The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-40501

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates (SGHSC) Capital Investment Group last discussed a new medical centre for Lochgelly; what the outcome was, and on what date it will next discuss the matter.

We are currently working with all NHS Health Boards to identify investment priorities across Scotland, that includes NHS Fife.

Historic real terms cuts to our block grant from the UK Government have put pressure on our capital budget and we have only recently received clarity from the UK Treasury for our capital and FT funding up to 2029-30.

As part of our own Scottish Spending Review, we are undertaking a full review of our capital spending to prioritise available funding towards projects that drive progress against our priorities. We will provide clarity over which projects will receive funding in the medium term when we publish this review, alongside our new Infrastructure Pipeline.

Question reference: S6W-40504

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects to fulfil the commitment it made in 2011 to provide a new medical centre for Lochgelly.

We are currently working with all NHS Health Boards to identify investment priorities across Scotland, that includes NHS Fife.

Historic real terms cuts to our block grant from the UK Government have put pressure on our capital budget and we have only recently received clarity from the UK Treasury for our capital and FT funding up to 2029-30.

As part of our own Scottish Spending Review, we are undertaking a full review of our capital spending to prioritise available funding towards projects that drive progress against our priorities. We will provide clarity over which projects will receive funding in the medium term when we publish this review, alongside our new Infrastructure Pipeline.

Question reference: S6W-40526

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36012 by Fiona Hyslop on 31 March 2025, by what date the construction of the controlled pedestrian crossing at Raigmore interchange in Inverness will begin.

Question reference: S6W-40503

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed a new medical centre for Lochgelly with NHS Fife; what the outcome was, and on what date it will next discuss the matter.

We are currently working with all NHS Health Boards to identify investment priorities across Scotland, that includes NHS Fife.

Historic real terms cuts to our block grant from the UK Government have put pressure on our capital budget and we have only recently received clarity from the UK Treasury for our capital and FT funding up to 2029-30.

As part of our own Scottish Spending Review, we are undertaking a full review of our capital spending to prioritise available funding towards projects that drive progress against our priorities. We will provide clarity over which projects will receive funding in the medium term when we publish this review, alongside our new Infrastructure Pipeline.

Question reference: S6W-40385

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its international development strategy, what its position is on discussing with the UK Government (a) legislating to compel private creditors to participate in debt restructuring on equal terms with other lenders and (b) supporting the establishment of a UN debt workout mechanism.

The Scottish Government recognises the huge pressure that escalating debt levels are putting on countries in the Global South, particularly when compounded with the climate crisis and with the recent cuts to aid budgets. We agree that there must be a fair, effective and long-term resolution to the global debt crisis, so that resources can be freed up for investment in health, education and climate action.

To date, there have been no discussions with the UK Government in relation to the specific proposals in the question. The First Minister recently met with Humza Yousaf MSP, SCIAF and Christian Aid, to discuss their Cancel Debt, Choose Hope campaign, including proposals put forward by debt campaigners for UK legislation to enhance private sector participation in sovereign debt restructurings and for the establishment of a UN sovereign debt framework.

Question reference: S6W-40386

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its international development strategy and reported evidence suggesting that over 60% of African nations spend more on external debt repayments than on healthcare or education, what steps it is taking to support international efforts to address the global debt crisis,

The Scottish Government recognises the huge pressure that escalating debt levels are putting on countries in the Global South, particularly when compounded with the climate crisis and with the recent cuts to aid budgets. We agree that there must be a fair, effective and long-term resolution to the global debt crisis, so that resources can be freed up for investment in health, education and climate action.

The Scottish Government provides its international development and climate justice funding as direct grants, not loans – allowing for sustainable development without adding financial strain. We have consistently advocated for other countries to follow our example and we will continue to champion the need for grant-based finance, including at COP30 in Brazil.

Question reference: S6W-40575

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its evaluation of the recommendations in the independent review of the anaesthesia associate (AA) and physician associate (PA) roles in England, and when it expects to reach a formal position on the recommendations.

The Scottish Government is actively considering the recommendations from the independent review of the anaesthesia associate (AA) and physician associate (PA) roles in England. I met with the Medical Associate Professions (MAPs) Programme Board on 9 September 2025 to discuss the review and its implications for Scotland.

I intend to write to the Programme Board imminently to set out the Scottish Government's position.

Question reference: S6W-40467

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that three of the biggest six local authority areas that use the Seasonal Worker Visa scheme are located in Scotland, what representation it has made to the UK Government regarding the review of the scheme by the Migration Advisory Committee, and what the outcome was.

The Scottish Government recognises the vital contribution Seasonal Worker visa holders make to Scotland’s soft fruit and seasonal vegetable sectors and to Scotland’s economy.

We are absolutely clear that migration policy should support fair work and is one of our published principles underpinning migration policy.

Officials continue to engage regularly with the Home Office and DEFRA, raising concerns with the design of the visa route and exploitation concerns referenced in the MAC review. We fund the Worker Support Centre, which offers free, confidential advice and support to seasonal migrant workers across Scotland.

Our collaboration with the Worker Support Centre ensures policy development is grounded in the lived experiences of workers. This user-informed policy approach is essential when advocating for immigration reform with the UK Government.

Question reference: S6T-02680

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 22 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendation made by the Commission on School Reform report, Behaviour in Schools, that teachers should be able to suspend or exclude pupils who exhibit persistent behaviour issues.

Question reference: S6T-02674

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that more than 1,000 Scottish charities are closing every year.

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Question reference: S6W-40501

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Question reference: S6W-40504

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