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: S6W-43919

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require NHS Scotland to issue guidance on any potential genetic risks associated with children born to parents who are first cousins.

Couples who are first cousins need, and want, to be supported and empowered to understand the potential genetic risks within their families and the potential impact on any children. Clinical services and guidance are currently available within the NHS to cope with the current level of demand for those aware of genetic risks within their families or with children already suspected of having an inherited genetic condition.

Question reference: S6W-43876

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of ScotRail tickets are currently (a) purchased using its app and (b) still paper-based.

Question reference: S6W-43783

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support youth organisations to include trans young people, in light of the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers and any subsequent updates to equality guidance.

The Scottish Government has been clear since the Supreme Court ruling that it accepts the judgment. As such, it is taking forward the actions required in response to the ruling.

Trans and non-binary people are a small, marginalised group of 0.44% of Scotland’s population, who are often misunderstood, misrepresented, and receive disproportionate levels of attention. The Scottish Government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing equality, protecting rights and ensuring that trans and non-binary people can live free from discrimination.

Since the judgment, we have strengthened our direct support for the trans community. This includes additional investment to expand the LGBT Health and Wellbeing Helpline and to increase opportunities for trans people to connect through community virtual and in-person events. Any trans or non-binary person feeling concerned or anxious about the ruling is encouraged to contact the helpline.

The Scottish Government has provided £1.1 million in funding through our Equality and Human Rights Fund in 2025-26 to a range of organisations to promote equality of opportunity and inclusion for LGBTQI+ people. This funding has been used to:

help LGBT Youth Scotland deliver a range of projects to support LGBTQI+ young people
commence initiatives such as work supporting ending conversion practices through legislative and non-legislative measures
advance non-binary equality
support policy development for LGBTQI+ people
support research into the lives of the LGBTQI+ community

Question reference: S6W-43784

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers and any subsequent updates to equality guidance reportedly leading some youth organisations to exclude trans children and young people from their services, what its position is on whether there is a gap in opportunities for trans children and young people.

The Scottish Government accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court. The Court emphasised that this decision does not diminish the protections against discrimination and harassment that trans people are entitled to under the Equality Act 2010, whether or not they hold a Gender Recognition Certificate.

Regarding reports that some youth organisations are excluding trans children and young people from their services, it is important to be clear that all employers and service providers must interpret and comply with the Equality Act 2010. It is for the regulator, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), to enforce the Act. All organisations, whether publicly funded or not, are required to operate within the wider framework of the law.

The Scottish Government is clear that trans men, women and young people are valued in our society. People in Scotland want to live in a country that treats everyone with respect, compassion and care, and we remain firmly committed to protecting the rights of all.

Question reference: S6W-43831

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on island communities of the extended annual maintenance of the MV Glen Sannox, and whether such repairs will impact the delivery of the MV Glen Rosa.

The Scottish Government itself has not undertaken any assessment of the impacts associated with extended overhaul periods. We are not aware of any detrimental effects on delivery dates or build costs for MV Glen Rosa.

CalMac are responsible for and manage the planned series of vessel overhauls, and they work with the yards to establish timelines and, where necessary, extensions. In the case of MV Glen Sannox, this has also been done in collaboration with colleagues in Scottish Government working with Fergusons given the element of warranty work to be included.

Arran services throughout this period have continued from Ardrossan and Brodick and cover has been provided by MV Isle of Arran, MV Caledonian Isles and MV Alfred at various times during the planned overhaul and the extension. Additional services have also been provided with the extension of the service to Arran from Claonaig over the winter period.

Question reference: S6W-43807

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce regional variation in Land and Buildings Transaction Tax relief for first-time buyers to reflect differing housing market conditions across Scotland.

There are no plans to amend the LBTT legislation to reflect different housing market conditions. Such significant changes could create considerable complexity in terms of the administration of the tax by Revenue Scotland; and impact on both revenues and the Scottish Government’s ability to effectively respond to our national priorities.

We recognise the value this relief provides, and its operation is being considered as part of the ongoing review of LBTT. That review is the appropriate forum for assessing the effectiveness of existing reliefs and ensuring they remain properly targeted and proportionate. The outcomes of this review will be published before the end of this Parliamentary term.

Question reference: S6W-43874

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6F-04638 by John Swinney on 5 February 2026, and his commitment to contact the Highland Council regarding the funding of domestic abuse services in the Highlands, whether it has made this contact since then, and, if so, whether it will provide an update on any discussions.

I wrote to the Chief Executive of Highland Council on 11 February 2026, highlighting the concerns raised with the First Minister in relation to funding and future operational models of domestic abuse services in the Highlands. I requested Highland Council consider engaging with cross-party MSPs in the Highlands, to better understand the challenges and how they can be resolved.

We continue to encourage local authorities to utilise the joint COSLA and Scottish Women’s Aid guidance on good practice in commissioning specialist domestic abuse services.

Question reference: S6W-43806

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on which stakeholders it has engaged with during its review of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.

Question reference: S6W-44044

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the pledge made by the health secretary in 2018 to prioritise the development of new primary care premises in Banchory.

Question reference: S6W-44034

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided to Médecins Sans Frontières in relation to its humanitarian work in Gaza.