- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 10 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Scottish Procurement Policy Note 3/2026, how many times legal advice has been sought to determine the legality of excluding a bidder from a procurement process on the basis that the goods or produce supplied by that bidder were produced in illegal settlements.
Answer
The Scottish Government receives legal advice on many different matters on an ongoing basis, as appropriate. All legal advice is confidential and it is a very long-established convention that legal advice provided to the Scottish Government is not disclosed.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 10 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Scottish Procurement Policy Note 3/2026, how many contracts have been awarded via public procurement to companies listed in the UN database of companies engaged in listed activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), since October 2024.
Answer
Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is Scotland’s national procurement portal for public sector contracting opportunities. All regulated contracts must be advertised on PCS and award notices must be recorded on the site. It also holds data on contracts voluntarily recorded by contracting authorities across Scotland.
A search of PCS data indicates that, since October 2024, no public procurement contracts recorded on PCS have been awarded to a company listed in the UN database of companies engaged in listed activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The search was based on matching the company names recorded on PCS with those appearing exactly as listed in the UN database.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 7 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to question S6W-43333, answered by Shona Robison on 29 January 2026, when it will begin the review of council tax arrears for victims of domestic abuse, as required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.
Answer
The statutory review of the impact joint and several liability for council tax arrears has on victim-survivors of domestic abuse is currently underway.
The Scottish Government recognises that joint and several liability for council tax can create very difficult circumstances for victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
The review is taking a twin-track approach involving analysis of the available evidence base together with stakeholder engagement with groups such as domestic abuse support organisations, money advice and debt charities and local authorities.
On completing the review, we will lay a report on it before the Scottish Parliament by 6 November this year, which will include a statement of action we intend to take as a result. This is in line with the timescales established by section 76(2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-43897 by Angus Robertson on 4 March 2026, whether it will set out in detail what progress it has made over the past five months in actively exploring options to ensure that listed places of worship in Scotland are not disproportionately affected by the withdrawal of UK-wide VAT relief.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01172 on 10 July 2027. 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.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 3 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland about the distinction between e-bikes, illegal motorised vehicles, and standard bicycles and whether guidance is required to support the separate recording of incidents involving e-bikes and standard bicycles, and to avoid the inappropriate seizure of legally compliant vehicles.
Answer
Police Scotland have previously briefed Ministers regarding the different types of vehicles including Electric Scooters, Electric Motorcycles, and Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC, commonly known as e-bikes).
Officers have been issued with guidance on how to differentiate between legal and illegally modified EAPCs, and they only seize vehicles, including ones which fall into the categories described above, when they have the power to do so. Work is currently underway to assess devices and technologies which can help officers to detect illegal vehicles.
It is for Police Scotland to determine how best to record incidents. If a crime has been committed, this should be recorded in line with the Scottish Crime Recording Standard.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 2 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an analysis of its public consultation on the future of council tax in Scotland.
Answer
As part of this work, the Scottish Government undertook a public consultation alongside a wider programme of engagement, including in-person events with members of the public and tax professionals. The consultation closed on 30 January 2026 and the analytical report of the consultation responses and engagement activity is currently being finalised.
This report will be published in the coming weeks. It will help inform further work to build cross-party agreement on reforms that can make the Council Tax system fairer.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2026
Question to be taken in Chamber.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2026
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 1 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the answer to question S7W-01397 by Jenny Gilruth on 3 August 2026, regarding the selection of financial institutions to advise on and support its forthcoming bond-issuance scheme and motion S6M-18686, does not make reference to either Barclays Bank or motion S6M-18686, and whether it will now address the relevant point raised in the initial question.
Answer
The question S7W-01397 made no specific reference to Barclays Bank, and the answer set out that nine banks had been appointed to a framework to support delivery of its bond programme – with HSBC, Bank of America, NatWest, and RBC appointed as joint bookrunners for the inaugural bond issuance.
The procurement process was assessed against the relevant procurement requirements, including the applicable exclusion grounds and selection criteria.
Motion S6M-18686 calls for a package of boycotts, divestment and sanctions in relation to Israel and companies considered in certain activities. Following the vote on that motion, the Scottish Government announced in September 2025 a comprehensive package of economic and humanitarian measures, within the limits of the Scottish Government’s devolved powers. Support for defence companies involved in Israel halted - gov.scot
In February 2026, Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN) 3/2026 updated guidance on the consideration of human rights and grave professional misconduct in procurement procedures. The guidance reiterates the Scottish Ministers’ view that the exploitation of assets in illegally occupied territories may constitute grave professional misconduct and could provide grounds for exclusion. However, any decision to exclude a supplier must be made on a case-by-case basis, based on all relevant evidence and in accordance with procurement law.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 31 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in response to recommendations 29 to 32 of the Session 6 Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's report, ADHD and autism pathways and support, particularly in relation to making it easier for those with a private diagnosis to receive timely, ongoing ADHD treatment on the NHS.
Answer
Improving access to support for people with neurodevelopmental support needs is a priority for this Government.
The Scottish Government is aware that some people who have received a private diagnosis of ADHD experience difficulties accessing medication through the NHS. Shared care was a key issue discussed at the second neurodevelopment summit convened by the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing and during the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee inquiry. The outcomes of these discussions will inform ongoing work to improve neurodevelopmental support.
We are committed to working with partners to explore options for shared care arrangements and to consider approaches that are proportionate, effective and meet the needs of both patients and clinicians. Guidance on prescribing ADHD medication to adults following a private-sector diagnosis in Scotland was also published by NAIT in April 2022.
Medication is one form of support for people with an ADHD diagnosis. Many people may also benefit from support available through community and education settings, which can be accessed on the basis of need and do not depend on a formal diagnosis.
- Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 31 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for diagnosis and treatment of children and young people with ADHD.
Answer
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking a neurodevelopmental diagnosis and support, resulting in increased pressure across a range of services.
Recognising these pressures, last year the Scottish Government and COSLA undertook a review of the implementation of the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People. The Specification is clear that support should be put in place at the earliest opportunity on the basis of need, and should not wait for, or be dependent on, a formal diagnosis.
The review identified areas of good practice and areas where further action is required. It highlighted the significant pressures facing services and the need for clearer national direction and practical support to help deliver timely, neuro-affirming care across Scotland.
In response to these findings, the Scottish Government committed to a programme of work to support health boards and local authorities in delivering the aims of the Specification. This work is being supported by the cross-sector Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopment Taskforce, which brings together expertise from health, education, local government and the third sector to ensure a collaborative, whole-system approach to improving support and services for children and young people.
