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: S6O-05087

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with Transport Scotland, ScotRail, First Glasgow, McGill's Buses and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport regarding the possible introduction of free public transport across Glasgow for those attending the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Question reference: S6W-41402

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for its procurement of lifeline ferries, whether it will request that CMAL seek advice from the UK Government National Security Unit for Procurement regarding an assessment of any potential national security concerns in relation to any prospective non-UK based suppliers for the design and construction of lifeline ferries, including in relation to Northern Isles services.

Question reference: S6W-41043

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to advise businesses that employ courier staff that any e-bikes being utilised must not be ridden on pedestrian footpaths and pavements.

The Scottish Government works closely with local authorities, Police Scotland, and other stakeholders in this area. Enforcement of traffic laws is, however, a matter for Police Scotland. In 2025-26, Police Scotland is receiving a record £1.64 billion in funding. Police Scotland’s Road Policing Division has been engaging with stakeholders regarding the safe use of e-bikes.

Police Scotland have actively collaborated with food delivery companies and have recently supported a rider engagement event in Glasgow City Council. The food delivery company set up a tent, provided safety equipment to riders and Police Scotland were on hand for advice and positive engagement.

Question reference: S6W-41044

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to ensure that e-bikes on public roads and footpaths do not exceed the legal limit of 15.5mph.

The Scottish Government is working closely with Police Scotland regarding the antisocial use of vehicles, including e-bikes. Enforcement is, however, a matter for Police Scotland, and Police Scotland regularly keep their approach to the illegal use of e-bikes under review. Local policing teams are best placed to identify misuse and work to prevent future incidents.

If e-bikes exceed the legal limit of 15.5mph and have a power output of more than 250 watts, police officers are able to treat the bikes as vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. Vehicles can be seized if the driver does not have a full driving licence, the vehicle is not insured, or if the driver is not wearing an approved helmet.

Question reference: S6W-41045

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to local authorities to stop e-bikes being ridden on pedestrian-only footpaths and pavements.

Enforcement of the law in respect of moving e-bikes is a matter for Police Scotland. More generally, under section 1 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 all local authorities have a statutory responsibility with Police Scotland to develop a strategy for dealing with antisocial behaviour in their local areas which they shall keep under review. The Scottish Government supports local authorities with record funding, with an increase in real terms of 5.5% for 2025–26.

Question reference: S6W-41437

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with Glasgow City Council to support any extra resource that might be necessary to expedite the contract for the refurbishment of George Square, which is due for completion at the end of August 2026, by approximately four weeks so that the location can be made available for the duration of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Question reference: S6W-40683

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had any recent discussions with the UK Government regarding the potential legalisation of the traditional herbal medicine Ayahuasca for medicinal purposes.

Question reference: S6W-40893

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is carrying out with NHS Scotland to optimise the use of evidence-supported technology to detect and manage the risk factors associated with heart attacks and strokes.

Our work with NHS Scotland to optimise the use of evidence supported technology to detect and manage the risk factors associated with heart attacks and strokes includes;

Investing £1.9 million (2026-28) to support the use of Ambulatory ECG patch monitors, potentially preventing nearly 700 strokes over five years.
The Connect Me remote monitoring and self-management service has helped around 120,000 people self-manage their hypertension, including over 19,000 in the past year.
Committing £4.5 million (2025-28) to a national diabetes programme, offering intensive weight management support to 3,000 more people with newly or recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-41410

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of any impact that limited transparency and accountability in mental health spending has had on service provision, particularly in relation to disproportionate reductions affecting services for the most vulnerable groups, including veterans.

Question reference: S6W-41412

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 October 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the apparent reduction in the Mental Health Services budget line to £133.9 million in the 2025 26 Autumn Budget Revision, given that this figure includes a £120 million internal transfer to local government for the Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan, and whether it will confirm (a) whether the remaining £16 million shortfall from the original £270 million allocation constitutes a reduction to the mental health budget, (b) the rationale for any such reduction and (c) which programmes, services or projects will be affected, and how this aligns with the ambitions of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.