The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-43685

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents, complaints or safeguarding referrals involving biologically male prisoners held in women’s prisons have been recorded since 2018.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS take all complaints seriously and ensures that they are dealt with in an effective manner, including the option to confidentially raise a concern directly with the Governor in Charge.

Due to changes in recording procedures - including Records System (PR2) capabilities, incident reporting changes and the application of two Transgender Policies during the relevant period, SPS cannot accurately provide the data requested.

Question reference: S6W-43665

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the budget for the Young Patients Family Fund being reduced by almost £2 million since its launch, what action it will take to ensure that sufficient resources are available to expand the fund’s eligibility criteria to include all children and under 25s, as proposed by the charity, Young Lives vs Cancer, and the UK Government accepting the charity’s proposal for a £10 million young cancer patient travel fund.

The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) is designed to support the families of all babies, children and young people from birth to age 18 who require inpatient care in Scotland, regardless of diagnosis.

The YPFF is a demand-led fund and the Scottish Government has ensured full funding against demand in each year since its launch on 26 July 2021. The 2025-26 budget has been set based on expected demand levels and the Scottish Government remains committed to provide full funding for the YPFF in 2025-26.

Financial support for travel to hospital appointments is available through the patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes. Under these schemes, patients and authorised escorts may reclaim reasonable travel costs associated with attending hospital appointments, subject to eligibility criteria and clinical requirements. These arrangements apply across Scotland and provide support to eligible young people and their families irrespective of condition.

Question reference: S6W-43552

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to improve waiting list times for online schooling resources for young people with severe anxiety linked to medical diagnoses.

At a national level, the Scottish Government funds a pilot of the i-Sgoil service, which provides live online teaching for young people, including those with severe anxiety, who have disengaged from their school learning for an extended period of time.

This is a national offer to complement arrangements put in place by schools and local authorities and is not a standalone substitute for locally-led support.

Statutory responsibility for the delivery of education sits with local authorities – as set out under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Officials continue to engage with e-Sgoil and local government on a sustainable funding model for i-Sgoil, including the possibility for councils to fund additional places directly, which would allow for increased capacity and reduced waiting lists/times.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with local authorities and other partners to implement a range of support for local authorities and schools in delivering these functions.

Question reference: S6W-43664

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Young Lives vs Cancer regarding the charity's proposal to expand the Young Patients Family Fund's eligibility criteria to include all children and under 25s with cancer, and whether steps will be taken to expand the criteria for the fund, in light of the UK Government's recent announcement of a £10 million travel fund, based on Young Lives vs Cancer’s proposed model.

The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) is designed to support the families of all babies, children and young people from birth to age 18 who require inpatient care in Scotland, regardless of diagnosis.

I met with the charity Young Lives vs. Cancer on 25 September 2024 to discuss their Running on Empty Campaign.

Financial support for travel to hospital appointments is available through the patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes. Under these schemes, patients and authorised escorts may reclaim reasonable travel costs associated with attending hospital appointments, subject to eligibility criteria and clinical requirements. These arrangements apply across Scotland and provide support to eligible young people and their families irrespective of condition.

Question reference: S6W-43645

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the responses, including its own, to the consultation on a cruise ship levy.

Question reference: S6T-02909

Asked by: Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with SEPA and Scottish Water regarding the serious diesel pollution incident that has taken place in the River Dochart and the environmental risk to the wider River Tay system following reports that diesel spread to Loch Tay over the weekend.

Question reference: S6T-02910

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported disclosure that £96.2 million has been spent by NHS Scotland on damages, legal expenses and associated costs linked to maternity and obstetric care.

Question reference: S6T-02917

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Audit Scotland will investigate investment arrangements at ScotWind.

Question reference: S6F-04717

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 February 2026

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of warnings from industry leaders that high transmission charges are making wind farms in the north of Scotland uncompetitive, including any implications for its work to grow the renewable energy sector.

Question reference: S6F-04697

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 February 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

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Question reference: S6W-43685

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