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-02459

Asked by: Michelle Campbell, MSP for Renfrewshire North and Cardonald, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Simita Kumar on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland will support and actively engage with communities across Scotland.

The Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) is independent of the Scottish Government. However, AROS has made clear that it is committed to working collaboratively with communities across Scotland through a trauma-informed, inclusive, participatory and non-extractive engagement approach. It will support communities by building confidence, skills and knowledge, enabling greater participation in anti-racism action and accountability.

This approach is grounded in co-production and seeks to strengthen existing community infrastructure and networks rather than create parallel structures:

AROS has established partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding with Regional Equality Councils (RECs), is developing regional hubs across Scotland, and has undertaken community engagement to build relationships with grassroots community organisations.
AROS is developing an engagement framework to ensure communities have meaningful opportunities to inform and shape its work through transparent communication and regular feedback mechanisms.
AROS will take an intersectional approach, working with organisations representing disabled people, LGBTQ+ communities, faith groups and others experiencing intersecting inequalities.
An Experts by Experience Panel, nominated through REC partners, will ensure lived experience informs AROS's priorities, research, scrutiny and reporting.

Question reference: S7W-02328

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how many housing adaptations have been approved through the Registered Social Landlord Adaptations Programme in 2026-27 so far, broken down by registered social landlord, and (b) what proportion this represents of the estimated 8,500 adaptations associated with the programme that were budgeted for as part of its Budget for 2026/27.

Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are invited to submit an application for the amount of funding required to deliver a programme of general adaptations across the financial year based on their understanding of need among their tenants and for any major adaptations required by their tenants.

For the 2026-27 financial year, funding requests from 82 RSLs were received for general adaptations funding with 32 requests for major adaptations funding. Every RSL which requested funding has received and accepted its funding offer.

The estimate of 8,500 general adaptations contained in the 2025 Programme for Government was for the 2025-26 financial year. This was calculated by dividing the funding available in 2025-26 by the average cost of a general adaptation delivered in 2024-25 to estimate how many general adaptations could be delivered. As the average cost of adaptions delivered in 2025-26 has increased, these calculations have been revised for 2026-27. It is estimated that the £20.9m budget for 2026-27 could deliver 6,935 general adaptations and 32 major adaptations.

Question reference: S7W-02564

Asked by: Kate Nevens, MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to incorporate mid-market rent and build-to-rent properties into Scotland’s rent control zones, what action it will take to prevent landlords of mid-market rent and build-to-rent properties from pricing tenants out of their homes, and how it plans to ensure that communities which currently meet the affordability threshold, of rent not exceeding 40% of take-home pay, continue to do so.

During the previous Parliament the Scottish Government brought forward regulations which exempt mid-market rent and build-to-rent properties from any rent control restrictions introduced using powers in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025. Laying these regulations demonstrates our commitment to ensure Scotland benefits from continued investment in the supply of new rented homes.

The exemption applies to properties offered at mid-market levels, reflecting our aim to grow the provision of mid-market rent as part of the supply of affordable housing. Properties are only eligible for exemption while rents are maintained below mid-market levels, meaning tenants will benefit from knowing their rent cannot rise above the median market rent in that area.

The exemption also applies to build to rent properties and to be exempt properties must remain continuously in the rental market. This approach is designed to promote future investment in new purpose-built homes for rent and to secure the retention of those existing purpose built rental homes in the private rented sector.

Tenants in Build to Rent and Mid-Market Rent properties in a rent control area will still be able to challenge rent increases by using the existing rent adjudication process – which gives rent officers powers to set rents at market rates.

Question reference: S7W-02363

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to enable local authorities to improve employment opportunities and pathways for people with autism.

The Scottish Government know that neurodivergent people, including autistic people face significant structural barriers to employment. We also recognise the valuable contributions that neurodivergent people bring to the workforce and are committed to supporting those individuals to both enter and sustain fulfilling employment.

Employability support in Scotland is delivered through our No One Left Behind approach in partnership with local authorities. This allows Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) to design and deliver services that meet the needs of their communities and local labour markets. Through this approach, tailored support is available to people of all ages, who are furthest from the labour market, helping them to gain skills and confidence, helping them prepare for employment, training, education, and/or volunteering.

In addition, Specialist Employability Support is also available in all 32 Local Authorities, targeted specifically at disabled people and people with long term health conditions, including those with autism who may benefit from longer-term support. This service also has a particular focus on significant aftercare and in-work support to help people sustain and prosper in employment.

The Scottish Government has also committed to work closely with local authorities and delivery partners to identify and share good practice, strengthen local provision and ensure that employment support is responsive to the needs of neurodivergent people and disabled people across Scotland.

This includes developing a stepped care model for neurodevelopmental services and is working with NHS Boards, clinicians, people with lived experience and third sector partners to support its implementation. The model aims to provide earlier access to advice, support and interventions, while ensuring that specialist assessment services are available for those who require them.

Through these measures, we are helping to ensure that autistic people can access timely, person-centred support and clear pathways towards fair and sustainable employment.

