Monica Lennon

26 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support ocean science and protect endangered species and fragile fisheries in the marine environment.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government continues to support a wide variety of marine science to ensure there is a strong evidence base to support marine management and the Blue Economy Vision. This includes the Scottish Government’s Science, Evidence, Data and Digital…

26 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what urgent action it is taking to improve early diagnosis and outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer, in light of reports of extremely low survival rates in Scotland associated with late-stage diagnosis and limited access to robust diagnostics and treatment resources.

Answer · Neil Gray: We know that the earlier cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat, and that early diagnosis is particularly crucial for people with pancreatic cancer due to known poor outcomes for this devastating disease. This is why we continue to invest in our Detect…

26 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure consistent access to early diagnostics and treatment for people living with pancreatic cancer to avoid a so-called postcode lottery.

Answer · Neil Gray: Our 10-year Cancer Strategy is committed to ensuring excellent, equitably accessible, care for all people facing cancer across Scotland. The strategy continues to focus on those cancer types that have poorer survival, including pancreatic cancer, and improvin…

26 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently living with incurable secondary breast cancer, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) local authority area.

Answer · Jenni Minto: This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

26 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support women living with secondary breast cancer.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting those living with cancer, including those with secondary breast cancer, to deal with the financial, emotional, and physical health effects of their diagnosis.We are currently working in partnership with Macmi…

26 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve data collection and monitoring on secondary breast cancer.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Cancer Action Plan for Scotland 2023-2026 commits to improving data collection for secondary cancers, starting this process with secondary breast cancer. The Scottish Government is working with Public Health Scotland to review options in relation to colle…

25 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40443 by Ivan McKee on 17 September 2025, and in light of reports that NatureScot has advised that the development would damage an internationally important Ramsar site and a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), whether it has engaged with t…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government has not engaged with the Ramsar Secretariat on the planning application at Coul Links. NatureScot serves as a statutory advisor to the Scottish Government on developments that may affect Ramsar sites, offering expert ecological guidanc…

23 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports of poor broadband connectivity across Scotland, including in Lanarkshire, and when it anticipates that (a) householders and (b) small businesses will see meaningful improvements.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: All homes and businesses in Scotland should now be able to access a minimum of a superfast broadband connection, thanks to the three strands of activity that make up the Reaching 100% (R100) programme - the R100 contracts, our Scottish Broadband Voucher Schem…

22 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the article in the 19 September - 2 October 2025 edition of Private Eye, "Fishy Figures", by what date it will close any loopholes in salmon farm mortality reporting so that official figures include all deaths, including those arising from culls, during transport and within …

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has no plans currently to mandate further data collection from salmon farms given the information already provided is sufficient for transparency and regulatory purposes. The approach was set in our response (March 2025) to the Rural A…

17 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure equitable access to repeat prescriptions for contraception, including the contraceptive pill and Depo injections, for people who face barriers in accessing these, including because of travel, childcare or work commitments.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The process for ordering a repeat prescription for contraception, such as the contraceptive pill or Depo injection, is the same as for any other prescription medication. Patients must have approval from their clinician for a repeat prescription. Most GP pract…

17 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the recent changes to Lanarkshire sexual health services on accessibility for people across the region, including centralising the repeat prescription service for contraception to Coathill Hospital.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Following a review of services and in order to prioritise access to specialist sexual health services for those in greatest need, NHS Lanarkshire have made a decision to centralise non-Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) prescription appointments to C…

17 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support Migraine Awareness Week, which runs from 22 to 28 September 2025, and raise awareness of migraine as a neurological condition.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We recognise the distress and pain that migraines cause and we take the issue of migraine seriously.The Centre for Sustainable Delivery launched the national headache pathway in October 2023, to improve care for migraines and headache across Scotland. The pat…

17 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regardinghow the Glasgow City Region Deal can support improvements to transport andconnectivity across the region.

16 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent reported increase in shoplifting incidents across Lanarkshire, what action is it taking to address such retail crime, and how it is supporting businesses and communities impacted by this.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: Police Scotland is using the additional £3 million additional funding provided this year by the Scottish Government to establish a Retail Crime Taskforce made up of uniformed officers, detectives and specialist analysts. The team is targeting repeat off…

16 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a reported reduction in police attending the scene of, or investigating, retail theft and burglaries, in light of reports of an increase in such crimes.

