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: S6W-38799

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how often it plans to review its code of practice for regenerative agriculture once published, and how it will engage stakeholders on their views ahead of these updates.

A preliminary version of the Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture which has been co-developed with the industry was launched on 19th June at the Royal Highland Show.

This is an opportunity to gather real world feedback from the industry which will be taken into consideration for the next iteration.

The Code will be updated in accordance with the Act at a minimum of every five years but if evidence suggests a change would be beneficial it could be updated more regularly. Government officials are continuing to engage with industry through existing regular consultation on the development and refinement of the Code.

Question reference: S6W-38800

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to accelerate the adoption of soil health measures on farms.

The Scottish Government is supporting our farmers and crofters to maintain and enhance their soil health

By understanding their current soil health, farmers and crofters can identify and action opportunities for improvements that work for their businesses. That is why agricultural businesses claiming Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) must now undertake a minimum of two of the Whole Farm Plan full guidance audits and plans, one of which can be a Soil Analysis.

Soil analysis is required if permanent Region 1 land is claimed and fertiliser/manures are applied. It is very positive that 56% of BPS claimants for 2025 have reported that they are analysing their soil. The intention is for all businesses to have completed their relevant plans and audits through the Whole Farm Plan by 2028 at the latest.

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) (PSF) is also delivering transitional support for businesses to prepare for the future. One option currently being funded through PSF, includes funding for soil testing and analysis. To date 4,805 Scottish farmers and crofters have taken up the support for their soil analysis through PSF.

Sustainable and regenerative agriculture: code of practice - gov.scot launched on 19th June 2025. It sets out the principles of regenerative agriculture and provides guidance and practical examples on the types of sustainable and regenerative activities that can be adopted on farms or crofts, including many measures on soils. We recognise many farmers and crofters throughout Scotland are already adopting numerous sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices, including with their soils, and The Code doesn’t seek to replace those existing practices, but offers some suggestions that could contribute to wider efficiencies, profitability, climate adaption and mitigation, biodiversity, soil health and sustainability targets.

The government remains committed to embedding the importance of Scotland’s soil health in government strategies and plans, for example the Biodiversity Strategy, Climate Change Plan, Soils Route Map, and Land Use Strategy.

We also continue to offer advice and guidance through the Soils resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service which offers impartial advice on managing and the importance of soils to farmers, crofters and land managers, including on reducing erosion, fertiliser costs and nutrient losses, as well as improving soil structure and health, soil carbon sequestration potential, and crop productivity.

Question reference: S6W-38798

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 3 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of the final code of practice for regenerative agriculture, and when it expects it to be laid before the Scottish Parliament.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 introduces new requirements including the publication of a Rural Support Plan and a Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture. The Code must be published within 1 year of section 29 being commenced and will follow the launch of the Rural Support Plan. A preliminary version of the Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture which has been co-developed with the industry was launched on 19th June at the Royal Highland Show.

This is an opportunity to gather real world feedback from the industry which will be taken into consideration for the next iteration.

Question reference: S6W-39102

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many publicly operated electric vehicle (EV) charge points have been installed in the Scottish Borders in each year since 2015.

Question reference: S6W-39101

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 29 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund has been allocated to the Scottish Borders.

Question reference: S6W-38994

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many new build homes have been (a) started and (b) completed in the Scottish Borders in each year since 2003.

Question reference: S6W-38996

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government have many private sector-led houses have been (a) started and (b) completed in the Scottish Borders in each year since 2003.

Question reference: S6W-38984

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38295 by Jenni Minto on 18 June 2025, how much of the £39 million has been awarded to NHS Borders.

Question reference: S6W-38985

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38295 by Jenni Minto on 18 June 2025, when it expects to publish a plan on service expansion.

Question reference: S6W-38629

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 24 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what types of participation are measured in the Annual Participation Measure.

The Annual Participation Measure is published by Skills Development Scotland and uses the following classifications:

Participating Status Grouping	Annual Participation Status
Participating (Education)	School Pupil
Participating (Education)	Higher Education
Participating (Education)	Further Education
Participating (Employment)	Modern Apprenticeship
Participating (Employment)	Full-Time Employment
Participating (Employment)	Part-Time Employment
Participating (Employment)	Self-Employed
Participating (Employment)	Data Import – Employed
Participating (Training & Other Development)	Employability Fund Stages 2 – 4
Participating (Training & Other Development)	Other Formal Training
Participating (Training & Other Development)	Personal / Skills Development
Participating (Training & Other Development)	Voluntary Work
Not Participating (Seeking)	Unemployed Seeking
Not Participating (Not Seeking)	Economically Inactive
Not Participating (Not Seeking)	Unavailable Ill Health
Not Participating (Not Seeking)	Custody
Unconfirmed Status	Unconfirmed Status

Further information about the measure can be found here - https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/e4cgdzal/annual-participation-measure-background-notes.pdf.