Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-42642

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the commitment in its Housing to 2040 strategy to streamline and accelerate the adaptations system, and when it expects to complete the fundamental review of the system.

As set out in my answer to question S6W-42639 on 14 January 2026, I am pleased to be able to confirm that the review of the housing adaptations system, a commitment in our Housing to 2040 strategy, is underway.

My officials are currently finalising a project plan and contacted stakeholders in December to formally invite them to participate in the advisory group. Formal engagement will begin in early 2026.

We aim to publish a short report in the autumn of 2026, that sets out the future of adaptations 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: S6W-42639

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the fundamental review of the adaptations system, as set out in its Housing to 2040 strategy, will take account of the needs of (a) minority ethnic communities, (b) other groups with protected characteristics and (c) the demands of an increasing ageing population, and when an update on the recommendations to improve the system will be published.

In September, I committed to begin work on the review of the housing adaptations system by the end of 2025. This review will make recommendations on how best to improve and streamline the system and better target resources.

I am pleased to be able to confirm that this work is underway and my officials are currently finalising a project plan and contacted stakeholders in December to formally invite them to participate in the advisory group. Formal engagement with the group will begin in early 2026.

This preparatory work will ensure that the needs of all older and disabled people in Scotland, including ethnic minorities and those with protected characteristics, will be represented and considered as part of the review and that we have a system that is fit for purpose for anyone who needs to use it.

Question reference: S6W-42641

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the next steps are following the consultation, Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes, and when it expects to update Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide.

We reaffirmed our commitment to deliver change in this area during the passage of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and are giving detailed consideration to the consultation feedback to ensure that we get the fundamentals of this work right.

We recognise that enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes is essential to enable people to live well and stay in their homes for as long as they wish and, during Stage 3 of the Bill in the autumn of 2025, we committed to instituting change within two years.

To help ensure that (a) changes to Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide and (b) the introduction of an all-tenure Scottish Accessible Homes Standard are meaningful and proportionate, we will work closely with the building sector and other stakeholders as work progresses. Crucially, this will include those with lived experience.

Question reference: S6W-42640

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 6 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the responses to its consultation, Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes, which closed on 21 December 2023.

Question reference: S6W-42615

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government on what specific date its new cancer action plan will be published.

The Scottish Government Cancer Strategy for Scotland (2023 – 2033) is underpinned by multi-year phases of planned actions.

The initial three-year Cancer Action for Scotland Plan 2023-2026 has supported the strategy by determining actions to help us achieve our ambition to improve survival and provide excellent, equitably accessible care. The current plan runs until 2026, with work already underway on developing the actions required for the next phase. Parliament will be updated on timings for the next plan in due course.

Question reference: S6W-42198

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 11 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on (a) the documents that have incorporated updates from the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan to date, (b) any further documents expected to include these updates and (c) the proposed publication dates for each.

The Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan (CESAP) was an important springboard for net zero skills planning.

Since its publication in 2020, significant progress has been made to further improve the evidence base, for instance with key reports such as the ‘Green Jobs in Scotland’ report (published in November 2022), the ‘Dynamic Skills Response to Supporting the Transition to Net Zero’ (published in November 2023), and the ‘A more dynamic, responsive skills system: decarbonisation of heat in domestic and commercial buildings’ report (published in December 2024).

In 2023, Ministers agreed not to publish a further standalone CESAP, opting instead to strategically align green skills policy and planning behind our wider net zero and economic growth priorities. It will also be a key consideration as we take forward work on Skills Planning.

The importance of skills and education in green sectors has been extensively recognised, including: the development of sectoral and site Just Transition Plans (various dates),the Green Industrial Strategy (September 2024), the recent Draft Circular Economy Strategy for Scotland (October 2025), the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 (November 2024), and the Draft Environment Strategy (July 2025), and the upcoming Climate Change Plan (expected in 2026).

The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to embedding green skills and creating green jobs across all its policies to support a just transition to net zero.

Question reference: S6W-42201

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that filters in cigarettes are one of the most littered items and that they leak toxic chemicals, which can threaten marine life, what its position is on calls to ban them.

The Scottish Government shares your concern about the harmful impact of cigarette litter, which makes up a significant proportion of litter in Scotland, and we are committed to taking action to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics.

While we currently have no plans to ban cigarette filters, we will continue work to prevent littering, improve enforcement and drive behaviour change in line with the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy.

Additionally, one of the most effective ways to reduce the volume of littered cigarette filters is through reducing smoking rates. Our Tobacco and Vaping Framework, published in 2023, sets out the actions we are taking to reduce smoking levels in communities to 5% or less.

Question reference: S6W-41758

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 25 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to investigate and respond to reports that Rockstar Games has dismissed staff for joining a workplace union, and how it can ensure that workers' rights to unionise are protected under Scottish employment law.

The Scottish Government has been in touch with Rockstar Games after concerns were raised about the unfair dismissal of staff. We have re-iterated our strong position that we expect all employers to treat their workforce with respect and to engage with workers and their representatives including relevant trade unions in an open and transparent way. A progressive approach to industrial relations and an effective voice for workers is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society.

Question reference: S6O-05224

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will review its interim position on the use of facilities and services at the Parliament, following the Supreme Court ruling, and seek specialist legal advice, in light of the Equality and Human Rights Commission withdrawing its interim guidance.

Question reference: S6W-41707

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 18 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the inclusion of specific diagnostic and treatment guidelines for Tourette syndrome in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and, in light of reported concerns about underreporting and inconsistent diagnosis and the need for clear national support frameworks for people living with the condition, whether it will review the absence of such guidelines and, if so, by what date.

I recognise how debilitating Tourette Syndrome can be and want to ensure that all people living in Scotland with this condition can access the best possible care and support.

The decision to create, update and/or replace any SIGN guideline is made independently by the Evidence Directorate Work Programme Committee in Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Any group or individual can propose a guideline topic, and proposed guidelines under consideration can be found on the SIGN website: Our guidelines/

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