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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: S6F-03906

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2025

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government is considering to further support Scotland's universities, in light of reports that the University of the West of Scotland reported a multi-million pound deficit in the last financial year, with other universities across Scotland in a similar financial position.

Question reference: S6F-03892

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2025

To ask the First Minister, regarding any potential impact on planning legislation in Scotland, what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that the UK Government has proposed giving people living near power infrastructure hundreds of pounds off their bills each year.

Question reference: S6F-03891

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-03890

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-35353

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of what the potential impact on hospital audiology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) services waiting lists would be, if all eligible adults with age-related hearing loss were treated in primary care audiology instead

Audiology is considered as a clinical priority area and the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland.

Whilst our response to the Independent Review of Audiology in Scotland is implemented, we will continue to work with the NHS, Third Sector and private providers to identify and cost an appropriate model of community care for any future service reform and ensure that the voices of those with lived experience inform this work.

Scottish Government officials and the Centre for Sustainable Delivery national planned care team meet monthly with Chief Operating Officer and / or Acute Directors from all Health Boards to review performance and delivery across all Planned Care specialities, including ENT.

Question reference: S6W-35425

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to the reported community concerns regarding the culling of feral goats in the Scottish Borders, and whether a form of protected status is a potential option to preserve their existence.

Question reference: S6W-35376

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support parents on lower incomes who are disproportionately affected by infant formula pricing due to reported higher rates of formula feeding, in light of the evidence heard by the Competition and Markets Authority during its infant formula and follow-on formula market study.

The Scottish Government continues to take wide-ranging action to support low income households, including allocating over £3 billion a year to policies which tackle poverty and the cost of living. This investment includes £6.9 billion for benefits expenditure such as the Scottish Child Payment.

Last year we published a Toolkit which seeks to help staff and services in local areas develop an integrated, cross-sector response to ensure babies are fed responsively, whether formula or breastfed or both.

I would encourage anyone in need to contact their local authority or a health professional, such as a health visitor, midwife or family nurse, in order to ensure they are getting the holistic support they need, including financial advice and a referral to cash-first crisis supports.

Question reference: S6W-34886

Asked by: Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what projects in South Lanarkshire were awarded funding in year (a) 3 and (b) 4 of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults is managed and distributed locally by Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) across Scotland. Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLAN), the TSI for South Lanarkshire, was awarded £881,768 in Year 3 of the Fund to distribute to local projects. A full list of projects which received funding in Year 3 can be found on the Scottish Government website at:

Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults Projects awarded funding Year 3 - 2023/2024

In Year 4 VASLAN were awarded £890,697.55. We do not yet have the list of projects funded in this year, as TSIs are due to submit their end of year reports by 31 March 2025. A full list of projects funded in Year 4 will be made available on the Scottish Government website thereafter.

Question reference: S6W-34802

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with educational bodies regarding their use of artificial turf and crumb rubber on (a) playgrounds and (b) playing fields.

Artificial grass pitches play an important role in the delivery of sport and physical activity across Scotland, helping the nation to lead more active, healthy lives. Well maintained artificial pitches allow for year-round, intensive use and can provide significantly more playing hours than traditional grass pitches.

sportscotland, our national agency for sport, are part of the UK Artificial Grass Pitch forum monitoring work on the long-term viability of these products. sportscotland continue to engage with educational bodies and key partners across the sporting sector in the development of synthetic pitches and surfaces.

Although it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage their school estate, sportscotland continue to engage with educational bodies and key partners in the development of synthetic pitches and surfaces.

Question reference: S6W-34881

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what role the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland plays in monitoring psychiatric inpatient facilities for children, and whether it will review the effectiveness of any such oversight.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is an independent organisation established to safeguard the rights and welfare of patients under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. Reports of visits along with any recommendations are published by the Commission to ensure standards of care are maintained and enhanced and that human rights are respected.

The MWC has a duty to visit people who are receiving care under mental health and incapacity legislation. The purpose of these visits is to hear directly from the person receiving care and treatment whether they feel their rights are being respected.

There are limits to the MWC’s scope and powers. While they visit individuals and provide recommendations to boards, they do not carry out inspections or audits of services and they do not have powers to enforce their recommendations.

Scottish Ministers have commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland and MWC to undertake a programme of joint visits to all three mental health adolescent inpatient units and the National Child Inpatient Unit, with a focus on care quality, patient safety, and patient experience. We will work with scrutiny bodies to determine the best way to implement wider recommendations following the Independent Mental Health Scrutiny and Assurance Evidence Review.