The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-04125

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the reform of (a) local government, (b) education and (c) NHS boards, what private sector consultancy firms and other external consultants it has commissioned to provide advice, analysis or other support, how much has been spent on this commissioned work to date and what the total anticipated cost of such work is, and whether any further private sector consultancy support is planned in relation to the reform programme.

Question reference: S7W-03946

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to ensure that freelance creative workers who have contracts with the public sector are paid promptly and within agreed timescales.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the prompt payment of freelance creative workers and all other suppliers, and to promoting fair payment practices throughout public sector supply chains.

The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires public bodies with an estimated annual regulated procurement spend of £5 million or more to set out in their procurement strategies how they will ensure payment of valid invoices within 30 days throughout their supply chains. Public bodies must also report annually on the effectiveness of these arrangements.

In addition, Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN) 02/2022 sets out how contracting authorities should assess bidders' previous payment performance and seek commitments from suppliers to pay sub-contractors within 30 days as part of the procurement process.

The Scottish Government continues to lead by example, with a target of paying valid invoices within 10 days of receipt. During 2025-2026, 86.6% of valid invoices were paid within 10 days and 96.1% within 30 days.

Together, these measures support prompt payment for suppliers across all sectors, whether they contract directly with a Scottish public body or as part of the supply chain for a public contract, including provision for valid invoices to be paid within 30 days.

Question reference: S7W-03981

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Simita Kumar on 21 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the prevalence and nature of violence against women aged 65 and older, and what action it is taking to ensure that such women experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, financial abuse or other forms of gender-based violence have access to appropriate support, protection and specialist services.

Our Equally Safe strategy recognises that violence against women and girls can affect women throughout their lives. Through our £23m Delivering Equally Safe fund we are funding specialist support services to ensure that all victims and survivors can access support and assistance when they need it.

The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey collects data on the prevalence and nature of violence against women and girls, including older adults. The latest figures available are from the 2018-20 survey sweeps. We are working to provide updated figures for the combined 2023-24 and 2024-25 survey.

Question reference: S7W-04148

Asked by: Joe Fagan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make provision for the replacement of integrated joint boards in its proposed Public Service Renewal Bill.

The Programme for Government commits to seeking to give statutory backing, where required, to reform the public service delivery landscape in support of the aims of the Public Service Reform Strategy. This could include the possible merging and abolition of public bodies and the transfer of functions between core government and public bodies. Officials are currently working with stakeholders to determine the content of the Public Service Renewal (Scotland) Bill and no decisions have been as to whether this will include any provision for the replacement of integrated joint boards.

Question reference: S7W-04149

Asked by: Joe Fagan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed Public Service Renewal Bill will include provision to enable the merger of local authorities.

The Programme for Government commits to seeking to give statutory backing, where required, to reform the public service delivery landscape in support of the aims of the Public Service Reform Strategy. This could include the possible merging and abolition of public bodies and the transfer of functions between core government and public bodies. Officials are currently working with stakeholders to determine the content of the Public Service Renewal (Scotland) Bill and no decisions have been as to whether this will include any provision to enable the merger of local authorities.

Question reference: S7W-03999

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its final evaluation of the Nature Restoration Fund, in light of its interim evaluation, which was published on 6 August 2025.

Question reference: S7W-04365

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of offshore energy workers who hold certifications enabling them to work in both the offshore oil and gas and offshore wind sectors.

Question reference: S7W-04360

Asked by: Martyn Day, MSP for Falkirk East and Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01958 by Kirsten Oswald on 10 August 2026 regarding granting prescribed status to Independent Humanist Ceremonies under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 and the Civil Partnership Act 2004, whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made by officials.

Question reference: S7W-04356

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the findings of the 2025-26 report, NHS Scotland Service Evaluation of Long COVID Services, will inform the development of its forthcoming Long Term Conditions Strategy and future planning for long COVID services and, if so, how.

Question reference: S7W-04376

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to align its close pass reporting system with the one used in England.

Chamber and committees

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Question reference: S7W-04125

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