Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-41911

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 November 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 1 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages schools to teach pupils about the Scottish enlightenment, including its impact in Scotland and beyond, and to what extent the subject is taught.

Question reference: S6O-05159

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Pride in Place Programme.

Question reference: S6W-41352

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost the Scottish economy in the financial year 2025-26.

The increase in employer’s national insurance contributions is imposing additional costs on businesses and public services in Scotland’s economy. Published Scottish Government analysis shows that for affected businesses, the average increase in NICs per employee is estimated to cost a business £850 and the total cost to a business is around £24,500 on average. These changes will disproportionately impact on businesses in industries such as hospitality or social care, hitting lower paid and part-time staff. This follows on from other UK Government decisions, such as austerity and Brexit, which have contributed to Scottish households now being over £10,000 worse off than other European countries.

Scottish Government continues to raise the impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions with the UK Government, and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury this month to set out our priorities for the UK Budget.

Question reference: S6W-41348

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost each NHS board in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

We are engaging with NHS boards and COSLA to understand the cost impact caused by the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

Question reference: S6W-41347

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost each integration joint board in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

We are engaging with the Integration Joint Boards and COSLA to understand the cost impact caused by the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

Question reference: S6W-41350

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost the third sector in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has estimated that the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance will cost Scottish voluntary organisations £75 million per year.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. This includes the vital services provided by third sector organisations. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

Question reference: S6W-41349

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost each local authority in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

The Scottish Government have published an estimated increase of £240 million for local authorities in Scotland in the financial year 2025–2026, following the UK Government’s hike in employer National Insurance Contributions. This estimate was provided by COSLA, and includes teachers.

The Scottish Government have provided record funding of over £15.1 billion through the Local Government Settlement, including £144 million to specifically contribute to the increased cost of employer National Insurance Contributions.

This government has consistently made the case to the UK Government to fully fund the additional costs to public services of its increase in employer National Insurance contributions. Despite our calls for full reimbursement, it’s clear that the support to meet these costs from the UK Government will fall over £400 million short of what is required.

Question reference: S6W-41351

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how much the increase in employer national insurance contributions will cost the business sector in Scotland in the financial year 2025-26.

Scottish Government analysis shows that changes to employer National Insurance Contributions will disproportionately impact on businesses in industries such as hospitality where almost 4,000 jobs have been lost since March, hitting lower paid and part-time staff. Additional analysis suggests that the increase will result in an average additional cost of £850 per employee, with total costs per affected business estimated at approximately £24,500.

Question reference: S6O-05151

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has revised the funding model for higher and further education and apprenticeships, to ensure it reflects current requirements.

Question reference: S6O-05102

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will determine where the 15 pilots for the planned GP walk-in centres will be located.

Chamber and committees