Lorna Slater

2 Jul 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to introduce legislation to (a) modernise Compulsory Purchase Orders and (b) implement Compulsory Sales Orders and Compulsory Lease Orders, to give local authorities more powers to deal with empty homes.

18 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Historic Environment Scotland has obtained a direction under section 11 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 from the City of Edinburgh Council to exempt the Radical Road in Holyrood Park from access rights, and, if not, on what legal basis access to the road has been restricte…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including queries relating to the management of Holyrood Park, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respo…

18 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Registers of Scotland missing its 2024 target to have 100% of land registered and the reported impacts of an incomplete land register on the delivery of public services, including delays to progress on housing and infrastructure projects, increased legal and administrative c…

Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad: Registers of Scotland is a non-Ministerial Public Body answerable to the Scottish Parliament.In May 2014, Ministers invited the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to take forward completion of the Land Register by 2024. With activity in the property market, …

18 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to paragraph 142 of the 2025 final report of the SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee, whether it plans to undertake a strategic mapping exercise to identify the functions of all Scottish public bodies, including areas of overlap; and, if so, whether it will provide …

Answer · Ivan McKee: We will undertake a strategic review of the public body landscape. The First Minister’s 100 days programme commits to developing outline plans that will facilitate delivery of public service renewal. We will continue to work in partnership with stakehol…

20 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline how public bodies will be informed of their additional responsibilities under the enhanced biodiversity duty, which was legislated for by the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: A full review of the biodiversity duty reporting procedures is currently in progress.Any proposed changes to the reporting process will be subject to consultation before being implemented through secondary legislation. We will engage with public bodies throug…

26 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a ScotRail discount scheme similar to the 16-17 Saver Railcard used by other rail operators.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In Scotland, concessionary travel on rail is the responsibility of local authorities, which have discretionary powers under the Transport Act 1985 to provide and fund local concessionary travel schemes for residents. The extent and terms of any such scheme ar…

16 Dec 2025 · Written Question

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.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We expect to publish the consultation responses over the coming months, where respondents have consented to their comments being made public.

16 Dec 2025 · Written Question

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 w…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: 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 t…

16 Dec 2025 · Written Question

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.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: 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 p…

16 Dec 2025 · Written Question

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.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: 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 enhanc…

15 Dec 2025 · Written Question

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

Answer · Neil Gray: 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 achie…

26 Nov 2025 · Written Question

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.

Answer · Gillian Martin: 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 c…

26 Nov 2025 · Written Question

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.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: 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 &lsquo…

18 Nov 2025 · SPCB Oral Question

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.

7 Nov 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any work it has undertaken to disqualify businesses who make use of unpaid trial shifts from receiving public grants and procurement contracts from the Scottish Government.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government expects organisations awarded public contracts or receiving public sector grants to maintain agreed workforce standards and professional conduct. Questions on Fair Work First are routinely included in Scottish Government contracts and …

6 Nov 2025 · Written Question

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.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: 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…

5 Nov 2025 · Written Question

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 s…

Answer · Jenni Minto: 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 independentl…

20 Oct 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress made in developing reuse targets with Scotland’s local authorities since the passage of the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Circular Economy(Scotland) Act 2024 enables the setting of statutory local recycling and preparation for reuse targets for local authorities from 2030 to help drive further performance improvements in local household waste services.As set out in the Circu…

18 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure consistent implementation of the Coeliac Disease Pathway across all NHS boards.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Following the launch of a new national evidence-based pathway for coeliac disease in 2018, we expect all Health Boards to fully implement the Coeliac Disease Pathway in Scotland to improve under diagnosis, time to diagnosis and to ensure dietetic person-centr…

18 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish further details on the aimsset out in the Health and Care Service Renewal Framework, including how theseaims will be implemented and resourced.

Answer · Neil Gray: We intend to report annually on the progress of the Service Renewal Framework (SRF). Implementation is well under way to deliver the stated actions in the SRF, with a particular focus on the Year One actions published.With regard to resourcing, the SRF is des…

18 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported ongoing concerns about underdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis for people with coeliac disease, whether it plans to introduce a national early testing scheme for the condition.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Modernising Patient Pathway Programme - Coeliac Disease test of change report - October 2020 | Turas | Learn estimates that the incidence of diagnosed Coeliac Disease is 1% of the population in Scotland with 7-8 people remaining undiagnosed for every pers…

21 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to any school pupils who risk having their transgender status outed against their will in the event of them receiving guidance to use gender neutral toilets and changing rooms, following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises that this will be a worrying time for transgender young people and their families.Education authorities and schools provide a range of wellbeing support to children and young people which is planned and provided using the Ge…

21 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is consulting directly with (a) transgender pupils, (b) their guardians and (c) their teachers on any changes to guidance on toilets and changing rooms in schools.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the Supporting Transgender Young People in Schools guidance remains up to date and fit for purpose. As with any significant legal or policy developments, we are considering whether the guidance requires to…

21 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines it is providing to schools, teachers and pupils regarding transgender pupils accessing toilets, changing rooms and gender specific spaces prior to full guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) being published.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the Supporting Transgender Young People in Schools guidance remains up to date and fit for purpose. As with any significant legal or policy developments, we are considering whether the guidance requires to…

21 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to any transgender pupils who have reported an increase in harassment and bullying issues since the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government published revised guidance for education authorities and schools in November 2024. This guidance includes advice on prejudice-based bullying and is available from Anti-bullying guidance for adults working with children and young people…

26 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can display the Wellbeing Economy Monitor in a more prominent and easy-to-find location on the Scottish Government website, in order that ministers, officials and interested parties can access it easily when setting targets or charting the success of policy interventions.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Wellbeing Economy Monitor will be published on the Scottish Government webpages and can be found using the site search facility when searching for the terms “Wellbeing Economy Monitor” or “Wellbeing Economy”. We intend to bring tog…

26 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Wellbeing Economy Monitor was not updated in 2024, and when an update can be expected.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Wellbeing Economy Monitor is being published slightly later than planned owing to a review of the data and in order to make further improvements to the reporting. The updated monitor will be published in week commencing 14 July 2025. In addition to the We…

23 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated to deliver the new palliative care strategy.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Our palliative care strategy – Palliative Care Matters for All – which is due to be published later this summer, focuses on resources to support programmes of work such as data collection, staff education and future care planning, to support organ…

18 Jun 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported significant demand for apprenticeships from both employers and applicants, what it is doing to increase the number of apprenticeship places available.

10 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its grant agreements and contracts, what its position is on whether excluding employment costs arising from legal obligations to employees, including parental leave, sick leave and redundancy, from eligible costs, is in keeping with its fair work commitments.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government expects employers to meet their legal obligations regarding employment costs arising from statutory duties to workers, including in relation to parental leave, sick leave and redundancy. As part of our Fair Work approach, we also encou…