Answer · Angela Constance: Decisions to attend the scene of a reported crime and follow-up investigations are operational matters for Police Scotland.All reports made to the service are assessed under THRIVE (Threat, Harm, Risk, Investigation, Vulnerability and Engagement) to gauge how…

10 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the findings of Scotland’s Childcare Guarantee, A Report on Childcare Modelling Scotland, by Pregnant Then Screwed Scotland, and the proposed policy of capping childcare costs at 5% of household income.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: The Scottish Government is committed to improving our existing funded ELC offer and to delivering a childcare system that is both fair and affordable, giving children the best possible start in life and supporting parents and carers to work, train and take up…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, following the removal of ScotRail peak fares, whether itwill review the proposed reduction in season ticket discounts to ensure thatregular rail users are not financially disadvantaged.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40445 on 19 September 2025. 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-commit…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the permanentremoval of ScotRail peak fares on season ticket holders, and whether regularcommuters will receive proportionate financial benefits compared to occasionaltravellers.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: An extra 20% discount was applied to the cost of all Season Tickets for 12 months from 27 September 2024 when the peak fares pilot ended. With peak fares gone for good season ticket pricing was reviewed to ensure frequent travellers benefit from the simplicit…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the development of Coul Links, and in light of the reported over 700 formal objections submitted, including from conservation bodies, scientists and residents, how it is ensuring that community and expert voices are being heard as well as those of private commercial interests.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Any planning application is required to be determined in accordance with the development plan unless there are material planning considerations that justify a departure from the development plan. In reaching a decision, full regard will be had to all material…

8 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it is proceeding with the proposed development of Coul Links, in light of the reported assessment by NatureScot that it might cause irreversible damage to a nationally important dune ecosystem and concerns that the project could undermine its commitments to halt biodivers…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Ministers are following the statutory planning process in considering the application. Any planning application is required to be determined in accordance with the development plan unless there are material planning considerations that justify a …

3 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent older people from becoming victims of phishing scams, including in relation to social security payments.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland has delivered a range of communications activity warning older people about phishing scams, including fraudulent text messages that claim to be from government departments. The activity includes regular content across multiple social …

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific measures it is putting in place to create a self-sufficient, low-carbon steel industry in Scotland.   

Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40510 on 29 September 2025. 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-commit…

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm how much taxpayers’ money remains connected to GFG Alliance-controlled assets in Scotland, and what contingency plans are in place if any of its companies enter administration.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government publishes details of contingent liabilities and commercial transactions in its consolidated accounts, which are available on the Scottish Government website. An annual update is provided to the Scottish Parliament as well.Financial rep…

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its reasons were for indemnifying Liberty Steel Dalzell and Clydebridge with public funds, and whether it will publish full risk assessments and legal advice that underpinned any such guarantees. 

Answer · Ivan McKee: I made a statement to Parliament on 15 December 2021 setting out the reasons behind the Scottish Government’s intervention regarding the 2016 transaction involving Dalzell and Clydebridge.This statement is available on the Scottish Government website.ht…

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential impact on the Scottish economy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government, and whether it will request that the relevant UK authorities initiate an immediate director disqualification investigation, in relation to GFG Alliance’s activities at Liber…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government meets regularly at both ministerial and official level with the UK Government to discuss matters relating to the Scottish Economy, including the ongoing situation with Liberty Steel.It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Governme…

1 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed draft regulations to add the characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, what evaluation process will be used to assess whether embedding the characteristic of sex in hate crime law is effective in tackling gendered violence pat…

Answer · Angela Constance: Implementation of Sections 14 and 15 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 enable ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the legislation by ensuring systematic data collection and public reporting. If the draft SSI is approved by Parliame…

1 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed draft regulations to addthe characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act2021, how it will determine its (a) budget and (b) timetable for implementingthe change at (i) Police Scotland and (ii) the Crown Office and ProcuratorFiscal Servi…

Answer · Angela Constance: A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments (BRIA) will be published when the final SSI is laid in Parliament and will set out the estimated costs associated with the addition of the characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 202…

1 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its decision not to proceed with the introduction of the Misogyny Bill, and instead to consult on draft regulations to add the characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, how it will ensure that it captures the specific experi…

Answer · Angela Constance: The draft Scottish Statutory Instrument which seeks to add sex as a characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 ("the 2021 Act") is subject to super affirmative process and is therefore subject to consultation. Stakeholders, includin…

28 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to ensure equitable access toXonvea for all pregnant women across Scotland, in light of it being routinelyavailable in parts of England, and the only medication licensed in theUK to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, including severe cases ofhyperemes…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Following a full submission of doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride (Xonvea®), for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP), for women who do not respond to conservative management, the SMC | Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC)…

21 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what current work it is undertaking to address the reported rise in misogyny across Scotland, as highlighted in motion S6M-18495 and recent incidents where survivors of sexual violence have reportedly been targeted, and what its justification is for deciding to no longer proceed with its…

Answer · Angela Constance: Given the short amount of time left in this Parliamentary session, there is insufficient time for a Misogyny Bill to be finalised and introduced. This is a complex area of policy and law, and it would be necessary that any Bill which brought misogyny into cri…