- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has relayed reported concerns to the UK Government about the timing mismatch of the proposed electricity transmission charge reform in 2029 and the next Contract for Difference round, which might take place in 2026.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage. I and Officials regularly raise this with UK Government including most recently with Minister Shanks on 21 January at the Offshore Wind Roundtable.
We are unequivocal that the UK Government must, as a matter of urgency, set out the long-term direction of reforms to the transmission charging regime. The current charging system makes Scottish projects less competitive in Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions and undermines investor confidence. We have therefore been equally clear that the UK Government must also set out measures to address the impacts of unfair transmission charges in the short to medium term.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has asked the UK Government to fast-track the reform of the electricity transmission charges regime.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage. I and Officials regularly raise this with UK Government including most recently with Minister Shanks on 21 January at the Offshore Wind Roundtable.
We are unequivocal that the UK Government must, as a matter of urgency, set out the long-term direction of reforms to the transmission charging regime. The current charging system makes Scottish projects less competitive in Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions and undermines investor confidence. We have therefore been equally clear that the UK Government must also set out measures to address the impacts of unfair transmission charges in the short to medium term.
- Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42938 by Neil Gray on 21 January 2026, what its response is to concerns that the variation in both the approaches and systems in use across NHS boards to record this information might be detrimental to the effective delivery of health and social care across Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to maximising the use of data and technology to make services as modern, joined up and efficient as possible. This is reiterated in the Service Renewal Framework, Operational Improvement Plan, and the Population Health Framework which position Digital front and centre in realising the ambition to improve service delivery and outcomes for people.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what briefing materials were provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy in advance of the transfer of responsibility for Electricity Act 1989 consents to the Minister for Public Finance, broken down by subject matter.
Answer
As per my response to S6W-42965 on 21 January 2026, the First Minister made the decision to transfer ministerial responsibility for determining energy consents. No briefing materials were provided to Ministers in advance of the decision.
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.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the rising cost of electricity transmission charges, in light of reported concerns that these are undermining the economics of offshore wind projects.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been clear that the current system of transmission charging is unfit for purpose, and unfairly penalises Scottish renewable energy generators, putting them at a commercial disadvantage and Officials regularly raise this with UK Government including most recently with Minister Shanks on Wednesday 21 January at the Offshore Wind Roundtable.
We are unequivocal that the UK Government must, as a matter of urgency, set out the long-term direction of reforms to the transmission charging regime. The current charging system makes Scottish projects less competitive in Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions and undermines investor confidence. We have therefore been equally clear that the UK Government must also set out measures to address the impacts of unfair transmission charges in the short to medium term.
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the safety of fixed ankle leashes in water sports, and what consideration it has given to regulating the sale and use of these for such purposes.
Answer
We are committed to increasing opportunities for people to participate in sport and be active. At the same time, the safety and wellbeing of all who participate is paramount.
The use of safety equipment in sport is not a legal requirement but rather will be determined by relevant governing bodies, international federations, or specific competition rules.
Advice on the use of ankle leashes have been developed by Scottish Governing Bodies of sport and supported by national bodies such as Water Safety Scotland, the RNLI and Paddle UK.
The Scottish Government encourages any participant in sport to ensure they have the appropriate safety equipment for the activity in which they are engaging.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether briefing materials provided to the Minister for Public Finance in advance of the transfer of responsibility for Electricity Act 1989 consents included information on (a) overhead transmission line developments, (b) undergrounding alternatives and (c) community impact assessments.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43131 on 3 February 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
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how much has been (a) allocated and (b) spent in each year since 2021 on each of its energy efficiency and decarbonisation programmes.
Answer
Data for 2025-26 is to Quarter 3 (December 2025)
Programme | Allocation 2021-22 £m’s | Spend 2021-22 £m’s | Allocation 2022-23 £m’s | Spend 2022-23 £m’s | Allocation 2023-24 £m’s | Spend 2023-24 £m’s | Allocation 2024-25 £m’s | Spend 2024-25 £m’s | Allocation 2025-26 £m’s | Spend (Dec 25) 2025-26 £m’s * |
Home Energy Scotland Advice Service | 12.0 | 12.0 | 17.6 | 17.6 | 21.0 | 20.6 | 20.1 | 19.4 | 18.2 | 12.0 |
Area Based Schemes | 64.0 | 39.6 | 64.0 | 41.5 | 64.0 | 58.3 | 55.0 | 59.7 | 59.0 | 16.1 |
HES Grants and Loans | 21.0 | 11.7 | 42.0 | 35.7 | 39.9 | 62.3 | 45.8 | 40.0 | 44.0 | 15.6 |
Warmer Homes Scotland | 50.0 | 20.7 | 55.0 | 38.8 | 55.0 | 59.8 | 65.0 | 90.4 | 90.0 | 57.5 |
SME | 9.5 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 4.2 | 8.0 | 5.4 | 3.0 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 1.2 |
Social Housing | 20.0 | 0 | 30.0 | 4.0 | 39.5 | 29.5 | 35.0 | 19.0 | 36.0 | 0.2 |
Public Sector | 8.0 | 20.2 | 25.0 | 8.8 | 50.0 | 27.7 | 40.0 | 29.1 | 32.0 | 1.9 |
LCITP/Heat Networks | 57.0 | 4.0 | 30.0 | 18.5 | 27.0 | 16.0 | 15.0 | 2.6 | 35.0 | 0.9 |
Other | 92.3 | (45.7) | 58.5 | 6.4 | 37.1 | (29.8) | 23.4 | 13.2 | 16.4 | 0 |
Affordable Housing ** | 5.0 | 0 | 10.0 | 0 | 15.0 | 0 | 40.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*Whilst spend for 2025-26 appears low, many claims are received in the final quarter of the year.
**Allocation transferred to Affordable Housing
- Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the provision of secure parking facilities for HGVs on the trunk road network.
Answer
The Scottish Government does intend to review the provision of secure parking facilities for HGV's on the trunk road network.
Providing adequate lorry parks would contribute to improving road safety and reducing crime and would significantly improve working conditions for HGV drivers. It would also avoid disruption in locations not designed to accommodate lorry parking. Rest and welfare facilities are a key part of national and international road freight infrastructure, and provision of these to an appropriate standard is fundamental to ensuring safe, efficient and effective supply chains. Improvements to facilities would therefore also help support the Scottish economy and its growth.
The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) ‘Recommendation 36’ includes proposals for a detailed national audit and review of support for lorry parks. This would include consultation with the freight industry, representative bodies, local authorities, and other stakeholders to collect views on the provision of lorry parks including where and what type of facilities are required.
I am meeting with the Road Haulage Association in February to discuss recommendation 36 and how Transport Scotland can support key stakeholders in the HGV industry.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how many households have received support from investment delivered under its energy efficiency and decarbonisation programmes in each year since 2021, including how many have (a) upgraded to clean heating systems and (b) received energy efficiency measures.
Answer
Investment delivered under energy efficiency and decarbonisation Heat in Buildings programmes are as follows:
Data for 2025-26 is to Quarter 2 (September 2025)
| | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
Households Supported | 14,700 | 17,800 | 26,000 | 18,500 | 6,400 |
Clean Heating Measures | 874 | 1,612 | 3,902 | 4,415 | 1,200 |
Energy Efficiency Measures | 15,500 | 16,200 | 18,900 | 15,200 | 11,900 |
A further breakdown of measures delivered can be found in the following progress reports;
Heat in Buildings: progress report 2025 - gov.scot
