Questions and answers

Question reference: S6O-05530

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 18 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken since 2007 to address prostitution, including legislative measures aimed at tackling demand for paid sex as a means of preventing harm to vulnerable women and girls, and the provision of exit support services for recovery from any complex trauma resulting from prostitution.

Question reference: S6W-43396

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 5 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of testimony from survivors of grooming gangs, frontline service organisations and justice agencies that child sexual exploitation (CSE) and grooming are core pathways through which vulnerable children are drawn into the commercial sexual exploitation of prostitution, both in childhood and later in adulthood, whether it consulted Professor Alexis Jay, its expert adviser on CSE, including grooming, in relation to the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, ahead of the stage 1 vote on 3 February 2026.

It would be a matter for the sponsoring MSP to determine who she would wish to consult with on her Bill.

Professor Alexis Jay has been appointed independent Chair of the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) Strategic Group and will provide expert advice to Scottish Ministers on CSAE, and on the findings of the National Review of local responses to group-based CSAE announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in December 2025. Professor Jay chaired her first meeting of the Group on 28 January 2026.

A key focus of the Group’s current activity is to recommend improvements to workforce education and training to ensure professionals are better equipped to identify and respond when children are at risk of experiencing abuse.

This includes consideration and collaboration with other key workstreams and initiatives, including our Strategic Approach to challenge demand for prostitution.

Question reference: S6W-42997

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that university funding is meaningfully linked to best practice in healthy workplaces, specifically in relation to workload management and other drivers of work-related stress.

Whilst universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own decisions regarding pay and working conditions, the Scottish Government expects staff and trade unions to be consulted meaningfully and constructively to seek resolution to any disputes – in line with Fair Work principles. Implementation of Fair Work First must be the guiding criteria to promote fairer work practices for staff within the university sector.

Universities in receipt of government funding through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) are currently expected to meet two mandatory Fair Work First criteria (payment of at least the real Living Wage; and provision of appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, such as trade union recognition), while being encouraged to meet all other non-mandatory Fair Work First criteria. From April 2027, colleges and universities will be expected to adopt all Fair Work First criteria and the SFC will look to include these as a condition of grant. Further details are set out in my answer to S6W-42976 on 13 January 2026: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-42976.

I also expect universities to take appropriate steps to support and promote staff wellbeing, and comply with relevant legal requirements, including the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing health and safety requirements at UK workplaces, including universities.

Question reference: S6W-42996

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement of the review into a sustainable future funding model for universities, what support or assurances it will provide to any university staff who have lost their jobs or are currently at risk of redundancy.

The university sector continues to face financial challenges due to a number of factors, including the impact of migration policies introduced by the UK Government, and an increase to employer national insurance contributions.

While universities are autonomous institutions, the Scottish Government expects staff and trade unions to be consulted meaningfully and constructively on the potential impact of any cost-saving measures – in line with Fair Work principles.

Ministers cannot compel universities to commit to no compulsory redundancies, however my clear expectation is that they are only considered as a last resort, after all other cost-saving measures have been fully explored.

In the unfortunate event that redundancies occur, PACE is the Scottish Government’s response and can provide free and impartial advice, and is available to all individuals affected by redundancy, no matter the size of the business nor how many employees are involved.

Question reference: S6W-42998

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that higher education better meets the needs of Scotland and of future generations.

The recent budget invests over £2.4 billion in post-school education and skills and includes a significant real terms increase in our investment in Scotland’s college and university sectors, which both deliver Higher Education. This provides opportunity to people of all ages to fulfil their potential, while also ensuring that priority workforce needs are met.

The Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities will explore options for securing a successful and sustainable future for Scotland’s world-leading university sector.

This collaborative project between Scottish Government and Universities Scotland will build upon the strength of the sector and ensure our universities are well positioned to respond to current and future challenges, including demographic shifts, international competition, technological advancements, and the changing needs of students and the economy.

Question reference: S6W-42995

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it can provide regarding the timelines and delivery of the university sustainability review.

Question reference: S6W-43001

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 21 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Edinburgh City Council to ensure that staff are entitled to the proposed additional June 2026 public holiday announced by the First Minister to mark Scotland’s participation in the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

The First Minister’s proposal for a bank holiday to follow Scotland’s opening game at the men’s FIFA World Cup will create an opportunity for the country to come together and share this landmark occasion.

We would encourage employers, including The City of Edinburgh Council and other local authorities, to be as flexible as possible to ensure their staff have the opportunity to celebrate the team's success.

Question reference: S6W-42999

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 21 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether school staff, including teachers, will be entitled to the proposed additional June 2026 public holiday announced by the First Minister to mark Scotland’s participation in the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

The First Minister’s proposal for a bank holiday to follow Scotland’s opening game at the men’s FIFA World Cup will create an opportunity for the country to come together and share this landmark occasion.

As employers of school staff, including teachers, we would encourage local authorities to be as flexible as possible to ensure staff and pupils have the opportunity to celebrate the team's success.

Question reference: S6W-43000

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 21 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Scotland staff will be entitled to the proposed additional June 2026 public holiday announced by the First Minister to mark Scotland’s participation in the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

Question reference: S6W-42819

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the (a) revenue and (b) capital cost of extending universal free school meal entitlement to all primary school children.

Chamber and committees