The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-38181

Asked by: Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS primary care audiology services in (a) addressing any inequality in access to and (b) reducing wait times for adult ear and hearing care needs.

The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland. However, in considering the future direction for the audiology sector, it is right that we move forward in step with the work of the Independent Review of Audiology and this – together with the wider financial and strategic context in which we are currently operating – has necessitated the re-phasing of our commitment on community hearing. We will continue to meet with Professional Bodies, NHS services, third sector, private providers and individuals with lived experience to help inform decision-making as our work progresses.

The 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for health and social care - with NHS boards receiving an additional £200 million to reduce waiting lists and help support reduction of delayed discharge. Ear, Nose and Throat will be an important part of this work, with over £9 million being allocated as part of this funding.

In addition, NHS Boards have been proactive in addressing waiting times by releasing additional appointments and reducing their failed to attend rate.

There has also been substantial work to redesign patient pathways and Specialist Audiologists/Diagnosticians now handle referrals traditionally made through Ear Nose and Throat. This practice not only reduces Board costs for unnecessary medic time and expertise, but also directs the patient to the correct speciality and reduces the number of appointments needed overall.

Question reference: S6W-38191

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) accountability and (b) monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure that Scottish Enterprise’s review of its human rights due diligence processes is undertaken in line with relevant international human rights standards.

The Scottish Government’s human rights due diligence guidance sets out recommendations on how we, our executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies should undertake due diligence on an individual or company’s human rights record before entering into an investment relationship.

It is for the accountable officer of each agency and non-departmental public body to ensure that their organisation complies with guidance issued by Scottish Ministers.

Scottish Enterprise is progressing in its work on its review and the Scottish Government continues to stay in close contact with Scottish Enterprise on this. I will update Parliament and wider stakeholders once the review has concluded.

Question reference: S6W-37869

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the emergency composite motion, “Legal Protection for Gender Identity and Trans Rights”, which was passed at the Scottish Trades Union Congress in Dundee on 30 April 2025.

The Scottish Government notes the emergency composite motion from the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

The motion calls for updates to be made to the Equality Act 2010 with respect to the protected characteristic groups as defined in the 2010 Act. As the Equality Act 2010 is a mainly reserved piece of legislation any updates to protected characteristics under the Act would have to be brought forward by the UK Government.

The Scottish Government believes in equality and fairness for all. Our 2025-26 Programme for Government includes a commitment to create safe spaces for the LGBTQI+ community - funding work that tackles discrimination and upholds the human rights of this group, including through the Equality and Human Rights Fund, and progressing actions within the Non-Binary Equality Action Plan.

Question reference: S6W-37870

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998, how it will ensure that the human right to respect for private life is protected in the implementation of any measures that it is taking as a result of the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

Question reference: S6W-38192

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects Scottish Enterprise to have finalised the review of its human rights due diligence processes.

Question reference: S6W-37868

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working (a) in Scotland and (b) with the UK Government to ensure that everyone has the right to live and work freely from discrimination and harassment, regardless of gender identity.

The Scottish Government believes in equality and fairness for all. Our 2025-26 Programme for Government includes a commitment to create safe spaces for the LGBTQI+ community - funding work that tackles discrimination and upholds the human rights of this group, including through the Equality and Human Rights Fund, and progressing actions within the Non-Binary Equality Action Plan.

Protections from discrimination and harassment for those with protected characteristics are guaranteed under the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 is a mainly reserved piece of legislation and is regulated and enforced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Any changes to the Equality Act 2010 would be for the UK Government to consider and take forward.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government on the importance of protecting the rights of all to live freely from discrimination and harassment.

Question reference: S6W-38728

Asked by: Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to develop guidance for schools on responding to racism and racist incidents.

I can confirm that guidance on responding to racism and racist incidents in schools was published today: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836916987

This guidance forms part of a wider whole school approach to addressing and responding to racism and racist incidents, being developed by the Anti-racism in Education Programme’s racist and racist incidents workstream. The whole school approach will be published in early 2026.

Question reference: S6T-02590

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many transgender prisoners have had their criminal records erased, following a self-identification process and changing of their birth name.

Question reference: S6T-02591

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to reduce ambulance turnaround times at hospitals, in light of figures showing that so far in 2025 more than half of conveyances recorded a turnaround time of longer than 45 minutes.

Question reference: S6F-04187

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 June 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Seòmar agus comataidhean

Questions and answers

Criathragan Hide all filters

Question reference: S6W-38181

Answer

Question reference: S6W-38191

Answer

Question reference: S6W-37869

Answer

Question reference: S6W-37870

Answer

Question reference: S6W-38192

Answer

Question reference: S6W-37868

Answer

Question reference: S6W-38728

Answer

Question reference: S6T-02590

Answer

Question reference: S6T-02591

Answer

Question reference: S6F-04187

Answer