The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-02152

Asked by: Kristopher Leask, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that opportunities for community ownership are maximised as part of the repowering of Whitelee Windfarm.

Question reference: S7W-01798

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding the criteria used in the procurement of hearing aid batteries under the current contract, and how those criteria differ from those used in previous procurement exercises.

Question reference: S7W-01797

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 27 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of reported concerns regarding the quality and lifespan of hearing aid batteries currently provided to NHS patients.

Question reference: S7W-01608

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its position on reported calls for the introduction of a national fund to help address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on university campuses.

Our commitment to the university sector is clear. Our overall 2026-27 investment will exceed £1.4bn, which includes a combined increase of over £55m in resource and capital funding for universities via the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) - equivalent to a 5% uplift on last year’s budget. We also continue our collaborative project between Scottish Government and Universities Scotland on the Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities launched in December 2025. This will explore options that will ensure our universities are sustainable and well positioned to respond to current and future challenges. I am grateful to cross-party colleagues for their engagement in this work, which I hope will continue as we consider these complex long-term issues.

The Scottish Government position on the responsibility for addressing the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has not changed. RAAC is primarily a building maintenance issue and responsibility lies with the owner of the building.

The SFC continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of significant sector-wide developments. Institutions are expected to take a risk-based approach to identifying, managing and mitigating any risks associated with RAAC, taking account of relevant professional guidance. The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding estate-related risks affecting the tertiary education sector and will continue to monitor the position.

Question reference: S7W-01596

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it first became aware that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was present in buildings on Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus.

On 4 September 2023, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) provided the Scottish Government with details of institutions where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) had been identified. Edinburgh Napier University was reported as having RAAC in one building on its Merchiston Campus, with its removal planned as part of the university’s wider campus redevelopment programme.

Responsibility for the management, maintenance and safety of university buildings rests with the institution as the owner of the estate. As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the SFC engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector.

Question reference: S7W-01605

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on the Edinburgh Napier University Merchiston Campus, what assessment it has made of the extent of the presence of RAAC in buildings on campuses of other Scottish universities.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken a separate assessment of the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within university estates.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.

Question reference: S7W-01607

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether any guidance has been published for Scottish universities on the steps they can take to address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on their campuses.

Scottish Universities, as with all those with responsibility for building ownership and property management, should follow the advice and guidance on the identification, management and mitigation of risks associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) provided by professional organisations such as the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of sector-wide developments.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.

Question reference: S7W-01597

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Edinburgh Napier University regarding the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on its Merchiston Campus.

Responsibility for the management, maintenance and safety of university buildings rests with the institution as the owner of the estate. Responsibility for engagement with institutions on these matters lies with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the SFC engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector.

The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding it’s assessment of sector-wide risks, issues and impacts.

Question reference: S7W-01614

Asked by: Martyn Day, MSP for Falkirk East and Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the turnout in the most recent elections.

Turnout at the most recent Scottish Parliament election in May 2026 was 53.2%, down 10% on 2021. The Scottish Government has sought to remove barriers to voting by improving accessibility, focusing in 2026 on those with sight loss. Through the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 we have created opportunities to pilot improved registration of voters, and to improve democratic engagement with the overall aim of increasing turnout.

Question reference: S7W-02004

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling food insecurity in Scottish households.

Food insecurity is driven by insufficient and insecure household income and no one should have to compromise on food or other essentials. Helping people with the cost of living is a top priority of this government and we’re investing around £3.5 billion in 2026-27 to support this, including reducing the costs of travel and helping people find and stay in work. This offers the most comprehensive cost of living support package in the UK while strengthening our public services.

Advice services are critical to Scotland’s communities, maximising incomes and helping to reduce poverty, which is why in 2026-27 we have allocated more than £18 million for the provision of free income maximisation support, welfare and debt advice.

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Question reference: S7W-02152

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Question reference: S7W-01798

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Question reference: S7W-01797

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Question reference: S7W-01608

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