Question reference: S7W-02330

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what allocation each registered social landlord has so far received through the Registered Social Landlord Adaptations Programme in 2026-27 .

The funding awards for the Registered Social Landlord Adaptations Programme 2026-2027 are set out in the following table. This is a total of £21.707m which is 3.9% over budget to allow for slippage of the programme across the year.

Registered Social Landlord	Funding Award (£)
Abertay HA Ltd	203,000.00
Abronhill HA Ltd	20,000.00
Albyn HS Ltd	313,000.00
Almond HA Ltd	184,000.00
Angus HA Ltd	322,000.00
Argyll Community HA Ltd	750,000.00
Ark HA Ltd	111,000.00
Atrium Homes	138,000.00
Ayrshire Housing	111,000.00
Barrhead HA Ltd	90,000.00
Berwickshire HA Ltd	184,000.00
Bield Housing & Care	493,000.00
Blackwood Homes and Care	552,000.00
Bridgewater HA Ltd	60,000.00
Cairn HA Ltd	554,000.00
Caledonia HA	453,000.00
Castle Rock Edinvar HA Ltd	184,000.00
Castlehill HA Ltd	129,000.00
Cloch HA Ltd	595,000.00
Clyde Valley HA Ltd	920,000.00
Clydebank HA Ltd	70,000.00
Clydesdale HA Ltd	74,000.00
Cordale HA Ltd	30,000.00
Cunninghame HA Ltd	503,396.17
Dalmuir Park HA Ltd	30,000.00
Dunbritton HA Ltd	138,000.00
East Kilbride & District HA Ltd	30,000.00
East Lothian HA Ltd	92,000.00
Eildon HA Ltd	322,000.00
Ferguslie Park HA Ltd	55,000.00
Fife HA Ltd	184,000.00
Forgewood Housing Co-op Ltd.	30,000.00
Forth HA Ltd	322,000.00
Fyne Homes Ltd	148,000.00
Garrion Peoples Housing Co-op Ltd	30,000.00
Glen HA Ltd	92,000.00
Grampian HA Ltd	475,000.00
Hanover (Scotland) HA Ltd	1,104,000.00
Hebridean Housing Partnership Ltd	332,000.00
Hillcrest Homes Ltd	442,000.00
Hillhead HA 2000	52,700.00
Hjaltland HA Ltd	83,000.00
Home Group Scotland Ltd	276,000.00
Homes for Life Housing Partnership	74,000.00
Horizon HA Ltd	221,000.00
Irvine HA Ltd	300,000.00
Key HA Ltd	178,782.00
Kingdom HA Ltd	304,000.00
Knowes HA Ltd	50,000.00
Lanarkshire HA Ltd	92,000.00
Langstane HA Ltd	111,000.00
Larkfield HA Ltd	50,000.00
Link Group Ltd	1,020,000.00
Linstone HA Ltd	92,000.00
Lochaber HA Ltd	83,000.00
Lochalsh & Skye HA Ltd	150,000.00
Loreburn HA Ltd	765,000.00
Loretto HA Ltd	55,000.00
Melville HA Ltd	65,000.00
Oaktree HA Ltd	157,000.00
Ochil View HA Ltd	390,000.00
Ore Valley HA Ltd	60,000.00
Orkney HA Ltd	57,500.00
Osprey Housing Ltd	125,000.00
Paisley HA Ltd	276,000.00
Paragon HA Ltd	129,000.00
River Clyde Homes Ltd	841,000.00
Rural Stirling HA Ltd	60,000.00
Rutherglen & Cambuslang HA Ltd	60,000.00
Sanctuary (Scotland) HA Ltd	368,000.00
Scottish Borders HA Ltd	531,000.00
Shire HA Ltd	121,000.00
Trafalgar HA Ltd	20,000.00
Trust HA Ltd	850,000.00
Viewpoint HA Ltd	20,000.00
Waverley Housing	92,000.00
West Highland HA Ltd	164,000.00
West of Scotland HA Ltd	400,000.00
West Whitlawburn HA Ltd	70,000.00
Wheatley Homes East Limited	74,000.00
Wheatley Homes South Limited	1,858,000.00
Williamsburgh HA Ltd	92,000.00

Question reference: S7W-02718

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01865 by Mairi McAllan on 17 August 2026, (a) what the current minimum level of school clothing grant is for (i) primary and (ii) secondary pupils, (b) when each minimum level was last increased, and (c) whether there are any plans to increase these minimum levels and, if so, when.

Question reference: S7W-02709

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland is no longer publicly accessible as an online archive resource.

Question reference: S7W-02714

Asked by: Adam Harley, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its new national plan for hospital flow and whether the plan will include structural changes to the NHS and NHS boards.

Question reference: S7W-02716

Asked by: Yi-pei Chou Turvey, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the future of the "Wallace letter of recommendation", which is currently on loan to the National Records of Scotland from the UK National Archive.

Question reference: S7W-02699

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) Category A, (b) Category B and (c) Category C listed buildings there are which are currently vacant, broken down by local authority area.