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-03981

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the prevalence and nature of violence against women aged 65 and older, and what action it is taking to ensure that such women experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, financial abuse or other forms of gender-based violence have access to appropriate support, protection and specialist services.

Question reference: S7W-03988

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021, how many operational district heat networks have been established and what assessment it has made of the impact of these on energy costs, carbon emissions and local economic development.

Question reference: S7W-03967

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the future risk of landslides affecting the A77, particularly in light of changing weather patterns and reported increased instances of extreme rainfall, what the findings were, and what mitigation measures are planned to reduce the risk of any future (a) disruption and (b) damage to the route.

Question reference: S7W-03969

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the risk of trips and falls among older people, and whether it has assessed the effectiveness of measures such as strength and balance programmes, home safety assessments, adaptations to housing, and public health advice in preventing falls and fall-related injuries in later life.

Question reference: S7W-03989

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of a skilled workforce to deliver its heat network ambitions, and what action it is taking to address any identified shortages in engineering, construction and heat network operation skills.

Question reference: S7W-03982

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many older people have received support for home adaptations in each of the last five years, and what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for such support.

Question reference: S7W-03984

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has carried with older people and organisations that represent them regarding the design, locations and accessibility of GP walk-in clinics.

Question reference: S7W-03652

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it requires recipients of public funding and public contracts in the agricultural sector to uphold Fair Work principles in all agricultural workplaces.

Since July 2023 all recipients of discretionary public sector grants have been required to demonstrate their commitment to our Fair Work First criteria, including mandatory real Living Wage and effective worker voice conditions. While public bodies are responsible for their own procurement decisions, Statutory Guidance asks contracting authorities to consider, before undertaking a procurement exercise, whether it is relevant and proportionate to include requirements for Fair Work First criteria.

In this context, the recipients of grants for the following agriculture-related funds awarded on or after 1 April 2024 have been required to meet this conditionality:

Agriculture Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)

Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS)

Food and Drink Processing Scheme Scotland (FDPSS)

Crofting Agricultural Grants Scheme (CAGS)

Croft House Grant

Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS)

Question reference: S7W-03926

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the socioeconomic backgrounds of students entering the medical profession, and what action it is taking to increase participation in medicine among people from deprived communities and lower-income households.

Question reference: S7W-03928

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding specialist alcohol-related brain damage services, (a) how many are currently operating in Scotland, (b) what funding is provided to support them, and (c) what plans it has to expand provision in areas where access is limited.