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-01816

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out comparing the cost of implementing a "super rota" arrangement in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to improve patient access to mechanical thrombectomy with the cost to the NHS and social care system of providing additional rehabilitation, community support and long-term care for stroke patients who are unable to access mechanical thrombectomy when clinically referred for such a procedure.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken an analysis of this comparison. However, there is evidence that thrombectomy is a cost-effective procedure with known benefits including a reduction in ongoing care requirements and we remain committed to the delivery of a 24/7 thrombectomy service.

We would expect Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) to consider all aspects of service planning, including the likely costs of staffing, when considering the resource requirements to make 24/7 thrombectomy available across Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-01772

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the funding arrangements and eligibility criteria for residents in England who seek to work in Scotland but require additional qualifications to meet national occupational standards in sectors such as social care.

Individuals who are considered ordinarily resident in Scotland at the start of their course, and meet the relevant eligibility criteria, will be able to access the home tuition fee rate and student support to study courses of further and higher education.

There is no specific provision in place as part of the eligibility criteria for individuals coming to Scotland to work, and who require additional qualifications to meet national occupational standards.

Students who are ordinarily resident in other areas of the UK should apply to their relevant funding body for student support.

Question reference: S7W-01861

Asked by: Martyn Day, MSP for Falkirk East and Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with the UK Government and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to ensure that patients and researchers in Scotland can benefit from the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, and what role Scotland will play in the programme.

The Scottish Government works closely with the National Institute for Health & Care (NIHR) including buying into the majority of their research funding programmes to allow access for researchers based in Scotland NIHR Programmes – Chief Scientist Office

The Scottish Government will reach out to the relevant team within NIHR to discuss how the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium will be fully implemented here for the benefit of both patients and researchers.

Question reference: S7W-01759

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01050 by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026, when the CLD Workforce Plan will be completed and published.

The CLD Standards Council are leading a range of activity to progress recommendation 5.2 of the Independent Review of CLD to develop a CLD Workforce Plan. This includes establishing a Working Group with representation from across the CLD sector and undertaking a workforce needs survey.

The CLD Standards Council will present recommendations on the requirements of a workforce plan to the CLD Strategic Leadership Group (SLG) when the group reconvenes later in the year. Subject to approval, a workforce plan will be developed and circulated to the SLG for final approval in Autumn 2027, followed by implementation.

Question reference: S7W-01760

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01053 by Ben Macpherson on 13 July 2026, when the National CLD Workforce Survey will be completed and its findings made available to view.

Question reference: S7W-02456

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it uses to determine whether an applicant has been “supported” through the First Homes Fund for the purpose of measuring progress against the 2026 SNP election manifesto commitment to support at least 2,000 applicants within the first 100 days of the current Scottish Government.

Question reference: S7W-02455

Asked by: Jamie Langan, MSP for South Scotland, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement that Scotland has its first recorded case of bluetongue virus, what contingency measures it has in place to address this development, and what measures it will take to prevent any further outbreak of the disease.

Question reference: S7W-02452

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timetable for rolling out the £2 bus fare cap in (a) Stirling, (b) Fife, (c) Perth and (d) Clackmannanshire.

Question reference: S7W-02459

Asked by: Michelle Campbell, MSP for Renfrewshire North and Cardonald, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland will support and actively engage with communities across Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-02294

Asked by: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, MSP for Edinburgh Northern, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role that a publicly owned national energy company could potentially play in the ownership, development or operation of ScotWind projects.