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

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Question reference: S6W-43165

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what role integration joint boards have in monitoring funding allocated by the Scottish Government to hospices.

Financial monitoring requirements, as set out in legislation and statutory guidance, apply to Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) for functions that are delegated to IJBs.

IJBs commission palliative care services, including independent hospices, to meet the needs of their local communities. This commissioned work is set out through service level agreements, which include monitoring and reporting requirements as set by the IJB.

Question reference: S6W-43032

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to increase awareness of the medical condition, eosinophilic oesophagitis, in NHS Scotland, in both primary and secondary care settings.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of improving awareness of gastrointestinal conditions, including eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), across NHS Scotland and is committed to ensuring that people living with these conditions receive safe, effective, person-centred care.

We expect healthcare professionals in both primary and secondary care to remain informed about emerging evidence and best practice for the diagnosis and management of EoE and to maintain and update their clinical knowledge and understanding through continuous professional development.

NHS Education for Scotland provides a range of educational resources and training programmes for healthcare professionals that encompass gastrointestinal conditions, including EoE.

Question reference: S6W-43033

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what data it holds on the prevalence of eosinophilic oesophagitis, and whether it has observed any changes in the level of prevalence over the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-43035

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark Eosinophilic Diseases Awareness Month in May 2026.

The Scottish Government recognises the impact that Eosinophilic Diseases can have on those affected and their families, and remains committed to ensuring access to safe, effective and person-centred care for people living with these conditions in Scotland.

Whilst we do not currently have any plans to mark Eosinophilic Diseases Awareness Month in May 2026, we welcome and value the work of third sector organisations, such as Guts UK and the EOS Network, whose ongoing awareness raising activities and support for people living with these long-term conditions make an important contribution to improving understanding and supporting those affected.

Question reference: S6W-43031

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to further its understanding of the medical condition, eosinophilic oesophagitis, and support diagnosis and treatment of patients.

NHS Education for Scotland provides a range of educational resources and training programmes for healthcare professionals that encompass gastrointestinal conditions, including eosinophilic oesophagitis(EoE).

The Scottish Government expect clinicians and NHS Boards to adhere to current clinical guidelines and follow best practice including from authoritative sources such as the guidelines from British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) joint consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis in children and adults and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Budesonide orodispersible tablet for inducing remission of eosinophilic oesophagitis | Guidance | NICE.

The management of patients includes access to endoscopy for both diagnostic purposes and treatment where appropriate.

The Scottish Government is working through national programmes to improve waiting times and ensure timely access to endoscopy services.

Question reference: S6W-43034

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support research and clinical trials for the medical condition, eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Within the Scottish Government, funding of Health and Care Research comes under the remit of the Chief Scientist Office (CSO).

CSO funds research projects via its Translational Clinical Studies (TCS) Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research (HIPS) Committee

https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/grant-funding/response-mode-funding-schemes/

CSO funds capacity building research via its Fellowship Funding programmes

https://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/fellowship-funding/

Research funding is not allocated to any particular condition and CSO funds research across the clinical spectrum. All applications go through a process of independent expert review to allow funding decisions to be made. Applications on eosinophilic oesophagitis are welcomed and CSO's role is well known across the Health and Care research community in Scotland

Question reference: S6O-05408

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding whether social impact bonds can be used to improve the employment opportunities for young people, including in Falkirk West.

Question reference: S6W-42565

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 December 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken, following the National Speed Management Review public consultation, to improve road safety and manage speed limits on roads.

Transport Scotland has published the findings from the National Speed Management Review (NSMR) public consultation, which ran from November 2024 to March 2025 and received over 19,500 responses.

Following close consideration of consultation responses Ministers have decided not to take forward changes in relation to national speed limits on single carriageway. Further work will be undertaken to continue to analyse the impact on road casualties and journey times of a speed limit change on different standards of single carriageways.

In relation to Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) speed limits, work will be undertaken to progress steps to increase speed limits on single and dual carriageways for this vehicle type. This change aims to reduce the speed differential between HGVs and other vehicles, helping to reduce driver frustration and improve journey time reliability.

The consultation findings and additional information are available at: Road Safety | National Speed Management Review | Transport Scotland

Question reference: S6O-05263

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support manufacturing, including in the renewable energy sector.

Question reference: S6O-05152

Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support is currently provided to local authorities to improve literacy, numeracy, and outcomes for young people, while tackling the poverty-related attainment gap.

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