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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-37688

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 9 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that prisoners receive adequate access to healthcare, in light of the April 2025 Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research report, which highlighted that 27 of the 64 deaths occurring in prisons in the last year were related to health conditions and incidents.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that those living in prison have access to healthcare that is, as a minimum, equitable to that offered in the community.

Within 24-hours of entering a prison establishment, all individuals have a face-to-face consultation with an NHS healthcare professional to assess their physical and mental health needs, including any addictions. This nationally agreed process helps identify healthcare and medication requirements, and other vulnerabilities. Healthcare plans are then put in place accordingly.

All individuals living in prison can access healthcare appointments with the prison healthcare team via a simple internal self-referral process. Scottish Prison Service staff can also refer individuals for healthcare appointments, where needed.

We are taking forward a range of work to improve access to healthcare. The National Prison Care Network has developed a Target Operating Model for prison healthcare, which aims to ensure nationally consistent healthcare delivery in all prison establishments

Question reference: S6W-37891

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will track progress towards net zero in the agriculture and land use sectors.

Question reference: S6W-37690

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 28 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to (a) address the reported 60% increase in prison deaths in 2024 and (b) improve the safeguards in place to prevent (i) drug deaths and (ii) suicides in prison.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

Any loss of life in the care of SPS is tragic no matter the circumstances.

The recently reviewed Death in Prison Learning Audit and Review (DIPLAR) process, supports our ability to improve and identify lessons learned following any death in custody.

We are also reviewing and overhauling our suicide prevention strategy, ‘Talk to Me’, supported by an independent expert review. We have implemented immediate measures identified following recommendations from Fatal Accident Inquires, including but not limited to mandatory observations of young people during their first 72 hours in custody.

Additionally, the implementation of SPS’ Alcohol and Drug Strategy, which was developed with partners, will compliment operational actions by using trauma informed practices to support those in our care who are affected by substance use.

Question reference: S6W-37689

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 28 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Prison Service regarding the April 2025 Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research report and its finding that Scotland has one of the highest prison death rates across Europe, which has risen 60% in the last year, and how it will prioritise the provision of rehabilitation and adequate support measures for prisoners.

My deepest thoughts and condolences are with those families affected by a death in prison custody. The Scottish Prison Service cares for and supports some of the most complex and vulnerable individuals in our society, often at times of personal crisis.

I regularly meet with the Chief Executive of Scottish Prison Service and the safety and wellbeing of people in custody remains part of a continued dialogue. Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research report covers a range of distinct topics which will be considered individually.

The Scottish Prison Service have now developed a multiyear recovery plan to prioritise the delivery of offending behaviour programmes, including the introduction of new delivery sites to increase programme delivery and capacity.

Question reference: S6W-37835

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how the NHS pay deal will affect NHS board budgets in each of the next two financial years.

Question reference: S6W-37841

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding reported delays in Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority pay-outs for Police Scotland officers injured in the line of duty.

Question reference: S6W-37889

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure equitable access to funding for land use change across all regions of Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-37832

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS pay deal will affect resource allocation to frontline services.

Question reference: S6W-37831

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what risk assessments it has made of non-compliance with the Equality Act 2010 of its own policies and guidance.

Question reference: S6W-37883

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that rural and island communities are not disproportionately affected by any land use changes required to meet carbon budgets.

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