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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 3550 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S7W-03493

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what written instructions, advice or guidance it has issued to planning authorities since 16 September 2026 regarding the determination of planning applications for hyperscale data centres that were already registered and under consideration before that date, including whether planning authorities have been asked to defer, pause or otherwise delay determination of such applications pending the publication of national planning and spatial guidance.

We have not issued instructions on the timing or determination of data centre applications. Through the notification direction we issued during the summer we are closely monitoring live applications and their intended timescales. We do not anticipate any applications will be determined by planning authorities before our planning guidance on Data Centres is issued later this year.

As I said in Parliament on 16 September, we will publish planning guidance before Christmas. In the meantime, the National Planning Hub continues to work with planning authorities to share knowledge and understanding of this rapidly emerging sector.

Question reference: S7W-03492

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the national planning and spatial guidance on hyperscale data centres that it has committed to publish will apply to planning applications that were registered before the guidance is published, and, if so, what consideration it has given to how that guidance will be taken into account in the determination of such applications.

We do not anticipate any applications will be determined by planning authorities before our planning guidance on data centres is issued later this year. Through the notification direction we issued during the summer we are actively monitoring live applications and their intended timescales for determination.

Before making a decision on a planning application, it is for the planning authority to interpret and implement all relevant planning legislation, policies and guidance as it deems appropriate, given the circumstances in each case, and to ensure that the provisions of the planning system are applied properly.

Question reference: S7W-03490

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how its commitments regarding apprenticeships will support the recruitment and training of the next generation of town planning professionals, and whether planning will be identified as a priority area within those commitments.

We want to see more high-quality apprenticeships to support our vital services, including planning.

We recognise the benefits of the work-based learning opportunities that apprenticeships provide, as demonstrated by the early success of our Future Planners Programme.

We recently endorsed the creation of a new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway into planning at Heriot-Watt University. The new course would provide an important new route into the profession, supporting efforts to expand planning education and develop the future planning workforce in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-03494

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has advised planning authorities to seek agreement with applicants to extend the period for determining planning applications for hyperscale data centres pending the publication of national planning and spatial guidance, and, if so, when and to which planning authorities such advice has been issued.

Question reference: S7W-03644

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 5 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the introduction of Christina's Card, which aims to support women's health by encouraging breast awareness, providing information on menopause and promoting participation in screening programmes, whether it will consider using the card, or similar public awareness materials, to provide information on the symptoms of ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers, and to use this as an opportunity to make clear that cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancer.

Christina’s Card will direct people to a website landing page where women will find a range of information about women’s health topics. This will provide a valuable opportunity to highlight that cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancers, as well as information on other gynaecological cancers.

In the interim, information available on NHS Inform and our Get Checked Early website explicitly advises that cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancer. The cervical screening information leaflets issued to women alongside their screening invitation are currently under review. It is intended that these materials will be updated to clearly state that cervical screening cannot detect other gynaecological cancers, including ovarian, womb, vulval and vaginal cancers.

In addition, work is ongoing to reinforce this message through a range of public communications to ensure women have a clear understanding of the purpose and limitations of cervical screening.

Separately, our ‘Be the Early Bird’ marketing campaign aims to reduce fear of cancer and empower those with possible symptoms to act early. The 2025-26 evaluation found that 71% of campaign recognisers reported taking action as a result of the campaign, while 61% of the target audience said they would be very likely to contact their GP practice if they experienced suspected cancer symptoms.

Question reference: S7W-03693

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that fire and rehire practices are consistent with Fair Work Principles.

Question reference: S7W-03692

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 1 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the Fair Work Oversight Group last met and whether any future meetings are planned.

Question reference: S7W-03480

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 1 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ring-fence the £7.38m arising from Barnett consequential generated by the UK Government’s Species Recovery Programme and allocate that funding to a new Species Recovery Fund.

Matters relating to the environment are fully devolved in Scotland. Our approach to species recovery and related matters are set out in our Strategic Framework for Biodiversity.

Our Nature Restoration Fund has now committed over £90 million to support projects, including both ecosystem and species recovery, since 2021. Habitat and species restoration are one of the Fund’s priority themes. We extended the NRF for a new round of projects starting in 2026-27 in light of the success of the programme.

Consequentials accrue to the Scottish Government as a whole and Scottish Ministers will decide how best to allocate these based on their priorities.

Question reference: S7W-03486

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 1 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the case for a funding model for species recovery that takes account of Scotland’s landmass, coastline and natural assets, as well as population, and what response it has received.

As set out in the answer to S7W-03480 on 1 October 2026, matters relating to the environment are fully devolved in Scotland and consequentials which accrue as a result of UK Government funding for reserved matters, accrue to the Scottish Government as a whole. No such discussions have therefore been undertaken.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S7O-00340

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to including the expansion of 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare to all twins and other multiple-birth children from age two in its forthcoming Early Learning and Childcare Strategic Framework.