Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-36218

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS will end the practice of issuing new NHS numbers and changed gender markers to individuals.

The NHS in Scotland uses the Community Health Index (CHI) system for patient records across its IT systems.

There are various reasons why an individual may seek to change their CHI number, including administrative corrections. No medical information is removed from the patient record as part of a CHI change.

There are currently no plans to change existing policies on how CHI records are updated and managed by the NHS in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-35591

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Christine Grahame (on behalf of the SPCB) on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide a list of all organisations and groups that have exhibited at the Scottish Parliament, broken down by how many times each has exhibited, and which MSP sponsored the exhibition, since May 2021.

The list below includes all organisations and individuals that have exhibited at the Scottish Parliament as part of the Member-sponsored exhibitions programme, including the number of times they have done so, this session:

#MEAction Scotland - Ben Macpherson MSP
2023 UCI Cycling World Championships - Clare Adamson MSP
Aberdeen Minerals Ltd - Jackie Dunbar MSP
Action Against Stalking - Sharon Dowey MSP
Advice Scotland Direct - Paul O'Kane MSP
Alcohol Focus Scotland - Gillian Mackay MSP
Alzheimer Scotland - Fulton MacGregor MSP
Amey Limited - Sarah Boyack MSP
Art in Healthcare - Sarah Boyack MSP
ARTconnects: The Migration Blanket - Paul Sweeney MSP
Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry - Kenneth Gibson MSP
Asthma + Lung UK Scotland - Annie Wells MSP
Asthma and Allergy Foundation - Michael Matheson MSP
Asthma UK/British Lung Foundation Scotland - Alexander Stewart MSP
AstraZeneca - Alexander Stewart MSP
BBC Scotland - Sarah Boyack MSP
Bhopal Saathi - Sarah Boyack MSP
Blood Bikes Scotland - Alexander Stewart MSP
Bodyworks - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
British Heart Foundation - Christine Grahame MSP
British Transport Police - Russell Findlay MSP
Carers Scotland - Gillian Mackay MSP
Cats Protection - Marie McNair MSP
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland - Bob Doris MSP
Christian Aid, Eco Congregation Scotland & Operation Noah: Get Your Skates On - Ross Greer MSP
CILIP Scotland - Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP
CIPD - Tess White MSP
Climate Café CIC - Mark Ruskell MSP
Competition and Markets Authority - Stuart McMillan MSP
Craft Scotland and Panel - Michael Marra MSP
Crichton Carbon Centre - Ariane Burgess MSP
Crisis - Mark Griffin MSP
Crown Estate Scotland - Jenni Minto MSP
Cycling UK - Graham Simpson MSP
Cycling Without Age Scotland - Michael Matheson MSP
Cyrenians - Sarah Boyack MSP
Dignity in Dying Scotland - Liam McArthur MSP
Dogs Trust - Colin Smyth MSP
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Drinkaware - Jackie Baillie MSP
Dyslexia Scotland - Oliver Mundell MSP
Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council - Foysol Choudhury MSP
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (2) - Emma Harper MSP (1) & Paul Sweeney MSP (1)
Educational Institute of Scotland - Monica Lennon MSP
Elaine Robinson (artist) - Foysol Choudhury MSP
ENABLE Scotland - Paul O'Kane MSP
Energy Industries Council (EIC) - Brian Whittle MSP
Equity - Mark Ruskell MSP
Erskine Veterans Care - Neil Bibby MSP
Fablevision (2) - Paul Sweeney MSP (1) & George Adam MSP (1)
Falling UP - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Family Fund - Bob Doris MSP
Fashion Revolution Scotland - Monica Lennon MSP
Fight Bladder Cancer - Stuart McMillan MSP
Finding Your Feet - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Siobhian Brown MSP
Food Standards Scotland - Paul O’Kane MSP
Forces Children Scotland - Alexander Stewart MSP
Forth Valley Sensory Centre - Michael Matheson MSP
Friends of the Earth Scotland - Mark Ruskell MSP
Friends of Thomas Muir - Rona Mackay MSP
Galloway National Park Association - Colin Smyth MSP
General Dental Council, General Medical Council, Nursing and
Midwifery Council and General Pharmaceutical Council (2) - Anas Sarwar MSP (1) & Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP (1)
Generations Working Together - Carol Mochan MSP
Genetic Alliance UK - Paul McLennan MSP
Glasgow Centre for Population Health - Paul Sweeney MSP
GoFibre - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Golden Threads Group Tapestry Weavers - Daniel Johnson MSP
GREY2K USA Worldwide - Mark Ruskell MSP
Gypsy Traveller History and Future - Maggie Chapman MSP
Health and Social Care Scotland - Jamie Greene MSP
Held In Our Hearts - Stephanie Callaghan MSP
Hey Girls - Paul McLennan MSP
Horticultural Trades Association - Christine Grahame MSP
Hubbub - ACS Clothing Limited - Stephanie Callaghan MSP
Ian Whyte (artist) - Fergus Ewing MSP
Intuitive - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Inverness Women’s Aid/Reina Edmiston Art - Emma Roddick MSP
John Muir Trust - Paul McLennan MSP
Kidney Research UK - Pam Gosal MSP
Kirrie Connections - Graeme Dey MSP
Kooth plc - Paul Sweeney MSP
