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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: S6W-41006

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide inflationary uplifts to college budgets, in light of Audit Scotland’s finding in its recent report, Scotland’s Colleges 2025, that no such uplifts have been applied to budgets in 2025-26 despite rising costs.

At this point in the budget cycle no decision has been made on the funding that will be made available for colleges in financial year 2026-27. The Scottish Government recognises the critical role that colleges play in delivering high-quality education, is aware of the pressures colleges are facing and remains fully committed to working constructively with the sector. The College Tripartite Alignment Group has membership from a range of colleges, the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government and provides strategic direction on the pressures and opportunities facing colleges. You can read more about the Group’s activities here Colleges: Tripartite Alignment Group - gov.scot.

Question reference: S6W-40997

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings on the college sector workforce in the recent report by Audit Scotland, Scotland’s Colleges 2025, how many teaching and support staff left Scotland’s colleges through (a) voluntary and (b) compulsory severance in 2023-24.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on staffing levels and future workforce plans: operational decisions are for individual colleges to determine.

Colleges are responsible for making workforce-related decisions in line with legislative requirements, the Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges and the Scottish Funding Council’s Financial Memoranda. Such decisions may be necessary to respond to the changing needs of the local economy and industry skills demands, as well as ensuring the institution is financially sustainable.

The Scottish Government expects any workforce restructuring decisions to be informed by Fair Work principles, following meaningful engagement with staff and trade unions.

Question reference: S6W-41000

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that apprenticeship funding reaches colleges more directly, in light of the recent report by Audit Scotland, Scotland’s Colleges 2025, which found that only 40% of Scottish Government funding reaches some colleges that deliver training.

We recognise that managing agents undertake a range of valuable services to support apprentices and employers. This includes pre-assessment, support materials, pastoral care and the delivery of final assessments (where appropriate).

The role, responsibilities and funding arrangements for managing agents are being considered as part of our work on apprenticeship reform. We are committed to working with Colleges Scotland, managing agents and key agencies including SDS and the SFC, to ensure that apprenticeship funding is sustainable for the future and focused on supporting apprentices to train and progress.

It is important that we retain all of the very best elements of the current system while maintaining best value for public funding.

Question reference: S6W-41043

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to advise businesses that employ courier staff that any e-bikes being utilised must not be ridden on pedestrian footpaths and pavements.

The Scottish Government works closely with local authorities, Police Scotland, and other stakeholders in this area. Enforcement of traffic laws is, however, a matter for Police Scotland. In 2025-26, Police Scotland is receiving a record £1.64 billion in funding. Police Scotland’s Road Policing Division has been engaging with stakeholders regarding the safe use of e-bikes.

Police Scotland have actively collaborated with food delivery companies and have recently supported a rider engagement event in Glasgow City Council. The food delivery company set up a tent, provided safety equipment to riders and Police Scotland were on hand for advice and positive engagement.

Question reference: S6W-40994

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent report by Audit Scotland, Scotland’s Colleges 2025, which highlights that two colleges required liquidity support from the Scottish Funding Council in 2023-24, what criteria were used to approve this support.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) regularly monitors and engages with the colleges and universities it funds as part of its role in ensuring the sustainable and coherent provision of fundable further and higher education.

It is for SFC to consider the criteria used to approve liquidity support. Given that the circumstances of individual colleges will differ, each case will be considered on its own merit.

Question reference: S6W-41045

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to local authorities to stop e-bikes being ridden on pedestrian-only footpaths and pavements.

Enforcement of the law in respect of moving e-bikes is a matter for Police Scotland. More generally, under section 1 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 all local authorities have a statutory responsibility with Police Scotland to develop a strategy for dealing with antisocial behaviour in their local areas which they shall keep under review. The Scottish Government supports local authorities with record funding, with an increase in real terms of 5.5% for 2025–26.

Question reference: S6W-41044

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to ensure that e-bikes on public roads and footpaths do not exceed the legal limit of 15.5mph.

The Scottish Government is working closely with Police Scotland regarding the antisocial use of vehicles, including e-bikes. Enforcement is, however, a matter for Police Scotland, and Police Scotland regularly keep their approach to the illegal use of e-bikes under review. Local policing teams are best placed to identify misuse and work to prevent future incidents.

If e-bikes exceed the legal limit of 15.5mph and have a power output of more than 250 watts, police officers are able to treat the bikes as vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. Vehicles can be seized if the driver does not have a full driving licence, the vehicle is not insured, or if the driver is not wearing an approved helmet.

Question reference: S6W-40871

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 being named by the US State Department in its United Kingdom 2024 Human Rights Report in the context of “areas of concern, including involving restrictions on political speech deemed ‘hateful’ or ‘offensive’”, and what its position is on the assessment made in the report by the US State Department.

It is important to live in a society where human rights are sacrosanct. Hate crime is the term used to describe behaviour which is both criminal and rooted in prejudice, or which is intended to stir up hatred. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 provides greater protection for victims and supports people to feel safe. Its commencement was welcomed by the UN Human Rights Committee, in their 8th review of UK performance under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Hate Crime Act includes rigorous safeguards on free speech, and protection for freedom of expression is embedded in the Act. It does not criminalise anyone who wishes to debate, discuss or criticise any matters in a non-threatening or abusive manner, and is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 10 which protects everyone’s right to freedom of expression.

Question reference: S6W-40905

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many small-scale abattoirs have closed in each year since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-40903

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been (a) allocated to and (b) distributed from the Small Producers Pilot Fund in each year since it was established in December 2023.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producers Pilot Fund (SPPF) received £180,000 in initial funding, followed by £1 million allocated for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

To date, £581,488 has been distributed: £273,209 in 2023–2024, £274,657.74 in 2024–2025, and £33,621.26 so far in 2025–2026.

This year, we have committed additional allocations including £200,000 for the Practical Training Fund, £500,000 in capital investment, and £55,000 to support the Small Producer Info Hub. Applications have already been received from several abattoirs, with combined value of £236,000, and ministers remain open to further submissions.