The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-02901

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many online advertisements or social media accounts offering illegal waste disposal services have been identified and removed in each of the last five years, and what assessment it and its agencies have made of the role of online platforms in facilitating waste crime.

Since 2023-24, as part of work to deliver the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has identified at least 300 online profiles advertising potentially illegal waste services and secured the closure of 81 profiles. Through this digital disruption activity, SEPA has also undertaken 136 direct interventions with unlicensed operators, issued 13 Information Notices and 7 Fixed Monetary Penalties, published 164 public deterrence posts, and received 11 waste carrier registration applications.

Comparable data is not held for earlier years, as this specific activity commenced in 2023-24. Annual information on the activity is included in the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy updates, available on the Scottish Government’s website.

SEPA’s assessment is that social media and online advertising platforms can provide unauthorised waste operators with a means of accessing customers. Its interventions have disrupted this activity, although there is evidence that some operators have moved into closed or private social media groups, making investigation more difficult. SEPA has also engaged with platforms, including Gumtree, to support the removal of adverts placed by unauthorised operators.

Question reference: S7W-03163

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has abandoned the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill despite the significant work undertaken by various stakeholders and organisations to develop the Bill.

Question reference: S7O-00245

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of changes to the Additional Dwelling Supplement to take account of exceptional circumstances and introduce an extended repayment period for owners of properties affected by cladding and fire safety issues, including the Bond Building in Edinburgh.

Question reference: S7W-02294

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role that a publicly owned national energy company could potentially play in the ownership, development or operation of ScotWind projects.

Question reference: S7W-02342

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alison Thewliss on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of individuals being advised that they face a wait of 50 weeks for such treatment, whether it is satisfied with the current waiting times for audiology treatment in NHS Lothian, and what action it is taking to reduce waiting times and improve access to treatment.

The Scottish Government recognises that many people across Scotland are waiting too long for audiology appointments and referrals, which is not acceptable. We acknowledge the impact this can have on individuals and families, and we remain committed to improving audiology services across Scotland.

As set out in our 100 days prospectus, on 26 August I am meeting with NHS Heads of Service, community audiology providers and other key stakeholders to agree a plan for enhancing audiology services. This is part of a broader commitment to work closely with stakeholders to determine how we can address service pressures and move more audiology care into community settings. This will help to reduce pressures on hospital services and support the development of a more integrated, accessible, and community-based hearing service for the people of Scotland.

The Scottish Government continues to fund RNID for its Near You initiative which provides hearing checks and important wrap-around support in five NHS Board areas, and we have signalled our intent to go further with its roll-out in our Manifesto.

Question reference: S7W-02295

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest estimate is of the total number of jobs that have been created in Scotland's supply chain as a direct result of the ScotWind programme, and how this compares with the estimates made when the programme was launched in 2022.

There has been clear growth in the offshore wind sector over the past decade, with increasing employment opportunities across a broad range of roles driven by continued investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and skills development.

The latest edition of Scotland’s Marine Economy Statistics (published December 2025) provides an estimate of 4,400 people directly employed by the Scottish offshore wind sector in 2023, in comparison to 3,900 people in 2022 (published November 2024).

These figures do not include the jobs created in the supply chain as a direct result of ScotWind, however the Draft Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy Social and Economic Impact Assessment (2025) estimated cumulative potential employment impacts for ScotWind, INTOG and Test & Demonstration sites. It reported an estimated maximum number of FTEs generated or supported nationally as 18,000 (direct employment only in a low installed capacity scenario) up to 41,000 (direct and upstream supply chain employment impacts in a high installed capacity scenario).

These estimates are further supported by the Offshore Wind Industry Council Skills Intelligence Model, which reports that at its peak, the offshore sector in Scotland could support up to 49,000 jobs in 2031.

Question reference: S7W-02296

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest estimate is of the total value of ScotWind project expenditure that will be spent in Scotland over the lifetime of the programme, and how this compares with the estimates it has previously provided.

The ScotWind Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) process was designed and is managed by Crown Estate Scotland, and requires developers to report commitments and ambitions for supply chain activity in Scotland, the UK, and overseas.

The 2026 updates show that total projected spend in Scotland has increased between 2023 and 2026 by nearly £2.3bn for the 16 projects included in the updates, from an estimated £23.3bn to an estimated £25.6 billion. The remaining projects are due to submit updates in Autumn 2026.

Developers’ SCDS updates include ambitions to go beyond committed spend, which suggests an additional potential £10.5bn manufacturing expenditure in key areas such as foundations, turbine components and electrical infrastructure in Scotland as the supply chain matures.

Question reference: S7W-02090

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 25 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings ministers or officials have held with ScotWind developers since January 2023 regarding supply chain commitments and what discussions have taken place on increasing the proportion of project expenditure retained within Scotland.

There has been clear growth in the offshore wind sector over the past decade, with increasing employment opportunities across a broad range of roles driven by continued investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and skills development.

The latest edition of Scotland’s Marine Economy Statistics (published December 2025) provides an estimate of 4,400 people directly employed by the Scottish offshore wind sector in 2023, in comparison to 3,900 people in 2022 (published November 2024). These figures capture only direct employment and do not reflect the sector's significant wider economic and social impacts, including the supply chain growth and induced employment opportunities that are expected to be derived from ScotWind projects.

The Draft Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy Social and Economic Impact Assessment (2025) estimated cumulative potential employment impacts for ScotWind, INTOG and Test & Demonstration sites. It reported an estimated maximum number of FTEs generated or supported nationally as 18,000 (direct employment only in a low installed capacity scenario) up to 41,000 (direct and upstream supply chain employment impacts in a high installed capacity scenario).

These estimates are further supported by the Offshore Wind Industry Council Skills Intelligence Model, which reports that at its peak, the offshore sector in Scotland could support up to 49,000 jobs in 2031.

Question reference: S7W-02148

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to extend free bus travel or any other free travel schemes to military veterans, and whether it will provide an update on any consideration it has given to this issue since it was discussed during the previous parliamentary session.

The Scottish Government greatly values the contribution made by military veterans and recognises the importance of supporting the Armed Forces community.

Veterans resident in Scotland are eligible to access the existing National Concessionary Travel Schemes where they meet the existing age or disability-related eligibility criteria, including those relating to mobility, injury, or receipt of specific benefits.

Veterans can also access discounted rail travel through the Veterans Railcard, which is available across Great Britain and provides one-third off most rail fares.

Question reference: S7W-02297

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of reports that only £25.6 billion of the projected £88.6 billion expenditure associated with ScotWind developments is currently expected to be spent in Scotland, and what action it is taking to increase the proportion of project expenditure retained within Scotland.

Developers’ Supply Chain Development Statement updates include ambitions to go beyond committed spend, which suggests an additional potential £10.5bn manufacturing expenditure in key areas such as foundations, turbine components and electrical infrastructure in Scotland as the supply chain matures.

We are working with developers and the supply chain to grow the economic value from our offshore wind sector, and to maximise investment, jobs and supply chain opportunities within Scotland. We are consistently clear: developers must help build the resilience of our domestic supply chain and deliver on their SCDS commitments.

Our strategic investment in offshore wind is supporting market certainty and helping to de-risk supply chain investment. To date our own investment of over £150 million is crowding in a further £70m from UK public finance institutions and leveraging up to £675 million in private investment.

Our enterprise agencies are also providing targeted support to our growing supply chain, connecting suppliers with developers, and enabling them to bid for – and crucially to win – work in offshore wind.

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Question reference: S7W-02901

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