The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-00880

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 19 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent report by Carers Week, Building Carer Friendly Communities, which found that schools were seen as the least carer-friendly organisation/service in Scotland, what action it plans to take to improve the support available for carers in schools.

We recognise the importance of young carers being identified in schools so that they can be supported in achieving their educational and wider goals. This is why we fund an Education Officer at Carers Trust Scotland, who works with Education Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland and the Scottish Qualification Authority help ensure education staff are aware of young carers and can support them appropriately.

This work has included producing an online learning module, accredited by Education Scotland, for education staff to help them better understand how they can identify and support young carers.

Also, through this work we have funded Carers Trust Scotland’s “Young Carers School Challenge” pilot. This programme supports and encourages all schools who sign up to: -

Have a young carer champion
Have all school staff undertake Young Carer Awareness training
Have a young carers charter or policy
Correctly record all young carers on the school system (SEEMiS)
And to forge partnership links with their local carer organisation.

Our National Carers Strategy has driven cross-government action to ensure young carers are identified, supported and protected from inappropriate caring, helping to reduce negative impacts on their education, social lives and future opportunities, including support in educational settings.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 states that children and young people with support needs, including young carers, should have these identified and met. The Code of Practice recognises that home life can affect a child’s ability to engage in education and highlights that young carers may need support to balance school and caring responsibilities, including flexible learning arrangements. Local authorities have a legal duty to identify and support those with additional support needs.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people experience public services consistently upholding their rights. We encourage all Local Authorities to take a children’s rights approach in the delivery of all their services, regardless of the source of their powers.

Question reference: S7W-00858

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the disposal of sharps bins for injectable medicines purchased privately, including GLP-1 medicines, and what action it is taking to ensure that these medicines are being disposed of safely.

Disposal of privately-prescribed medicines are outside Health Boards’ remit, therefore Scottish Government would not enter discussions with Boards on this topic. Safe disposal of waste associated with privately-prescribed medicines, including sharps, is the responsibility of the Independent Healthcare (IHC) service that has supplied the medicine(s). The IHC service is expected to comply with current waste management legislation, including ensuring that clinical waste (including sharps bins) is appropriately segregated, handled and disposed-of, with the correct European Waste Catalogue (EWC) coding in place.

Question reference: S7W-00856

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what support has been provided to bowling clubs and local authority bowling greens to encourage greater participation among young people in lawn bowling.

The Scottish Government supports bowling clubs and local authority bowling greens through sportscotland by providing access to a range of funding streams, national programmes, and investment in the sport’s governing body, all of which help to increase participation, including among young people.

Sportscotland are providing up to £691,704 in 2026-27 to Bowls Scotland, the sport’s national governing body, to support the development of lawn bowls.

Sportscotland also provides funding opportunities that clubs, community groups and local authorities can apply for, including through the Sport Facilities Fund. This fund supports capital projects to develop new or improved facilities, helping to create more accessible and welcoming environments for participation in bowls. Alongside this, programmes such as Active Schools introduce children and young people to a variety of sports, including lawn bowls, by strengthening links between schools and local clubs.

In addition, as part of the Summer of Sport investment, the Scottish Government have provided funding of £1 million to enable a live site at Kelvingrove Park for families to enjoy the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Children and young people will be able to take part in a range of free and accessible activities, including opportunities to try different sports such as lawn bowls.

Question reference: S7W-00561

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to recent findings from the HMP Kilmarnock inspection report, which found that 223 cells designed for single occupancy had been converted to double occupancy due to overcrowding, and on 22 May 2025, 38 of these cells were being shared by convicted and remand prisoners, contrary to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

I welcome the report on HMP Kilmarnock from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS), in particular their acknowledgement of good practice and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.

I recognise that, faced with the context of the current prison population, HMP Kilmarnock has experienced challenges as seen across the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) estate. All SPS establishments have been required to make operational decisions that maximise available space in order to accommodate a rising and complex prison population.

The wellbeing of those in SPS’ care remains paramount, and in all instances, consideration is given to factors such as social care needs, risk presentation and the classification of prisoners.