Lews Castle College UHI - Alasdair Allan MSP
Libereco, Partnership for Human Rights - Willie Rennie MSP
Liquid Gas UK - Liam Kerr MSP
Living Streets Scotland - Foysol Choudhury MSP
Logos Scotland - Murdo Fraser MSP
Lothians Speak Their Name CIC - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Magic Breakfast - Beatrice Wishart MSP
Make 2nds Count - Jeremy Balfour MSP
Marie Curie and University of Glasgow - Evelyn Tweed MSP
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Myeloma UK - Paul O'Kane MSP
National Biodiversity Network Trust - Ariane Burgess MSP
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Clare Adamson MSP
National Mining Museum Scotland - Christine Grahame MSP
National Trust for Scotland - Sharon Dowey MSP
Network Rail Scotland - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Networking Key Services Limited - Foysol Choudhury MSP
NFU Scotland - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Obesity Action Scotland - Clare Haughey MSP
One Parent Families Scotland - Colette Stevenson MSP
Optometry Scotland - Stuart McMillan MSP
Our Seas - Rhoda Grant MSP
Place2Be (2) - Sarah Boyack MSP (1) & Martin Whitfield MSP (1)
Planet Youth - Marie McNair MSP
Planning Aid Scotland - Sarah Boyack MSP
PlusZero - Alasdair Allan MSP
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness - Pam Gosal MSP
Poppyscotland (3) - Presiding Officer (3)
Powering Futures - Michelle Thomson MSP
Quakers in Britain - Michelle Thomson MSP
Recovering Justice/The Scottish Psychedelic Research Group - Pauline McNeill MSP
Relationships Scotland - Emma Harper MSP
Results UK - Miles Briggs MSP
Revive: The coalition for grouse moor reform - Mark Ruskell MSP
Right There - Miles Briggs MSP
RNIB Scotland - Stuart McMillan MSP
Rothesay Pavilion Charity - Clare Adamson MSP
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and MSD - Elena Whitham MSP
Royal College of Occupational Therapists - Emma Harper MSP
Royal Pharmaceutical Society - Jeremy Balfour MSP
RSPB Scotland - Karen Adam MSP
Scotch Whisky Association - Ivan McKee MSP
Scotland Malawi Partnership - Liam McArthur MSP
Scottish Association of Social Work - Fulton MacGregor MSP
Scottish Book Trust - Jackie Baillie MSP
Scottish Coastal Clean Up - Colin Beattie MSP
Scottish Enterprise - Ivan McKee MSP
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations - Collette Stevenson MSP
Scottish Fishermen's Federation - Rachael Hamilton MSP
Scottish Football Museum: Rutherglen Ladies FC - James Dornan MSP
Scottish Grocer's Federation - Gordon MacDonald MSP
Scottish Hazards - Bill Kidd MSP
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Programmes - Paul O'Kane MSP
Scottish Land & Estates - Christine Grahame MSP
Scottish Prison Art - Fulton MacGregor MSP
Scottish Racing - Miles Briggs MSP
Scottish Renewables - Jenni Minto MSP
Scottish SPCA - Emma Harper MSP
Scottish Water - Liam McArthur MSP
Scottish Women's Aid - Monica Lennon MSP
Scottish Youth Parliament (3) - Presiding Officer (3)
SGI-UK Seeds of Hope and Action - Paul McLennan MSP
Shared Lives Plus - Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP
Shetland Islands Council - Beatrice Wishart MSP
Sight Scotland - Stuart McMillan MSP
Skye Arts-Sea, Land & Sky - Emma Roddick MSP
Smart Energy - Liam Kerr MSP
Social Enterprise Scotland - Miles Briggs MSP
Soil Association Scotland - Ariane Burgess MSP
Sovereign Property Partnership - Paul McLennan MSP
SSE Renewables - Paul McLennan MSP
SSEN Transmission - Michael Marra MSP
Staf (Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum) - Paul O'Kane MSP
Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Belfast Harbour - Emma Harper MSP
Stroke Association - Gillian Mackay MSP
Suzi Morris (artist) - Ruth Maguire MSP
Team Jak - Jeremy Balfour MSP
The Aiteal Trust - Jackie Baillie MSP
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation/Country Food Trust - Sharon Dowey MSP
The Coalition of Carers in Scotland - Jackie Baillie MSP
The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK - Emma Roddick MSP
The Gift of Grouse - Jim Fairlie MSP
The Larder - Fiona Hyslop MSP
The Leprosy Mission Scotland - Jeremy Balfour MSP
The Munro Society - Liz Smith MSP
The National Lottery Community Fund - Collette Stevenson MSP
The Open University - Clare Adamson MSP
The Royal College of Physicians - Clare Haughey MSP
The Royal Society of Edinburgh - Willie Rennie MSP
The Society of Independent Brewers - Craig Hoy MSP
The Trussell Trust - Claire Baker MSP
The Young Women's Movement - Monica Lennon MSP
Timebanking Scotland - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
TSB Bank - Paul McLennan MSP
Unity Consulting Scotland: Zero Hours Justice - Richard Leonard MSP
University of Edinburgh - Sarah Boyack MSP
University of Parma - Alasdair Allan MSP
University of the West of Scotland - Christina McKelvie MSP
Upstart Scotland - Kaukab Stewart MSP
Victim Support Scotland - Neil Gray MSP
VoiceAbility - Collette Stevenson MSP
WASPI Scotland - Katy Clark MSP
Water Safety Scotland - Clare Adamson MSP
Waverley Care - Gillian Mackay
West Lothian Diabetes Scotland Group - Angela Constance MSP
Women's Support Project - Ruth Maguire MSP
World Horse Welfare, BHS Scotland & Horsescotland - Sharon Dowey MSP
Young Enterprise Scotland - Jackson Carlaw MSP
Young Scot - Karen Adam MSP

