The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7O-00498

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 12 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with hospices regarding the development of a sustainable funding model for hospice care.

Question reference: S7W-03703

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 22 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps the Independent Commission on the Criminalisation of the Purchase of Sex will take to ensure that it consults with groups that represent those currently selling sex.

The Independent Commission on the Criminalisation of the Purchase of Sex operates independently of the Scottish Government and is responsible for determining how it undertakes its work, in line with its published Terms of Reference: Criminalisation of the Purchase of Sex in Scotland: Independent Commission - terms of reference - gov.scot

The Commission’s Terms of Reference make clear that its work will be informed by the views and experiences of people with experience of prostitution. Decisions on how those views are sought, including which individuals and organisations are engaged with during the course of its work, are matters for the independent Chair and Commission members.

Question reference: S7W-03704

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 22 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to address concerns raised by the self-catering sector regarding the interaction between short-term let licensing and planning requirements, including the application of planning requirements to established operators both within and outwith short-term let control areas, and the reported risk that otherwise viable self-catering businesses may be forced to cease trading as a result.

Whether or not a self-catering accommodation business is viable is not relevant to the requirement for any business to comply with any regulation requirements. Licensing focuses on the safety and suitability of the accommodation and the host to operate a short-term let. Planning is concerned with the use of land and wider impacts on amenity and communities, considering issues such as the effect on neighbours, housing supply, and the character of an area.

The short-term let licensing regime requires compliance with other regulatory regimes such as fire, gas and electrical safety. Therefore while planning is also a separate regime with a different remit, it is not unique for planning to be linked to licensing in this way. It ensures short-term lets comply with all relevant conditions and requirements to operate and reduces the burden on local authorities that would otherwise be granting licences when they are aware of planning restrictions preventing the property being used as a short-term let.

Under existing planning law, planning permission is required for any material change of use to short-term letting. Operating without planning permission, where required, is a breach of planning control and planning authorities can take enforcement action. Under licensing legislation, authorities may refuse to consider new licensing applications if they believe there is a breach of planning control, which could prevent the lawful use of a property as a short-term let regardless of whether a licence was issued. In control areas, to obtain a licence, hosts must have obtained planning consent, or applied for it, if required under planning law.

Question reference: S7W-03702

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 22 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Minister for Victims and Community Safety have met with any sex worker-led organisations since the beginning of the current parliamentary session.

Neither myself nor the Cabinet Secretary for Justice have met with any sex worker-led organisations since the beginning of the current parliamentary session.

The Scottish Government has established the independent Criminalisation of the Purchase of Sex in Scotland. The Commission operates independently of Ministers and is responsible for determining its own programme of stakeholder engagement. In carrying out its remit, which includes ensuring its work is informed by survivors and those with experience of prostitution, the Commission may choose to engage with sex worker-led organisations where it considers that appropriate.

Question reference: S7W-04411

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a timetable for the consideration of and response to the Scottish Law Commission's Report on Tenement Law: Compulsory Owners’ Associations (Scot Law Com No. 270), including any plans for a draft Tenements (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, and whether it will commit to providing regular updates to Parliament on progress towards implementation.

Question reference: S7W-04347

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 October 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Alison Thewliss on 20 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s sixth report, 'Care Sector' (Module 6), which is due to be published on 20 October 2026.

We welcome the publication of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 6 report on the impact of the pandemic on the publicly and privately funded adult social care sector across the four nations of the United Kingdom. A copy of the report is available online at: https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/reports/

During the pandemic, the Scottish Government’s foremost priority was to protect the public from the novel Covid-19 virus. Ministers sought to be open, transparent and accountable in respect of the decisions made. We extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the many thousands who have lost loved ones and who continue to experience the profound impacts of Covid-19.

