The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-00279

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether ScotRail plans to upgrade the class 158 trains that are currently operating on the Far North Line.

Question reference: S7W-00350

Asked by: David Barratt, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a decision on the use of the Mutual Investment Model for the primary healthcare investment programme.

Question reference: S7W-00300

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government in what financial year it expects the devolved public sector headcount to begin falling, in light of reports that it rose in the year following the publication of its workforce reduction target.

Question reference: S7W-00157

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been invested in the maintenance of the A83 Rest and Be Thankful, broken down by cost category, in each year since 2007.

The following table provides the A83 Rest and Be Thankful maintenance spend per year since 2007. It should be noted that The Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested because financial information prior to financial year 2013-14 has not been recorded. This is in accordance with our standard records management practice prior to the date of your request.

Financial Year	Maintenance of A83 Rest and Be Thankful
2007-08	Not held
2008-09	Not held
2009-10	Not held
2010-11	Not held
2011-12	Not held
2012-13	Not held
2013-14	£3,013,374.80
2014-15	£1,356,371.17
2015-16	£755,899.04
2016-17	£609,510.70
2017-18	£857,906.07
2018-19	£3,471,101.11
2019-20	£991,671.65
2020-21	£8,514,957.98
2021-22	£7,894,399.40
2022-23	£6,558,986.33
2023-24	£3,946,052.35
2024-25	£3,555,119.80
2025-26	£3,541,335.34

Maintenance spend figures include all maintenance works, emergency works, short term landslide mitigation, and associated traffic management costs of the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

Question reference: S7W-00141

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available to people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

Question reference: S7W-00139

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to improve education on, and general awareness of, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

Question reference: S7W-00140

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to develop a national care pathway for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).

There is currently no fully established national clinical pathway for Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) specifically commissioned by NHS Scotland.

The development and implementation of clinical pathways is led by NHS under established clinical governance arrangements and informed by clinical evidence and service needs.

Where proposals are put forward for pathway development, these are considered through established, clinically led processes by NHS and relevant national delivery partners.

Question reference: S7W-00087

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is adequate monitoring of the ongoing costs of the roadworks on the M8 viaduct.

Transport Scotland have a number of measures in place to ensure adequate monitoring of the ongoing costs of the works.

Amey is ultimately responsible for undertaking the viaduct propping works, acting as both Principal Designer and Contractor, under the Network Maintenance Contract (NMC) with Transport Scotland.

Transport Scotland’s Project Team manage Amey’s performance with the support of the Performance Audit Group (PAG) who ensure value for money through auditing, monitoring and reporting on the financial and NMC contract performance aspects of these works.

In addition, Turner & Townsend has specifically been engaged by Transport Scotland to provide expert project controls assistance including Cost Management services.

As you are aware, Transport Scotland has established a Project Board to provide additional governance and oversight of the project.

I am, therefore, confident Transport Scotland have robust cost monitoring in place.

Question reference: S7W-00075

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to local authorities for the rollout of 20mph speed limits in 2026-27.

Question reference: S7W-00060

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 15 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 26 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with island agricultural sectors regarding the land requirement increase from 5% to 7% for greening measures.

Extensive engagement ensured Enhanced Greening requirements are proportionate for farmers, crofters, and small farms.

Officials commissioned academic advice to model the impact of the changes to ensure the transitional change was proportionate and deliverable.

The Scottish Government worked with stakeholder organisations, including the National Farmers Union for Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation. Involved farmers and crofters directly through user research and workshops with advisors across Scotland, including Orkney.

This collaborative approach has led to the introduction of four new Ecological Focus Areas, and updates to existing EFAs, providing greater flexibility to reflect the diversity of farming systems including local practices found in Orkney.

Advisors in Orkney secured funding to analyse academic modelling specific to the islands and organised roadshows to help farmers and crofters prepare for the changes.

The Greening scheme £142 Million budget supports agriculture and the environment, this complements the other significant support packages that Scottish Government continues to provide in stark contrast to policies elsewhere in the UK.

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Question reference: S7W-00279

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Question reference: S7W-00350

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Question reference: S7W-00300

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Question reference: S7W-00157

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Question reference: S7W-00141

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Question reference: S7W-00139

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Question reference: S7W-00140

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Question reference: S7W-00087

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Question reference: S7W-00075

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Question reference: S7W-00060

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