Ben Macpherson

16 Sep 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle youth violence.

16 Sep 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what actions have been taken to address the recommendations in the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry Interim Report: The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Edinburgh.

Answer · Neil Gray: As you are aware, the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry (The Inquiry) has examined the planning, design and construction of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience (RHCYP DCN) in Edinburgh. In March this year, Lor…

28 Aug 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what consideration it has given to including education in the school curriculum on the risks of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or contaminated alcohol, in light of reports of people being poisoned while on holiday abroad.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-37406 on 19 May 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-committees/w…

19 Jun 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its improved methodology for the climate change taxonomy for its Budget 2025-26.

Answer · Gillian Martin: In response to the Joint Budget Review conducted with the Parliament in 2022, the Scottish Government continues to improve the information available on the climate impacts of our decision-making.This is the second year in which we have produced our enhanced t…

18 Jun 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its policy position on coal extraction in Scotland.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We have undertaken a full policy development process in order to reach a finalised position on coal extraction in Scotland, in line with statutory requirements.Having considered stakeholders’ views and the evidence received alongside wider Scottish Gove…

17 Jun 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of holiday hub provision for children with disabilities and ASN in the City of Edinburgh and elsewhere in Scotland.

11 Jun 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is assessing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s capacity to provide emergency response cover and ensure community safety in Edinburgh, including in relation to meeting any needs resulting from population growth in the Lothians.

4 Jun 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on planned capital investment in the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works, including the no regrets funding commitment and what consideration is being given to further investment after the PFI contract ends, to meet the needs of population growth, climat…

2 Jun 2025 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is supporting film and TV production in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland.

2 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure the full implementation of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) across all NHS boards, and whether this implementation will supersede the updated 2023 Scottish Good Practi…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government withdrew the Scottish Good Practice Statement (SGPS) on 28 May 2025, leaving NICE Guideline NG206 as the default clinical guidance on ME/CFS. This will help provide clarity to NHS Boards as providers of care for people in their area wi…

28 May 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with universities and placement schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of student teachers.

20 May 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council and any other relevant organisations regarding any impact on patients, communities and statutory services of reported reductions to preventative initiatives and services.

14 May 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to support the Port of Leith's contribution to Scotland's net zero ambitions.

13 May 2025 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the Festivals Strategic Partnership since it began in August 2024.

Answer · Angus Robertson: In August, I launched a Strategic Partnership for Scotland’s arts festivals through an open letter to boost their support and promotion. I’m pleased to announce a new open letter has been published on the Scottish Government website.This letter, d…

16 Apr 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with partners to tackle gang-related crime.

Answer · Angela Constance: Disrupting organised crime groups, diverting individuals away from organised crime and reducing the harm caused by organised crime to individuals, communities and organisations remains a priority for the Scottish Government and its partners.Partnership workin…

26 Feb 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Edinburgh’s economy.

31 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-32043 by Jenni Minto on 17 December 2024, whether consideration is being given to creating a clinical and third sector stakeholder group to help inform the implementation of the NICE guideline on myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue&…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Budget includes a new investment of £4.5 million to deliver specialist support for ME/CFS, Long Covid and other similar conditions. We are exploring whether bringing clinical and third sector stakeholders together to seek further consensus and clari…

28 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding establishing a standalone postgraduate business school to help create more companies, attract talent and boost innovation.

27 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a statutory duty of care for higher education institutions.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a statutory duty of care for higher education institutions, however we do expect them to put in place measures to protect and support student wellbeing, as well as to comply with existing legal duties, such as…

22 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is engaging with local authorities to enable supply teachers to work in and across a number of different local authority areas.

15 Jan 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is addressing youth violence, in light of its Youth Violence Summit on 13 January 2025.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government is grateful for the bravery shown by the young people and their families who shared their experiences at the summit. It was extremely important to hear directly from those with lived experience on their views about possible solutions t…

15 Jan 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting and investing in youth work.

8 Jan 2025 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the planned opening of the safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow, whether consideration has been given to opening a similar facility in Edinburgh.

6 Jan 2025 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to reported increases in instances of youth crime and antisocial behaviour.

6 Dec 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement in its draft Budget 2025-26 of an additional £4.5 million to "deliver new specialist support across the country for Long Covid, ME, Chronic Fatigue, and other similar conditions", whether this will include funding for the implementation of the NICE gui…

Answer · Jenni Minto: We want everyone living with ME/CFS in Scotland to be able to access the best possible care and support. That is why the Budget includes a new investment of £4.5 million to deliver specialist support for ME/CFS, Long Covid and other similar conditions. …

26 Nov 2024 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will review the number of events and meetings that take place after Decision Time in the Scottish Parliament building.

Answer · Christine Grahame (on behalf of the SPCB): In order to manage resources across parliamentary staff teams and the campus on busy businessnights – as well as the impact on Members’ diaries – agreement was given by theCorporate Body to limit the number of Member-sponsored eventsaccordin…

29 Oct 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its planned review of Creative Scotland, and wider funding streams for the arts and culture sector.

Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government announced in the Programme for Government that we would undertake a review of Creative Scotland as part of a wider review of how the sector is supported. My officials are currently undertaking preparatory work and I will provide a furt…

23 Oct 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with ministerial colleagues, City of Edinburgh Council and other relevant stakeholders regarding how its financial planning can support the delivery of affordable housing in Edinburgh.

23 Sep 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to implementing the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 earlier than April 2025.

Answer · Natalie Don-Innes: I have asked Gerard Hart, Chief Executive of Disclosure Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:Implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 was initially to be April 2024. Following the onset of the cost crisis in the public sector, Disclosur…

17 Sep 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of its heat in buildings strategy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government on consumer protection, in light of reported concerns that customers currently using heat networks are not protected by Ofgem's price cap.