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-02357

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
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.

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.

Question reference: S7W-02358

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
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.

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.

Question reference: S7W-02575

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 28 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review the policy on repeated Adult Disability Payment (ADP) reassessments for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), in light of the condition being permanent and progressive in nature.

The Scottish Government recognises that Multiple Sclerosis is a lifelong condition which can affect people differently and can progress over time.

Our person-centred approach accounts for fluctuating and progressive conditions. Adult Disability Payment reviews are tailored to people’s circumstances, making sure they receive the appropriate support for their level of need. Existing information is considered, along with any new information gathered at review, to support the right decisions being made first time.

We have also introduced indefinite awards for people with the highest level of needs which are highly unlikely to change. This helps to avoid the stress and anxiety associated with reviews while providing long-term financial security.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00433 on 9 June 2026 which sets out our planned enhancements to the disability benefit review process. 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: S7W-02353

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the response to question S6W-35719, what engagement has taken place in the last two years in the Bearsden and Milngavie area with "Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships, Housing Developers and the wider Business community to understand current and future markets which may inform varying the frequency of rail services."

Question reference: S7W-02574

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review maternity pay arrangements for teachers, specifically the point at which occupational maternity pay is reduced to statutory maternity pay.

Question reference: S7W-02246

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 20 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support and increase horticulture training and education provision in the west of Scotland and Greater Glasgow areas.

The Scottish Government recognises the wide range of careers available in the horticultural sector, and the importance of effective training and educational pathways to deliver a workforce equipped with the skills and expertise demanded by the sector.

In 2026-27 the Scottish Government is investing over £2.4 bn in our post-school education and skills system, supporting the delivery of horticulture provision at education providers across the west of Scotland, including Ayrshire College, Glasgow Clyde College, New College Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire College. While colleges and universities operate independently of Government, with responsibility for their own course provision, we recognise and support collaborative work between those sectors and industry to address horticulture skills needs.

The Scottish Government also funds the 2026-27 Lantra workplan, which supports diverse and rewarding career development in the land-based sectors, including horticulture across Scotland, the UK and Ireland. Scottish Government officials continue to attend regular Horticulture Skills Group meetings, which provide an opportunity for further and higher education institutions to connect with employers, local authorities and other organisations.

While the Scottish Government does not currently offer regional specific support for horticulture education provision, we have supported and endorsed the development of Regional Economic Partnerships (REPs). These partnerships will seek to unlock new powers, and design delivery models tailored to local priorities. This could include powers in areas such as skills, further education, economic development and planning.

Question reference: S7W-02569

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the upcoming mandatory fortification of certain wheat products with folic acid, how it will monitor potential adverse effects for members of vulnerable groups for whom exposure to folic acid may have negative health effects, such as those on certain cancer treatments.

Question reference: S7W-02571

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the upcoming mandatory fortification of certain wheat products with folic acid, what steps it will take to ensure clear product labelling and the provision of affordable, accessible, unfortified alternatives.

Question reference: S7W-02570

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the upcoming mandatory fortification of certain wheat products with folic acid, what plans it has to protect members of vulnerable groups for whom exposure to folic acid may have negative health effects, such as those on certain cancer treatments.

Question reference: S7W-01802

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish an equivalent to the UK Government's Local News Fund for England and Wales.

The Scottish Government recognises the role that journalism plays in supporting democratic participation, informing communities and holding public bodies and institutions to account.

That is why in 2021, the Scottish Government established the Public Interest Journalism Working Group to consider the long-term sustainability of public interest journalism in Scotland.

Following this, a Steering Group was established with the aim of transitioning into a Scottish Public Interest Journalism Initiative, with a remit to support and grow the sector. The Initiative has now been registered at Companies House, enabling it to commission research, develop partnerships and explore potential funding opportunities. The Group's membership comprises representatives from across the public interest news sector and is supported by a Scottish Government secretariat.

While there are currently no plans to establish a Scottish equivalent of the UK Government's Local News Fund, the Scottish Government remains committed to supporting a diverse, sustainable and representative media landscape and will continue to engage with the sector on opportunities to strengthen and support public interest journalism in Scotland.