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.

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Question reference: S7W-02575

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 28 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to review the policy on repeated Adult Disability Payment (ADP) reassessments for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), in light of the condition being permanent and progressive in nature.

The Scottish Government recognises that Multiple Sclerosis is a lifelong condition which can affect people differently and can progress over time.

Our person-centred approach accounts for fluctuating and progressive conditions. Adult Disability Payment reviews are tailored to people’s circumstances, making sure they receive the appropriate support for their level of need. Existing information is considered, along with any new information gathered at review, to support the right decisions being made first time.

We have also introduced indefinite awards for people with the highest level of needs which are highly unlikely to change. This helps to avoid the stress and anxiety associated with reviews while providing long-term financial security.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00433 on 9 June 2026 which sets out our planned enhancements to the disability benefit review process. 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: S7W-02738

Asked by: Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 28 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in publishing a draft referendum Bill.

I’m pleased to announce that the draft referendum bill is being published today.

The largest number of pro-independence MSPs in history has voted to support the call for powers to hold a referendum on Scottish independence to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

This draft Bill, which is a First 100 Days commitment, is being published to show what a referendum bill would look like at the point at which an agreement to hold a lawful independence referendum has been reached.

Question reference: S7W-02163

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to obstructive sleep apnoea, what action it is taking to establish a pathway to reduce the time from referral to treatment for people referred to sleep services, in light of reported delays in diagnosis and treatment and the associated impact on health services and the economy.

The Scottish Government recognises the impact that delays in diagnosis and treatment can have on people with obstructive sleep apnoea, as well as the wider consequences for health services and the economy.

NHS boards are responsible for the planning and delivery of sleep services to meet the needs of their local populations. The Scottish Government is supporting boards through investment to increase NHS capacity and reduce waiting times across services, including diagnostic and treatment pathways.

The 2026-27 Scottish Budget provides a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, alongside an additional £100 million to build on progress made through the Operational Improvement Plan. This investment will support the creation of additional NHS capacity and further reductions in waiting times, particularly for those who have been waiting the longest.

Through this investment and ongoing engagement with NHS boards, we are supporting improvements to referral, diagnostic and treatment pathways, including for patients referred to sleep services, with the aim of reducing waits and improving timely access to assessment and treatment for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Question reference: S7W-02695

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its previous statement that the loss of 632 jobs at the University of Dundee was "unacceptable", what assessment it has made of the projected loss of almost 1,000 jobs at the university.

Question reference: S7W-02667

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of its commitment to reduce child poverty, whether it will consider widening the eligibility criteria of the Young Patients Family Fund to make it more accessible to the families who are most in need of financial support by extending it to (a) outpatients attending regular appointments, and (b) day patients as appropriate.

Question reference: S7W-02720

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for Fife North East, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to use the estimated £140 million in additional block grant funding it is expected to receive between 2026-27 and 2029-30 as a result of the £1.5 billion funding announced by the UK Government in the 2025 UK Budget for its Warm Homes Plan.

Question reference: S7W-02721

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for Fife North East, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government and the home energy installers since March 2026 regarding the end of the ECO4 scheme.

Question reference: S7W-02734

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Consumer Scotland's briefing, An equitable postal service for the islands, what steps it is taking to improve engagement between postal operators and island communities.

Question reference: S7W-02719

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for Fife North East, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce additional measures or expand existing programmes to support continued delivering of home energy improvements, following the end of the ECO4 scheme.

Question reference: S7W-02735

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Consumer Scotland's briefing, An equitable postal service for the islands, what steps it is taking to ensure that third-party parcel delivery operators provide clear consumer rights information.