Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-43468

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 12 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of a year having passed since it paused researcher access to the 2021-22 Scottish Government Health and Wellbeing Census, following ethical concerns about the way that sensitive personal data from over 130,000 school children in 16 local authorities had been gathered without parental consent, shared with the Scottish Government and then promoted to external researchers, whether it will confirm whether (a) this data has now been deleted and (b) any organisation or department of the Scottish Government still has access to it.

Question reference: S6O-05465

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated in its draft Budget 2026-27 to replace the Investing Communities Fund when the current funding ends in March 2026.

Question reference: S6W-42629

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) adult and (b) child disability payment tribunals the Social Security Scotland tribunal system has heard in the calendar year 2025; how many have been held (i) in person, (ii) online, (ii) by telephone and (iv) by correspondence, and what information it can provide regarding how many cases are competed in an average (A) morning, (B) afternoon, (C) all day and (D) multiple day session.

Question reference: S6W-42442

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 22 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the release of the 2024 Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey (SCPES) results and the survey having not run in 2021 as expected, (a) when the next CPES will be conducted, and (b) what steps are being taken to ensure that the SCPES data is available by more distinct age ranges, specifically for people aged 16 to 24, in light of the lowest age group currently available being 16 to 64, which does not allow an adequate assessment of differences or inequalities in experience due to age.

The Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey (SCPES) is vital in proving information on improving our understanding of peoples experiences as they navigate their own cancer pathway. Findings published from the 2024 survey show that for those aged 16 and over, 95% of people are positive about their overall cancer care experience, illustrating that that we are progressing towards our aim to put people with cancer at the heart of all decision and actions involving them.

The timing and frequency of SCPES are not fixed. Surveys have been conducted in 2015, 2018, and most recently in 2024, from which we are still taking learning.

The number of children and young people diagnosed with cancer in Scotland is small compared to other cancers.

To protect confidentiality, cancer groups with fewer than 50 responses cannot be analysed, as this helps minimise the risk of individuals being identifiable within the dataset.

Understanding the unique support needs of children and young people with cancer is a priority for both the Scottish Government and the Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC), who are responsible for the implementation of the Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care: cancer strategy for children and young people 2021–2026.

The MCN CYPC have a number of support programmes including the National Youth Advisory Forum and Buddy Support Network, which enable young people to share experiences, identify gaps, and help improve service quality through feedback.

Question reference: S6W-42443

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 22 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards ensuring that the experiences of children and young people under the age of 16 with cancer are captured, for example through the implementation of a dedicated under-16 Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey.

Understanding the unique support needs of children and young people with cancer is a priority for both the Scottish Government and the Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC), who are responsible for the implementation of the Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care: cancer strategy for children and young people 2021–2026.

The number of children and young people diagnosed with cancer in Scotland is small compared to other cancers. Due to small patient numbers it is challenging to produce detailed, anonymised data.

To protect confidentiality, cancer groups with fewer than 50 responses cannot be analysed, as this helps minimise the risk of individuals being identifiable within the dataset.

The MCN CYPC have a number of support programmes including the National Youth Advisory Forum and Buddy Support Network, which enable young people to share experiences, identify gaps, and help improve service quality through feedback.

Question reference: S6W-42440

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will implement the recommendation of the independent review of Adult Disability Payment to give consideration to granting automatic entitlement to Adult Disability Payment when a person satisfies certain conditions or is in receipt of other forms of assistance without having to satisfy the qualifying period.

The Scottish Government commissioned the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment to ensure the benefit continues to meet the needs of disabled people in Scotland. We appreciate the comprehensive recommendations this report provides for how we may improve Adult Disability Payment.

We are considering the feasibility of the recommendations, including the potential impact on fairness, sustainability and delivery. An initial response to the review will be published in January 2026.

Question reference: S6W-42441

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will use any learnings from the independent review of Adult Disability Payment and apply them, as appropriate, to Child Disability Payment.

The Scottish Government commissioned the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) to ensure the benefit continues to meet the needs of disabled people in Scotland. We appreciate the comprehensive recommendations it provides on how Adult Disability Payment may be improved.

The review focused specifically on Adult Disability Payment and many of the review’s recommendations would be neither relevant nor appropriate beyond that. However, as part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, we will consider whether there are any insights and learning which may be relevant more broadly across our new disability benefits.

Question reference: S6W-42444

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of healthcare visits, including GP visits, children and young people under the age of 25 are making before they receive a cancer diagnosis compared to older adults, and what action is being taken to reduce diagnostic delays for this age group.

The Scottish Government does not hold data for the number of healthcare visits, including GP visits, children and young people under the age of 25 are making before they receive a cancer diagnosis compared to older adults.

The Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care: The Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021–2026, is a dedicated cancer strategy for children and young people, in Scotland.

The strategy sets out our ambitions and actions to provide the best possible treatment and care, as early as possible, to children and young people with cancer. There are several actions that specifically relate to an early, precise diagnosis of cancer.

The Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC) are responsible for the implementation and evaluation of the Children and Young People’s cancer strategy.

We published the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer in August 2025, which includes a specific Cancer in Children & Young People Guideline, encompassing multiple distinct types of cancers more commonly diagnosed in those aged 0-24 years.

A suite of assets have been created for Gateway C, Scotland’s free primary care cancer education platform. These include bespoke assets focusing on children and young people to support early identification of possible symptoms of cancer and prompt referral.

Question reference: S6O-05311

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm that it will not allocate any further funding to the extension of the tram network in Edinburgh.

Question reference: S6W-42173

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision by the Motability scheme to end the availability of "premium" vehicles, such as BMW and Mercedes cars, for purchase through the scheme will apply in Scotland.

Motability has taken the decision to remove BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, and Alfa Romeo vehicles from the Scheme immediately for new orders, including in Scotland. Customers will keep their existing vehicles until their lease is due for renewal and existing orders placed before 25 November will be fulfilled.

The Scottish Government does not have powers to direct the choice of vehicles available as part of the Scheme, as these are determined by market forces and are a commercial matter for Motability alone.

Chamber and committees