Parliamentary questions
Alexander Burnett
1,406 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
5 Nov 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of how much each NHS board will receive from the £25.5 million of additional funds for the NHS that it announced on 3 November 2025.
Answer · Neil Gray: As announced by the First Minister of 3 November 2025, Health Boards have been allocated an additional £25.5 million this year to allow them to deliver more planned activity for the longest waiting patients.This funding is focused on Health Boards in th…
21 Oct 2025 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding their winter resilience plans.
14 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration Forestry and Land Scotland gave to alternative lease models, such as a community-only stalking lease, before introducing the policy of exclusive use of paid contractors for deer management.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: FLS does not have a policy of exclusive use of paid contractors for deer management.FLS currently achieves its annual deer cull via:-FLS Wildlife Rangers (x 50), delivering 24% of cull.Professional Culling Contractors (x 115), delivering 74% of cull.Recreatio…
14 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on piloting a community-only deer management leasing scheme that prioritises residents with appropriate qualifications.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Forestry and Land Scotland is currently developing a community stalking, deer management national agreement which could be applied to pilot sites on Scotland’s National Forests and Land (SNFL). This is consequent to recent discussions between FLS and Na…
14 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Forestry and Land Scotland has reportedly ceased offering sporting leases to the public, and what evidence supports the reported claim that previous leaseholders failed to reduce deer numbers effectively.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has evolved its current deer management model, that has increased the annual cull by 35% since 2015/16. This model—delivered through a combination of Wildlife Rangers, professional contractors, and recreational stalkers&…
14 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to update planning or consenting guidance to ensure that the impact on private water supplies are classed as a material consideration in planning applications under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government processes section 36 and 37 applications in accordance with the relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks. Our Good Practice Guidance for developers, which is available to view on Scottish Government webpages, sets out procedures …
14 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to protect private water supplies when determining applications for energy infrastructure developments under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Applications are determined in line with the relevant legislation, including the Electricity Works (EIA)(Scotland) Regulations 2017, together with advice from consultees. These processes ensure that potential impacts on the environment, including on private w…
3 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether all school staff receive training in recognising anaphylaxis and administering adrenaline auto-injectors.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Schools must arrange specialist anaphylaxis training for staff where a pupil within the school has been diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis. Where this happens, schools should ensure there are a reasonable number of designated members of staff available…
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40202 by Neil Gray on 25 September 2025, how long it gave NHS boards to submit bids for the newly announced recurrent funding for specialist support for long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and other similar conditions.
Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS boards were contacted on 10 January 2025 inviting feedback by 22 January on activities which could be delivered and supported by single-year funding of £4.5 million allocated on a non-recurring basis in the financial year 2025-26. A further opportun…
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports of a 5.1% rise in food and drink prices in the year to August 2025, what its position is on whether Scotland is facing a cost of food crisis, and what action it can take to address food affordability.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government recognises the particular impact of food price inflation on low-income households in Scotland who are already grappling with cost-of-living pressures and are disproportionately affected by rising food prices. That is why the 2025-26 bu…
30 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, what (a) assessment it has made of the potential impact that increased nature restoration targets might have on domestic food production and (b) action it is taking to reduce Scotland’s reliance on food imports.
Answer · Gillian Martin: (a) The introduction of statutory nature restoration targets is key in delivering the vision of restoring and regenerating biodiversity in Scotland by 2045 as outlined in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. The Scottish Government is undertaking a 4-step proc…
18 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00259 by Humza Yousaf on 14 June 2021, whether it will (a) provide an update on progress made to develop endoscope-assisted surgery for craniosynostosis in the last five years, and (b) review the current referral pathway to Great Ormond Street Hospi…
Answer · Neil Gray: Since the question, S6W-00259, was answered in 2021, the Scottish National Centre for Craniofacial Surgery for Children & Young People in Glasgow has introduced craniofacial endoscopic strip craniectomy with helmet therapy.Endoscopic strip craniectomy (ES…
17 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to organisations, such as the South Grampian Wildfire Group, which aim to improve resilience and collaboration between estates and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: While the Scottish Government does not directly fund Fire Groups such as the South Grampian Wildfire Group (SGWG), it recognises the valuable work which such mutual aid organisations offer to support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to improve the …
17 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what training is provided for (a) police officers and (b) dog wardens to recognise the difference between dog breeds, such as the Cane Corso and XL Bully.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: The two main pieces of dog control legislation are the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (“the 1991 Act”) and the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”). In general terms, Police Scotland will deal with offences under the 1991 Act,…
16 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the potential impact of the funding allocated in its Budget 2025-26 on Aberdeenshire Council’s ability to invest in local infrastructure and support economic development.
