Q Manivannan

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to convening a roundtable with Edinburgh-based faith leaders, Muslim community representatives, and third-sector organisations to develop a medium-term strategy of community resilience and care, following reported attacks on 19 June 2026, and whether this could for…

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: The Scottish Government condemns all forms of racially and religiously motivated violence. We recognise that incidents of this nature can cause fear well beyond those directly affected, and are committed to working alongside communities and partners to provid…

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to co-design community safety strategies with local faith groups and Muslim community organisations in Edinburgh and Lothians, to ensure that responses to potential far-right violence are shaped by the communities most affected.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: Both Ministers and officials engage regularly with faith groups, Muslim community organisations and third sector partners across Scotland, including in Edinburgh and the Lothians, to understand local concerns and strengthen community safety and resilience.The…

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to work with the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, academic institutions, and civil society organisations to develop evidence-based responses to online incitement that contributes to racially and religiously motivated violence.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns all forms of hatred and prejudice, including racism, religious hatred and online abuse. We undertake engagement with a range of stakeholders with expertise in tackling prejudice, building cohesive communities and…

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Ofcom regarding the role of algorithmic amplification on social media platforms in escalating far-right and Islamophobic content, and what steps it is taking to advocate for algorithmic accountability in the regulation of online hate.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: The Scottish Government is clear that racism, Islamophobia and all forms of hatred and prejudice have no place in Scotland, including when expressed online. Social media companies have a fundamental responsibility to enforce their own rules, prevent harmful c…

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the provisions in the Online Safety Act 2023 concerning hate speech and incitement to racial and religious violence, in light of reports that calls for anti-migrant protests and hateful rhetoric targeting minority communitie…

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: While regulation of the internet remains reserved, we have consistent and robust engagement with UK Ministers and Ofcom to strengthen a range of online protections, including as part of the Online Safety Act 2023.The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns…

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the provision of advanced public information about demonstrations by far-right groups, to enable minority ethnic, Muslim and faith communities to plan safe transit around affected areas of Edinburgh and other cities.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald: The Scottish Government is clear that we must not allow recent attacks to stoke fear or division. We recognise the distress these events have caused, and that everyone in Scotland should be able to go about their daily lives without fear.Ministers and senior …

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the capacity of NHS Lothian’s community mental health services to respond to trauma experienced by minority ethnic communities in the aftermath of racially motivated violence, and whether it will commit to additional resource to meet any identified ga…

Answer · Maree Todd: Scotland is a welcoming nation that rejects racism, hate, and prejudice. The Scottish Government stands in solidarity with Muslim communities across Scotland and unequivocally condemned the heinous attacks in Edinburgh in June.NHS Lothian holds statutory resp…

21 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what immediate mental health support has been made available to Muslim and minority ethnic communities in Edinburgh following reported attacks on 19 June 2026, and what steps it is taking to ensure that such support is culturally appropriate and accessible to those who may face linguisti…

Answer · Maree Todd: Scotland is a welcoming nation that rejects racism, hate, and prejudice. The Scottish Government stands in solidarity with Muslim communities across Scotland and unequivocally condemns the heinous attacks that took place in Edinburgh on 19 June. Each individu…

17 Jun 2026 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in increasing use of its New Refugee Doctors Project, including to support medically qualified refugees from Gaza.

12 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the closure of the workplace nursery at Victoria Quay in October 2025, and reports that some staff have reduced their working hours or left employment, (a) what assessment it has made of the impact of the closure on staff with childcare responsibilities, and (b) whether it h…

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The closure of the Victoria Quay nursery followed the withdrawal of the sole service provider during the contract renewal procurement exercise. The provider indicated that continued operation was not viable, reflecting reduced demand. The decision to close th…

16 May 2026 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what assessment it has made of the progress in implementing the recommendations from the Scottish Parliament's Inclusive Parliament Review, including which recommendations remain outstanding and what the timetable for their completion is.

Answer · Maggie Chapman (on behalf of the SPCB): The Inclusive Parliament Review has various workstreams including a Facilities Review and a review of our Dignity at Work arrangements. The Clerk/Chief Executive commissioned the Dignity at Work Review in light of strengthened statutory duties from the Worker…

16 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to meet the statutory child poverty targets that were set in 2017, in light of reports that Scotland is not on track to meet the final 2030 targets across all four measures.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: It will be the defining mission of this Scottish Government to support families with the cost of living and eradicate child poverty.Our third Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, ‘Bringing Hope, Building Futures’ was published on 12 March and set…