Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 48968 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-41789

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 20 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effects of local authority savings measures on (a) schools, (b) nurseries and (c) educational support services.

Question reference: S6W-41837

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 20 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it will bring the A75 and A77 up to the standard required for major freight traffic to Cairnryan Port.

The A75 and A77 are vital components of Scotland’s strategic trunk road network, providing essential links between Cairnryan Port and the wider UK and European markets. Both routes are designed to higher standards than local roads, with features that support durability, safety, and resilience.

The South West Scotland Transport Study (2020) highlighted their economic importance: the A75 west of Dumfries carries goods worth around £20 million daily, while the A77 south of Ayr carries £10 million daily, the highest HGV proportions in the region.

Since 2008, significant investment has been made:

A75: Six major schemes, including alignment upgrades, overtaking lanes, and the Dunragit Bypass, totalling over £50 million.

A77: Five major improvements, including the £29 million Maybole Bypass opened in 2022, totalling £64 million.

Maintenance spend since 2007 has been substantial, £173.1 million on the A75 and £146.7 million on the A77, with further allocations in 2024/25 of £20.8 million and £12.5 million respectively. Upcoming works include resurfacing, drainage, and targeted upgrades.

Looking ahead, Recommendation 40 of STPR2 commits to further improvements in safety, resilience, and reliability on both routes. This will include enhanced junctions, additional overtaking opportunities, and carriageway widening or realignment to address pinch points.

A75: Design and assessment work to consider options for realigning the A75 trunk road with bypasses at the villages of Springholm and Crocketford is underway and proceeding at pace. This work will culminate in the identification of a preferred route option for the scheme in early 2027.

A77: Work is underway to further develop and prioritise locations on the A77on the single carriageway section south of Ayr identified as part of STPR2 Recommendation 40. This will include further business case development and stakeholder involvement in this process.

This demonstrates the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring these critical corridors meet the needs of major freight traffic and support Scotland’s economic connectivity.

Question reference: S6W-41719

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S6F-04008 by John Swinney on 24 April 2025 and S6O-04959 by Natalie Don on 18 September 2025 regarding the mothballing of rural nurseries and the ongoing review of the guidance given to local authorities on this, in light of local authorities being required by legislation to review their nursery provision and the minister's commitment that the Scottish Government would aim "to provide an update to Parliament [on the review] as soon as possible during the autumn term", whether it will confirm by what date the review will be published.

The review of the national guidance on the mothballing of schools and Council-run nurseries has required extensive engagement work with groups including councils and parents’ representatives. This work is nearing completion, and the Scottish Government will update Parliament as soon as possible.

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (section 50) requires local authorities to consult every two years with families in their area about how they should make ELC available and then publish a service delivery plan. This duty helps local authorities to ensure an appropriate mix of provision within their area that reflects local circumstances and allows for choice.

Question reference: S6O-05192

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of NatureScot's species licensing review, including timelines for producing and implementing recommendations for improvements alongside charging for licensing services.

Question reference: S6O-05203

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether patient complaints and feedback about the care they have received from NHS boards are used to inform inspections undertaken by Health Improvement Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-05200

Asked by: Davy Russell, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what specific action it has taken to address waiting lists for hip and knee replacement surgeries.

Question reference: S6O-05201

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with the chief executive of NHS Grampian to discuss healthcare in Moray.

Question reference: S6O-05190

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the Scottish Economic Link licence is working.

Question reference: S6O-05219

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its previous answer on 12 November, whether it will take the lead in establishing a common housing register in Glasgow to simplify applications and address the city's long social housing waiting lists.

Question reference: S6O-05202

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its decision to narrow the eligibility criteria for the autumn COVID-19 booster, what assessment it has made of the cost to the NHS and the impact on hospitalisation rates.