- Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the role of a respiratory Modern Service Framework in reducing winter pressures on the NHS by simultaneously improving outcomes for long-term respiratory conditions and short-term respiratory illnesses such as flu.
Answer
I refer the member to answer to questions S6W-43695 and S6W-43745 on 24 February 2026. The Scottish Government is aware of calls from respiratory stakeholders in England for a Modern Service Framework focused on respiratory care. To clarify, the UK Government has not introduced such a framework. Modern Service Frameworks are being developed for major conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, but respiratory conditions are not currently included.
The Scottish Government will continue to monitor emerging approaches from across the UK while taking forward our own long term, evidence informed approach.
The Scottish Government’s strategic direction for respiratory care is currently set through the Respiratory care - action plan: 2021 to 2026 - gov.scot. This work supports resilience across the health system throughout the year, including during periods of increased pressure. Prioritising prevention, early detection and effective long term management helps reduce avoidable exacerbations which often drive urgent and unscheduled demand during winter.
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.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect communities in light of the Community Security Trust reporting a 36% increase in antisemitic incidents in Scotland between 2024 and 2025, including the first recorded extreme violence case.
Answer
The Scottish Government stands firmly against any incidence of antisemitism. We are committed to robust and meaningful action to tackle all forms of this prejudice.
This includes yearly funding to the Jewish Council of Scotland to help build capacity for supporting those who have experienced antisemitic behaviour or are concerned by reported increases. An additional one-off grant was provided in 2024-25, in recognition of a growing demand for their services since the 07 October 2023 attacks and subsequent Middle East conflict. The UKG’s Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is also available for Jewish communities in Scotland to apply.
Ministers and officials meet regularly with Jewish organisations to discuss matters relevant to their community and the Scottish Government is committed to continuing its engagement work in this area.
Our Hate Crime Strategy, which has been informed by Jewish partners as well as Police Scotland, is vital for developing effective methods of preventing antisemitism. More broadly we work across a range of portfolios, including education, equalities and justice, to forge a collective approach against any hatred which targets our Jewish communities.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care’s
timeframe is for deciding on the second wave of the Modern Service Frameworks,
and whether respiratory conditions will be considered.
Answer
Decisions on Modern Service Frameworks are a matter for the UK Government and apply to services in England. The Scottish Government does not set the timeframe for their development and has no decision making role in determining the conditions included in any second wave.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Ben Macpherson on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address any issues regarding the potential financial burden or loss of living-cost funding associated with the different Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) funding paths for modular routes of study, such as HNC/HND to degree progression courses, which are not currently recognised as one continuous matriculation.
Answer
Eligibility for higher education student support is assessed by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) at the beginning of each separate course. Students progressing from an HNC or HND to a degree are therefore subject to a new assessment and there are existing funding pathways to support students who are progressing.
The outcome will depend on individual circumstances and what previous study they have undertaken and what financial support they have received.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on community participation and transparency of the removal of the automatic requirement for a Public Local Inquiry when a planning authority objects to an application under sections 36 or 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
Answer
While the Scottish Government has not made a formal assessment, it is our expectation that community participation and transparency will not be reduced as a result of the removal of the automatic requirement for a Public Local Inquiry when a planning authority objects to an application under sections 36 or 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
When a relevant planning authority objects to a section 36 or 37 application, the Scottish Ministers will appoint a reporter who can select the most appropriate examination procedure (written submissions, hearings, site inspections, or full inquiries) based on the specific circumstances of each case.
This follows the approach already in place under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and which is provided for in the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2013. By matching the examination method to the complexity of objections, legitimate concerns of communities will be fully evaluated in the most appropriate format, while helping to significantly reduce the end-to-end timelines of applications for energy consent.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the publication of the Long Term Conditions Framework, for what reason it was halted less than 24 hours before its planned release on 18 December 2025; what specific stakeholder feedback informed this decision; whether a final draft existed at that point; whether that draft will be published, and whether the Parliament will be granted access to it.
Answer
I wrote to third sector partners on 17 December 2025 explaining that having given careful consideration to feedback from stakeholders, the Scottish Government would take more time to work with the third sector, clinicians and others to develop a Framework that meets the needs of people living with long term conditions, and meaningfully connects with the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework.
I also met with a range of stakeholders including the third sector and clinicians on 25 February. A set of advisory groups will now be established involving them to provide interim recommendations for consideration by the next government.
A draft framework was developed but will not be published, given this new approach.
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to monitor, escalate and publicly report on the ongoing delivery of the 55 recommendations of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland report, and how it ensures that workforce shortages, variability between NHS boards and incomplete quality assurance systems do not prevent the implementation of all 55 recommendations.
Answer
The publication of the final report in March 2025 on the Implementation of the Recommendations from the Review of Audiology Services in Scotland marked the conclusion of the national programme of work.
As set out in the final report, responsibility for ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the remaining Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland report now lies primarily with NHS Boards themselves via their Audiology Local Action Plans.
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the 55 recommendations in the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland that it accepted, whether it will confirm if the draft Budget 2026-27 will dedicate funding to ensure full delivery of these audiology services reforms across all NHS boards.
Answer
NHS Boards are not allocated specific funding for audiology but rather, in line with the approach of the majority of NHS services, fund these from their overall budget. Funding decisions by boards are expected to be appropriately prioritised in line with their Audiology Local Action Plans.
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
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Date lodged: Monday, 16 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what measurable improvements in patient outcomes and service delivery have been observed since the recommendations of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland report were accepted, particularly in areas flagged as urgent, including paediatric diagnostic safety, waiting times and equitable access to audiology services across all NHS boards.
Answer
The final report in March 2025 on the Implementation of the Recommendations from the Review of Audiology Services in Scotland set out progress that has been made nationally on each of the 55 recommendations of the independent review.
As part of ongoing longer term improvement work, NHS Boards are currently undertaking a review of audiology services against the Improving Quality In Physiological Services (IQIPS) standards. This process will be completed by the summer of 2026 and will set out where Health Boards are achieving the standard, where there are any gaps, and what actions should be taken to address any such gaps.
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 13 February 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 26 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help GPs decarbonise their physical estates.
Answer
It is for individual NHS Boards to develop and implement plans to decarbonise their estates, including GP surgeries. The Scottish Government is contributing funding to support boards with this work.
The Scottish Government established the NHS Scotland Sustainability Action Programme to provide strategic oversight and support NHS Scotland to achieve their target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040 and aims for a net zero supply chain by 2045.