The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-02049

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over two-thirds of applicants to its Emergency Heating Oil Scheme in the Western Isles have had their applications refused.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

The scheme was put in place to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, enabling affected households to apply for £300 towards their bills. This includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable additional heating needs. The first payment was made within 24 hours of the scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

As of end of 9 August 2026, 598 applications had been received from households in the Western Isles. Of these applications, 270 have received an award of £300 towards the cost of their heating oil bills, with 322 applications having not met the eligbility criteria or had their application closed due to not responding to requests for information. Closed applications can be reopened if the applicant contacts Advice Direct Scotland.

Full details of the eligibility requirements have been available on the Advice Direct Scotland (“ADS”) website since launch, which includes noting that for discretionary decisions applicants must be in financial hardship and, in addition, meet one of the other listed criteria.

The Scottish Government is taking further steps to raise awareness of this scheme and will continue to use various channels to reach those households most in need. I would encourage anyone who uses heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat their homes in the Western Isles, and throughout Scotland, to visit the ADS website to check eligibility and, where eligible, to make an application.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria but are still struggling with the cost of living crisis may wish to be aware of the Scottish Government’s cost of living website which provides helpful information and support and can be found here: https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot

Question reference: S7W-02050

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure households in need are able to access the Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

The scheme was put in place to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, enabling affected households to apply for £300 towards their bills. This includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable additional heating needs. The first payment was made within 24 hours of the scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

The scheme has been managed by Advice Direct Scotland (“ADS”). Details of the eligibility criteria and the application process have been made available on the ADS website since the launch of the Scheme. Additionally, ADS have utilised the heating oil and liquid petroleum gas supplier network and have contacted over 1,600 third sector organisations to raise awareness of the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.

ADS are also assisting individuals with any queries that they may have on the scheme or in making an application and I thank them for their on-going work.

We are now taking further steps to raise awareness and will continue to use various channels to reach those households most in need.

Question reference: S7W-02029

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) assessment it has made of the state of maternity care in Scotland's rural and island communities, and (b) steps it is taking to support these services.

We expect all women giving birth in Scotland, including those living in rural and island communities, to be supported and safe. The recent Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspection of acute maternity services at the Balfour Hospital in NHS Orkney showcased many areas of good practice and highlighted the resilience and adaptability of island boards.

On the 11th of June, the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Care made a statement to Parliament setting out the plan for an independent Review of Maternity Services. The principles of this Review include a focus on: maternity services in rural and island areas across Scotland and the experiences of women living there. This review will be fast paced and forward looking.

I have also commissioned a survey of all remote, rural and island maternity services earlier this year. The responses from this, alongside national audit data, will form part of the Review and ensure future service provision takes into account the needs of those living in rural and island communities.

Question reference: S7W-02059

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of funded childcare provision on employment rates among parent carers of disabled children.

Question reference: S7W-02057

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with COSLA to ensure that the planned expansion of childcare across Scotland is informed by the lived experience of parent carers of disabled children, including those with complex additional support needs.

Question reference: S7W-02600

Asked by: Adam Harley, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether 23 publicly-funded beds for drug rehabilitation is a sufficient number.

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-02598

Asked by: Adam Harley, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has given any consideration to mobile drug consumption rooms.

Question reference: S7W-02608

Asked by: Adam Harley, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Curling over the last 12 months.

Question reference: S7W-02609

Asked by: Adam Harley, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to raise public awareness of curling.

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