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: S7O-00157

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the introduction of Air Departure Tax on Aberdeen International Airport and the wider North East Scotland economy.

Question reference: S7O-00146

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to recover £36 million of social security payments, which were reportedly made due to fraud and error, and how much has been recovered since 31 March 2026.

Question reference: S7O-00162

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the designs for the replacement option for the M8 Woodside Viaducts.

Question reference: S7O-00160

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme and the benefits to those in Clydebank and Milngavie.

Question reference: S7O-00149

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Angus Council regarding the presence of RAAC in council and privately-owned homes in Monifieth.

Question reference: S7O-00152

Asked by: Jack Middleton, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support and sustain successful homelessness prevention projects in the north east of Scotland.

Question reference: S7O-00156

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that air services in the Highlands and Islands meet the needs of communities.

Question reference: S7W-02342

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alison Thewliss on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of individuals being advised that they face a wait of 50 weeks for such treatment, whether it is satisfied with the current waiting times for audiology treatment in NHS Lothian, and what action it is taking to reduce waiting times and improve access to treatment.

The Scottish Government recognises that many people across Scotland are waiting too long for audiology appointments and referrals, which is not acceptable. We acknowledge the impact this can have on individuals and families, and we remain committed to improving audiology services across Scotland.

As set out in our 100 days prospectus, on 26 August I am meeting with NHS Heads of Service, community audiology providers and other key stakeholders to agree a plan for enhancing audiology services. This is part of a broader commitment to work closely with stakeholders to determine how we can address service pressures and move more audiology care into community settings. This will help to reduce pressures on hospital services and support the development of a more integrated, accessible, and community-based hearing service for the people of Scotland.

The Scottish Government continues to fund RNID for its Near You initiative which provides hearing checks and important wrap-around support in five NHS Board areas, and we have signalled our intent to go further with its roll-out in our Manifesto.

Question reference: S7W-02295

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest estimate is of the total number of jobs that have been created in Scotland's supply chain as a direct result of the ScotWind programme, and how this compares with the estimates made when the programme was launched in 2022.

There has been clear growth in the offshore wind sector over the past decade, with increasing employment opportunities across a broad range of roles driven by continued investment in infrastructure, manufacturing, and skills development.

The latest edition of Scotland’s Marine Economy Statistics (published December 2025) provides an estimate of 4,400 people directly employed by the Scottish offshore wind sector in 2023, in comparison to 3,900 people in 2022 (published November 2024).

These figures do not include the jobs created in the supply chain as a direct result of ScotWind, however the Draft Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy Social and Economic Impact Assessment (2025) estimated cumulative potential employment impacts for ScotWind, INTOG and Test & Demonstration sites. It reported an estimated maximum number of FTEs generated or supported nationally as 18,000 (direct employment only in a low installed capacity scenario) up to 41,000 (direct and upstream supply chain employment impacts in a high installed capacity scenario).

These estimates are further supported by the Offshore Wind Industry Council Skills Intelligence Model, which reports that at its peak, the offshore sector in Scotland could support up to 49,000 jobs in 2031.

Question reference: S7W-02296

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 26 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest estimate is of the total value of ScotWind project expenditure that will be spent in Scotland over the lifetime of the programme, and how this compares with the estimates it has previously provided.

The ScotWind Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) process was designed and is managed by Crown Estate Scotland, and requires developers to report commitments and ambitions for supply chain activity in Scotland, the UK, and overseas.

The 2026 updates show that total projected spend in Scotland has increased between 2023 and 2026 by nearly £2.3bn for the 16 projects included in the updates, from an estimated £23.3bn to an estimated £25.6 billion. The remaining projects are due to submit updates in Autumn 2026.

Developers’ SCDS updates include ambitions to go beyond committed spend, which suggests an additional potential £10.5bn manufacturing expenditure in key areas such as foundations, turbine components and electrical infrastructure in Scotland as the supply chain matures.