- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £28 million provided to local authorities in 2025-26 to support additional support needs provision in schools has been allocated to Scottish Borders Council.
Answer
Spending on additional support for learning by local authorities reached a record high of over £1 billion in 2023-24. The latest finalised local government statistics show that Scottish Borders spent £13.912 million on additional support for learning last year.
Local government will receive an additional £28 million of investment from 2025-2026 to help improve outcomes from all children and young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN) through an enhanced offer of support to develop the ASL education workforce.
The Allocation for Scottish Borders Council was £0.554m
The allocation of the £28m investment to individual authorities is based on pupil numbers, as agreed through the standard CoSLA Settlement & Distribution Group process, agreed by Leaders.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Police Scotland’s reported policy of not automatically recording the biological sex of rape or sexual assault suspects.
Answer
The recording of sex or gender in crime reporting and case management is an operational matter for Police Scotland. The Scottish Government expect Police Scotland to ensure its recording practices are compliant with legal obligations and support accurate, consistent data collection. The Scottish Government also recognises the importance of public confidence in how sensitive crimes are recorded and investigated. Police Scotland is currently undertaking a review of their recording and use of data relating to sex and gender.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of some women who experience significant delays to their ovarian cancer treatment seeking private treatment in England, what agreement is in place between NHS boards to help address this.
Answer
Formal multidisciplinary processes have been established for second opinions regarding treatment between the regional cancer centres, when required. Boards can explore the option of referral to other boards to facilitate earlier surgical dates where they feel clinically necessary.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to move towards surgery for ovarian cancer patients being undertaken after three cycles of chemotherapy, for those being treated with neoadjuvant regime, in light of its previously reported commitment to achieve this by April-June 2024.
Answer
Jenni Minto: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have and are continuing to take action to simplify scheduling of these complex cases. They have advised that achieving surgery within three cycles of chemotherapy for this patient group remains a Board priority. There is an improvement plan in place to achieve this, with actions being closely monitored.
Ongoing improvement work includes:
- Early access to radiology scanning
- Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting one week after scan results
- Efficient scheduling of colorectal input for joint surgery cases
- Additional colorectal surgical time being allocated to work with gynaecology oncology team
- Maximum use of protected 14 weekly theatre sessions
NHSGGC has advised that the number of patients receiving more than three cycles of chemotherapy while waiting surgery has significantly decreased.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 02 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to undertake a review of current ovarian cancer surgery provision, and, if not, how it plans to address the reported concerns about access to ovarian cancer surgery without undertaking such a review.
Answer
The Scottish Government is not planning to review ovarian cancer surgery provision nationally at this time as we see improvements following positive action taken by regional cancer networks and NHS Boards. The Scottish Government continues to monitor the improvement activities and support progress in improving overall care for patients experiencing ovarian cancer.
According to the most recent published data (October-December 2024), 98.4% of women are receiving their first treatment for ovarian cancer within 31 days of a decision to treat. The maximum wait during this quarter was 43 days, a decrease from 90 days in the same quarter in 2023. This includes a range of treatments, such as surgery.
I will be meeting with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde board members and clinicians in September to seek further clarity in terms of progress they have made. Officials continue to seek regular updates from all the regional cancer networks on the improvement work being undertaken.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 06 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA), last reviewed in 2020, to ensure that they provide sufficient consideration of proximity to children’s spaces and safeguards in family-dense areas, with particular reference to the impact on small rural communities.
Answer
Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) are subject to continuous improvement rather than there being a specific review cycle. In 2022, MAPPA national guidance had an extensive update while MAPPA responsible authorities work individually and collectively at a local level to improve processes, information sharing and best practice.
In additional to individual risk assessment, which is an embedded feature of the justice system, every new offender on initial registration under MAPPA is subject to an Environmental Risk Assessment which includes a review of their housing and its suitability. This risk assessment is part of the wider National Accommodation Strategy for Sex Offenders in Scotland (NASSO) which seeks to provide housing for sex offenders while managing any potential risk to the wider community. The placement of sex offenders in stable accommodation can support ongoing risk management and address risk with further offending.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 13 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its work to attract investment to Scotland, and in light of reports that MIPIM is the world’s leading property market event, what (a) the reasons are for it and (b) information it has on the reasons for Glasgow City Region not having an exhibition or events programme at MIPIM 2025, and what its position is on whether this could put Scotland and Glasgow at a competitive disadvantage in attracting investment, compared with other areas, such as Greater Manchester.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland an attractive destination for investors. Our Programme for Government committed to increasing private capital investment in Scotland through delivering a co-ordinated programme to attract investment in priority areas of net zero, housing, and infrastructure.
This programme of activity includes intensifying our targeted engagement with key investors, developing the ‘InvestScotland’ portal to showcase investment opportunities, and exploring more co-investment from public and private pension funds into Scottish projects and businesses.
It is a matter for Glasgow City Region to determine their engagement priorities.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 13 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what data it has on how the £60 million for play park renewal has been (a) allocated and (b) spent across all 32 local authorities.
