Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 45689 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-41387

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, what its position is on whether it is appropriate for the BS 8414 cladding system test to reportedly still form part of Scotland’s building standards technical handbooks for demonstrating compliance for external wall cladding systems.

Question reference: S6W-41388

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it, or any of its agencies, including the Building Standards Division, has had with local authorities across Scotland regarding the use of the BS 8414 cladding system test, to ensure notification is given if the test is used to demonstrate compliance for external wall cladding systems.

Question reference: S6W-40843

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently living with incurable secondary breast cancer, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-40854

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is investigating abuse experienced by children in care, in Scotland, between 1930 and 2014. The Inquiry has reviewed a wide range of care settings and, to date, has completed nine phases of public hearings, held over 558 days of hearings, heard from over 1,350 witnesses and published 15 volumes of case study interim findings.

The Inquiry has to date examined evidence regarding: (a) the legislative and regulatory frameworks for children in care; (b) the historical practice of child migration; (c) residential establishments run by religious orders; (d) residential establishments operated by non-religious or voluntary organisations; (e) independent boarding schools; (f) foster and kinship care settings; (g) secure care and young offenders institutions; and (h) specialist schools and healthcare establishments.

In December this year, the Inquiry will begin its public hearings in relation to Phase 10 of its investigations, focusing on children's residential care provided by local authorities.

The Scottish Government continues to participate fully in the Inquiry process, providing government records and making submissions as required by the Inquiry.

The Inquiry has cost £98.7 million to date. Whilst the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is funded by the Scottish Government it operates, like any other public inquiry, independently of government. The Chair of the Inquiry, Lady Smith, has an ongoing duty to avoid unnecessary costs. The Inquiry routinely publishes its expenditure on its website.

When the Inquiry concludes, it will publish a final report that may make recommendations to improve practice, policy and legislation. The Scottish Government is committed to carefully considering the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations.

Question reference: S6W-40715

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether its ministers were aware of reports that marketing officers took part, as substitutes for company founders, in international trips under the publicly funded Techscaler programme.

During Techscaler’s initial pilot cohort to Silicon Valley, two Chief Marketing Officers attended in place of their respective founders, who were unavailable. These individuals were nominated by the founders, and CodeBase confirmed that it was entirely appropriate for senior sales and marketing specialists to participate.

Given the small size and structure of most start-ups, Chief Marketing or Sales Officers are typically among the most senior employees and play a direct role in securing customers, generating revenue and raising investment. Their participation was therefore consistent with the objectives of the programme, ensuring that companies were effectively represented and able to maximise the commercial value of the visit.

Ministers were fully briefed on the purpose and objectives of the pilot programme. As Techscaler has matured, the eligibility criteria have continued to be refined. While founders or co-founders are preferred, substitutes may be approved where they are best placed to engage with the target market and achieve the intended outcomes.

Question reference: S6W-40717

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reported concerns regarding the alleged misuse of funds in the publicly funded Techscaler programme, what assessment it has made of any reputational risk to Scotland as a result of any such activity.

Far from damaging Scotland’s reputation, the Techscaler programme has enhanced it. Through its international activity, Scottish start-ups have secured multiple export contracts, with six participants raising £5.4 million in investment and several others now in active discussions with global investors.

By showcasing Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent on the world stage, Techscaler has helped put our nation firmly on the international start-up map. It has hosted inward visits from twelve countries – including the United States, Singapore and China – all keen to learn from the model and explore opportunities to invest in Scotland.

As Sandeep Casi, a Tokyo-based partner at Antler, a global venture capital fund, observed: “The quality of the founders that travelled to Japan is proof that Scotland is set for success. Japan can be a key territory to drive this.”

Question reference: S6W-40842

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support women living with secondary breast cancer.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting those living with cancer, including those with secondary breast cancer, to deal with the financial, emotional, and physical health effects of their diagnosis.

We are currently working in partnership with Macmillan to improve the service we offer patients with cancer through the Transforming Cancer Care Programme (TCC). This joint partnership with Macmillan is worth £27 million and is the first of its kind in the UK. The programme ensures that people affected by cancer in Scotland, which includes those living with secondary breast cancer, have access to a specialist key support worker, who can provide emotional, financial, and practical support.

Further, the Single Point of Contact (SPoC) approach ensures that people recently diagnosed with cancer have person-centred support and can discuss their specific circumstances. This will help ease any anxieties related to their care and treatment plans and relay the support available to them and their families. We continue to invest in SPoC pilots and are actively considering how best to scale up the approach to benefit all patients with cancer in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-40875

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on allowing children and young people from rural areas who have cancer and must travel significant distances for day care and treatment, and who are currently excluded from accessing the Young Patients Family Fund, to access this Fund to support their travel costs.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant challenges faced by children and young people with cancer, particularly those living in rural and island areas. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to healthcare and support for all patients, regardless of geography.

While there are currently no plans to expand the eligibility criteria for the Young Patients Family Fund, which is designed to support families of young inpatients, additional support is available through NHS Boards’ patient travel reimbursement schemes. Boards have the flexibility to consider individual circumstances and make decision in the best interests of patient care and wellbeing.

These schemes provide financial assistance for eligible patients and authorised escorts, including for outpatient appointments and day treatments, and apply to travel both within and outside Scotland. All eligible patients aged 16 and under automatically qualify for an escort.

Question reference: S6W-40713

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish in full all promotional material, invitations and the selection process for any overseas trips that have taken place under the Techscaler programme.

International programmes are advertised to Techscaler members.

Under the terms of the contract, we have also instructed CodeBase to publish promotional material for future activities to enhance transparency and public awareness.

In addition, CodeBase will undertake a retrospective communications campaign to share details of all international pop-up activities and the lessons learned from them, demonstrating how participant feedback has been used to refine and strengthen programme delivery.

Question reference: S6W-40712

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 16 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how attendees for trips under the Techscaler programme to Singapore and Silicon Valley are selected, including what selection criteria are applied.

In the early stages of the programme, a small number of companies were identified directly by CodeBase, drawing on its position as a national start-up incubator with a deep understanding of Scotland’s start-up economy. This approach ensured that the most promising and investment-ready firms were able to represent Scotland and maximise the impact of participation. In doing so, CodeBase considered factors such as company revenue, investment raised, plans for expansion into US or APAC markets and the importance of diversity and regional representation.

As the programme has matured, this has developed into a formal, open and competitive system, with future cohorts chosen through that process and supported by structured pre-departure preparation.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with CodeBase to drive continuous improvement, drawing on participant feedback and lessons learned from each cohort.