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-03639

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 1 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the award of the Project Gigabit roll-out contract for Orkney and Shetland.

Question reference: S7W-03329

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Movember’s recent report, The Real Face of Men’s Health, what steps it is taking to reduce premature mortality in men.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact that preventable ill health and premature mortality have on men across Scotland. Improving population health and reducing health inequalities, including those experienced by men, therefore remains a key priority.

Last year, the Scottish Government and COSLA published the Population Health Framework: a whole-system, cross-sector approach to improving life expectancy and reducing health inequalities – including action in key areas that disproportionately affect men. This Framework complements the strong focus on prevention and early intervention across the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, and specific action being taken forward across Government.

For instance, with men accounting for nearly three quarters of suicides in 2024, the Scottish Government has an increased suicide prevention budget of £3m for 2026-27. There is also continued investment in the SAMH’s Extra Time programme, where football is used as a hook to support men to look after their mental health.

Given the evidence that men are less likely to contact their GP than women, the ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign to detect cancer early uses targeted marketing to ensure it reaches men in places they spend their time, reaching over 2 million men so far.

Furthermore, evaluation of Scottish Government’s alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing policy found the largest estimated reductions in deaths and hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol were among men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas in Scotland.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering concrete actions to improve population health, and the fundamental shift across Government to early intervention and prevention is designed to address these important issues.

Question reference: S7W-03330

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Simita Kumar on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a national advisory council on men and boys to promote positive masculinity and improve men’s health outcomes.

The Scottish Government is not currently considering establishing a national advisory council on men and boys. Gender inequality affects everyone in Scotland and we are committed to addressing misogyny, challenging stereotypes and promoting positive masculinity. This is key to tackling violence against women and girls and realising a gender equal Scotland.

Earlier this year we ran a campaign to challenge misogynistic attitudes and behaviours among boys, helping them recognise the link between online content and real-world harm, and empowering them to take action to prevent it. We will continue to work with men and boys, including those in leadership positions, to promote positive masculinity and help tackle the causes of gender-based abuse.

We also recognise the importance of improving health outcomes for men and boys. Improving population health and reducing health inequalities, including those experienced by men, remains a key priority for the Scottish Government. We published the Population Health Framework, in partnership with COSLA, which takes a whole-system and cross-sector approach to improving life expectancy and reducing health inequalities. Wider action to tackle men’s health and mortality inequalities includes increased investment in suicide prevention and targeted marketing to encourage men to contact their GP via the ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign.

Question reference: S7W-03331

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Movember’s recent report, The Real Face of Men’s Health, whether it will commit to a men’s health action plan.

The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to improving life expectancy and tackling health inequalities across the whole population.

Last year, the Scottish Government and COSLA published the Population Health Framework, which sets out our cross-government, cross-sector approach to improving life expectancy while reducing the gap in life expectancy between the 20% most deprived areas and the national average, by 2035.

The Framework sets out the actions the Scottish Government and its partners are taking forward within the first two years by: supporting healthy environments; good early years and education; good work and income; and equitable health and care.

In addition, Scottish Government’s Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on the need to shift towards prevention and early intervention. This includes action to address alcohol and drug-related harm and to encourage healthier lifestyles among men, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and poor mental wellbeing.

Embedding prevention across public services is a fundamental part of the Scottish Government’s approach to improving population health outcomes for individuals and securing the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s health and care system.

Question reference: S7W-02829

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any Barnett consequential funding as a result of the UK Government's introduction of a local news fund.

Question reference: S7W-02463

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding action taken under the general anti-avoidance rule that was established by the Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act 2014, (a) how many times Revenue Scotland has taken action, (b) how many schemes have been challenged (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully, and (c) what the total value of the schemes has been.

Question reference: S7W-02303

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the establishment of the Gaza Student Scholarship.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the impact it is having on civilians.

We recognise the appalling circumstances many Gazan students are experiencing, including those who have secured university places in the UK but face significant barriers in taking them up.

In academic year 2025-26, the Gaza Student Support Scheme enabled 27 students on fully funded scholarships to access their studies at Scottish universities. Keeping this vital route open gives students from Gaza a path to safety, stability and the chance to fulfil their potential. The Scottish Government has consistently pushed the UK Government to continue this scheme and we welcome the recent announcement that the scheme will continue into 2026-27.

Building on this support, the Scottish Government has pledged to work with Universities of Sanctuary to explore how we can further support students from Gaza, including through the development of a postgraduate Scottish Gaza Scholarship Programme. Further detail will be set out to Parliament as this work progresses.

Question reference: S7W-02230

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 03 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether any funding received as a consequence of the UK Government’s Local News Fund will be allocated to support local journalism, public interest reporting and community news provision in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-02231

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 03 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing a local news fund to provide financial support for local, independent and hyperlocal news publishers.

Question reference: S7O-00148

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the development of affordable housing in island communities.