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-00735

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alison Thewliss on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is currently taking, or plans to take, to improve financial oversight and consumer protection in relation to care home providers, in light of concerns reported by the recent BBC Disclosure programme, Cashing in on Care, regarding families seeking to recover upfront fees and care home deposits.

The Scottish Government is concerned by the reports raised in the BBC Documentary “Cashing in on Care” and sympathises with the families involved however deposit fees form part of the private contract between the provider and the individual - the Scottish Government is not a party in these contracts.

Families in Scotland can contact their local trading standards team who will investigate any breach of contract which was the issue in the cases raised in the BBC documentary. The Competition and Markets Authority - which is a statutory body and accountable to the UK Parliament - has guidance for care homes on deposits and fees. This requires care home providers to provide details of any upfront payments required, such as the amount of any deposit, how it will be protected, and refunding arrangements.

We expect all providers operating in Scotland to abide by the guidance clearly set out by the CMA fully.

Question reference: S7W-00337

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that greenhouse gas emissions analysis underpinning its “green data centre” policy might not fully account for hyperscale AI data centres, what plans it has to review these figures.

To support preparation of National Planning Framework 4, the then Scottish Government commissioned independent research on the Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of NPF4 proposed National Developments. This was first published in 2021 and updated in October 2022.

As the scale and characteristics of data centre developments evolve, we will continue to monitor developments and consider whether further evidence gathering is required. In the meantime, any proposed development schemes remain subject to planning and environmental assessment requirements.

Question reference: S7W-00336

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of data centres applying for gas connections, how many such applications it is aware of in Scotland, and what its position is on gas-fired power generation for data centres.

The Scottish Government is not routinely sighted on applications for gas connections, but we are aware there are emerging data centre proposals that may have a gas component. The Scottish Government policy position is that new AI infrastructure developments should minimise reliance on fossil fuel solutions and we encourage developers to explore renewable and sustainable alternatives to gas fired generation wherever possible.

Question reference: S7W-00338

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the potential particulate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with diesel and gas backup generation that might be required for hyperscale AI data centres proposed in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-00399

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the statutory site assessments required to launch the consultation on fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features have now been finalised, and if so, when the Scottish Government plans to bring the public consultation forward.

Question reference: S7W-00197

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support households in installing electric vehicle charging points at home.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting access to home electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

To date, over £6.7 million has supported the installation of more than 21,600 home charge points across Scotland.

A further £3.45 million is being provided this financial year to continue supporting the rollout of home charging infrastructure.

This funding is focused on lower-income households, those in rural and island communities, residents of flatted properties, and households without driveways, including where cross-pavement charging solutions are permitted.

Question reference: S7W-00150

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding reports that Scottish residents participating in humanitarian flotillas to Gaza have been detained by Israeli forces in international waters, what (a) representations it has made to the UK Government, and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that all appropriate consular and diplomatic steps are taken to protect their welfare and secure their safe return.

The Scottish Government has raised this issue with the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at both Ministerial and official level.

I recently wrote to the Foreign Secretary, welcoming the release of detainees and pressing the UK Government to seek reassurance from the Israeli Government regarding the safety and wellbeing of all UK nationals during their detention. I also urged the UK Government to make clear to the Israeli Government that the treatment evidenced is unacceptable, as well as raising concerns on the potential detention of those on the flotilla in international waters. Officials have been in regular contact with FCDO on this issue.

Question reference: S7O-00019

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported growing number of people swimming in Scotland's open waters, what consideration it is giving to introducing legislation equivalent to the Clean Water Bill that is being brought forward by the UK Government.

Question reference: S7W-00005

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the diagnosis, guidance and care for people living with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders in the Highlands and Islands.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

Question reference: S7W-00018

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards setting up a dedicated service for people in the Highlands and Islands with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

We have allocated funding to all territorial NHS boards in the Highlands and Islands region as part of the recurring £4.5 million investment to support the development of specialist support for people with long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and other similar conditions.

While the Scottish Government is responsible for setting the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, local NHS boards exercise responsibilities in relation to the planning, commissioning and delivery of healthcare services, and take overall responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the populations they serve.

As outlined in correspondence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on 1 October, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles have indicated their aspiration to pool resources and collaborate to deliver elements of the support. We understand these boards are engaging with each other in order to scope options for delivery and formalise any necessary partnership agreements.

We will continue to engage with boards to support the allocation of funding and identify any further central support required.