The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-00610

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with disability organisations in the Highlands and Islands regarding the impact of proposed changes to the Motability scheme.

Question reference: S7W-00612

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers have raised concerns directly with the UK Government regarding the risk of increasing social isolation for service users living in rural Scotland that the changes to the Motability scheme could create.

Question reference: S7W-00609

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing mitigation measures to support Motability users in remote rural and island communities in Scotland who may be disproportionately affected by reduced mileage allowances.

Question reference: S7W-00607

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the additional mileage requirements experienced by Motability users in rural and island communities when accessing healthcare appointments, employment, education and essential services.

Question reference: S7W-00608

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Motability Operations regarding the introduction of any rural or island exemptions to revised mileage limits and excess mileage charges.

Question reference: S7W-00611

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a Rural Communities Impact Assessment regarding changes to Motability mileage allowances and excess mileage charges.

Question reference: S7O-00066

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how any reduction in hours or withdrawal of pupil support assistant posts will impact rural primary schools, particularly in the Highlands and Islands region.

Question reference: S7W-00606

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken an assessment of any impact of reduced Motability mileage allowances on service users living in the Highlands and Islands and, if so, what the outcome of that assessment was.

The Scottish Government has been working closely with Motability to understand how any changes it is considering to its provision as a consequence of the removal of tax exemptions in the UK Budget might affect customers in Scotland, including those living in rural, remote rural and island communities.

The UK Government did not consult the Scottish Government on its changes to the associated tax exemptions in the November 2025 Budget, despite the clear and significant impacts for the devolved Accessible Vehicles and Equipment (AVE) Scheme in Scotland under which Motability is the provider. Scottish Ministers wrote to the UK Government in November upon becoming aware of the potential tax changes, emphasising that they would cause significant fear and uncertainty for disabled people who rely on the AVE Scheme to remain mobile.

The 1 July 2026 commencement announced by Motability for its changes in the rest of the UK is not set to apply in Scotland. However there may need to be future changes to Motability’s provision in Scotland under the AVE Scheme as a result of the UK tax changes, in which case customers will be notified as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the AVE Scheme and ensuring that eligible clients get the right support to meet their needs and to allow them to remain independent.

Question reference: S7W-00605

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to Motability Operations regarding the impact of revised mileage caps and excess mileage charges on service users living in rural, remote rural and island communities in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has been working closely with Motability to understand how any changes it is considering to its provision as a consequence of the removal of tax exemptions in the UK Budget might affect customers in Scotland, including those living in rural, remote rural and island communities.

The UK Government did not consult the Scottish Government on its changes to the associated tax exemptions in the November 2025 Budget, despite the clear and significant impacts for the devolved Accessible Vehicles and Equipment (AVE) Scheme in Scotland under which Motability is the provider. Scottish Ministers wrote to the UK Government in November upon becoming aware of the potential tax changes, emphasising that they would cause significant fear and uncertainty for disabled people who rely on the AVE Scheme to remain mobile.

The 1 July 2026 commencement announced by Motability for its changes in the rest of the UK is not set to apply in Scotland. However there may need to be future changes to Motability’s provision in Scotland under the AVE Scheme as a result of the UK tax changes, in which case customers will be notified as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the AVE Scheme and ensuring that eligible clients get the right support to meet their needs and to allow them to remain independent.

Question reference: S7W-00223

Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the creation of a dedicated Gaelic speaker work visa to allow fluent Gaelic speakers from overseas to fill Gaelic-medium posts in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has made such representations in response both to specific cases and in the generality of immigration policy.

We expect the immigration system and visa approvals to reflect Scotland’s distinct demographic and economic needs. In view of this, the Scottish Government will continue to make representations and calls on the UK Government to introduce a tailored approach to migration reflecting Scotland’s distinct needs. In addition, the Scottish Government will continue to prioritise the recruitment of Gaelic medium teachers by promoting and supporting a range of routes into Gaelic medium education.

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Question reference: S7W-00610

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