We recognise the loss, hurt and suffering experienced by people across Scotland and the rest of the UK, particularly among those who relied on, delivered or supported adult social care services during an exceptionally challenging period. We acknowledge the significant impact of the pandemic on people who draw on care and support, their families and loved ones, and the many unpaid carers who provided essential care, often in difficult and isolating circumstances. We would also like to reaffirm our gratitude to the health and social care workforce for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities throughout the pandemic.

The Scottish Government will now take the necessary time to fully and carefully consider the findings and recommendations set out in the Inquiry’s Module 6 report, and will provide a detailed response to the report’s recommendations in due course, in line with the timescales set out by the Inquiry chair.

Question reference: S7W-03573

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 2 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to housing associations whose properties have been subject to vandalism, deliberate damage or other criminal activity that can result in the loss of much-needed social housing.

It is unacceptable for any home to be subject to vandalism, deliberate damage or other criminal activity. As well as affecting communities, vandalism and other criminal damage can result in homes being unavailable for occupation at a time when demand for social housing remains high.

All social landlords are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their properties and for ensuring that homes meet the required standards before they are let to tenants. Decisions about repairs, reinstatement works and the management of affected properties are therefore matters for the individual landlord, reflecting their responsibility for the condition and safety of their housing stock.

In 2024-25 and 2025-26, a total of 620 void social housing properties were supported back into use through targeted use of £120m Affordable Housing Supply Programme grant for acquisitions and voids.

Question reference: S7W-03293

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reported calls from the Scottish Retail Consortium and Scottish Tourism Alliance for the UK Government to restore tax-free shopping for overseas visitors in its upcoming budget, as a means of supporting Scotland’s retail, tourism and hospitality sectors.

The Scottish Government understands calls from the retail and tourism sectors for the restoration of tax-free shopping for overseas visitors. Scotland’s retailers have highlighted that many international competitors continue to offer tax-free shopping schemes and have argued that the UK's current approach may place Scotland at a competitive disadvantage in attracting high-spending international tourists.

VAT is currently reserved, therefore any decision on tax-free shopping is a matter for the UK Government. However we would continue to call on the UK Government to engage with industry on this matter and keep the current arrangements under review.

Question reference: S7W-03117

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering undertaking an annual collection of data on children’s use of nicotine pouches that is robust and representative of children living across the spectrum of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).

Since 2024, the Scottish Government has commissioned an annual boost to the Scottish sample in the ASH Smoke Free GB Youth survey. Each year, around 750 Scottish adolescents aged 11 to 17 are asked questions about their behaviours and attitudes towards tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products, including nicotine pouches.

The latest report was published in August 2026 (https://www.gov.scot/publications/vaping-smoking-scottish-adolescents-results-ash-smokefree-gb-youth-survey-2026/pages/3/), with results from the 2024 and 2025 survey also available on the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/publications/vaping-smoking-scottish-adolescents/pages/1/;https://www.gov.scot/publications/vaping-smoking-scottish-adolescents-results-ash-smokefree-gb-youth-survey-2025/. The next wave of data collection is expected to take place in March 2027.

Data are collected on social grade and the Office for National Statistics Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS IMD), which are not directly comparable with the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The sample is skewed towards higher social grades and less deprived areas and is therefore unlikely to be representative by deprivation. This limitation should be considered when interpreting the findings.

The Scottish Government continues to keep its evidence needs under review, including how best to monitor the use of nicotine pouches and other emerging nicotine products among children and young people, while balancing analytical value, cost and timeliness.

Question reference: S7W-03202

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that a move to two mainland NHS boards, as announced in the Programme for Government, will help accelerate the delivery of its commitment to deliver a 24/7 national thrombectomy service.

The Programme for Government, published on 1 September, sets out the Scottish Government’s intention to move from 14 territorial boards to two strategic territorial NHS Boards covering the East and West of Scotland.

These new Boards will be responsible fort he planning and delivery of NHS services across their respective regions, helping to ensure services are planned on a population basis while continuing to reflect local needs. We expect these arrangements to support more effective planning and delivery of Thrombectomy service expansion across Scotland.

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Question reference: S7O-00498

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