Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-42394

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 16 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Islands Connectivity Plan’s Community Needs Assessment methodology recognising the importance of workforce issues, including crewing levels, seafarers hours of work, seafarer certification, seafarer accommodation, operating conditions, vessel type and vessel design, in the route specific provision of lifeline ferry services, what formal role (a) ferry staff and (b) recognised trade unions will have in the Community Needs Assessment of lifeline ferry services envisaged in the plan.

The Community Needs Assessment (CNA) methodology recognises how crewing levels, working hours and crew location influence service design. For each assessment, the relevant operator will be asked to check that crewing information used to inform an understanding of current service delivery on each route is accurate. Equally, for the generation and appraisal of options to address identified transport connectivity needs, the methodology recognises the importance of ensuring that these are deliverable, including the impact on personnel of options that would mean a change in the route service level. At appropriate stages in the assessment, further input and validation from the operator, including from crew, port staff and their representatives, will be needed to ensure that the outputs from the assessments are based on a full understanding of how the services are delivered and the operational impact of any changes.

For example, for the Cowal Community Needs Assessment published in September 2024, crew and trade unions were briefed on the future options for Gourock-Dunoon ferry services and fed back on the report before decisions were made on implementation. Crew were then instrumental in supporting the development of new draft timetables to meet the requirements of the CNA prior to consultation on those with the community.

Question reference: S6W-42395

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in the recent report by Glasgow University’s Adam Smith Business School on behalf of the Economic and Social Research Council, A Stakeholder Model of Public Ferry Service Provision.

We note the report and that many of themes explored align well with themes identified in the recently published Islands Connectivity Plan.

Regarding the governance recommendation Scottish Ministers have not taken any decisions at this stage on potential further reforms to the governance of Scotland’s ferry bodies. Work to consider all available options is ongoing, and no approach has been ruled out.

We recognise the importance of clear communication, particularly during times of disruption. As part of the CHFS3 grant agreement, CalMac will be preparing a Customer service and accessibility plan and a disruption management plan to consider these matters further.

We also recognise the importance of consultation highlighted in the report and agree that it is vital to hear from a wide range of voices. Ministers, Transport Scotland officials, CalMac and CMAL will continue to engage with island communities, businesses, staff, trades unions and wider stakeholders across the network on new policy, timetables and projects to fully understand the wider range of challenges and opportunities as we invest to sustain and enhance services.

Question reference: S6W-42396

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on planned reforms to the governance of ferry services provided by CalMac under the Clyde and Hebrides (Third Generation) contract, which commenced on 1 October 2025.

Regarding the governance recommendation Scottish Ministers have not taken any decisions at this stage on potential further reforms to the governance of Scotland’s ferry bodies. Work to consider all available options is ongoing, and no approach has been ruled out.

The immediate priority is the successful delivery of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS3) contract, which commenced on 1 October 2025, and the introduction of six new major vessels into service. These measures are essential to strengthening resilience and improving the reliability of services for island communities.

Question reference: S6O-05308

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address the issue of assaults against transport workers.

Question reference: S6O-05272

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what communication the finance secretary has had with the UK Government and the Financial Conduct Authority regarding what support is available for policyholders impacted by the withdrawal of the Family Protection Plan by CMutual and Maiden Life Försäkrings.

Question reference: S6W-41690

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many inspections at farms have been carried out by its Agriculture Wages Inspection Team since 1 January 2025, broken down by (a) how many were as a result of a complaint received by a third party and (b) what proportion related to people holding a Seasonal Worker Visa, and what information it has regarding what the subsequent (i) outcomes and (ii) actions taken by the Inspection Team have been.

(A) Since 1 January 2025, Agricultural Wages Inspectors (AWIs), acting on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Enforcement Team (AWET), have conducted a total of 70 on-farm inspections. Of these, 64 were Control Test Inspections (CTIs)—routine spot checks—and 6 were complaint-based inspections initiated by workers submitting formal complaints regarding pay and working conditions under the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Order (“The Order”). Further inspections in 2025 are scheduled to take place.

The inspection year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

(B) AWIs carry out inspections at employers’ premises throughout the year. Complaint inspections are prompted by individual workers completing and submitting complaint forms to the AWET, detailing concerns about wages or working conditions. Workers who believe their employment terms do not comply with The Order are encouraged to contact AWET and complete a complaint form to enable investigation. We cannot undertake a compliant inspection based on assumptions from a third party as we need access to the worker’s payslips and time records, however, where we are notified of a suspected concern by a third party, we will endeavour to schedule a future CTI, and three such inspections are in train for 2025.

Since January 2025, AWIs have interviewed 206 workers during inspections. This total includes:

3 workers on the Seasonal Worker Visa scheme

4 workers on three-year Skilled Worker visas

1 seasonally contracted worker with EU Settled Status

Regarding (i) & (ii) inspections outcomes involving seasonal workers are ongoing. Where issues of non-compliance are identified, these will be raised with the employers for rectification. Should employers fail to address the concerns, enforcement notices will be issued in accordance with the provisions of The Order.

Question reference: S6W-41417

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 17 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the release of reserve funds to pension scheme members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

Question reference: S6O-05158

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the Financial Conduct Authority and other organisations regarding the impact on policyholders of the withdrawal of the Family Protection Plan by C Mutual and Maiden Life Försäkrings.

Question reference: S6W-41566

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 11 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with credit unions regarding the termination of the Family Protection Plan by C Mutual and Maiden Life Försäkrings from 30 November 2025.

The Scottish Government is aware of the decision by Maiden Life, to withdraw the Family Protection Plan, which is a commercial matter for the insurer and its broker, CMutual. We have engaged with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL) to understand the implications of the withdrawal and the support being provided to current policyholders. We will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that those affected receive clear information about their options.

Question reference: S6O-05074

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the modernisation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Chamber and committees