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-01101

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the City of Glasgow College and the Scottish Funding Council regarding the reported findings of the unannounced inspection of the welding and fabrication department at the college in December 2025.

Operational matters, including health and safety, remain the responsibility of individual institutions, with regulation and enforcement undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Scottish Government engages regularly with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on matters relating to the college sector.

In this instance, the SFC has engaged directly with City of Glasgow College and continues to monitor progress through its ongoing monitoring and assurance processes. The Scottish Government understands that City of Glasgow College has accepted the Health and Safety Executive’s findings in full and are implementing all corrective actions identified, which has resulted in the HSE’s intervention being closed.

The SFC will continue to engage with the College and seek updates as part of its ongoing oversight role.

Question reference: S7W-01105

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it collects information regarding health and safety enforcement action issued to colleges in Scotland, and, if so, whether it will provide details of any such action taken in each of the last five years.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Responsibility for health and safety in colleges rests with individual institutions, with enforcement of legislation undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

As the statutory regulator, the HSE is responsible for investigating concerns, determining compliance with health and safety legislation, and taking any enforcement action where necessary.

Question reference: S7W-01106

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Funding Council regarding oversight of health and safety standards in colleges.

Ministers and officials engage regularly with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on oversight of the college sector, including governance and institutional performance.

Operational matters, including health and safety, remain the responsibility of individual colleges. Regulation and enforcement are undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Within this framework, the SFC expects colleges to comply with their legal duties and seeks assurance on this through its ongoing monitoring and engagement, helping to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained across the sector.

Question reference: S7W-01104

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to ensure that any health and safety concerns raised by staff and students in colleges are appropriately investigated and acted upon.

Question reference: S7W-01099

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, what assessment it has made of whether staff in Scotland's colleges have sufficient protections and confidence to raise any workplace health and safety concerns without fear of detriment.

The Scottish Government has been consistently clear we expect colleges to embed Fair Work principles, which includes ensuring there are effective mechanisms for staff and students to raise concerns, and for these to be considered and acted upon, without fear of detriment. Responsibility for putting appropriate arrangements in place rests with individual colleges.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC), through its ongoing engagement and assurance role, seeks to ensure that colleges are operating in line with these expectations, including fostering a culture of openness, respect and meaningful partnership working.

Question reference: S7W-01103

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken, or plans to undertake, any review of health and safety arrangements in Scotland's colleges.

Responsibility for health and safety arrangements rests with individual colleges, which are required to meet their legal obligations and maintain safe environments for staff and learners.

Whilst health and safety regulation and enforcement is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive, the Scottish Government expects colleges to have robust policies and procedures in place.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) seeks assurance on this through its ongoing engagement and monitoring of the sector.

Question reference: S7W-01102

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to colleges regarding the management of health and safety risks associated with welding fumes and other hazardous substances.

The Scottish Government expects colleges to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and to follow relevant guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including in relation to the management of risks from welding fumes and other hazardous substances. Responsibility for setting and enforcing health and safety standards rests with the HSE, while implementation remains a matter for individual institutions.

Question reference: S7W-01100

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the reported findings of the unannounced inspection of the welding and fabrication department at City of Glasgow College in December 2025.

Individual colleges in Scotland are responsible for their own operational decisions, such as ensuring systems are in place to assess and manage health and safety risks, and working with the relevant bodies to ensure they meet their legal responsibilities. The Scottish Government understands that City of Glasgow College has accepted the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) findings in full and are implementing all corrective actions identified, which has resulted in the HSE’s intervention being closed.

As part of its ongoing monitoring and assurance processes, the Scottish Funding Council will continue to monitor the college’s progress to ensure improvements are followed through and that staff concerns are addressed.

Question reference: S7W-01509

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of existing animal welfare legislation and regulation, and whether it has identified any areas where it considers that reform may be required.

In April 2025 the Scottish Government published a review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, considering the provisions of the 2020 Act and any requirements for additional animal welfare, animal health and wildlife offences. The review concluded that the closely targeted provisions in the 2020 Act are functioning as intended and that no legislative changes are required.

Additionally, the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) is currently carrying out a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, with the report scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The Scottish Government will give full consideration to SAWC's report in due course.

Question reference: S7W-01569

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the terms of reference of the Anti-Racism Coalition to be agreed.