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-03151

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding its review of National Lottery Good Cause funding and how it is distributed, including any potential implications for funding in Scotland.

Officials from the UK Governments Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) engaged with relevant Scottish Government officials in July 2026 to advise on it's review of National Lottery Good Cause funding.

Since this initial engagement, Scottish Government officials have sat on a dedicated intergovernmental working group alongside DCMS and representatives from Wales and Northern Ireland. This devolved nations working group ensures that devolved policy contexts are respected, the interests of the funding recipients in the devolved nations are represented, and that UK-wide review objectives do not undermine devolved decision-making powers.

Question reference: S7W-02962

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alison Thewliss on 16 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any cost estimates, financial modelling or resource assessments relating to the implementation of the commitments contained in Palliative Care Matters for All: palliative care strategy 2025 to 2030.

The Scottish Government’s Palliative Care Strategy 2025-2030 - Palliative Care Matters for All – was published on 10 September 2025, alongside an initial three year delivery plan containing 23 actions intended to deliver on the eight strategy outcomes.

Whilst specific cost estimates, financial modelling or resource assessments relating to the implementation of the overall strategy have not been published, we have worked closely with delivery partners to agree the work plans and project costs associated with the delivery of the actions.

We are also committed to publishing annual strategy progress reports providing updates on the delivery of the actions. The first of these will be published before the end of the year and will outline how we are seeking to ensure value for money and best use of resources throughout delivery of the strategy.

Question reference: S7W-02964

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of its July 2025 guidance in implementing recommendations 96, 98 to 101, 106 and 107 of the Animal Welfare Committee's 2023 updated opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing; which of those recommendations it considers to have been fully implemented through guidance; what further measures it plans to introduce to provide species-specific, enforceable protections for farmed fish at slaughter, including requirements relating to stunning, inspection, enforcement and CCTV, and by what date it will introduce equivalent protections for farmed trout.

The Scottish Government’s guidance on Welfare at the Time of Killing in Salmon Farming, published on 17 July 2025, is based on the recommendations made by the UK Government's Animal Welfare Committee and developed in conjunction with the Scottish farmed salmon industry, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and animal welfare organisations.

Currently all salmon killing facilities operate CCTV on a voluntary basis.

Scottish Government officials are members of the trout working group, consisting of representatives from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the other devolved administrations and the trout industry, to develop industry-led guidance. However, at this time we do not have a date for the completion of this work.

Question reference: S7W-02758

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alyn Smith on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether SDS funding and eligibility arrangements will allow employees who complete the Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 6 Modern Apprenticeship to progress to a separately funded Level 7 Modern Apprenticeship with the same employer, where Level 7 is the appropriate next stage of occupational development.

Question reference: S7W-02749

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when Vessel Monitoring Systems will be rolled out to the under-12-metre inshore nephrops trawl fleet.

Improving the availability of spatial fisheries data is a key commitment within the Scottish Government's Fisheries Management Strategy, including the increased use of inshore vessel monitoring systems (I-VMS) on under-12 metre fishing vessels. I-VMS devices collect similar positional data to Vessel Monitoring Systems. However, as they are designed for use on smaller inshore vessels and typically transmit data using mobile networks, they have lower associated costs and can provide more frequent position reporting.

Following the 2023 public consultation on the introduction of electronic tracking and monitoring technology for under-12 metre vessels, the Scottish Government has been progressing policy development and procurement activity. Delays have been experienced during this process and, as a result, implementation has not yet commenced. The Scottish Government will confirm the timetable for rollout and next steps at the earliest opportunity.

Question reference: S7W-02756

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alyn Smith on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has that apprentices in the 20 to 24 and 25+ age groups carrying out the same Social Services (Children and Young People) qualifications require substantially less training, assessment and provider support than 16 to 19-year-olds, and whether it will review age-related contribution differentials where these might not be justified by differences in actual delivery cost.

Contribution rates vary by apprenticeship framework and age group. They are set to encourage participation among younger apprentices. Those aged 16-19 receive a higher contribution rate than those aged 20-24, and the over 25s receive the lowest contribution. Younger apprentices are eligible for higher contribution rates as they may require more support to complete their apprenticeship.

The Modern Apprenticeship contribution rates review is in progress. Stage 2 of this review will explore this issue in more detail and will consider differences in contribution rates by age cohort, and potential options for adjustments to existing contribution levels including revised differentials across frameworks, levels or age cohorts.

The terms of reference for the review can be found in the Modern apprenticeship contribution rate review terms of reference, published on 16 March.

Question reference: S7W-02752

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence or guidance informed its decision to allow local authorities and relevant public bodies up to three years from Royal Assent of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 to produce their Community Wealth Building Action Plans, and whether it considered a shorter timeframe before choosing three years.

The maximum three-year period allowed was agreed by parliament. The timescale was informed by engagement and consultation with stakeholders. Within eighteen months of commencement, Scottish Ministers must publish CWB guidance to assist local authority led CWB partnerships to prepare and publish CWB action plans.

In order to enable CWB Partnerships to use this guidance to develop medium to long term, strategic action plans, the additional eighteen-month timescale represents a fair and realistic timescale. The three-year period provides an appropriate balance between supporting timely implementation of the legislation and allowing adequate time for high-quality CWB action plans to be prepared.

Question reference: S7W-02753

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to collecting Gross National Income, or equivalent net financial flows, data for Scotland, presented within a sectoral balances framework, to evidence the impact of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 in reducing financial outflows from households and businesses.

In implementing provisions in the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026, the Scottish Government will consider how relevant and meaningful statistics can contribute to evaluating the Act's impact.

The Scottish Government has previously developed experimental statistics for Gross National Income (GNI) and primary income account statistics which deal with aspects of income flows into and out of Scotland, including Foreign Direct Investment, and has shown a net outflow of income from Scotland with the latest being published in 2023.

Question reference: S7W-02755

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alyn Smith on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what Modern Apprenticeship contribution rate will apply to the reintroduced Social Services (Children and Young People) qualification at SCQF Level 6, and how it will ensure that the rate reflects the cost of high-quality training, assessment and quality assurance.

Question reference: S7W-02761

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alyn Smith on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the ongoing review of support for part-time study, including whether it plans to reform the £25,000 personal earnings eligibility threshold and the level of Part-Time Fee Grant support available for private training provider delivery, particularly for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) practitioners progressing to the revised Social Services (Children and Young People) Level 9 qualification.

An analysis report of the Consultation on Support for Part-Time Study and Disabled Students was published online on 12 March 2026 - https://www.gov.scot/publications/analysis-consultation-support-part-time-study-disabled-students/

The consultation provided valuable insights and identified clear areas where support is working well and is helping learners to study towards their goals. However it also highlighted that challenges and barriers remain for many learners in accessing the support they need.

The Scottish Government is considering the findings in more detail to understand the complexities of issues facing students and the sector. This includes the challenges felt by some Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) practitioners who wish to access the PTFG to study.

A progress update will issue in the Autumn.