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-03331

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Movember’s recent report, The Real Face of Men’s Health, whether it will commit to a men’s health action plan.

Question reference: S7W-03330

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a national advisory council on men and boys to promote positive masculinity and improve men’s health outcomes.

Question reference: S7W-03329

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Movember’s recent report, The Real Face of Men’s Health, what steps it is taking to reduce premature mortality in men.

Question reference: S7W-02829

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any Barnett consequential funding as a result of the UK Government's introduction of a local news fund.

Question reference: S7W-02463

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding action taken under the general anti-avoidance rule that was established by the Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act 2014, (a) how many times Revenue Scotland has taken action, (b) how many schemes have been challenged (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully, and (c) what the total value of the schemes has been.

Question reference: S7W-02303

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the establishment of the Gaza Student Scholarship.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the impact it is having on civilians.

We recognise the appalling circumstances many Gazan students are experiencing, including those who have secured university places in the UK but face significant barriers in taking them up.

In academic year 2025-26, the Gaza Student Support Scheme enabled 27 students on fully funded scholarships to access their studies at Scottish universities. Keeping this vital route open gives students from Gaza a path to safety, stability and the chance to fulfil their potential. The Scottish Government has consistently pushed the UK Government to continue this scheme and we welcome the recent announcement that the scheme will continue into 2026-27.

Building on this support, the Scottish Government has pledged to work with Universities of Sanctuary to explore how we can further support students from Gaza, including through the development of a postgraduate Scottish Gaza Scholarship Programme. Further detail will be set out to Parliament as this work progresses.

Question reference: S7W-02230

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 03 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether any funding received as a consequence of the UK Government’s Local News Fund will be allocated to support local journalism, public interest reporting and community news provision in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-02231

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 03 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 1 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to establishing a local news fund to provide financial support for local, independent and hyperlocal news publishers.

Question reference: S7O-00148

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the development of affordable housing in island communities.

Question reference: S7W-02261

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its proposed mandatory price cap on essential food items, what its response is to the reported concern raised by the Scottish Retail Consortium that a food price cap policy in Hungary led to shortages of some food products, an increase in abuse towards shop workers and food domestically produced losing out to imports.

The Scottish Government is aware of concerns raised regarding the operation of food price controls in other countries. International experience demonstrates that different approaches can have different impacts, depending on the detailed design of the scheme and wider market conditions.

That is why we are engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders to support considered and informed discussion on this. We intend to consult on draft proposals before any final decisions are taken. The consultation will seek views and evidence from consumers, retailers, producers and other stakeholders on the potential benefits, risks and unintended consequences of any food price cap scheme including impacts on product availability, supply chains and implementation.