Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
4 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the evidence given at the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 4 November 2025, how many times the sustainable aviation fuel expert working group has met, and on what dates.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The sustainable aviation fuel working group met on three occasions in 2024: 15 February, 9 April and 14 May.
19 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal for universal BRCA gene testing being offered to everyone with breast cancer.
Answer · Neil Gray: Scotland’s Clinical Management Pathway for breast cancer currently recommends that people diagnosed with breast cancer be referred for further gene testing (which includes BRCA1 and BRCA2) if they meet criteria designed to identify those at the highest …
19 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve early diagnosis, treatment and survival rates of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government recognises the challenges in diagnosing rare cancers, such as cholangiocarcinoma, often due to the presentation of vague, non-specific symptoms. We are committed to improving early detection as we know that the sooner cancer is detecte…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39405 by Tom Arthur on 6 August 2025, whether bereavement and grief support provided by NHS boards or third sector organisations is always available free of charge; and whether the Maternity and Neonatal Psychological Intervention services can be ac…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The planning and provision of local healthcare services is a matter for NHS Boards, consistent with national policies, frameworks and best practice. Core NHS services are provided free at the point of use. Some Health Boards partner with charities to deliver …
15 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it carries out to assess the compliance of NHS boards with section (a) 120 and (b) 121 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, and what discussions it had has with the NHS boards about their compliance, including how they will report on this.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Transport to Health Delivery Plan published by Scottish Government in October 2024 aims to ensure access to healthcare facilities is fully considered within regional and local planning.As one of the commitments in the plan set out, the Transport (Scotland…
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of poverty on pupils, in light of the NASUWT’s October 2025 survey findings that 89% of teachers who were surveyed said that pupil behaviour has worsened over the last year and 76% said more pupils are lacking in energy and c…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises that poverty is a barrier to learning, and eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a national mission and this Government’s top priority.Our action is making a real difference to families. On average, households with …
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to monitor and respond to any implications of teachers' financial stress on recruitment, retention and educational outcomes, in light of the NASUWT’s October 2025 survey findings that 53% of teachers have increased their use of credit cards and 14% have tak…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises that the ongoing cost of living crisis and the impact of inflationary pressures on food and high energy costs are causing difficulties for many individuals and families in Scotland.Scotland’s classroom teachers are cur…
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the NASUWT's October 2025 survey findings, which were published during Challenge Poverty Week, that 72% of teachers who responded have cut back on food expenditure and that 49% of pupils are unable to afford school uniforms.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government recognises that the ongoing cost of living crisis and the impact of inflationary pressures on food and high energy costs are causing difficulties for many individuals and families in Scotland.Scotland’s classroom teachers are cur…
13 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any implications for delivering a just transition in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the working paper, Community benefits and shared ownership for low carbon energy infrastructure, which was published by the Department for Energy Security …
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government on community benefit and shared ownership policy and continues to press for a mandatory scheme for mature onshore technologies, alongside a robust GB-wide voluntary framework for emerging techno…
10 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported growing body of research on the harmful effects of microplastics, including crumb rubber, on human health and the environment, whether it will adopt the EU approach to precaution and public health, which promotes zero plastic use and supports sustainability and …
Answer · Maree Todd: We understand these concerns, and we are committed to working with the key stakeholders to explore alternative artificial pitch systems and more sustainable infill products to reduce the spread of microplastics in the environment.Artificial grass pitches play…
10 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of crumb rubber in Scotland, in light of the research report on Options to Reduce Intentionally Added Microplastics Emissions (UK), which was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and identified that artificial sports…
Answer · Maree Todd: Artificial grass pitches play an important role in the delivery of sport and physical activity across Scotland, helping the nation to lead more active, healthy lives.The Scottish Government works with Welsh and UK Governments under the preliminary Common Fram…
10 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent UK-Faroe Islands fisheries negotiations and regarding any impact on cetacean populations in Scottish waters, what assessment it has made of any potential merits of including animal welfare and wildlife protection clauses in future fisheries agreements with the Far…
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: International negotiations and membership of organisations such as International Whaling Commission (IWC) are a reserved matter for the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government is fully committed to the protection of iconic marine wildlife such as whal…
10 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK-Faroe Islands fisheries negotiations 2025 and regarding any impact on cetacean populations in Scottish waters, what recent discussions it has had with UK Government ministers regarding whale and dolphin hunts in the Faroe Islands.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has not had any recent discussions with UK Ministers regarding whale and dolphin hunts in the Faroe Islands, although officials do have engagement on this and other matters.International negotiations and membership of organisations suc…
9 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, ahead of the Wildfire Summit on 14 October 2025, and in light of the reported increase in wildfires in 2025 and the associated challenges faced by landowners, what educational initiatives it is currently undertaking to encourage responsible outdoor behaviour in line with the Scottish Ou…
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) provides guidance for the public on how to exercise their access rights responsibly. Having a fire or BBQ is an activity covered by access rights in certain circumstances. However, the circumstances are limited and the …
9 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-41119 by Jim Fairlie on 9 October 2025, who will be attending the Wildfire Summit on 14 October 2025, and what will be discussed.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The following stakeholders were invited to the Wildfire Summit on 14 October 2025:Scottish GovernmentForestry and Land ScotlandCairngorms National Park AuthorityLoch Lomond and Trossachs National Park AuthorityScottish ForestryNatureScotScottish Environmental…
