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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-40904

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 new small-scale abattoirs have been built as a result of funding from the Small Producers Pilot Fund in each year since it was established in December 2023.

None.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producer Pilot Fund (SPPF) has not provided direct funding for the construction of new small-scale abattoirs. Instead, it is designed to support small producers by offering flexible financial assistance and connections to local food supply chains, abattoirs, and small businesses across Scotland.

The SPPF is a pilot support mechanism co-designed with the Ministerially appointed Small Producer Steering Group. It aims to strengthen local supply chains and improve access to private kill services, by empowering small producers to play a key role in realising our Vision for Agriculture.

Question reference: S6W-40906

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 what its response is to the finding in the report, Abattoir Users Survey 2025, that "58% of respondents believed their business would not be profitable without selling direct to consumers or through local markets".

The Abattoir Users Survey 2025 notes that the direct selling model referenced is heavily dependent on private kill and further processing services offered by small and local abattoirs. The Scottish Government is therefore proud to have committed to continuing support for small abattoirs and producers, through the Small Producers Pilot Fund (SPPF). In 2024-25 this provided almost £300,000 in resource funding for a number of abattoirs engaged in private kill, mainly the facilitation and co-ordination of small producer access to private kill services. This year, we are providing up to £1 million through our SPPF to support Scotland’s small producers, and Ministers remain open to receiving further grant applications.

Question reference: S6W-40902

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 what its response is to the finding in the report, Abattoir Users Survey 2025, that "across England, Wales and the UK overall, the average distance [travelled to the nearest abattoir] fell within the 31-40 mile range" but that, in Scotland, it fell "into the 61-70 mile bracket".

The Scottish Government understands that distance to an abattoir can be a challenge in some places. There are a number of factors at play, including Scotland’s geography, reflected in the fact that Scotland’s population density is 70 per square kilometre and 9.2 in the Highland council area, compared with 395 in England and Wales. Travel from Scotland’s islands to a mainland abattoir is also a consideration. We recognise these challenges which is why our Small Producers Pilot Fund plays a key role in facilitating access to abattoirs across the country and especially in rural and island areas. This has included funding for private kill coordinators to support the efficient transport of livestock, as well as support for groups seeking to undertake feasibility studies. Throughput is of course vital in this regard to ensure that plants are fit for purpose and have a viable future.

Question reference: S6W-41123

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the new traineeship scheme for legal aid will look like.

In order to increase the capacity and capability of the legal aid profession in Scotland, the Scottish Government is planning to create a new Legal Aid Traineeship Fund. This new fund will build on the success of the first fund announced in December 2020 which provided funding of up to £1 million to support 40 new legal aid trainees across Scotland. The 2020 fund was managed by the Law Society of Scotland and supported new talent through the duration of their traineeships.

The Scottish Government is committed to taking on feedback from an evaluation of the 2020 fund. My officials are closely engaging with the Law Society of Scotland and the wider legal profession, and discussions on the specific design of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, are ongoing. A commitment has been given to funding up to 20 traineeships in the first instance.

Question reference: S6W-41040

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with livestock marts, particularly those specialising in cattle trading, regarding its policy to mandate the use of ultra-high frequency (UHF) cattle electronic identification (EID) tags by 2026.

An industry led EID pilot has directly engaged with 18 auction marts, 14 abattoirs and 425 farms from across Scotland, as well as those across the border. The pilot has concluded its findings with a report published in 2023, highlighting improved Health and Safety as one of the many advantages of ultra-high frequency (UHF) due to reduced animal handling. The Scottish Government also meets regularly with the Bovine EID Industry Stakeholder group, which includes the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).

Question reference: S6W-41408

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39405 by Tom Arthur on 6 August 2025, whether bereavement and grief support provided by NHS boards or third sector organisations is always available free of charge; and whether the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Intervention services can be accessed at any time following pregnancy or baby loss.

Question reference: S6W-41428

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing a flexible delivery model for roofing apprenticeships, including in South Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-41427

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage an uptake in construction apprenticeships, including in South Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-41426

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the barriers young people face in accessing construction apprenticeships, including in South Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-41429

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the (a) accessibility and (b) affordability of scaffolding training, including in South Scotland.