Willie Rennie

Answer · Ben Macpherson · 22 Jul 2026

I am pleased to confirm the Scottish Government appointed Dr Lena Gray on the 25 March 2026 to undertake a review into Qualifications Scotland’s arrangements for qualifications quality. The review is a statutory requirement under the Education (Scotland) Act 2025.Dr Gray’s review has begun and will report in in early 2027.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth · 16 Jul 2026

The Scottish Government is committed to drawing on a wide range of evidence in developing the Better Surfaces Fund. Engagement with relevant stakeholders will inform the design and operation of the fund, to ensure it supports the adoption of best practice and delivers lasting benefits for Scotland’s road network.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth · 20 Jul 2026

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00174 on 5 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald · 16 Jun 2026

We recognise that the register of child welfare reporters is a key part of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020. It remains a priority and will improve consistency, transparency and quality in how reporters are appointed and deliver their role. To support the delivery of this, we convened a short-life Child Welfare Reporter Working Group to consider what is needed in advance of establishing the new register.The Child Welfare Reporter Working Group last met on 19 March 2026 to consider a draft implementation plan and Logic Model. The plan is not yet finalised, and a further meeting is expected in autumn 2026.Subject to approval of the implementation plan, delivery of the register is expected to take up to three years. This will include developing regulations, establishing operational arrangements, and making any necessary changes to court rules. Work is also underway to assess costs and ensure the register is implemented sustainably while delivering its intended improvements.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald · 16 Jun 2026

The creation of a national register for child welfare reporters is a priority for the implementation of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020. The register will improve consistency, transparency and quality in how reporters are appointed and carry out their role, helping to support better outcomes for children involved in contact and residence cases.To support this work, the Child Welfare Reporter Working Group last met on 19 March 2026 to consider a draft implementation plan and supporting Logic Model for the establishment of the register. The plan has not yet been finalised, and we expect the Working Group to meet again in autumn 2026 to consider further.Once the plans are approved, it is anticipated that it will take up to three years for the new register to become fully operational. Key elements of this work will include developing and laying the necessary regulations, determining the operational model for the management of the register (for example, through contractual arrangements), developing a robust understanding of the costs associated with reports, and identifying any required changes to court rules.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald · 16 Jun 2026

Section 23 of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 (the 2020 Act) requires Scottish Ministers to make funding available, through legal aid or otherwise, to help individuals cover the costs of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in family law cases under section 11 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 or where such cases are likely to arise. This includes disputes about child contact and residence following parental separation and aims to help people resolve issues out of court, where possible.In line with section 24 of the 2020 Act, our intention is to first set up a pilot of ADR meetings, which will inform the future details of such a funding scheme.This pilot will not apply to proceedings in which there is a proven or alleged history of abuse, and it will not compel parties to attend an ADR service (it is a basic principle that it is designed as a voluntary process for those involved).Upon conclusion of the pilot, it is likely to take at least another 12 months to put the agreed funding scheme into place.We have not been in a position to implement these provisions. However, they will be taken forward through a phased approach, alongside other 2020 Act priorities. For both of these ADR provisions, the Scottish Government provides update reports to Parliament on the progress of this work. The latest report is available here Introduction - Children (Scotland) Act 2020 - section 23(1) and section 24(1): fifth report on the Scottish Ministers' duties - gov.scot. We intend to resume production of these reports in the near future.

Answer · Neil Gray · 13 Mar 2026

I have been advised by NHS Tayside that external investigators AAB began their formal investigation in February 2026, and that they are independently analysing all the documents they have requested to date, with further documentation being identified and new information requested as witness interviews progress and additional evidence is heard.The agreed scope of the investigation is to:Review NHS Tayside’s systems, processes, actions and governance arrangements in response to the Do Not Destroy noticeExamine NHS Tayside’s internal investigation to assess whether the Health Board has a full and accurate understanding of how the destruction occurredIdentify any systemic or procedural weaknesses that contributed to the incidentProvide recommendations to strengthen controls and prevent recurrence.NHS Tayside has indicated it expects to receive its final investigation report and recommendations during the first week in April. The report will then be considered by NHS Tayside’s board and next steps agreed. The First Minister has written to the Chief Executive of NHS Tayside to ask that she keep former patients updated with any developments in the weeks ahead.

Answer · Angus Robertson · 13 Mar 2026

In light of the UK Government’s decision, the Scottish Government is actively exploring options to ensure that listed places of worship in Scotland are not disproportionately affected by this withdrawal of UK-wide VAT relief.I asked for clarity about Barnett consequential funding from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government. She has reviewed movements in the UK Government Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s funding from the UK Spending Review, and this shows negligible changes in capital budgets across the period. On this basis, it appears that existing funding has simply been repurposed from the now scrapped UK-wide scheme.