Elena Whitham

17 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether addressing affordable housing need and tackling homelessness will be More Homes Scotland's core mission.

9 Mar 2026 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government and COSLA have jointly published ‘Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan’ today. Grounded in human rights, the Strategic Plan reaffirms our commitment to a public health, evid…

24 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans for the new arrangements for withdrawal from religious education and religious observance in schools to come into force in time for the start of the academic year 2026-27.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Timescales for the commencement of the legislation are a matter for the next government and will be confirmed in due course. The government would expect statutory guidance to be issued in advance of any legal duties coming into force.

11 Feb 2026 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the support provided to NHS boards to develop specialist care pathways for postural tachycardia syndrome.

4 Feb 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its Good Food Nation journey encourages local procurement, promotes local produce and reduces food miles.

2 Dec 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on pedestrian safety improvements.

17 Nov 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its progress towards the breastfeeding stretch aim to reduce drop-off in breastfeeding at six to eight weeks by 10% by 2025, as set out in the most recent Programme for Government, and (b) whether it plans to set a new stretch aim as part of its r…

Answer · Jenni Minto: I can confirm that the commitment to reduce drop-off in breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks by 10% by 2025 has been achieved and exceeded. The rate of drop off has reduced from 34.5% in 2017-18, when the stretch aim was announced, to 25.3% in 2024-25, a reduction of 9…

11 Nov 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work it has been doing regarding people obtaining in-person GP appointments.

22 Sep 2025 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of any implications for its work to address poverty amongst older people of recent findings by the Living Wage Foundation that a majority of people on a low-income pension in the UK are unable to cover basic living costs.

17 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045, including in relation to riparian woodland planting.

8 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recently published report by Humanist Society Scotland, Preaching is not Teaching, regarding concerns that pupils in non-denominational schools may feel compelled to take part in religious worship activities against their own wishes.

2 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support small-scale food producers in rural communities, in light of its commitments under the National Good Food Nation Plan.

26 Aug 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the recently publishedNatWest Group and Beauhurst’s New Startup Index, indicating that Scotland has one of the fastest growing startup economies in the UK.

23 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government (a) what training and (b) how much training time on neurodivergence is allocated to staff across all education settings.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The provision of ongoing professional learning opportunities and collaboration with other partners on professional development is primarily the responsibility of local authorities.In education settings, the Scottish Government has worked closely with partners…

23 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much time and training on neurodivergence is allocated to community psychiatric nurses and mental health workers.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Staff training is an operational matter for the Boards and employers. However, in 2021 the Scottish Government published the National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People. This sets out standards for all children’s services to …

17 Jun 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the latest births and deaths figures published by National Records of Scotland.

3 Jun 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting colleagues in COSLA regarding their call for civility in public life.

28 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS primary care audiology services in (a) addressing any inequality in access to and (b) reducing wait times for adult ear and hearing care needs.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland. However, in considering the future direction for the audiology sector, it is right that we move forward in step with the work of the Ind…

27 May 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the impact of the MalDent Project on oral health policy in Malawi.

14 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that four horses died after running in the Scottish Grand National, and what measures are taken to ensure the welfare of horses.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government takes the welfare of all animals, including racehorses, very seriously and the fatalities that occurred are clearly distressing.Horse racing in Scotland is already tightly governed and regulated by the British Horseracing Authority (BH…

14 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation on fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and priority marine features outside MPAs.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Our marine environment is one of Scotland's most important natural assets and we are committed to protecting it for future generations.Ministers have a legal requirement to put in place fisheries management measures for Marine Protected Areas and priority mar…

14 May 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

7 May 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what further action it can take in the current parliamentary session to tackle abuse against women and girls.

29 Apr 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any racism in Scotland’s housing and homelessness systems.

22 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to assess the impact on patients of anygeographical variation between NHS boards in accessing Scottish MedicinesConsortium-approved therapies for those with advanced or complex Parkinson’sdisease.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government does not assess geographical variations in people accessing Scottish Medicines Consortium-approved therapies for advanced or complex Parkinson’s Disease. However, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery are having initial conversatio…

22 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to reduce any barriers for patients with advanced or complex Parkinson’s disease to access Scottish Medicines Consortium-approved treatments.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The provision of healthcare services, including medicines, is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, and it is for individual Health Boards to consider the implementation of any new treatment within their services in order to meet their local populati…

22 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any financial or service constraints that impact on patients with advanced or complex Parkinson’s disease accessing Scottish Medicines Consortium-approved treatments.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The provision of healthcare services, including medicines, is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, and it is for individual Health Boards to consider the implementation of any new treatment within their services in order to meet their local populati…

22 Apr 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of Scottish Medicines Consortium-approved therapies for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) assesses the clinical and cost effectiveness of newly licensed medicines, including medicines for advanced Parkinson’s disease, on a once for Scotland basis and publishes advice for Health Boards to consider. It i…

22 Apr 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the measures that it is taking to support households to reduce emissions and energy costs.

26 Mar 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of a fisheries management plan for the future management of wild wrasse.