Chamber and committees

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.

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Question reference: S7W-01493

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the feasibility of imposing a 500-hectare land ownership cap for (a) individuals, (b) companies and (c) other corporate entities.

The Scottish Government is not currently considering a 500 hectare cap on the amount of land that can be owned by individuals, companies or other corporate entities.

Similar proposals were considered previously during the development and parliamentary scrutiny of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, with page 32 of the Policy Memorandum noting:

“There is insufficient evidence to justify a limit or presumed limit on the size of landholding that can be owned. Land Commission research, and prior research by the Scottish Government, did not find clear links between scale alone and wider social, economic and environmental outcomes. This proposal would also have significant financial consequences, particularly in relation to compensation.”

This remains the position of the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S7W-01172

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s decision to close the UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, what consideration has been given to establishing an equivalent scheme in Scotland to support listed places of worship with the cost of VAT on repairs and maintenance.

Following the UK Government’s announcement of the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, the Scottish Government has met with representatives of the UK Government, Church groups and the Church of Scotland.

The Scottish Government was not informed of this decision prior to the announcement from UK Government and the timing of this announcement, after the Scottish Budget had been set, has limited the opportunity to identify any immediate replacement funding within existing allocations.

Nevertheless, the Scottish Government is actively exploring options to ensure that listed places of worship in Scotland are not disproportionately affected by the withdrawal of this UK-wide VAT relief, however we are unable to identify any additional Barnett consequential funding specifically linked to the introduction of the Places of Worship Renewal Fund in England and this limits what is possible.

Question reference: S7W-01138

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-00298 by Mairi McAllan on 8 June 2026, what discussions it has had with the Highland Council regarding reports that 47 pupils at Rosebank Primary School share two toilet facilities and that none are dedicated for staff, and what assessment it has made of whether these arrangements meet relevant standards and guidance for school accommodation and the welfare of pupils and staff.

While responsibility for managing and maintaining the school estate sits with local authorities, Scottish Government officials continue to engage closely with The Highland Council and remains clear about the importance of ensuring facilities meet relevant standards and provide a safe environment for pupils and staff.

The Council met with parents of Rosebank Primary School pupils on 15 June to discuss the issues raised, including concerns about toilet provision. A further meeting is scheduled for 29 June, where the Council will provide an update on current arrangements and outline its assessment of the improvements it intends to deliver as part of a planned improvement programme for the school.

In the interim, the Council is also exploring the installation of temporary toilet units to help address current pressures. The Scottish Government expects the Council to continue to assess provision carefully and to ensure that both interim and longer-term arrangements meet relevant standards and guidance, with the welfare of pupils and staff remaining the priority.

Question reference: S7W-01142

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what rationale it used to set the £50,000 household income threshold for support for home electric vehicle (EV) charging point installation, and whether it plans to review this to ensure that such support is accessible to a wider range of households.

Question reference: S7W-01434

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto commitment to making land ownership transparent and implementing robust anti-avoidance measures, whether it plans to increase land data transparency and accessibility for the public.

Question reference: S7W-01173

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 8 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the nature of advice given to individuals experiencing racially motivated harassment, including any guidance that may encourage them to remain at home or limit their movements.

The Scottish Government is clear that everyone should be able to go about their daily lives free from harassment and fear, and that those experiencing racially motivated harassment should feel supported to report incidents and seek assistance.

Decisions on the nature of advice provided to individuals are a matter for Police Scotland directly. However, the Scottish Government works closely with Police Scotland on issues relating to hate crime and community safety, including through regular engagement to understand emerging concerns and ensure that responses help to maintain public confidence and provide appropriate reassurance.

We will continue to work in partnership with Police Scotland and others to support those affected by hate crime and to ensure that communities feel safe.

We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses hate crime, including racially motivated harassment. You can report hate crimes in Scotland directly to Police Scotland, through Third Party Reporting Centres, or via anonymous services such as Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or submitting information via the Crimestoppers Online Form.

Question reference: S7W-01174

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 8 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what immediate steps it is taking to ensure the safety and wellbeing of East and Southeast Asian residents in Scotland who report experiencing racially motivated harassment, intimidation or threats.

The Scottish Government condemns all forms of racially motivated harassment, intimidation and threats and recognises the importance of ensuring that East and Southeast Asian communities feel safe, supported and resilient.

We are continuing to work closely with Police Scotland, as well as utilising our established relationships with a wide range of communities and local partners to understand the concerns being raised and to ensure that appropriate support and reassurance is in place. This includes ongoing engagement to better understand the impact of these experiences and what is needed to support community safety and wellbeing.

Alongside this, our wider work on hate crime and community safety, including the development of the next phase of Scotland’s Hate Crime Strategy, will continue to be informed by those affected and seek to address emerging issues.

We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses hate crime, including racially motivated harassment, to report it to Police Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-01231

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 8 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of male chicks that have been culled by maceration in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S7W-01175

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 8 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether it plans to provide targeted funding or support for communities affected by racially motivated incidents, and (b) what discussions it has had with relevant organisations regarding measures to promote community safety and wellbeing.

The Scottish Government condemns all forms of racially motivated harassment, intimidation and violence and is clear that communities affected should feel safe, supported and resilient.

Since 2021 we have invested £6.3 million to support race equality and anti-racism organisations. This has enabled 48 funded organisations to support over 7,713 individuals and 2,427 organisations. Furthermore, we are investing £2.83M over 3 financial years into the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland to help advance anti-racism, working in conjunction with communities across Scotland.

Working with communities, Police Scotland and local partners is central to the Scottish Government’s approach and we work closely with partners across the third sector and community groups to discuss measures to promote community safety and wellbeing. This engagement is central to ensuring that our approach reflects the needs and lived experiences of those most impacted.

Question reference: S7W-01584

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01094 by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2026, what stakeholders were involved in considering how to scale payments linked to the size of salmon farm escapes, and whether it will publish the evidence, submissions and correspondence of each.