- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 December 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 16 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41852 by Gillian Martin on 25 November 2025, whether it will provide the (a) lowest, (b) highest, (c) median and (d) mean figure for the (i) cost and (ii) time taken for the Energy Consents Unit to process a representation from a member of the public in respect of an application, in 2025.
Answer
As previously stated in the answer to S6W-41852, the processing of a representation requires multiple members of staff of the Energy Consents Unit to undertake a combination of detailed administrative tasks. The time and cost taken to process representations vary depending on the nature, size and complexity of each submission, as well as the total number of representations received for an application.
It is therefore not possible to provide average processing timescales and costs that would accurately portray the work undertaken by Scottish Government officials to administer representations submitted by the public.
As previously stated in the answers to S6W-41171 and S6W-41175 on 27 October 2025, all submissions received by the ECU are treated in the same manner, irrespective of the application or the sender of the representation. All material considerations raised in representations are carefully considered before reaching a decision on the relevant application.
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: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 17 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the role of the third sector in ensuring the sustainability of the NHS.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 17 December 2025
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 10 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent in total on its We Are Scotland campaign.
Answer
The total spend on the community cohesion We Are Scotland campaign is £660,000.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 10 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the increase in inflammatory bowel disease cases, in light of reported estimates that 25,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed in 2025 with Crohn's disease and colitis, and that Scotland has the highest prevalence in the UK, with one in 103 people affected.
Answer
The Scottish Government welcomes IBD UK’s report Crohn’s and Colitis Care in Scotland: A Vision for Change and values its contribution to improving care for people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
We are committed to ensuring that people living in Scotland with long term conditions like IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred.
Actions which the Scottish Government is taking include:
- An Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan The Recovery and Renewal Plan - Endoscopy and urology diagnostic: recovery and renewal plan - gov.scot backed by £70 million. The plan focuses on key areas such as: Balancing Demand and Capacity; Workforce Training and Development; Infrastructure; and Innovation and Redesign.
- Funding the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme (MPPP) with a specific workstream continuing to promote improvements in IBD care which is being taken forward through the MPPP’s National Gastroenterology Speciality Delivery Group (SDG). They have developed a national IBD pathway for NHS Scotland which was published in January 2025: inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd-pathway.pdf. The SDG is also developing a lower gastrointestinal pathway which will provide primary care guidance about testing and diagnosis for people with IBD in Scotland.
- Developing a new Long Term Conditions Framework to better recognise that many people living with long term conditions share similar needs and may benefit from the same types of support and care, regardless of their condition.
We will continue to work with clinicians, patients, and third sector partners to improve services and outcomes for those living with IBD.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus Robertson on 10 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on the advertising and promotion of St Andrew's Day on (a) radio, (b) television, (c) print media and (d) digital and social media in 2025.
Answer
The spend on the St Andrew’s Day campaign, in support of community cohesion at home in Scotland, and to promote Scotland as a country internationally as a place to live, work, visit, study and do business, was;
£60,586 for radio
£77,819 for digital and social media
No other paid-media channels were used.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 10 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve public-facing information on the specific symptoms of Crohn’s disease and colitis to support earlier diagnosis, including through the NHS 24 Online app and other tools.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of improving public awareness of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis to support earlier diagnosis and reduce stigma.
We have worked with Crohn’s & Colitis UK and clinicians to update information and guidance on gastrointestinal conditions and symptoms such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This is widely available to the public via the NHS inform website: Scottish health information you can trust | NHS inform.
Crohn's & Colitis UK - Symptom checker also provides an online tool designed to help people recognise potential symptoms and seek timely medical advice.
We are exploring opportunities to enhance digital tools to provide symptom guidance and signposting to reliable resources through NHS inform. This work will complement our ongoing efforts through the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme and the National Gastroenterology Speciality Delivery Group to improve early diagnosis and care for people with inflammatory bowel disease.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 01 December 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 9 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 in relation to the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), and what its position is on whether applications called in for consideration by the Energy Consents Unit that meet the threshold for a “national development” require a Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA).
Answer
National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was approved by the Scottish Parliament in February 2023, before the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act commenced. Its implementation reflects children’s rights principles, including participation and wellbeing considerations.
For individual development proposals, including national developments and cases under sections 36 or 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, applicants are not legally required to prepare a CRWIA. However, Ministers must act compatibly with UNCRC requirements.
Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a CRWIA for strategic decisions affecting children’s rights and wellbeing—high-level decisions that may impact the Government’s ability to respect, protect, and fulfil these rights. These typically include setting policy priorities, allocating resources, and policy delivery, but not routine operational decisions (e.g. many planning or licensing cases).
Strategic decisions are usually made by Ministers but can also be made on their behalf. They generally influence how the Scottish Government implements laws and policies over the long term, though urgent short- or mid-term decisions may also qualify. Strategic decisions may form part of an overarching plan. Ministers also intend to carry out CRWIAs for any changes or reviews of such decisions.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the additional £500,000 allocated to enhance the support available to children and families as referenced on 1 October 2025 by the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, whether it will provide information on how this money will directly support people diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Answer
The Scottish Government is providing an additional £500,000 funding in 2025-26 to improve access to neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and their families. In line with the National Neurodevelopmental Specification, such support is not dependent on a diagnosis of a specific neurodevelopmental condition, and is based on support needs.
Regarding FASD specifically, we have provided £216,500 of grant funding to the FASD Hub in Scotland which provides support, training and advice to families, carers and professionals supporting children affected by FASD.
We also provided the Fetal Alcohol Advisory Support and Training Team (FAASTT) with grant funding of £403,500 to allow the delivery of training to improve knowledge, attitudes and confidence in professionals working with individuals with FASD.
Both organisations have been allocated the same amount of funding in 2025-26.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the additional £500,000 allocated to enhance the support available to children and families as referenced on 1 October 2025 by the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, whether it will provide information on how the money has been allocated and spent in the (a) financial year 2024-25 and (b) current financial year to date.
Answer
The additional funding of £500,000 is allocated in the current financial year, 2025-26 across a range of projects aimed at improving access to neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and their families. Further details about the projects receiving funding will be published on the Scottish Government website in due course.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the £620,000 of funding that it has provided to improve the understanding of, and support for, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), whether it will provide information on how the money has been allocated and spent in the (a) financial year 2024-25 and (b) current financial year to date.
Answer
In the financial year 2024-25, we provided £216,500 of grant funding to the FASD Hub in Scotland which provides support, training and advice to families, carers and professionals supporting children affected by FASD. This hub is the first of its kind in the UK.
We also provided the Fetal Alcohol Advisory Support and Training Team (FAASTT) with grant funding of £403,500 to allow the delivery of training to improve knowledge, attitudes and confidence in professionals working with individuals with FASD.
Both organisations have been allocated the same amount of funding in 2025-26 to continue to deliver the activity outlined above.
