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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: S6F-04632

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 5 February 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04651

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 5 February 2026

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reported warnings that a significant proportion of the medical workforce is experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout.

Question reference: S6W-43237

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the ending of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for sporting rights will have on (a) Forestry Land Scotland, (b) National Trust Scotland, (c) Historic Environment Scotland, (d) NatureScot, (e) Crown Estate Scotland, (f) local authorities and (g) other public agencies that possess sporting rights.

As at 1 June 2025, and based on the Billing System Snapshot, an annual property-level data return provided to the Scottish Government by councils, it does not appear that any Small Business Bonus Scheme relief was awarded to any shootings or deer forests held by Forestry Land Scotland, National Trust Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, Crown Estate Scotland, local authorities or other public agencies. We do not therefore anticipate any material impact on these bodies from removing eligibility for Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for shootings and deer forests (subject to prescribed exceptions).

Question reference: S6W-43241

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) natural capital and (b) environment assessments it has conducted relating to the ending of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for sporting rights for (i) shootings (ii) deer forests.

Question reference: S6W-43236

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, what assessment it has undertaken regarding any impact on rural communities, where a higher proportion of patients typically travel by car to appointments, prior to introducing changes to the General Ophthalmic Services fee structure, effective from 1 August 2025, linking higher fees for eye examinations, for adults aged 60 and over, to pupil dilation, and whether it will publish any such assessment.

The Scottish Government negotiated the new General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees with Optometry Scotland with the data available at the time. A joint review of the impact of these changes will be undertaken with Optometry Scotland in due course. These discussions are confidential in nature and for Optometry Scotland to consider how it, as the representative body, informs its membership.

Dilating the pupils of patients aged 60 and older has been a requirement of a GOS primary eye examination since 1 April 2010. It is clinically important because it enables the optometrist to inspect the retina, optic nerve and macula for early signs of age-related sight-threatening diseases that are often symptomless.

Question reference: S6W-43239

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding what revenue it estimates will be raised by the ending of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for sporting rights.

Question reference: S6W-43262

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the Fund to Leave since its launch.

Question reference: S6W-43305

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the phase 3 of the Permitted Development Rights review that was carried out in 2023, whether it plans to amend Permitted Development Rights, particularly in relation to energy efficiency measures in conservation areas.

Following consultation, in May 2024 the Scottish Government expanded permitted development rights to allow, amongst other measures, solar panels and replacement windows to be installed on domestic and non-domestic buildings in conservation areas without the need for a planning application.

These rights are subject to certain restrictions and conditions in order to strike an appropriate balance between tackling climate change and protecting the character and appearance of conservation areas.

Guidance on the revised and extended permitted development rights can be found in Planning Circular 1/2024: Householder Permitted Development Rights and Planning Circular 2/2024: non-domestic permitted development rights

Our recent consultation related to permitted development rights, which closed in October 2025, sought views on various options, including the potential further expansion of permitted development rights for domestic air source heat pumps. The responses to that consultation are currently being considered and a consultation report will be published in due course.

Question reference: S6W-43240

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out regarding what the estimated cost to local valuation boards will be of collecting revenue following the phasing out of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for sporting rights.

Local valuation boards have no role in collecting non-domestic rates.

The collection of non-domestic rates, including annual billing and the administration of reliefs such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme, is the responsibility of Local Authorities. Non-domestic rates bills are issued to all rated non-domestic properties, whether or not they are in receipt of relief. All non-domestic rates collected by a local authority from properties in their area are ultimately retained by them and have an important role in funding public services.

Question reference: S6W-43238

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has carried out regarding the ending of the Small Business Bonus Scheme relief for sporting rights on (a) shootings and (b) deer forests.

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