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-01162

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 3 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the powers conferred by section 14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, how it plans to approach the collection of data on private rent levels.

The Scottish Government recognises that the collection of robust data on private rent levels using the powers in Section 14 of the Housing (Scotland) Act is essential to support decisions on rent control areas, while ensuring that any data collection is proportionate and minimises burdens on landlords and costs to the public sector.

To support the first iteration of local authority assessments, we are building on existing data sources. Rent Service Scotland currently collects an annual sample of around 40,000 to 45,000 advertised rents. This is being enhanced to provide estimates at local authority level, with data expected from November 2026 and year-on-year comparisons from November 2027.

To support future cycles of local authority assessments, we are continuing to consider how to develop systems which support use of powers in the Act to collect information directly from landlords. This includes exploring the use of the existing landlord registration digital platform to collect rent data, subject to further development and engagement with local authorities.

Question reference: S7W-01284

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to the commence provisions in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 to allow local authorities to propose by-laws to prevent wildfires.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 (“the 2026 Act”) includes provisions that will allow local authorities to make by-laws in connection with the prevention of wildfires.

The 2026 Act is being brought into force on a phased basis, with the first provisions commencing in June 2026, and we will set out further details of the timetable for commencing and implementing individual provisions in due course.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders during the commencement and implementation process and will ensure that local authorities, other stakeholders, and members of the public have sufficient time to prepare before any provisions that affect them are brought into force.

Question reference: S7W-01092

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the requirement set out in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 for the local provision of allotments, what its position is on the interpretation of the term “local” in the context of large local authority areas such as Highland Council.

The majority of legislative duties pertaining to the delivery of allotment services are for local authorities including provision of sites, management of waiting lists and annual reporting of site numbers.

Section 112(4) of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 states a local authority must have regard to the desirability of making available allotments that are “reasonably close” to the residence of a person on the waiting list for an allotment.

While there is no statutory definition of “reasonably close”, the Scottish Government has issued guidance to local authorities on Part 9 of the Act which states that as a guide, allotments within a 3 mile radius, or within a 20 minute journey on public transport from where people on the waiting list reside should be considered “reasonably close”.

Local authorities may however opt to apply different travel-time or distance criteria, where appropriate, based upon local geography, particularly in remote and rural areas (where there is, for example, limited public transport provision in that area).

Ultimately, it is for locally elected representatives to make local decisions on how best to deliver and fund services, including allotments, based on local needs and priorities.

Question reference: S7W-01095

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 2 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the resolution of obstructions preventing statutory undertakings to residential homes, such as electricity connections, including in the event of a neighbour dispute.

Statutory undertakers perform functions under statutory powers or duties, for example in relation to utilities such as building and maintaining sufficient infrastructure to transport gas or electricity to residential homes. Where problems are encountered between a statutory undertaker and property owners, the Scottish Government expects all parties to engage in meaningful discussions to resolve any issues that are preventing a statutory undertaker from performing its functions.

Question reference: S7W-01091

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Simita Kumar on 24 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the order providing for the conversion of mixed-sex marriages to civil partnerships in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-00720

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the implementation of a national escalation route for advisers, including those at Citizens Advice Scotland, to request redeterminations in Adult Disability Payment decisions.

The Scottish Government recognises the role that advisers and third sector organisations, including Citizens Advice Scotland, can play in supporting clients to challenge Adult Disability Payment decisions.

Under current legislation, requests for redetermination must be made by the individual client, or by a formally appointed representative (such as a power of attorney, guardian or appointee), who has the legal authority to act on the client’s behalf in line with statutory requirements and Social Security Scotland security and consent processes.

This is distinct from third party representatives, such as advice, advocacy, or welfare organisations, who may be nominated to support a client but do not have the same legal authority to act on their behalf. Social Security Scotland has established Third Party Representative guidance which explains how individuals can nominate such organisations to share or receive some categories of information on their behalf. However, this does not extend to making a redetermination request. Stakeholder organisations continue to play an important role in supporting those clients seeking a review of a decision.

Social Security Scotland continues to engage with stakeholders, including Citizens Advice Scotland, to ensure that systems and processes meet the needs of clients and those supporting them.

Question reference: S7O-00027

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the BiGGAR Economics report, Building a Sustainable Future for the North Coast 500.

Question reference: S7W-00563

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the new Deer Code to be in place.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 (the 2026 Act) introduces provisions that will make changes to the Code of Practice for Deer Management currently defined by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.

We expect that the provisions in the 2026 Act will be enacted in a phased manner, and we will set out further details about the timetable for commencing and implementing the individual provisions in the 2026 Act in due course.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders during the commencement and implementation phases, and we will ensure stakeholders and members of the public have sufficient time to prepare before we commence any provisions that would directly impact on them.

Question reference: S7O-00003

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it will undertake of any impact of its planned public sector reform on employment in Inverness and Nairn.

Question reference: S7W-00054

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 27 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support and promote Gaelic, and whether this will include protecting staffing and resources across its departments and designating a minister responsible for the language.

In this session, I am delighted to maintain Cabinet level leadership for Gaelic, building on the substantial legacy of the previous DFM. My focus will be on implementing the Scottish Languages Act 2025, passed unanimously by this Parliament. I will continue to be supported in this by officials in the Gaelic and Scots division working to strengthen the statutory support and development of Gaelic across Scotland. This legislation is supported by an increase in funding secured through the 2026-2027 Budget, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to creating a secure future for Gaelic in Scotland. A range of projects and initiatives, operating in different sectors, are in place to support and promote the Gaelic language. Along with significant funding there is also welcome support and co-operation in place from local authorities and public bodies.