The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7F-00020

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 June 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S7W-00890

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding support available to people who experience two consecutive miscarriages, (a) what support is currently available, (b) how NHS boards are expected to implement it, (c) what monitoring is undertaken to assess compliance with national guidance, and (d) what assessment has been carried out regarding the consistent availability of support.

The Scottish Government Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care in Scotland, published in February 2025, sets out a graded model of miscarriage care after one, two and three or more miscarriages and tasks NHS Boards with introducing this model of care in Early Pregnancy Services, backed by £1.5m funding to NHS Boards in 2025-26.

NHS Boards have been asked to assess what their service is delivering and report on their progress towards implementing the 34 actions/deliverables in the Framework. To assist with this, a monitoring framework including BRAG ratings of progress towards delivery to date was issued to NHS Boards on 24 March 2026. Responses are currently being analysed.

Question reference: S7W-00739

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, following its withdrawal from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) Programme, how will it coordinate and gather intelligence with the rest of UK to tackle the increasing availability of synthetic opioids, which can be significantly more powerful than heroin.

As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 2026, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.

Reports from the WAND study have highlighted the difficulties in being able to detect the presence of synthetic opioids in wastewater due to their instability and because testing methods are not as developed as they are for other drugs.

Investments made in surveillance, like Scotland’s RADAR early warning system, are supporting the ability to identify and respond to new and emerging threats such as dangerous synthetic opioids. The RADAR system has played a pivotal role in the public health response to nitazene-linked drug harm clusters by identifying trends and sharing information. Work is also progressing to deliver drug checking services which will also help to provide a fuller surveillance picture and better identification of emerging trends and new drugs.

Scottish Government Ministers and officials engage routinely with counterparts in the UK Government and the other Devolved Administrations in response to the shared threat posed by the increasing prevalence of synthetic substances.

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-00740

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of deaths involving synthetic opioids in Scotland reaching the highest level on record last year, whether any specific ministerial meetings have been held to discuss the threat posed by these substances and their increasing availability in Scotland.

The increased prevalence of new synthetic substances is of real concern, not only in Scotland but across the whole of the UK. We are working closely with partners to communicate vital information and advice. We have been able to identify and respond to new and emerging threats such as dangerous synthetic opioids thanks to the investments made in surveillance like our RADAR early warning system.

Ministers routinely meet with a range of stakeholders to discuss the ongoing threat of synthetic substances. Later this month, Public Health Scotland will host a summit with system leaders (including Scottish Ministers, COSLA and representatives from NHS Boards, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, justice leaders and those with lived and living experience) to address the changing drugs landscape in Scotland and concerning trends in drug related harms.

In addition, a virtual meeting of all UK drugs ministers is scheduled for 24 June 2026. Scottish Ministers have requested that the topic of synthetic opioids be included on the agenda for discussion.

Question reference: S7W-00736

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has withdrawn from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme and, if so, for what reason.

Question reference: S7W-00737

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide any information, including expert advice or relevant data, that informed its decision to withdraw from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.

As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 226, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme. This was a fully Home Office-funded programme, to which the Scottish Government has not contributed funding. The Home Office decided in late 2025 to withdraw funding for the Scottish sites due to budget constraints.

The Scottish Government was approached about contributing funding to reinstate the Scottish sites at this time. WAND was primarily useful for being able to provide estimates of drug consumption in the tested area. The conclusion reached by both the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland was that the specific added value of wastewater analysis remained uncertain when compared with the existing, extensive surveillance system, coordinated via RADAR. On this basis, the Scottish Government determined that it would not be an effective use of limited budget to contribute to the programme.

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-00738

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the National Crime Agency's determination that there are currently no up-to-date national estimates of drug consumption in Scotland, and for what reason it has withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme, which is intended to provide such information.

As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 2026, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.

The latest WAND programme report published by the Home Office – covering a period when Scottish sites were included – did not provide a national estimate of drug consumption for Scotland. The report is available here - Wastewater analysis - estimating drug consumption.

Public Health Scotland do publish statistics relating to drug prevalence in Scotland, the last publication was in March 2026 - Estimated prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland.

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-01043

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils have been excluded from school for possession of a knife or offensive weapon in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S7W-01042

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents involving possession of a knife or bladed article have been recorded in schools in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S7W-01017

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the illegal use of (a) quad bikes and (b) off-road motorcycles on rural communities.

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Question reference: S7F-00020

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