Answer
Capital funding for the play park renewal programme is distributed to all 32 Local Authorities based on population of 0-14 year olds and rurality. In the first year, the formula was:
1.95% on population 0-14
2.5% on rurality
From 2022-23, the formula was:
1.93% on population 0-14
2.7% on rurality
The full table of allocations to each local authority by year is:
Local Authority | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | Total |
Aberdeen City Council | £188,000 | £185,000 | £373,000 | £559,000 | £932,000 | £2,237,000 |
Aberdeenshire Council | £296,000 | £308,000 | £616,000 | £924,000 | £1,539,000 | £3,683,000 |
Angus Council | £108,000 | £111,000 | £220,000 | £330,000 | £550,000 | £1,319,000 |
Argyll and Bute | £76,000 | £79,000 | £157,000 | £235,000 | £391,000 | £938,000 |
City of Edinburgh Council | £414,000 | £406,000 | £811,000 | £1,216,000 | £2,027,000 | £4,874,000 |
Clackmannanshire Council | £47,000 | £46,000 | £93,000 | £139,000 | £231,000 | £556,000 |
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council | £29,000 | £32,000 | £62,000 | £93,000 | £156,000 | £372,000 |
Dumfries and Galloway Council | £140,000 | £146,000 | £291,000 | £437,000 | £728,000 | £1,742,000 |
Dundee City Council | £125,000 | £122,000 | £243,000 | £365,000 | £609,000 | £1,464,000 |
East Ayrshire Council | £112,000 | £112,000 | £224,000 | £336,000 | £561,000 | £1,345,000 |
East Dunbartonshire Council | £102,000 | £100,000 | £202,000 | £303,000 | £505,000 | £1,212,000 |
East Lothian Council | £108,000 | £108,000 | £218,000 | £327,000 | £545,000 | £1,306,000 |
East Renfrewshire Council | £102,000 | £101,000 | £204,000 | £306,000 | £509,000 | £1,222,000 |
Falkirk Council | £147,000 | £145,000 | £289,000 | £434,000 | £723,000 | £1,738,000 |
Fife Council | £344,000 | £342,000 | £681,000 | £1,022,000 | £1,703,000 | £4,092,000 |
Glasgow City Council | £525,000 | £514,000 | £1,028,000 | £1,542,000 | £2,570,000 | £6,179,000 |
Highland Council | £234,000 | £245,000 | £488,000 | £732,000 | £1,219,000 | £2,918,000 |
Inverclyde Council | £65,000 | £63,000 | £126,000 | £189,000 | £314,000 | £757,000 |
Midlothian Council | £98,000 | £97,000 | £197,000 | £295,000 | £492,000 | £1,179,000 |
Moray Council | £92,000 | £94,000 | £188,000 | £282,000 | £469,000 | £1,125,000 |
North Ayrshire Council | £118,000 | £117,000 | £231,000 | £347,000 | £578,000 | £1,391,000 |
North Lanarkshire Council | £324,000 | £319,000 | £635,000 | £952,000 | £1,586,000 | £3,816,000 |
Orkney Islands Council | £24,000 | £26,000 | £51,000 | £77,000 | £128,000 | £306,000 |
Perth and Kinross Council | £140,000 | £144,000 | £291,000 | £437,000 | £728,000 | £1,740,000 |
Renfrewshire Council | £158,000 | £155,000 | £307,000 | £461,000 | £768,000 | £1,849,000 |
Scottish Borders Council | £113,000 | £117,000 | £234,000 | £352,000 | £586,000 | £1,402,000 |
Shetland Islands Council | £28,000 | £31,000 | £61,000 | £91,000 | £151,000 | £362,000 |
South Ayrshire Council | £94,000 | £94,000 | £189,000 | £283,000 | £472,000 | £1,132,000 |
South Lanarkshire Council | £298,000 | £296,000 | £597,000 | £896,000 | £1,493,000 | £3,580,000 |
Stirling Council | £84,000 | £85,000 | £168,000 | £253,000 | £421,000 | £1,011,000 |
West Dunbartonshire Council | £81,000 | £79,000 | £157,000 | £235,000 | £392,000 | £944,000 |
West Lothian Council | £186,000 | £184,000 | £369,000 | £553,000 | £922,000 | £2,214,000 |
Total | £5,000,000 | £5,000,000 | £10,000,000 | £15,000,000 | £25,000,000 | £60,000,000 |
The Scottish Government does not hold data on local authorities receipted spend on play park renewals. In accordance with the reporting template agreed with COSLA in 2021, local authorities are not required to provide a detailed breakdown of the play park renewal funding. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them based on local needs and priorities.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 13 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the (a) geographic and (b) socio-economic spread of play park renewals funded through its £60 million fund, and, if so, whether it will publish any such assessment.
Answer
The £60 million play park renewal funding is allocated to local authorities to use across their whole play estate. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them based on local needs and priorities. The Scottish Government recognise that the extent of renewal and refurbishment will be influenced by local plans and investment priorities and engagement with children and young people.
The Scottish Government does not hold data centrally on the geographic and socio-economic spread of play parks within local authority estates.
- Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 13 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any data on the inclusion of accessible or inclusive equipment in play parks renewed using its renewal funding, and whether this data will be published.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not receive data from Local Authorities on the inclusion of accessible or inclusive equipment in play parks renewed using the renewal funding. As noted in the answer to S6W-38036 on
13 June 2025, Local Authorities report annually every April on their play park renewals carried out as a result of the Scottish Government’s £60m play park renewal funding.
As noted in the answer to S6W-38037 on 13 June 2025 the Scottish Government has chaired quarterly network meetings of Local Authority play park leads. The network allows Local Authorities to provide updates and how funding is being used and to share best practice and common issues.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
