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: S7O-00352

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of differences in the support available to military veterans and people granted asylum in Scotland.

Question reference: S7O-00304

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding when the public inquiry into the response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation will begin.

Question reference: S7O-00203

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its commitment to provide an update on the availability of maternity services in Stranraer and Wigtownshire after the summer recess, when will it provide such an update.

Question reference: S7W-02047

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 20 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government to provide an update on its current position regarding the potential construction of a bypass for Girvan on the A77, including (a) whether a bypass is currently being considered, (b) whether any feasibility or appraisal work has been undertaken or is planned, (c) what assessment it has made of the potential benefits of a bypass in terms of (i) improving road safety, (ii) reducing congestion, (iii) supporting economic development and tourism, and (iv) improving air quality and reducing noise within Girvan, and (d) what timescale, if any, it has for future investment in such a project.

A bypass of Girvan was included in the long list of options considered as part of the transport appraisal that supported the second Strategic Transport Project Review (STPR2).However, this option is not part of the 45 STPR2 recommendations, published in December 2022, which make up our long term framework for investment in transport infrastructure.

A bypass was not recommended as, taking account of the accident history and the volume of traffic on the sections of the route where a bypass may be considered, other options to maintain and safely operate the existing road were considered more appropriate compared to constructing new road infrastructure. The other options included speed enforcement, measures to reduce trunk road severance and expansion of 20mph zones / limits.

A 20mph zone on the A77 through Girvan was introduced in March 2026. 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: S7W-02048

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) assessment it has made of the impact of recent changes to the Motability Scheme on disabled people living in rural and island communities, including those in the Scottish Borders, and (b) discussions it has had with Motability Operations regarding implications for people using the scheme in Scotland of the application of provisions relating to rurality criteria, mileage limits and access to vehicles.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with Motability to understand how its changes might affect customers in Scotland under the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment (AVE) Scheme.

As a result of our engagement Motability has committed to providing additional mileage, on top of its reduced standard allowance, to customers living in very rural and island communities in recognition of their having to drive further to access key services.

Also, customers in any area who for essential purposes need to drive more than 3,000 miles each year above the 10,000 standard annual inclusive mileage will be able to apply for support with the increased excess mileage charge.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the AVE Scheme and to ensuring that all eligible clients can access the right support through it to meet their mobility needs.

Question reference: S7O-00120

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be the top three learning priorities for primary school pupils.

Question reference: S7W-00836

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 17 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-00602 by Maree Todd on 8 June 2026, what assessment it has made of whether the current provision of maternity services for women in Wigtownshire is compatible with its obligations under articles 2 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and, in light of the minister stating that the independent chair of the national review of maternity services will be appointed “in due course”, whether it will confirm (a) by what date this review will commence its work and (b) how it reassures pregnant women in the region that their Convention rights are currently being protected.

The Scottish Government takes its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, including Articles 2 and 8, extremely seriously.

While we understand that challenges remain around timely access for women in Wigtownshire, we have not identified any evidence to suggest that the current provision of maternity services is incompatible with Convention rights.

Maternity services continue to be provided for women in Wigtownshire, including local antenatal and postnatal care, scanning and the option of midwife-supported home birth for women who choose to birth locally.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to provide maternity services that are delivered as close to home as practically possible, while ensuring the safety of mother and baby. Within the policies we set, it is for NHS Boards to determine how best a service should be delivered to meet the needs of their local population.

In her statement to parliament on 11 June, the Cabinet Secretary made clear that the needs of women in Wigtownshire will be taken into consideration by the newly appointed independent chair of our national maternity services review. This work will commence after Summer and will be done at pace. We expect the review to be completed within 9 months.

Question reference: S7W-00210

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that school pupils in Dumfries have been issued with personal safety alarms due to concerns about asylum seekers reportedly taking photographs of them outside schools, what action it is taking to ensure the safety of pupils and to provide reassurance to local residents.

Police Scotland has stated that it investigated reports of suspicious behaviour and found no evidence of criminality. The safety and wellbeing of pupils in school and in the community is of the utmost importance. Responsibility for the safe operation of schools rest with local authorities, who work closely with Police Scotland to assess and respond to any risks, provide reassurance to pupils and communities, and ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

Question reference: S7W-00602

Asked by: Senga Beresford, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether people living in Stranraer and Wigton will be expected to travel 75 miles to access maternity care on a permanent basis, or whether action will be taken to reopen the Galloway Community Hospital Maternity Wing or to open a new alternative maternity clinic.

The safety of our maternity services is apriority to this government and we recognise the importance of these issues to the people of Wigtonshire.

We expect all NHS Boards to provide maternity services as close to home as practically possible, while ensuring the safety of mother and baby. It is vital that women giving birth know that they will be supported and safe.

We have committed to a national review of maternity services, which will be led by an independent Chair, who will be appointed by Ministers in due course.

The review will include consideration of the challenges facing pregnant women in remote and rural areas.