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-02736

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Consumer Scotland's briefing, An equitable postal service for the islands, what its position is on the need for (a) tailored Quality of Service standards for deliveries to island postcode areas, and (b) mobile and community-run post offices that complement existing services.

Question reference: S7W-02735

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Consumer Scotland's briefing, An equitable postal service for the islands, what steps it is taking to ensure that third-party parcel delivery operators provide clear consumer rights information.

Question reference: S7W-02721

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for Fife North East, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government and the home energy installers since March 2026 regarding the end of the ECO4 scheme.

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-02590

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Home Office estimating that AI triage of 101 calls could save police forces £8.5 million per year by redirecting non-police enquiries, whether it has had any discussions with Police Scotland on these possibilities, what assessment it has made of the potential impact of AI call-triage technology on Police Scotland’s 101 waiting times and call-handling capacity, and whether it has asked Police Scotland to assess any potential financial savings and any risks arising from introducing similar technology in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-02380

Asked by: David Barratt, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its pre-election statements and manifesto commitment to introduce anti-SLAPP legislation in Scotland, what progress has been made in preparing, and when it expects to introduce, such legislation.

In 2025, the Scottish Government consulted on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), including a draft Model Law prepared by interested stakeholders. The majority view expressed by respondents was that SLAPPs need to be tackled and that reform should resemble the Model Law consulted on. The Scottish Government agreed and further work is being carried out on aspects of the Model Law, including how it would operate in practice. The Scottish Government continues to consider how this may be taken forward. The legislative programme will be agreed by Ministers and announced to Parliament in due course in the usual way.

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-02322

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has provided any funding to (a) NHS health boards and (b) local authorities in order to carry out remedial works on Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) found in buildings.

The Scottish Government has directly funded the remediation of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in a number of Health Boards and is expecting to directly fund several further RAAC remedial projects across the health estate in due course. However, as a matter of building maintenance, any remediation of RAAC is primarily considered the responsibility of building owners and estate managers, including public bodies such as NHS Health Boards and Local Authorities, with costs met directly from their own budgets.

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-02334

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 assessment it made of the level of need for housing adaptations among disabled tenants before determining that provision for approximately 8,500 adaptations in its Budget for 2026-27 would be an appropriate level of support.

Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are responsible for assessing the needs of their tenants and will submit funding requests accordingly. The Scottish Government does not independently assess the funding requirements of individual RSLs. Instead, it seeks to distribute available funding in a fair and equitable manner across RSLs, with the aim of ensuring tenants can access necessary adaptations as promptly as possible.

The estimate of 8,500 adaptations was calculated using methodology as described in the answer to question S7W-02333 on 27 August 2026. 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.