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-01149

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 2 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a national strategy plan for the location of AI data centres or allow local authorities to determine this on an individual basis.

Decisions on the location of such developments are currently taken through Scotland’s plan-led planning system. This includes the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which sets out national planning policies and priorities, alongside local development plans prepared by planning authorities. Together, these ensure that proposals are assessed in a consistent manner. Ministers are considering whether additional strategic coordination is required to support future investment, manage cumulative impacts on infrastructure, resources and communities. In a response to Martyn Day MSP on Thursday 25 June, I advised that the Scottish Government is urgently considering whether more formal guidance is required to help local planning authorities. In a response to Gillian MacKay MSP on Thursday 25 June, the First Minister set out that he is giving active consideration to whether the Scottish Government should provide planning guidance to balance the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centres with national energy and climate goals, which are vital to our future prosperity.

Question reference: S7W-01148

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 2 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the National Planning Framework 4 provides sufficient guidance to local authorities to appropriately with applications for AI data centres, including the impact on the grid.

Planning authorities have qualified planning officers who apply their professional analysis and judgement to inform decisions. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) designates “Green Data Centres” as National Development. NPF4 must be considered, read and applied in the round, accounting for all of its relevant provisions when assessing planning applications. We are considering whether more formal guidance would also help planning authorities. We have already committed to publish guidance on what factors are prevalent in a “green” data centre.

Question reference: S7W-01147

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 1 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides local authorities in relation to assessing planning applications for AI data centres, including regarding the cumulative energy demand and energy security impact of the entire national data centre pipeline.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) designates “Green Data Centres” as National Development. Policy 24 of NPF4 supports Digital Infrastructure, encouraging, promoting and facilitating the roll out of digital infrastructure across Scotland to unlock the potential of all our places and the economy. The Scottish Government is a co-commissioner of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan which will model likely energy demand up to 2050 and the generation approaches required to support that demand. In a response to Martyn Day MSP on Thursday 25 June, I advised that the Scottish Government is urgently considering whether more formal guidance is required to help local planning authorities. In a response to Gillian MacKay MSP on Thursday 25 June, the First Minister set out that he is giving active consideration to whether the Scottish Government should provide planning guidance to balance the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centres with national energy and climate goals, which are vital to our future prosperity.

Question reference: S7W-01098

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 23 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support disability football.

For financial year 2026-27, the Scottish Government will provide Scottish Para-Football with £160,000 to deliver a range of Summer of Sport and related legacy activities and allow Scottish Para-Football to appoint a Youth Development Officer for two years.

Activities will include holding a number of “come and try’ festivals, running an 18-month Youth Training Programme, providing coach training and education and para-football referee development, purchasing new equipment and holding public exhibition matches to raise awareness and encourage wider participation.

Question reference: S7W-00838

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its response to petition PE1976 (Backdate council tax discounts for dementia to the date of GP certification), when it plans to bring forward legislation to backdate council tax discounts for individuals living with dementia.

As previously confirmed to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee in the last Parliamentary session, the Scottish Government recognises the concerns being raised on this issue.

Local authorities have the flexibility to backdate applications for the council tax disregard for people determined as having a severe mental impairment. However, we are currently considering approaches which might further streamline the availability of this support, including exploring legislative changes. This requires stakeholder input to minimise the risk of unintended consequences.

Work is continuing on proposals following the Scottish Parliament election and an update will be provided when they are at a more advanced stage.

Question reference: S7W-00756

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Simita Kumar on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its strategy, A Connected Scotland, whether it has published (a) the interim report, which was scheduled for publication in 2024, (b) the final report and (c) look ahead, which were scheduled for publication in early 2026, and, if so, whether it will provide links to those publications.

Progress against delivery of A Connected Scotland is monitored and reported through the Social Isolation and Loneliness Advisory Group (SIALAG), which will be chaired by the Minister for Equalities and International Development.

In recognition of the significant impact being delivered by funded activity, and the continued importance of tackling social isolation and loneliness, the Scottish Government has extended the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund to March 2027. This means total funding for 2026-27 will amount to over £1.05 million. The fund will be evaluated on its completion. Work is underway with SIALAG members to consider the future priorities of the social isolation and loneliness programme, as such the 2026 report has been delayed to bring it in line with this work and the conclusion of the fund.

Question reference: S7W-00837

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the contribution that geothermal energy could make to Scotland's economy.

Question reference: S7O-00081

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its plan to reorganise neonatal care across Scotland, in light of reports that it could result in the downgrading of essential units, including the service at Ninewells Hospital.

Question reference: S7W-00655

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party 2026 manifesto pledge to commit £10 million over three years to introduce a Police Scotland Retail Crime Taskforce, what the timeline is for this rollout.

The Scottish Government confirmed that a further £3 million was available to help Police Scotland tackle retail crime in its budget for 2026-27. This will ensure that the service can build upon its work carried out the previous year, which included the creation of its Retail Crime Taskforce.

Spending plans for 2027-28 and 2028-29 were outlined in the Scottish Spending Review 2026. Decisions on future budgets will be taken as part of the budget setting processes.

Question reference: S7W-00656

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will increase police funding in line with inflation, in order to prevent further reductions to community policing.

Scotland’s police service will always be visible and at the heart of our communities. Police Scotland are keeping people safe every day as shown by recorded crime falling by half since 1991.

Using the GDP deflator, the 2026-27 Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Budget has increased in real terms compared to the opening 2025-26 budget.

In 2026-27, the Scottish Government is providing record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing, a total budget increase of £81.5 million, or 5% compared to the published 2025-26 Autumn Budget Revision (ABR) budget. This record investment continues to allow Police Scotland to recruit new officers and to maintain officer numbers at 16,500.

It is for the SPA, working with the Chief Constable, to determine how to allocate this budget to meet policing priorities, as outlined in the Police Scotland Three year Business Plan.