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-01856

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 28 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on expanding the commitment of matched funding through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership for Empty Homes Officer roles to the Western Isles.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has an existing empty homes officer, which was originally funded through a matched contribution of just over £38,000 from the Scottish Government. In 2025-2026 the Scottish Government provided £750,000 towards match-funding for additional empty homes officer posts, which resulted in an extra 15 posts within Scottish local authorities. That funding was allocated, and is supported, via the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and discussions were held with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to explore options for funding to support empty homes work across the islands. These discussions continue (they last met on 24 June 2026) and, as well as the option to recruit an additional officer, include the offer of capital funding in 2026-27, which would contribute towards the creation of a local authority run grant scheme for empty homeowners.

Question reference: S7W-02049

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over two-thirds of applicants to its Emergency Heating Oil Scheme in the Western Isles have had their applications refused.

Question reference: S7W-02050

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure households in need are able to access the Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.

Question reference: S7W-01332

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, whether it will provide a timetable and a date by which it anticipates that all aspects of the legislation to be operational.

Question reference: S7W-01857

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on identifying the two island communities that will pilot remote diagnostic technologies as set out in the National Islands Plan 2, what the consultation and decision-making around selection is, and when this pilot will start.

Question reference: S7W-01855

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the National Islands Plan 2, what progress has been made on the (a) Ferries Accessibility Standard and (b) new Islands Transport Accessibility Fund and the remit of this fund, and when both will be published

Question reference: S7W-01362

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the impact of water scarcity on food production in Scotland.

We know that the impact of climate change means that summers in Scotland are likely to get drier which may impact summer water scarcity. As a result, it is vital that we take action both to limit further climate change and to adapt to the challenges it is already creating.

Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners are taking to respond to the impacts of climate change, and Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity - including for users in agriculture and food production.

The Scottish Government supports farmers in efficient water management and to adapt to a changing climate, for example through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme and through the Agricultural Reform Programme and monitors overall impacts on food production through the Food Security Unit.

Question reference: S7W-01364

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is planning to take to ensure that agriculture, food production and food security in Scotland are not significantly impacted by combined environmental and global factors, including water scarcity, drought and soaring prices of and limited access to fertiliser as a result of the closure of Strait of Hormuz.

Scotland’s food, farming, and marine sectors have been beset by a range of challenges in recent years – not least as a result of Brexit - and we know that there are increasing risks to Scotland’s food security, including from climate change and ongoing conflicts globally.

Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners are taking to respond to the impacts of climate change, and Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity, including for users in agriculture and food production.

The Scottish Government’s Food Security Unit works closely across policy areas, with external partners and other UK nations to ensure food security concerns are reflected strategically. The unit also monitors overall food security in Scotland (including fertiliser, fuel and food supply) working closely with industry through our Food Sector Resilience Group to share intelligence, identify risks and support co-ordinated responses.

Alongside this, the Scottish Government continues to support active farming and food production through direct payments, including bringing forward payment dates to support cash flow. The 2026-27 budget allocates more than £665 million for the purpose of supporting farmers, land managers, rural communities, and rural businesses.

Question reference: S7W-01363

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding water scarcity in 2025, what (a) action has been taken to assess its impact, particularly on the east coast, (b) lessons have been learnt and (c) is being implemented in 2026 as a result.

In 2025 Scotland experienced the driest start to the year in more than 60 years, prompting enhanced monitoring and assessment activity by the Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Water.

The Scottish Government supports a wide range of research on the impact of water scarcity. Its Strategic Research Programme (2022-2027) is modelling future drought risks and ecosystem service impacts using water abstraction data, while the Scottish Government funded Centre of Expertise for Waters is also investigating the ecological impact of water scarcity and the socio-economic water demand.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also undertakes assessments to evaluate the effects of licenced abstractions.

Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity. The Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Water have established processes to monitor the situation and support those affected. SEPA’s actions include daily river level monitoring, publishing weekly water scarcity reports, providing water availability information to abstractors, issuing targeted advice, and engaging with key stakeholders.

The Scottish Government also supports farmers in efficient water use through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme. In 2026 this will continue to support the Water use Efficiency – Irrigation Lagoon option, helping businesses in targeted catchments to plan investment in water storage as part of longer-term resilience to water scarcity.

Question reference: S7W-01333

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether Crown Estate Scotland has stopped the Community Land Accelerator pilot and what plans it has to publish its findings from the pilot.