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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 27 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S7W-04753

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when Ministers expect to reach a decision on the recommendations made in the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission's Report on the welfare of isolated populations of feral animals in relation to the welfare and management of sheep on St Kilda, and when this will be published.

Question reference: S7W-04263

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 28 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it had with (a) broadband suppliers, (b) local authorities and (c) community groups prior to reaching its decision to close the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme to new applications from 20 November 2026.

The Scottish Government did not undertake formal consultation with stakeholders before deciding to close the scheme to new applications. However, throughout the duration of the scheme, including since the announcement of the closure, we have maintained regular engagement with registered suppliers, as well as Local Authorities through an established network of Single Points of Contact. We are happy to engage with community groups and/or individual applicants on any outstanding or new applications prior to its closure.

Question reference: S7W-04264

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 28 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on (a) households and (b) businesses in rural and island communities of closing the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme to new applications from 20 November 2026.

An Impact Assessment has not been undertaken in relation to the closure of the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme. This is because the closure of the Scheme is not expected to have a significantly different impact on rural and island communities compared to other communities across Scotland. Affordable, commercially available broadband services are available nationwide, including across Scotland’s island communities, through a range of terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity solutions. As such, the closure of the Scheme is not considered to give rise to impacts that would necessitate an Impact Assessment.

While the Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme has played a valuable role in expanding access to superfast broadband, the strategic priority has now shifted towards extending gigabit-capable connectivity, reflecting the widespread availability of superfast services across Scotland.

Demand for the scheme has reduced significantly in recent years and this, coupled with declining supplier participation numbers and the availability of affordable commercial alternatives suggested that the scheme had achieved its objectives and was no longer required.

Question reference: S7O-00344

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will review the Highlands and Islands Patient Travel scheme.

Question reference: S7O-00309

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure that housing policy supports population retention and growth in the Western Isles, in light of concerns reportedly raised by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding barriers to housing delivery.

Question reference: S7W-03114

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason more than 1,200 Basic Payment Scheme claimants are reportedly still requiring Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) verification, and whether it considers that the current verification process operates effectively.

The reported figure of more than 1,200 is misleading. As of 17 September 2026, there are 730 FFIS cases where evidence has been provided and BPS payment remains on hold until verification has been completed, review has started for 533 of these cases, with further information requested from 162 farmers or crofters before verification can be completed.

Verification has not yet started in 198 cases. Of these, 162, 82%, had been received during the first 17 days of September.

The BPS payment window runs between September and June. A payment hold for FFIS does not mean the BPS is otherwise ready for payment as other processing may be required.

FFIS grant was paid in advance, and verification is required to confirm that the approved investments have been completed and the grant conditions met. Payment holds are released once the required checks are complete and compliance is confirmed.

The verification process is identifying non-compliance and protecting public funds. To date, 45 completed cases have identified more than £373,444 for recovery, while RPID continues to progress the remaining caseload.

Question reference: S7W-03116

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that applicants to the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) do not face delays in receiving payments from the Basic Payment Scheme and that the Rural Payments and Inspections Division has the resources and capacity required to process applications timeously.

RPID is progressing FFIS verification nationally, with evidence assessed in order of receipt and payment holds released as soon as the required verification is complete and compliance with the grant conditions is confirmed.

As of 17 September 2026, 533 of the FFIS cases currently affecting BPS payments are under review and awaiting verification. Resources and processing performance are being managed and kept under review nationally to progress the outstanding caseload.

BPS payments are not guaranteed in a particular payment run. Where an FFIS hold remains, this reflects the need to complete the required controls on grant paid in advance. Those controls are necessary to protect public funds, with more than £373,000 already identified for recovery from 45 completed cases.

Question reference: S7W-03115

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) verification cases remain outstanding, and how many of these involve applicants who (a) have already submitted all requested evidence and (b) are yet to do so, broken down by region.

As of 17 September 2026, 1,305 FFIS cases remain to be concluded.

Of these, 472 businesses have yet to submit an evidence return for grant payments totalling over £5.7 million. The extended deadline for submitting evidence is 30 September 2026, and verification cannot begin until the evidence is received.

Review has started in 566 cases. Review has yet start for 267 cases, of these, 219, 81% were received in August and September.

The total number of concluded cases is currently 446, which has resulted in the need to recover over £373,000 from 45 businesses.

The Scottish Government does not collate payment data at a region level. The breakdown by Area Office is:

Area Office	Evidence received, verification outstanding	Evidence not submitted
Benbecula	8	13
Dumfries	72	37
Elgin	36	11
Galashiels	86	47
Golspie	6	6
Hamilton	43	23
Inverness	27	26
Inverurie	154	87
Kilwinning	117	79
Kirkwall	32	10
Lerwick	40	24
Oban	20	24
Perth	127	50
Portree	15	6
Stornoway	15	11
Thurso	35	18
Total	833	472

Question reference: S7W-02914

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 18 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of confirmation by the company that MV Loch Portain will not return to service for the remainder of the summer 2026 timetable, what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd regarding network resilience and resource allocation, and what contingency measures are being put in place to maintain services to communities.

Transport Scotland officials and CalMac as part of the Clyde and Hebrides Grant Agreement hold weekly meetings to discuss operations across the network. The decision on the deployment of vessels rightly sits with the operator as they have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that essential lifeline services to our island communities are maintained.

The contingency methods put in place by the operator include MV Glen Sannox operating an interisland service between Tarbert and Lochmaddy up to 27 September. A charter vessel (MV Pabbay Lass) operating between Berneray – Leverburgh until 27 September and MVLoch Bhrusda will cover the route from 28 September.

Question reference: S7O-00156

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that air services in the Highlands and Islands meet the needs of communities.