The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-00690

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 10 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) that Scottish Water has withheld sewage flow data for several sewage treatment works.

As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their reply is as follows:

Scottish Water has responded to requests for data from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) under a number or FOI/EIR requests. Where data was available, Scottish Water has made efforts to provide this, as requested. Where data is not held by Scottish Water, as per the request, it has not been able to provide it - and Scottish Water has provided explanations. This is being tested by the Scottish Information Commissioner under appeal from WASP, reflecting the appropriate process in these circumstances.

Question reference: S7W-00688

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 10 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) has identified evidence of dry weather sewage spills taking place at Kilmory Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and Helensburgh STW over a number of years.

This would be an operational matter for Scottish Water.

Any discharge from a wastewater asset is covered by the requirements of authorisations issued under the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018. In the event of a potential non-compliance identified by the appropriate regulator, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), this would be investigated by Scottish Water and action taken as appropriate.

Question reference: S7W-00687

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 10 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported evidence of illegal sewage spills identified by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP).

The Scottish Government has not received any reports of illegal sewage spills identified by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP).

Any discharge from a wastewater asset is covered by the requirements of authorisations issued under the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018. In the event of a potential non-compliance identified by the appropriate regulator, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), this would be investigated by Scottish Water and action taken as appropriate.

Question reference: S7F-00015

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S7W-00330

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that students with neurodiversity are made aware of the support available to them, and what plans are in place to make those resources available to each neurodivergent student at the point of need.

The Scottish Government is clear that people should be able to receive the support they need, at the earliest opportunity based on need, and this should not be dependent on formal diagnosis.

Although colleges operate independently of government and universities are autonomous, they are responsible for ensuring students are supported in their learning. Students are encouraged to engage with student support, wellbeing and learning support services, through which needs can be identified and reasonable adjustments put in place. Institutions are supported by Scottish Government funding: the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) delivered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland; the Access and Inclusion Fund in colleges; and the Disabled Students’ Premium which supports inclusive learning and reasonable adjustments for students with additional needs, including those not eligible for DSA.

For school pupils, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, places duties on education authorities and other agencies to identify, meet and review additional support needs, including those arising from neurodevelopmental differences. To support parents/carers, young people and children, the Scottish Government also funds Enquire, the national advice and information service on additional support for learning and My Rights My Say, which supports children aged 12 and over, enabling them to understand and exercise their rights and participate fully in decisions about their education.

Question reference: S7W-00329

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what measures will be put in place to ensure availability and ease of access to support high school students with neurodiversity, and what is available already.

The Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004 places duties on education authorities to identify, provide for, and regularly review support to enable each learner to benefit fully from education, including those who are neurodiverse. Education authorities can ask other agencies (including Social Work Services, Health Boards and Skills Development Scotland) for help in carrying out their duties under the Act. Education authorities and schools take a needs-led rather than diagnosis-led approach. The recommendations of the McManus Review, which will include a new National Staged Intervention model, will inform this new administration’s approach to ASL.

To support parents and carers, young people and children, the Scottish Government funds Enquire, the national advice and information service on additional support for learning, as well as My Rights My Say which supports children aged 12 and over, to access advice and to exercise their rights. Education Scotland provides free professional learning resources and information for educators to better understand and support children and young people who may have or have been diagnosed with Autism/ADHD.

Question reference: S7W-00613

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38373 by Gillian Martin on 17 June 2025, whether it will provide an update on its plans to review and revise the guidance regarding the exceptional circumstances in which it is permissible for storm overflows to spill, in light of the cabinet secretary stating in her answer that it would seek to do so "in the coming months".

This work is well underway, however it is complex and officials are working with Environmental Standards Scotland to take forward a full scope of work that is practical in advance of a full understanding of the emerging recast EU Urban Wastewater Directive As previously noted in the answers to S6W-40574 on 30 September 2025, S6W-38373 on 17 June 2025 and S6W-42837 on 16 January 2026, I will provide an update to Parliament once this work has reached an appropriate stage.

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: S7F-00010

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S7F-00005

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6T-02979

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect people receiving and awaiting social care packages, in light of recent reports that industry leaders are warning that home care services are heading towards a “catastrophic breakdown”.

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Question reference: S7W-00690

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