Question reference: S7W-00560

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent inspection report of HMP Kilmarnock, the first inspection of a prison in Scotland transferred from private to public sector operation, which found that standards at the prison have declined since the previous inspection.

The Scottish Government welcomes the His Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons Scotland (HMIPS) report on HMP Kilmarnock and the important work by HMIPS to assess the treatment and care of those in custody.

We note the report’s recognition of the positive and respectful relationships between staff and those in the care of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.

The report makes a number of recommendations for improvement and since the inspection which was undertaken in May 2025, SPS have progressed work to address many of the points raised, recognising the need for continuous improvement.

The impact of the high prison population in Scotland is felt within HMP Kilmarnock, and across the prison estate. The inspectorate acknowledges there are opportunities for the future under the transition.

Question reference: S7W-00206

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the aerospace firm, Aeralis Ltd, and/or its representatives following the company entering administration, including what impact this might have on promised investment and jobs at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The Scottish Government has not had any direct engagement with Aeralis Ltd, or its representatives, following the company entering administration.

Scotland has a significant defence manufacturing base. Delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan continue to contribute to ongoing uncertainty for Scottish industry, where clarity and certainty are critical to investment and planning decisions.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with partners, including Scottish Enterprise, to monitor developments and assess any implications for investment and employment, including at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Question reference: S6T-02970

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent findings by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service that 29 babies have died as a result of co-sleeping in Scotland in the last two years.

Question reference: S6W-44108

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) is aware of health, wellbeing and safety concerns regarding HGV transport through Girvan and (b) what consideration it has given to the development of a Girvan bypass.

The Scottish Government is aware of the potential impacts that Heavy Goods Vehicles are having on key routes in the South West, including on various communities such as Girvan.

In response, Transport Scotland, working closely with key local partners, has assessed the A77 through Girvan against the established criteria for introducing a new 20 miles per hour speed limit. This assessment concluded that most of the trunk road through the town meets the requirements for a reduced limit.

On that basis, a 20mph limit will be introduced from Bridgemill Roundabout in the north toa point near to the Shallochpark Roundabout at the southern end of the town. In line with standard practice, this will initially be delivered by means of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, which allows the impacts of the change to be monitored and evaluated before any decision is taken on whether the limit should become permanent. It is expected that this will be in force in thein the coming weeks.

A Girvan Bypass was considered as part of the transport appraisal that supported the second Strategic Transport Project Review (STPR2). However, this option is not one of the 45 STPR2 recommendations, which make up our long term framework for investment in transport infrastructure. Instead, other options to maintain and safely operate the A77 were considered more appropriate and have been highlighted in Recommendation 40.

Transport Scotland officials are working with local stakeholders to identify potential areas for improvement on the A77 beyond general maintenance schemes, as set out in Recommendation 40.

Question reference: S6W-44107

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring is in place to assess the air quality in Girvan.

Scotland enjoys good air quality compared with the rest of the UK and Europe. Under the Environment Act and associated regulations, all Scottish local authorities are required to regularly review air quality in their areas against objectives for several pollutants of particular concern for human health. The Scottish Government provides grant funding to support authorities in undertaking this work.

South Ayrshire Council currently operates two automatic monitors in Ayr and 20 nitrogen dioxide sensors across the Council area in Ayr, Maybole, Prestwick, Troon and one location at Bridge Street in Girvan. Current data indicate that concentrations are well below the objective level at all monitoring sites.

Further information can be found in South Ayrshire Council's 2025 air quality annual progress report which is available at South Ayrshire APR 2025.pdf

Question reference: S6T-02955

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that one in five adults in Scotland are unable to access dental care.

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Filter your results Hide all filters

Question reference: S7W-00880

Answer

Question reference: S7W-00858

Answer

Question reference: S7W-00856

Answer

Question reference: S7W-00561

Answer

Question reference: S7W-00560

Answer

Question reference: S7W-00206

Answer

Question reference: S6T-02970

Answer

Question reference: S6W-44108

Answer

Question reference: S6W-44107

Answer

Question reference: S6T-02955

Answer