Question reference: S6W-36344

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will produce a dedicated grassland action plan, similar to those for woodlands and peatlands.

There is no plan at present to produce a grasslands action plan however there are a number of actions within The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy’s Delivery Plan applicable to grasslands.

These actions include, but are not limited to, publishing a Plant Biodiversity Strategy and revision of the Scottish Biodiversity List which currently includes species-rich grasslands as a habitat and specific grassland specialist species among those habitats and species of principal importance. In addition, NatureScot is also mapping the extent of the species-rich grassland resource across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-36394

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Marine Conservation Society 2024 report, State of our Beaches, which records that over 22,000 wet wipes were found on the beaches surveyed and, in light of this, whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made towards a ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic.

The Scottish Government thanks the Marine Conservation Society and their volunteers for their considerable efforts in gathering the data within the State of Our Beaches 2024 report, and also removing beach litter during these surveys. Their citizen science is vital in helping us prioritise future policy and legislation development.

We recognise that marine litter is an important national and international problem and have prioritised action through the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland to ensure that the amount of litter entering the marine environment is minimised to bring ecological, economic and social benefits.

We published our refreshed Marine Litter Strategy in September 2022, which sets out a co-ordinated approach to address the amount of litter entering the marine environment, and supports the removal of debris that is already there. The updated strategy contains multiple actions on the most problematic types of marine litter including sewage-related debris and wet wipes. We are working across the four nations to put an end to pollution caused by wet wipes containing plastic, with legislation forthcoming.

Question reference: S6W-36495

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Independent
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been prosecuted for online sexual extortion (sextortion) in the last year; how many were subsequently convicted, and whether it will provide an update on its campaign to deal with this crime and support victims.

Where a reported sextortion-related crime involves the perpetrator making demands for money or other valuables, it will be recorded and investigated under Threats and Extortion. Where it involves a motive other than financial gain (for example a demand of a physical sexual nature or some other attempt to exert control over the victim), Police Scotland will record it under Threatening to disclose an intimate image.

Whilst statistics are available on the number of people prosecuted and convicted for both Threats and Extortion and Threatening to disclose an intimate image, these do not specifically identify cases that happened online and may include non-sextortion type incidents.

SEXTORTION CRIMESTOPPERS’ FEARLESS CAMPAIGN

The campaign was prompted by discussions between the SG and Police Scotland to explore what more can be done to address growing concerns about the complexity and level of incidence of sextortion activity, and the avenues open for younger people and parents to report these incidents safely and in the knowledge that their concerns will be handled sensitively.

