The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-41278

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Crown Estate Scotland regarding the introduction of Fair Work principles to any future offshore leasing rounds.

I refer to the answer provided to question S6W-39996 on 3 September 2025, that the assessment process for seabed leasing for offshore wind and other marine renewable developments and the criteria that underpins that process, is a matter for Crown Estate Scotland.

Crown Estate Scotland is committed to the Fair Work Framework and its underlying principles. With regard to seabed leasing, they require a Statement of Commitment and, for the most recent Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round, that Statement required inclusion of a commitment to adopting Fair Work practices.

The Scottish Government encourages all employers across Scotland, including those involved in the Offshore Wind sector, to adopt Fair Work practices.

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.

Question reference: S6W-41282

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider including a requirement for bids to include public equity stakes in any future offshore leasing rounds.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39996 on 3 September 2025, that the assessment process for seabed leasing for offshore wind and other marine renewable developments and the criteria that underpins that process, is a matter for Crown Estate Scotland.

Specific assessment criteria are developed in the run-up to the launch of leasing rounds.

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.

Question reference: S6W-41275

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of crumb rubber in Scotland, in light of the research report on Options to Reduce Intentionally Added Microplastics Emissions (UK), which was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and identified that artificial sports pitches were the main source of intentionally added microplastic pollution in the UK.

Artificial grass pitches play an important role in the delivery of sport and physical activity across Scotland, helping the nation to lead more active, healthy lives.

The Scottish Government works with Welsh and UK Governments under the preliminary Common Framework on Chemicals and Pesticides, to identify and address chemical issues across Great Britain under relevant regulations, including UK REACH.

Microplastics was identified as a priority issue for consideration under the UK REACH restriction process in 2021. We agreed with UK Government and Welsh Government that an evidence project would be undertaken, led by Defra, on the risks and possible mitigation measures for the use of intentionally added microplastics in Great Britain.

Following the publication of the report earlier this year, we are still in discussions with Welsh Government and UK Government on next steps.

Question reference: S6W-41139

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many illicit cigarettes have been seized by Trading Standards Scotland since 2021.

Trading Standards Scotland is a team operated by COSLA and has no role in the disruption of the illegal tobacco supply. The Enhanced Tobacco Sales Enforcement Programme (ETSEP) is delivered by local authorities coordinated by Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).

SCOTSS have provided the following figures in relation to the amount of illicit cigarettes and tobacco seized since 2021:

Year	Number of Cigarettes seized (million)	Weight of Hand Rolling Tobacco seized (kg)
2024-25	1.4	800
2023-24	0.29	71
2022-23	1.08	115
2021-22	0.36	107

Question reference: S6W-41137

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to repond to the illicit cigarette trade.

We work closely with the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) to support enforcement of existing legislation, including on illicit tobacco. SCOTSS manages the Enhanced Tobacco Sales Enforcement Programme (ETSEP) in Scotland, which is a key component in the Scottish Government’s Tobacco and Vaping Framework.

In 2025-2026, Scottish Government provided funding of £46k to SCOTSS support a National Coordinator post and specific enforcement projects that vary year on year.

In 2024-2025 SCOTSS received an additional £75k to support the UK-wide Operation CeCe, which is a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC to remove illicit tobacco product from sale. SCOTSS plays a key role in this operation, coordinating local authority activity in Scotland. From 2025-2026 Operation CeCe is being funded directly by UKG.

In 2024-2025 19 local authorities in Scotland engaged in a joint operation with HMRC and Police Scotland as part of Operation CeCe. This resulted in the seizure of 1.4 million cigarettes and 800 kg of hand-rolling tobacco. Scottish referrals accounted for over 40% of successful HMRC sanctions across GB.

Scottish Government Officials also meet regularly with HMRC, who work with Border Force to take action to tackle the import of illicit tobacco and vaping products at the border.

Question reference: S6W-41080

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to increase funding for hospices in line with inflation, in light of reports that hospices in Edinburgh are reducing services due to a lack of funding increases.

Through the 2025-26 Scottish Budget the Scottish Government has provided £5 million for independent hospices. This is to help independent hospices achieve pay parity for staff supporting clinical care with NHS levels for 2025-26.

However, it is important to reflect that it remains the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to commission palliative care services, including independent hospices, to meet the needs of their local populations. As such, we expect Scottish hospices and IJBs to continue to engage on any matters that may impact on the delivery of local palliative care services.

Scottish Government officials continue to work with the chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group and Hospice UK to take forward work to help provide financial stability to independent hospices. This includes developing a new framework to support discussion between IJBs and independent hospices related to the commissioning of services.

Question reference: S6W-41060

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on the number of high-value car thefts committed and the location where they were reported, broken down by year since 2021-22.

Question reference: S6T-02727

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how decisions on the award of offers of grants for the Future Farming Investment Scheme were made.

Question reference: S6T-02733

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take, in light of reports that some people are waiting 10 hours for an ambulance.

Question reference: S6F-04416

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 November 2025

To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will announce a timetable for improvement works on the A96 north of Inverurie, following the publication of its corridor review consultation report.

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Question reference: S6W-41278

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