- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 October 2026
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Current Status:
Due to be taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2026
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2026
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government to the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 24 June 2026, in which the cabinet secretary stated "I recognise the importance of ensuring that Parliament has timely and relevant information to support pre-Budget scrutiny. To support this, I intend to deliver a fiscal statement to Parliament in September, aligned with the Programme for Government, setting out the current fiscal context and the key issues and choices facing the Scottish Budget", whether it will confirm by what date this statement will be delivered.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been very clear about the significant challenges we face as a Government and a country ahead of the next Scottish Budget on 3 December 2026. Our immediate focus at the start of the Parliamentary session has been on setting out its Programme for the next five years. These are the priorities that we need public funding to deliver.
The fiscal update published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) at the end of August provides a detailed assessment of the economic and fiscal outlook facing Scotland. From all of this, Parliament will be well aware that the Scottish Government is entering the 2027-28 Budget process facing a combination of pressures and challenges that will need difficult decisions.
I recognise your interest in ensuring that Parliament has the information it needs for its pre-Budget scrutiny. As noted in my letter to the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 29 September, I will engage on the fiscal challenges and key issues facing the Scottish Budget as part of my appearance at the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 30 September, and a parliamentary debate on the asks of the UK Government Budget on 1 October. Since I wrote to the Convener at the end of June, a new UK Prime Minister and Chancellor have taken office, creating the prospect of changes to UK fiscal policy this autumn. The debate on 1 October will provide an opportunity for Parliament to consider the implications for Scotland and to discuss the priorities we wish to see reflected in the UK Budget. I will continue to keep the Committee and Parliament updated on key developments ahead of Budget.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 September 2026
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 October 2026
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 October 2026
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 24 September 2026
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 24 September 2026
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01240 by Màiri McAllan on 10 July 2026, in which it stated that the consultation on legislative approach to restrictions on mobile phones in schools would be launched within its first 100 days, for what reason the consultation has not yet been launched and when it expects it to open.
Answer
I can confirm that the consultation on restricting mobile phones in Scotland’s schools has been published and is open for responses until 17 November 2026. I would like to take this opportunity to invite MSPs, and their constituents, to respond to the consultation here: Restricting mobile phones in Scotland’s schools.
The consultation will provide an important opportunity to hear a range of views from children, young people, parents and carers, school staff, education authorities and interested organisations, and enable their voices to shape future action.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the minimum standards set for the operating life of hearing aid batteries within the current national hearing aid battery contract, and how compliance with those standards is monitored.
Answer
These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.
PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Tayside regarding the quality and lifespan of hearing aid batteries currently being distributed, in light of reported concerns raised by patients and audiology staff.
Answer
These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.
PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that hearing aid batteries with a shorter-than-expected operating life may have on patient care.
Answer
These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.
PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of reported concerns regarding the quality and lifespan of hearing aid batteries currently provided to NHS patients.
Answer
These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.
PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.
- Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the criteria used in the procurement of hearing aid batteries under the current contract, and how those criteria differ from those used in previous procurement exercises.
Answer
These questions relate to the procurement, specification, quality assurance, performance monitoring and contract management of hearing aid batteries supplied through National Procurement arrangements. This is a matter for Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) and NHS Boards and the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
Prior to 1 April 2026, these functions were undertaken by National Services Scotland and now sit within PSDS. While the Scottish Government sponsors PSDS and provides strategic oversight, operational responsibility for procurement and contract management rests with PSDS, while the delivery of audiology services is a matter for NHS Boards.
PSDS has advised that NHS Boards may raise supplier or product performance concerns through National Procurement's complaints process where products supplied under the framework do not meet the required standards. PSDS has also advised that it holds no record of a formal complaint relating to hearing aid battery performance under the current framework agreement that has resulted in contractual remedies being exercised since the commencement of the contract.