The Fearless campaign targets young people of all genders aged 13 – 21 living in Scotland, but a large proportion of cases have involved male victims aged between 14-18. Ninety-one per cent of victims in UK sextortion cases dealt with by the Internet Watch Foundation in 2023 were male.

Phase 1 – launched 18 November 2024

In partnership with Fearless and Police Scotland, the Scottish Government funded a 4-week campaign, focused on raising awareness of the topic of sextortion amongst young people aged 13 - 21 years old and adults who work with and look after young people Scotland wide.

The campaign is trauma-informed and reassuring and puts victim impact and empathy at the heart of the campaign and link with UNCRC.

Co-designed by teenagers, the campaign targeted young people through various social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram and emphasises that absolutely any young person can be affected. They’re encouraged to know that if this happens to them, it’s not their fault, they are not alone, and that help is there for them.

An awareness video has been filmed with Fearless, Police Scotland and NSPCC specifically for adults who work with and look after young people. This short film aims to increase their own awareness of sextortion whilst reassuring them that help is available should this happen to their young person.

Regular meetings have taken place over the last few months to ensure that the campaign is focused, that it can be evaluated and to ensure there is a longer-term strategy going forward.

Phase 2 – launched 7 February 2025

Phase 2, developed to build on the significant achievements of Phase 1, sees an increased focus on outreach activity and will provide more vital information to parents and carers. Young people will also continue to be encouraged to learn more about sextortion through social media ads designed by their peers.

Phase 2 is only the next step in raising awareness and reducing the considerable harm sextortion causes. It forms part of a range of future activity to ensure awareness and support remains clear and accessible. This includes the development of educational tools and the establishment of a national strategic group to ensure that Scotland’s approach to sextortion is coordinated and informed by the most up to date information and trends in criminality.

Campaign Evaluation

Since its initial launch on 18th November 2024, Fearless has seen very positive engagement with the campaign, including:

?Over 8.9 million social media impressions of the youth ads targeted at young people with 61,387 swipes to the sextortion youth landing page at Fearless.org to learn more

?Over 1.3 million social media impressions of the adult ads, with 6,399 clicks to the adult focused landing page at Fearless.org to learn more

In addition to the significant social media reach, webinars were delivered to 399 youth professionals from Health, Education and Youth Work across Scotland. More than 95% of the attendees felt the campaign increased their knowledge of sextortion, with the majority going on to share their learning with colleagues and making plans to highlight to young people.

A full evaluation of the campaign is expected by summer 2025 in which Fearless will be able to share the level of engagement from the campaign including reach, impressions and swipes to their website Fearless.org.

They will also continue to monitor, engage and respond to partner and young people feedback.

We will work with partners to publish this information when it is available.

Question reference: S6W-36434

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector lease agreements it is currently reviewing as part of its property rationalisation programme, and what criteria are being used to determine value for money.

Question reference: S6W-37000

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in engaging with officials from the Senedd with regard to the Welsh Government's commitment to phase out greyhound racing.

Question reference: S6W-36794

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the board's reported financial situation, what its position is on how NHS Grampian will repay its reported loan from it of £92.2 million.

NHS Grampian are escalated to Level 3 of the NHS Support and Intervention Escalation Framework for financial management and position and the Board continue to receive tailored support from the Scottish Government.

Outstanding brokerage must be repaid to Scottish Government once an NHS Board has returned to financial sustainability. At present, Scottish Government are working with NHS Grampian to secure a credible path to balance, and outstanding brokerage will be recovered once this has been achieved

Question reference: S6W-36477

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the number of young people in Scotland who are classified as not in education, employment or training (NEET), in light of reports suggesting that almost one in eight 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK are classified as being in this category.

No One Left Behind is the Scottish Government’s shared approach with Local Government and wider partners to delivering an all-age, place-based, person-centred model of employability support in Scotland. Services are delivered locally, ensuring individuals, including young people, receive tailored support to help them progress into sustainable employment.

Reaching people who are classed as economically inactive requires services to do things differently. Employability support must be tailored to an individual’s circumstances and recognise that progress towards employment might not be linear. That is why we are working collectively with Local Government, the wider public sector, and third sector partners to enhance the reach and awareness of the support we provide.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) provides an all-age career service in every local authority with an SDS Careers Adviser in every mainstream secondary school to highlight the wide range of career options available. Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Regional Groups, School Coordinators, and third sector organisations also play an important role in supporting young people’s transitions to work, including those for whom the barriers are greater.

Question reference: S6W-36407

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32194 by Gillian Martin on 3 January 2025, whether SEPA's assessment of flood protection schemes completed for the 2021 Flood Risk Management Plans is available to view.

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