Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-43890

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Royal Mail regarding the reported operational pressures it faces and the possibility of late or non-delivery of election material, including postal ballots, which could compromise the democratic process ahead of the forthcoming Scottish Parliament election period.

Question reference: S6W-43881

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding for Shetland it (a) has provided in each financial year since 2023-24, including 2025-26 to date, and (b) plans to provide in 2026-27 (i) for healthcare provision, (ii) for a new hospital to replace the Gilbert Bain Hospital and (iii) directly to NHS Shetland.

Question reference: S6W-43802

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to the Urgent Question and supplementary questions by Dorothy Bain on 18 February 2026, what its position is on whether it has been involved in any political interference in the criminal case against Peter Murrell.

Question reference: S6W-43892

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how ovarian cancer patients in Scotland can access hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgery.

Question reference: S6W-43895

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it provides to support gynaecological cancer research.

Question reference: S6W-43669

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35293 by Paul McLennan on 7 March 2025, when it plans to publish the next local authority analysis for the Scottish House Condition Survey.

Further to the response provided in question S6W-35293;

The Scottish Government publishes local authority analysis using a three-year pooled data set to ensure sufficient sample sizes. As set out in the Scottish House Condition Survey 2023 Key Findings Report (available at Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings - gov.scot) the lack of SHCS data for 2020 and the enforced changes for 2021 cause issues with the production of this analysis for two reasons.

Firstly, there is no SHCS data for 2020 so we cannot produce a three-year average for the 2019 to 2022 survey years. Secondly, the data from the 2021 external+ SHCS is not directly comparable with that from other survey years due to the methodological differences and it would therefore not be appropriate to combine it with the data for 2022 or 2023 to produce a multi-year average.

With the publication of the 2024 SHCS key findings report, on February 24th 2026, we will have a three year pooled data set (2022-2024), and a Local Authority level analysis will follow.

We have pre announced these statistics for publication in May 2026 and will confirm the date in due course.

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: S6W-43677

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many Foundation Apprenticeships have been funded at any level by Skills Development Scotland in (a) hospitality, (b) automotive, (c) construction and (d) undisclosed subject areas, in each year from 2023 to 2026 to date.

The Scottish Government recognises the value and positive impact of Foundation Apprenticeships for our young people.

A report on the number of Foundation Apprenticeships funded by Skills Development (SDS) can be accessed here:

https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/zxfjjm3q/sds-fa-progress-report-july-2025.pdf. This provides information on the number of starts up to 2024-25 and further data will be available at the end of academic year 2025-26.

The report does not include a breakdown by occupational group, however, SDS can provide a more detailed breakdown. I would encourage Mr Kerr to contact them directly.

It is worth noting that the Scottish Funding Council also funds the delivery of Foundation Apprenticeships through colleges.

Question reference: S6W-43675

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to implementing Modern Service Frameworks, as introduced in England.

The Scottish Government is aware of the development of Modern Service Frameworks in England for major conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. For clarity, these are being developed by the UK Government but have not yet been formally introduced.

In Scotland, our policy is guided by our own strategic frameworks, including the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. Together, these set out our shared long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services.

This work is underpinned by a ten-year programme focused on prevention, person-centred care, strengthened community services, digital innovation, and addressing the root causes of poor health.

Question reference: S6W-43851

Asked by: Roz McCall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide financial support to third sector organisations to enable them to meet the training requirements set out under the National Framework for Adult Support and Protection Learning and Development in Scotland.

The National Framework for Adult Support and Protection (ASP) Learning and Development in Scotland provides a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary resource to ensure that all those involved in supporting and protecting adults are appropriately trained and skilled for their role. It prioritises workforce development and underscores the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and partnership across professional groups. The Framework aims to support a consistent approach across Scotland which can be adapted for local use to enhance existing local training approaches. An implementation plan has been developed and will be delivered by the by the National ASP Coordinator and supported by the multi-agency National Learning and Development Network. This includes work with early adopter sites to provide feedback and a multi-agency review on its use 10 months following publication. Colleagues in learning and development roles within multi-agency local partnerships are in a unique position to support best practice. They can develop the knowledge and skills required in practitioners across all organisations and services, promoting multi-agency, multi-service shared learning.

Question reference: S6W-43813

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has made of the (a) prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in Galloway and West Dumfries compared with national averages in each of the last three years, and what steps he is taking to ensure that respiratory health is prioritised nationally, including through the introduction of a Modern Service Framework for respiratory care.

I refer the member to answer to questions S6W-43676 and S6W-43744 on 24 February 2026.

Assessments of respiratory prevalence and emergency hospital admissions are produced and published by Public Health Scotland. These official statistics include data for every NHS Board area, as well as national level figures. The Scottish Government draws on these official statistics rather than undertaking separate board-level assessments.

Public Health Scotland data shows that respiratory conditions are a major contributor to unplanned hospital demand. Emergency inpatient activity accounts for almost half of all hospital admissions nationally, reflecting sustained pressure on acute services. Longer term projections indicate that unplanned acute inpatient admissions for respiratory conditions are expected to rise by around 23% between 2024 and 2034, confirming the growing burden of respiratory illness across Scotland. A link to PHS data can be found at: Projecting future demand for health and care services in Scotland (2024-2034) - Long term service demand projections in Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises these pressures and is taking action. We recently published the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan, the Scotland's Population Health Framework and the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework in which we outline our shared, long-term vision for reforming and renewing health and social care services to ensure they are more sustainable, preventative, and equitable.

Our Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland has supported national work to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, care and support for people living with respiratory conditions. Through the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, national pathways are being developed for severe asthma, COPD, sleep apnoea and interstitial lung disease. Work is also underway to improve access to pulmonary rehabilitation, a key intervention for people with chronic respiratory conditions.

This work supports resilience across the health system throughout the year, including during periods of increased pressure. Prioritising prevention, early detection and supporting effective long term self-management helps reduce avoidable exacerbations which often drive urgent and unscheduled demand during winter.

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.

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