- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing national planning policy, similar to the Edinburgh Design Guidance published by the City of Edinburgh Council in September 2025, to encourage or require the use of traditionally designed cast-iron architectural street furniture in designated conservation areas, and whether it has assessed the potential impact of such a policy on Scotland's domestic foundry sector.
Answer
We have no plans to introduce national planning policy relating to cast-iron street furniture in Conservation Areas, and have not carried out an assessment of how any such policy would impact on Scotland's domestic foundry sector.
National Planning Framework 4 states that Local Development Plans should identify, protect and enhance valued historic assets and places.
Location specific design guidance, for example, relating to Conservation Areas, is best addressed at the local level, to reflect the character of individual places. Planning authorities have the ability to take this forward through local guidance.
- Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its duties under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, what steps it is taking to ensure that all children whose welfare is the subject of social work involvement, and not only those who meet existing statutory gateways, have access to independent advocacy to support their right to be heard under Article 12 of the UNCRC.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that independent advocacy is highly valuable and may be the most appropriate form of support in some circumstances; however, it is not the only means through which children can be supported to have their views heard. Consistent with GIRFEC principles, many children may prefer, or have their needs best met through support from a parent, carer, family member or other trusted adult of their choosing. Children have different needs and preferences, and a single model of support will not be right for every child. The key consideration is that children are able to participate meaningfully and have their views given due weight in line with Article 12 of the UNCRC, rather than prescribing a single model of support for all children receiving social work services.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration NatureScot gave to the potential loss of rare red-listed lichen species and veteran hazel associated with Easter Ness Woods SSSI and Ness Woods SAC in its submission to the Loch Kemp Pumped Storage Hydro public hearing, and what assessment was made of the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures.
Answer
I have asked NatureScot to respond. Their response is as follows:
"Lichens and hazel are considered typical species of the Ness Woods SAC woodland habitats and impacts to these species have been considered in the context of the relevant conservation objectives throughout the assessment process for this development.
"NatureScot has agreed with the conclusions of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal for the proposal in relation to the SAC and also that the required mitigation and compensatory measures would be sufficient.
"These measures included a requirement for dust monitoring and management to mitigate the effects of dust deposition on the lichen species.
"NatureScot therefore did not participate in the public hearing and so did not submit a Hearing Statement, although it has responded to questions from the Reporter."
- Asked by: Thomas Kerr, MSP for Glasgow, Reform UK
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the educational materials and activities of “Educators for Peace” within the Scottish education system, including whether it has considered any potential implications for (a) political impartiality, (b) the promotion of balanced and diverse perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and (c) the wellbeing and inclusion of Jewish and Israeli pupils in Scottish schools.
Answer
The Scottish Government is determined that all children and young people, including those from Scotland’s Jewish community, as well as teachers, feel safe, respected and able to learn and work in an environment free from prejudice or intimidation.
In Scotland, decisions on curriculum delivery and the use of external materials are for local authorities, schools and teachers, who are expected to exercise professional judgement and ensure appropriate balance.
Schools have an important role to play by providing a safe space for learners to explore, discuss and debate a range of social and political issues. This is guided and informed by a range of Scottish Government and Education Scotland-led frameworks outlining high-level expectations.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the capacity of local planning authorities to take swift enforcement action against any unauthorised alterations to shopfronts on listed buildings and within conservation areas.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of staff employed in local authority planning services or their allocated duties. Staffing and resourcing decisions for planning services are matters for individual local authorities.
In 2025, the National Planning Improvement Champion (NPIC) published a workforce and capacity report, which is available at: www.improvementservice.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/64559/NPIF-Workforce-and-Capacity-Report.pdf. The NPIC is undertaking a survey of planning authorities in order to provide a refreshed evidence base for 2026.
Planning enforcement is a matter for the relevant planning authority. It is for the authority to decide what, if any, action to take in relation to any potential breach of planning control.
The Scottish Government recognises the financial and capacity pressures facing the planning system and continues to implement a package of measures to provide planning authorities with additional support and resources, including through increased planning fees, support from the National Planning Hub and actions to grow the planning profession in Scotland.
- Asked by: Andrew Baxter, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of the current statutory gateways to independent advocacy for children and young people, given that access is limited to those who are care experienced, subject to a live Children's Hearing, or covered by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and that it does not extend to children receiving support from social work services who fall outside those categories.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to delivering appropriate advocacy support for children in accessing their rights. Any assessment of need must recognise that advocacy can be delivered in a number of ways and is often dependent on the context of each situation and specific wishes of the child.
Statutory gateways to independent advocacy have been established for specific groups of children, including those involved in the Children's Hearings System, subject to mental health legislation, and care experienced children and young people, reflecting the particular legal processes, decision-making responsibilities and power imbalances that can arise in these circumstances.
The Scottish Government has co-developed a set of core measurements for organisations that children and young people may access for advice and support when they have a concern or want to raise a rights issue. The data gathered will provide insights into their experience of the services they access for support, including independent advocacy. A report will be published in Spring 2027.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to reforming the non-domestic rates system to provide a targeted rates relief or discount for commercial tenants and property owners who successfully reinstate traditional shopfronts on listed buildings or within conservation areas.
Answer
We are undertaking a comprehensive review of non-domestic rates which will examine improvements and reforms that can be made to the system, and working closely with business to ensure the system provides the clarity, incentive and transparency which businesses need.
The Scottish Budget offers a generous relief package worth almost a billion pounds in 2026-27, which includes Business Growth Accelerator offering relief for 12 months on increases to a property’s rateable value due to property improvements. In effect, this means that any increases in non-domestic rates due to improvements to or the expansion of existing properties will not take effect until 12 months after the changes were made to the property.
Local authorities also have the ability to offer local relief schemes under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. It is entirely at the discretion of the local authority as to whether they award this relief taking into account affordability and the interests of the local community. Reliefs awarded under this Act are funded by the relevant council.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Stephen Gethins on 8 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its consultation on the Draft Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations, which closed on 29 August 2025, when it will publish the responses received.
Answer
Due to delays to the UK Government’s implementation timeline for Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform in England and Wales, the former Cabinet Secretary for Housing confirmed to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on 9 March 2026 that, due to the impact of this delay on introducing EPC reform in Scotland, it would not be appropriate to lay the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations during that session of Parliament. The delay would impact landlords’ ability to obtain an EPC certificate which accurately reflects the new Heat Retention Rating. This letter can be found: https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/local-gov/correspondence/2026/epc-reform-and-energy-efficiency-standards_cab-sec-housing-to-lghp_9-march-2026.pdf
The Scottish Government has now laid the draft Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 before Parliament, which, if agreed, would see reformed EPCs introduced from April 2028. This new date reflects the UK Government’s revised timeline for EPC reform, to allow time for the roll-out of, and assessor training in, the new Home Energy Model, to be finalised during the second half of 2027. We will confirm the next steps to Parliament as soon as possible on our approach to the PRS MEES regulations.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 07 September 2026
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 22 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to complete the verification process for Future Farm Investment Scheme claims.
Answer
Answer expected on 22 September 2026
- Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 07 September 2026
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Current Status:
Answer expected on 22 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider publishing a comprehensive Feminist Approach to International Relations (FAIR) action plan.
Answer
Answer expected on 22 September 2026