9 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update the Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is leading efforts to put communities at the heart of Scotland’s energy transition. In 2024, renewables developers offered around £30 million in community benefits, supporting local priorities and inclusive growth under our…
7 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported staffing shortages in trading standards teams across Scotland, in light of reports that this is resulting in fewer than half of local authorities being able to participate in test purchase programmes to monitor the sales of tobacco and vap…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The 2025-26 budget delivered record funding of over £15.1 billion for Local Government, a real terms increase of 5.5 per cent compared to 2024-2025. In line with the Verity House Agreement the Scottish Government does not ring-fence or direct local gove…
7 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it has allocated the Barnett consequential funding it received as a result of the UK Government’s announcement on 22 March 2025 that it was committing £10 million of new funding in 2025-26 for trading standards in England to tackle underage sales of tobacco and vapes, pre…
Answer · Jenni Minto: The majority of funding to Scotland is not ring-fenced by the UK Government, with decisions on how money is spent in Scotland made through the Scottish Budget process including in-year Autumn and Spring budget revisions.In line with the principles of the Veri…
7 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it received in Barnett consequential funding as a result of the UK Government’s announcement on 22 March 2025 that it was committing £10 million of new funding in 2025-26 for trading standards in England to tackle underage sales of tobacco and vapes, prevent sales of…
Answer · Jenni Minto: At the UK Spending Review the Scottish Government received a Barnett share of the net changes to UK departmental budget allocations, which ultimately fed into the total settlement. This is not broken down by programme, with any new of additional spending allo…
2 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the reported 20% real-terms reduction in funding for colleges between 2021-22 and 2025-26 on (a) learners, (b) college staff and (c) the economy.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: We recognise the pressures facing the college sector, which have been set out clearly by both Audit Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), and I will continue to work collaboratively with the college sector on those challenges.Despite the challengin…
1 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its commitment set out in the March 2021 paper, Green Datacentres and digital connectivity: vision and action plan for Scotland, to "position Scotland as a leading zero-carbon, cost competitive green data hosting location, which can contribute towards our ambition of achievi…
Answer · Richard Lochhead: We are responding to investor interest which has identified data centre sites that utilise our renewable energy sources while exploring opportunities to recycle waste heat from these facilities into the wider community. While data centres are very large consu…
1 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the AI Growth Zones initiative, as set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: progress report 2024 to 2025, will require all data centres for AI and related purposes that are supported by it, to be what it considers "green data centres".
Answer · Richard Lochhead: While the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26 Progress Report for 2024-2025 refers to the AI Growth Zones initiative, it is led by the UK Government.The Scottish Government is in regular engagement and discussion with officials at the UKG’…
1 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the designation of green data centres as a national development in the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), what its position is regarding whether NPF4 is consistent with local authority approval being given for data centres for AI and related purposes without sufficient as…
Answer · Ivan McKee: Scotland’s abundant renewable energy generating capacity presents an opportunity for the country to become a leader in green data centres. In 2023, 70% of electricity generated in Scotland was from renewable sources – a marked increase compared to…
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet representatives of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Campaign at the COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November 2025.
Answer · Gillian Martin: There are currently no plans to meet with representatives of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Campaign.
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to engage with the (a) Under 2 Coalition and (b) Regions 4 network at the COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November 2025, and how such involvement could help it to achieve its goals in relation to climate change.
Answer · Gillian Martin: My visit to COP30 will include engagement with Regions4 and Under2. This will deliver on our Programme for Government commitment to lead on climate action internationally, using our leadership roles in Regions4 and Under2 to bring devolved governments togethe…
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether, at the COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November 2025, it will make new commitments to the Climate Justice Fund in support of the communities most affected by climate change in the Global South.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Scotland is committed to being an international leader on climate justice: our £36 million Climate Justice Fund has demonstrated this commitment and supports those most affected by the climate crisis in ways that are participatory, rights-based and incl…
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who will make up its delegation to the COP30 climate conference in Brazil in November 2025, and what their priorities will be.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government will be sending a delegation to Brazil led by myself, alongside three supporting officials. The Scottish Government’s key priorities include engaging with partners to strengthen subnational climate cooperation, promoting Scotland…
26 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date section 7 of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024, which deals with the removal of a trustee by the court, will come into force.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: Section 7 of the Act was brought into force on 26 June 2024 but only insofar as for the purpose of section 8 (removal of certain trustees by court: unfitness). The Scottish Government’s preferred approach is to allow the remaining provisions of the Act …
26 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support the Scottish Association for Marine Science to help Scotland provide leadership in building a sustainable and resilient blue economy.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government recognises the vital contribution from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in advancing marine science and innovation. SAMS is a recipient of Scottish public support through funding mechanisms administrated by the Scotti…
26 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to develop best scientific practice in marine and coastal restoration activity.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Many restoration projects around Scotland are already working with universities and researchers to pioneer new methods and develop best practice in data collection and monitoring. We are currently consulting on a draft marine and coastal restoration plan whic…