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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-42865

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the reported poor treatment of workers and the level of reportable incidents in the salmon industry risks tainting the reputation of this iconic Scottish product.

Scottish salmon provides a high quality source of protein which is valued across the globe and its production is of significant economic importance to the Scottish economy and to the local rural communities employed in salmon production and processing.

The provenance and quality of Scottish salmon is valued around the world, making a significant contribution to the Scottish economy and to communities involved in salmon production and processing.

The Scottish Government fully expects employers to maintain workplaces that are safe for workers in line with relevant health and safety requirements. The Scottish Government promotes strong, constructive relationships between employers and trade unions, particularly where they are recognised, or where it is clear workers are seeking this collective representation.

Question reference: S6W-42901

Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 22 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what conclusions it has drawn from recent evaluations of the expansion to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare, particularly in relation to accessibility, flexibility of provision and outcomes for children and families.

As a result of the priority that the Scottish Government has placed on investing in funded ELC, families across Scotland have benefitted from the provision of 1140 hours of high quality funded ELC since 2021.

Our interim evaluation published in 2024 showed that uptake of the expanded hours is high, and there are promising signs that the expansion is delivering improvements in flexibility, accessibility and affordability of provision.

We expect to publish our overall evaluation on the outcomes of the expansion to 1140 hours for children, parents and families over the 2018 to 2025 period in February.

Question reference: S6W-42899

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a decision on the use of potential alternative funding options for capital projects.

Current fiscal framework constraints and tight limits on Scottish Government capital borrowing make consideration of alternative funding options, including private finance, a necessity to build the infrastructure we need.

We are always open to engaging with relevant stakeholders on alternative funding opportunities which would deliver best value.

We remain open-minded to pursuing different forms of alternative finance and will assess their suitability for infrastructure projects on a case-by-case basis.

Question reference: S6W-43204

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many households have received support from investment delivered under its energy efficiency and decarbonisation programmes in each year since 2021, including how many have (a) upgraded to clean heating systems and (b) received energy efficiency measures.

Question reference: S6W-43202

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been (a) allocated and (b) spent in each year since 2021 on each of its energy efficiency and decarbonisation programmes.

Question reference: S6W-43098

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its reasoning is for commissioning an independent review of the legislative landscape around children in care by Professor Kenneth Norrie, in light of the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise noting in the Chamber on 14 January 2026 that the Scottish Government has already received legal advice from Melanie Barbour KC, which was commissioned by the independent body, The Promise Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-43217

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the provision of secure parking facilities for HGVs on the trunk road network.

Question reference: S6W-43203

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how the Ending Homelessness Together Fund will be monitored to ensure that it delivers systemic change, including targeted resourcing to lay any essential groundwork for the "ask and act" duties with non-housing services.

Question reference: S6W-43234

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding will be made available to (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) Argyll and Bute Council to fund the pledge to deliver free Learn to Swim sessions, which was set out in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27.

Question reference: S6W-43239

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding what revenue it estimates will be raised by the ending of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for sporting rights.