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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 46716 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-39932

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the current level of police overtime expenditure indicates a crisis in workforce planning.

The deployment of officers and staff are matters for the Chief Constable. Police Scotland has stated that, “The nature of policing is unpredictable, and overtime is a flexible mechanism which can help to ensure we maintain an effective service for all our communities”

The Scottish Government is investing a record £1.64 billion in policing in 2025-26, an increase of almost £90 million of additional funding from the 2024-25 budget to support police capacity and capability. Our investment in policing has enabled Police Scotland to undertake the highest level of recruitment since its inception in 2024-25. Police Scotland has stated that it has a healthy recruitment pipeline.

Police Scotland’s three-year Business Plan 2024-2027 sets out an ambitious programme of workforce modernisation which aims to bring frontline policing to its strongest possible position.

Question reference: S6W-39993

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when the next release of data will be published on the number of people with learning disabilities across Scotland who have received a Scottish Annual Health Check.

Question reference: S6W-40002

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to improve road safety on the (a) A84 and (b) A85, in light of recent reports of road traffic incidents.

Since 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2024 the Scottish Government has invested over £28 million on the on the maintenance and safe operation of the A84 and over £80 million on the on the maintenance and safe operation of the A85.

The A84 and A85 are part of the Scottish Trunk Road Network in Scotland. The A84 runs approximately 29 miles (47 km) from Stirling to Lochearnhead, where it connects with the A85. The A85 stretches approximately 87 miles (140 km) from Oban on the west coast to Perth.

Transport Scotland assesses the safety performance of the trunk road network on an annual basis by screening all locations where three or more personal-injury accidents have occurred in a three-year period. In addition, accident patterns and rates in the form of Route Accident Reduction Plans (RARP) are also considered. This ensures that full consideration is given to accidents that may be spread along a corridor. Further investigations are then carried out and, where appropriate, mitigation measures are prioritised for delivery. This robust, evidence-based approach ensures that the funding available is prioritised for those locations with the potential to deliver the greatest ‘casualty-accident’ savings. It is by using the evidence in this way that available funding can be optimised to best support the delivery of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework and our overarching vision of a future where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads. Through this process a number of schemes are being progressed.

On the A84 there is a scheme programmed for construction this financial year, involving new signs, new footpath and associated crossing points for the bus stops for school pupils at Kincardine in Menteith Primary School. In addition, a Vehicle Restraint System (Safety Barrier) is currently under design for the A84 between Kildean and Craigforth. This is programmed for construction in 2026-2027. Road safety investigations are also programmed in 2025-2026 including the section of the A84 between Kilmahog to Lochearnhead.

On the A85, signing improvement schemes will be undertaken between Tyndrum and Dalmally, including Tyndrum junction. Vehicle Activated Signs to warn road users of vehicles turning at junctions will also be installed at Dalchonzie and Crieff. A double white centre line system to the east of Glen Lochy, new Vehicle Restraint Systems between Aribea to Arrivain and Lochan Na Bi Culvert and Dunbeg will also be delivered.

Locations being investigated and/or designed in 2025-2026 include collision investigations of the A85 between Lochearnhead and Lix Toll, between Comrie and Perth and Kinross Council Boundary. These works are programmed to be completed by the end of the 2025-2026 financial year.

The Scottish Government has committed to implement 20 mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so as set out in the Programme for Government by 31 March 2026, making our streets feel safer and encouraging active travel.

In 2025-2026, on the A85 trunk road, 20 mph speed limits have been introduced in St Fillan’s, Methven and Crianlarich, and on the A84 in Strathyre. 20mph speed limits are programmed to be introduced on the A85 trunk road in Oban and Connel.

Transport Scotland will continue to monitor road safety on the A84 and A85 and progress investigations and improvements as appropriate.

Question reference: S6W-39888

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39056 by Mairi Gougeon on 10 July 2025, whether it will provide an update on when it will publish the Rural Support Plan.

The Scottish Government will continue to actively engage with our partners and our farming industry through Autumn 2025 to inform the drafting of the first Rural Support Plan and to meet the requirements set out by the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 on engagement. This process will not involve the publication of a draft plan. The 2024 Act requires the Scottish Minister to lay a statement describing the engagement undertaken in respect of the plan at the same time as laying the plan. The Scottish Government intends to complete this process and publish the first Rural Support Plan in December 2025.

For further background I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39056 on 10 July 2025. 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.

Question reference: S6T-02649

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Scottish local authorities spent over £100 million last year on bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation for homeless people.

Question reference: S6T-02658

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that the synthetic drug, spice, has been found in vapes that are being sold to school children.

Question reference: S6F-04273

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 September 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04281

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 September 2025

To ask the First Minister, in light of reports of the rising rate of poverty for families with a baby under one and new evidence from Save the Children that increasing Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods payments could significantly reduce the child poverty rate for this priority group, whether the Scottish Government will consider increasing these payments.

Question reference: S6F-04274

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 September 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04291

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 September 2025

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will review its policy on public sector settlement agreements, in light of reports that £4 million of public money was spent on public sector pay-offs in 2023-24.