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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

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-02243

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 1 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the answer to question S7W-01397 by Jenny Gilruth on 3 August 2026, regarding the selection of financial institutions to advise on and support its forthcoming bond-issuance scheme and motion S6M-18686, does not make reference to either Barclays Bank or motion S6M-18686, and whether it will now address the relevant point raised in the initial question.

Question reference: S7W-01397

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 3 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that the selection of financial institutions to advise on and support its forthcoming bond-issuance scheme is consistent with motion S6M-18686, which was passed by the Parliament on 3 September 2025, particularly the call for "the Scottish and UK governments to immediately impose a package of boycotts, divestment and sanctions targeted at the State of Israel and at companies complicit in its military operations and its occupation of Palestine".

The appointment of financial institutions to the framework supporting the Scottish Government’s multi-year bond programme marks an important milestone as the programme moves into its next phase.

All appointments were made through a procurement process conducted in line with procurement regulations, policy and law. On 25 June 2026, the Scottish Government announced the appointment of nine banks to a framework that will support delivery of its bond programme during this parliamentary term. HSBC, Bank of America, NatWest, and RBC were appointed as joint bookrunners for the inaugural bond issuance.

In response to the situation in Gaza, the Scottish Government has consistently advocated for peace, justice, and human rights, and will continue to do what it can to support a rapid resolution to the conflict and to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable. The First Minister met Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Dr Husam Zomlot, on 27 July and discussed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. During the meeting, the First Minister announced a further £500,000 funding to support access to food, healthcare, clean water and shelter.

Question reference: S7W-01870

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 28 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly removed the £5,000 p/a pay supplement to civil servants working in the Digital Data and Technology Framework, resulting in real terms pay reductions of nine to 14%.

Pay supplements are operational matters for the Scottish Government Civil Service and are, by design, temporary and subject to periodic review. They are typically approved for a fixed term of up to three years and may be continued, varied, or withdrawn based on the outcome of that review. These supplements are attached to specific roles rather than individuals and are used to address recruitment and retention pressures in areas where market conditions require it.

The outcome to remove the previous Digital, Data and Technology pay supplement and replace it with the new Government Digital and Data pay supplement was informed by labour market evidence and pay data, with the process agreed between Scottish Government HR Pay and Reward and the Convention of Scottish Government Unions (CSGU). It included engagement with trade unions and senior leaders, with recommendations considered by an independent Pay Panel. As agreed with CSGU, there is a period of withdrawal for 12 months during which the DDaT pay supplement will be paid in full.

Pay supplements do not form part of contractual base pay and are explicitly intended to be temporary mechanisms linked to prevailing market conditions. There has been no reduction to the base pay of any individuals affected by the review.

Question reference: S7W-01398

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the option of issuing retail bonds available to individuals and public institutions, and for what reason this option was not pursued in favour of wholesale bond issuance available to institutional investors.

The Scottish Government bond programme is designed to maximise value for the Scottish taxpayer by diversifying our sources of borrowing and provide more opportunities to promote Scotland as a place to invest and do business.

Therefore, in line with the Investment Panel recommendation, the Government is pursuing a conventional issuance model aimed at institutional investors. However, this does not preclude retail participation in future, and the programme is being structured to retain flexibility for a range of issuance options in subsequent years.

Question reference: S7W-01871

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risk that post-2027 drone class-marking requirements could lead to otherwise safe and operational drones being prematurely replaced, resulting in increased electronic waste.

Question reference: S7W-01852

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Minister for Parliamentary Business's letter to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on 30 January 2026, when it plans to consult on electoral reform, particularly on deposits and supporter signature requirements.

Question reference: S7W-01680

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what methodology is used to determine the frequency of train services on the Milngavie line and what would be required to restore a service frequency of four services per hour outwith peak times.

Question reference: S7W-00675

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Glasgow City Joint Protection Committee's Learning Review Report on Family C, which was published in May 2026, whether it will consider making an order under section 54 of the Children and Young People Act (Scotland) 2014 to add the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to the list of corporate parents.

The detail published in Glasgow City Joint Protection Committee's Learning Review Report on Family C is horrific. The abuse and neglect the children were subjected to is abhorrent and unacceptable. Keeping children safe is a key priority for the Scottish Government and the Review’s findings are being carefully considered locally and nationally by the Scottish Government and partners as part of our ongoing work to better protect children, support young victims engaging with the justice system, and improve communication between services.

Scotland should be a good parent, and at every turn and in every setting, children must have access to safe, consistent nurturing relationships and environments which enable them to reach their full potential.

The Scottish Government is actively considering all the national recommendations contained within the report, including the recommendation relating to whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service should be a body with corporate parenting responsibilities.

Question reference: S7W-00575

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of its Home Education Guidance, published in January 2025, and whether it has commenced a review with HM Inspectorate of Education and other relevant partners into whether arrangements for home education are providing young people with sufficient support, as per the commitment by the previous Cabinet Secretary for Education on 24 June 2025.

In the period since 24 June 2025, Scottish Government officials have held a series of discussions with HM Inspectorate of Education, COSLA, ADES, Local Government Home Education Leads and with parent and carer representatives of home educated children and young people. As referenced in our reply to PQ S7W-00574 on 1 June 2025 this review is in its discovery phase, including an initial focus on data scoping and investigation. With regards to the evaluation elements of the review, officials are currently liaising with HMIE and others to prepare further advice and options for Scottish Ministers on next steps.

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-00333

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to any risks of relying on the Vision 3 service, in light of previous Vision 3 suppliers reportedly going into administration.

The Scottish Government has considered the risks associated with reliance on the Vision 3 service. Following the administration of In Practice Systems Limited (INPS) in December 2024, migrations were paused while contractual novation to OneAdvanced was secured, involving extensive due diligence over nine months.

Robust governance, including framework procurement rules, clinical safety assessments, and contractual safeguards, remains in place. Risk mitigation measures include ongoing oversight by the GP IT Service Management Board, a phased rollout of migrations to the Vision system, and supplier performance management. The system continues to be supported, secure, and subject to continuous review, with contingency planning reflected in the extended EMIS PCS GP IT system contract to June 2027 while the programme of migrations to the Vision system is ongoing.