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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.

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Question reference: S6O-05326

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the constitution secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the potential implications for Scotland’s relations with EU member states of the UK rejoining the Erasmus programme.

Question reference: S6O-05348

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support young people to engage with the consultation on updating the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967.

Question reference: S6O-05352

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to devise, and deliver to every school pupil, a programme that provides the opportunity to learn how to touch type.

Question reference: S6O-05337

Asked by: David Torrance, MSP for Kirkcaldy, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it anticipates the abolition of the not proven verdict will improve victims’ experiences of the justice system.

Question reference: S6O-05327

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken since the publication of the independent review into Creative Scotland to implement its recommendations.

Question reference: S6O-05336

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve family support services within the prison estate.

Question reference: S6W-42540

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 17 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the confirmation process for executors to get authority to manage and distribute a deceased person's estate.

The Scottish Law Commission recently started a review of Scots executry law, which includes the need to seek confirmation. The project may review, amongst others, whether confirmation should continue to be a judicial process and whether some or all of the executry process could be simplified through the use of online or simpler processes. The Commission is always keen to engage with stakeholders who might be affected by the subject matter of any project, and who wish to contribute. Further information can be sought at info@scotlawcom.gov.uk. The Scottish Government will consider any recommendations for reform the Commission may make.

Question reference: S6W-42319

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 17 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it used to justify its original timetable for heat pump installation requirements, and what new evidence informed its subsequent decision in November 2025 not to introduce a Heat in Buildings Bill in the current parliamentary session.

We remain committed to decarbonising heat in buildings and achieving net zero by 2045. For the majority of homes, heat pumps or heat networks are likely to be the best clean heat solution. However, we do not have, and have never had, heat pump installation requirements.

We had intended to introduce the Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill (previously known as Heat in Buildings Bill) in this parliamentary session. We wanted Parliament to scrutinise the draft Bill using the latest information, including the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan. However, that plan has been delayed and, with little time left in this parliamentary session, we have therefore concluded that the Bill should be paused until the UK Government clarify their position.

Question reference: S6W-42324

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 17 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any link between its decision to end the local connection rule and the reported rise in homelessness presentations from refugee households.

The changes to local connection legislation made in 2022 only suspended referrals of homeless households to another local authority in Scotland on the basis of local connection. It made no change to referrals for households with a local connection to a local authority in England or Wales, and the legislation did not change rules for refugee households who have left asylum accommodation.

An increase in demand for homelessness services in Scotland from households with recent positive leave to remain decisions, including households travelling from other parts of the UK, are not the fault of refugees, who continue to be valuable members of our communities. Instead, pressures on housing and services have been driven by successive UK governments’ mismanagement of asylum policy, inadequate planning and a lack of financial assistance, which places people at risk of homelessness and destitution.

Question reference: S6W-42318

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 17 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any financial and regulatory uncertainty created for households and industry by the repeated postponement of legislation on greener heating systems.

A clear framework for the transition to clean heating will give industry and homeowners the certainty they need to invest, boost heat network development and set a long-term direction of travel that is deliverable and affordable. However, repeated delays to the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan have left key questions unanswered. It is vital that we have a fully informed debate on the Bill when it is brought forward, with proper scrutiny that includes UK plans and affordability impacts.

Meanwhile, we are taking the steps that we can and preparing the ground for a robust, future-proofed approach that serves Scotland’s long-term interests. We have published the draft Bill and explanatory notes, and we are engaging with stakeholders.