Bonfire Night period in comparison to recent years and that they recorded an almost 37 per cent reduction in calls relating to fireworks offences compared to the previous year. I commend the important preparatory and preventative work of Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and local authorities, including the introduction of firework control zones, which all contributed to a safer Bonfire Night.

We continue to keep the operation of the legislation under review. As the sale of fireworks is a reserved matter, I also continue to engage with UK Ministers to ensure that the Scottish Government is kept closely updated on the UK Government’s plans in relation to fireworks, including on its consideration of a Private Members’ Fireworks Bill which calls for stricter rules for fireworks sellers and a reduced noise limit from fireworks.

Question reference: S6W-42696

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on the number of babies who are expected to require transfer to one of the three specialist neonatal intensive care units remaining under its proposed reforms, per year.

The RSM report, published on 29 May 2024, New Model of Neonatal Care – RSM UK Consulting - Report, included data collection and modelling alongside engagement with both operational and strategic stakeholders, to validate data, generate and test planning assumptions.

Activity and capacity data was collected from each of the eight units included within the model scope, as well as Public Health Scotland (PHS) and, Scottish Specialist Transport and Retrieval (ScotSTAR) / Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS). The report has undergone a detailed review by the Perinatal Sub Group (PSG) and has benefited from discussion with the three elected Regional Planners and Chief Executives.

The report to date has been well received and supports the findings of the options appraisal report.

Question reference: S6W-42495

Asked by: Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-05250 by Kate Forbes on 4 December 2025, and in light of the First Minister stating on 3 September 2025 that “anyone watching the war in Ukraine would recognise the importance of defence…the invasion shows that we live in a world in which our national security faces much greater and more immediate threats”, what action it is taking to ensure that the aerospace, defence, marine and space sectors can support national resilience, economic growth and domestic capability, within the context of devolved powers.

We are committed to supporting Scotland’s aerospace, defence, marine and space sectors who are fundamental to our national security and a strategic driver of economic growth, supporting high-quality jobs and developing the workforce of the future.

On 3 September 2025, recognising the changing international landscape—particularly the invasion of Ukraine— the First Minister announced the lifting of the policy prohibiting the use of public funds for the manufacture of munitions across the defence sector.
The Scottish Government, through its enterprise agencies, provides targeted support to companies across these sectors, since 2006-07, over £90 million has been invested in these sectors, securing highly-skilled jobs and economic returns. Recent examples include:
- £9.22 million awarded to BAE Systems to support a training and skills academy as part of a project to modernise shipyards on the Clyde, creating around 300 new jobs and securing over a thousand more.
- A £9 million grant to ZeroAvia to establish a major green aircraft engine manufacturing base in Scotland, creating around 350 jobs and unlocking significant investment, building on an earlier £20 million investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank.
- Up to £2 million invested to develop engineering skills in the Glasgow City Region, designed by the Clyde Maritime Cluster in partnership with Skills Development Scotland.
- Over £300k invested to drive innovation and growth across Scotland’s space sector, including cluster-building for Space Scotland and cross-cluster pilots using satellite data to enhance natural capital.
Ministers continue to engage with industries across these sectors including on the opportunities presented in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy such as the Defence Growth Deal. With its skilled workforce, strong industrial base and culture of innovation, Scotland is well placed to attract continued investment in cutting-edge defence and technology programmes.

Question reference: S6W-42521

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government which organisations that had previously received support from the Equality and Human Rights Fund in each of the last five years have since had their funding discontinued, broken down by the reason for the discontinuation.

Question reference: S6W-42811

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6F-04556

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04571

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support those affected by fuel poverty, in light of the recent rise in energy prices and their potential impact on the cost of living for households in Scotland.

Question reference: S6F-04558

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 05 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04557

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04564

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the rollout of the £2 bus fare cap pilot agreed as part of the 2025-26 budget negotiations.