Mark Ruskell

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce (a) standards and (b) regular public reporting on hospital discharges and the use of non-clinical spaces to deliver care, in light of national standards being set for emergency department waits and ambulance holdovers but no equivalent standards relating to disc…

Answer · Neil Gray: a)Standards on hospital discharges and the use of non-clinical spacesWe do not collect national data on the use of non-clinical spaces. Our focus is on addressing the underlying causes of this practice, such as high hospital occupancy and poor patient flow.We…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the procurement of new rail stock will include an increase in carriages with cycle storage spaces, in light of a reported lack of storage on certain routes.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: At this stage, it is not possible to confirm the precise level of cycle space provision on the new trains, as these details will be informed by manufacturers’ bids. The specification for new rolling stock will fully reflect the requirement for appropria…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a national path fund, in light of the impact of the Ian Findlay Path Fund that has been delivered by Walking Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government recognises the important contribution the Iain Findlay Path Fund has made in supporting local path improvements across Scotland. While this fund comes to an end in 2025- 26, we will continue to support the delivery of paths and other a…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many tickets that would have previously been considered peak-fare have been sold on ScotRail routes since the permanent removal of peak fares in September 2025.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The Scottish Government does not hold this information however the econometric analysis that was undertaken for Evaluation of the Peak Fares trial and the Outline Business Case for Permanent removal will be repeated…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise rail fleet improvements for Fife routes, in light of reports that a significant portion of the trains currently servicing the route are older diesel models that are more prone to breakdowns and delays.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is aware of the issues with reliability of the fleet currently serving Fife routes and ScotRail is taking action within its available resources to make any necessary improvements to the existing fleet.The ScotRail Fleet Improvement Pla…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the regional transport partnerships’ budgets is spent on (a) walking and (b) wheeling.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs)manage their own budgets and make funding decisions based on regional and local needs.RTPs are grant funded by the Scottish Government for specific programmes, such as the People and Place programme which supports walking…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many first-class rail tickets across all ScotRail routes have been sold since the permanent removal of peak fares in September 2025.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail. The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure (a) the improvement and maintenance of paths and path networks and (b) sustained investment to support outdoor access, access officers and ranger services across Scotland.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government continues to believe that delivery of local authority duties should be delegated at a local level where possible. The majority of funding provided to local government is made available through a block grant. £8.1 million is inclu…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding ScotRail’s most recent procurement tender for a new rail fleet, how many battery electric multiple units will be (a) procured and (b) allocated for Fife routes.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The procurement process for ScotRail’s replacement fleet is currently under way. The Public Contracts Scotland website sets out the vehicle procurement: View Notice - Public Contracts Scotland.The Battery electric multiple units (BEMUs) are being procur…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how regional transport partnerships will access the £4 million allocated in the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 to support bus franchising, as set out in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: It is right that local transport authorities explore how best to use the measures in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, as our approach is to enable them to determine what is best to improve services in their areas. I am pleased that £4 million is inclu…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund is making it more difficult for community projects to access funding needed to deliver their active travel initiatives.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since 2023, following the launch of active travel transformation by the (then) Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants Rights, Transport Scotland has been reshaping the way active travel funding is delivered. This revised approach places…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what change there has been to passenger numbers on ScotRail routes since the permanent removal of peak fares in September 2025.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A robust analytical process is underway to evaluate the impact of removing ScotRail peak fares. It will take some time to be able to meaningfully analyse the impact of this £35m Scottish Government investment.We anticipate that we will be able to share …

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support there will be for regional transport partnerships to support the development and delivery of franchising of local bus services.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government has allocated £4 million funding to support Local Transport Authorities to build business cases for local bus improvement through franchising, announced as part of the draft Scottish Budget for 2026-27.Work on the design of the f…

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to address overcrowding on the commuter trains on the Dunfermline/Alloa – Edinburgh route.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: While an operational matter for ScotRail, the Scottish Government expects ScotRail to ensure that the services it provides meet the passenger demand.

28 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to make paths and streets accessible to all in (a) rural and (b) urban communities.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The large majority of roads in Scotland form part of the local road network, therefore, it is primarily Local Authorities who are responsible for ensuring inclusive access to their network. However, the Scottish Government remains committed to improving acces…

28 Jan 2026 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure the safety of people seeking asylum who are housed in hotels across Perth.

22 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the safety of fixed ankle leashes in water sports, and what consideration it has given to regulating the sale and use of these for such purposes.

Answer · Maree Todd: We are committed to increasing opportunities for people to participate in sport and be active. At the same time, the safety and wellbeing of all who participate is paramount.The use of safety equipment in sport is not a legal requirement but rather will be de…

7 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Deputy First Minister has had with ministerial colleagues regarding when a Just Transition Fund for Mossmorran will be introduced.

31 Dec 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what obligations are placed on bus operators to accept the National Entitlement Card for local cross-border journeys.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The rules governing journeys made under the National Concessionary Travel Schemes are set out in the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006 as amended and the Nationa…

9 Dec 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to update national guidance for local authorities on their responsibilities to uphold public access rights.

9 Dec 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the practical effects of Part 5 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill would be with respect to reserved matters, including energy consents, transport and telecommunication.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Part 5 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill(as introduced)is not intended to have a practical effect on any matters which are reserved.Section 34 replaces the definition of public body or office holder in section 58 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland)…

26 Nov 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that it will publish its response to NatureScot’s review of the bird species on schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government has reviewed the findings from NatureScot’s assessment of bird species listed on Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. We are now preparing a consultation on proposed changes to Schedule 2. This consultation will b…

24 Nov 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will use the learnings from the Ask and Act pilots to determine budget requirements for the full implementation of the homelessness duties contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Provisions in Part 5 (homelessness prevention) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 must commence 3 years from Royal Assent, if not already commenced. Royal Assent was given on 6 November 2025. The cost of implementation of the ask and act duties is therefore n…

24 Nov 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the extent to which the Housing Emergency Action Plan is helping to meet its commitment to end homelessness.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Housing Emergency Action Plan delivers new and enhanced actions, including committing to deliver up to £4.9 billion of investment over the coming four-years - with homes delivered through a mixture of public and privately leveraged investment.These …

19 Nov 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the assessment by the Scottish Human Rights Commission that disabled and autistic people are not being supported to exercise their right to independent living, as enshrined in Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, what discuss…

3 Nov 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to facilitate access to EV charging using home energy tariffs for residents with no off-street parking. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the transition to EVs by ensuring that charging infrastructure is comprehensive, convenient, and accessible to all. I understand the importance of enabling those without access to off street parking to charge…

1 Oct 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed ferry route between Rosyth and Dunkirk.

24 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) percentage and (b) area in km2 of (i) inshore Marine Protected Areas and (ii) other inshore waters have year-round spatial restrictions on (A) scallop dredging, (B) nephrops trawling, (C) both scallop dredging and nephrops trawling, (D) creeling and (E) all commercial fishing.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The area calculated for restrictions is based on where there is a limit on the fishing activity all year round dependent on, for example, vessel size and power usage as well as where there is a complete ban on that type of fishing activity in a designated sit…

24 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with residents in Tillicoultry who were evacuated from their homes two years ago when reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete was discovered.

21 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the UK Government regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in private and public housing stock in Scotland.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The former Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan MSP, made several representations to UK Ministers asking for a dedicated RAAC Remediation Fund for Scotland, but the UK Government has refused to do so.In June I wrote to the UK Government Deputy Prime Minister s…