16 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40215 by Neil Gray on 11 September 2025, how many of the newly qualified paramedics that have joined the Scottish Ambulance Service in the North Region since 2023 are (a) still employed and (b) have been signed off work due to stress.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. You should request this directly from the Scottish Ambulance Service.
10 Sep 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that 183 police stations need repairs, 177 contain asbestos and four contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
5 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the uptake of Free Personal and Nursing Care has been in each local authority area, and what action it is taking to (a) address any regional disparities and (b) increase the overall uptake.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The most recent Data (2023-24) for those who received Free Personal and Nursing Care is contained in the Scottish Government website:Introduction - Free Personal and Nursing Care, Scotland, 2023-24 - gov.scotData is captured at a specific moment rather than c…
29 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many newly qualified paramedics have joined the Scottish Ambulance Service in the North Region since 2023.
Answer · Neil Gray: The number of Newly Qualified Paramedics (NQPs) who have joined the Scottish Ambulance Service in the North Region since 2023 are as follows:2023-24 - 352024-25 - 482025-26 to date - 36
29 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-37580 by Jenni Minto on 22 May 2025, whether it will provide a breakdown of how the £4.5 millionfund it announced in December 2024 to deliver specialist support for long COVID, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS) …
Answer · Neil Gray: Further to Parliament’s approval of the 2025-26 Scottish Budget on 25 February 2025, the Scottish Government has been engaging closely with NHS boards to support the allocation of resource for new specialist support for Long COVID, Myalgic Encephalomyel…
29 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the 2024 reports by (a) theHealth and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Accessing Long Covid services in Scotland and (b) Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, One in Five on long covid.
Answer · Neil Gray: We welcome the research undertaken by the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to provide insight in to the experiences of people impacted by long COVID. Scottish Government Officials met with both organisations at th…
29 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on the guidance given to GPs and patients regarding long COVID, and any plans for public updates or campaigns.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The clinical guideline NG188 on managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 in all healthcare settings has been developed jointly by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Ro…
29 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what oversight it has of the Strategic Network for theLong-Term Effects of COVID-19 and what assessment it has been made of thedelivery of services.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is represented on the Strategic Oversight and Programme Board of the National Strategic Network for the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19. The Strategic Oversight and Programme Board provides oversight of the workplan and programme outcome…
29 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that it meets the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and disability equality commitments in relation to longCOVID services.
Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS boards exercise responsibilities in relation to planning, commissioning and delivering healthcare services, and take overall responsibility for the health and wellbeing of the populations they serve. NHS boards are discrete legal entities and legally acco…
15 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what long-term plan it has to support people with pulmonary fibrosis.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government’s Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland (RCAP) sets out our vision for driving improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people affected by respiratory conditions including idiopathic pulmonary …
15 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to (a) GPs and (b) other medical professionals to gather a greater understanding of pulmonary fibrosis, and to equip them with the training necessary to support people living with the condition.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government’s Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland (RCAP) sets out our vision for driving improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of respiratory conditions including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and inters…
15 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what efforts it is making to improve awareness of pulmonary fibrosis, and whether it has any events planned for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, which will take place in September 2025.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of raising awareness of conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis and welcome the work of third sector organisations in raising awareness.We currently have no events planned for Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness month …
10 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36403 by Gillian Martin on 24 April 2025, in light of section 52(1)(b) of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009, whether the reports required under section 52 for years 2010 to 2012 were included in the Scottish Ministers' reports under sect…
Answer · Gillian Martin: Flood risk management implementation reports for the years 2010 to 2012 are available on the Scottish Government’s archive website. These reports are joint publications detailing progress in implementing both the Water Environment and Water Services (Sc…
9 Jul 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it holds to account any local authorities that breach their statutory duties under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 places statutory responsibility for the provision of education in Scotland with individual local authorities. Under section 70 of the 1980 Act any interested party can make a reference to the Scottish Ministers that a respons…
24 Jun 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to how reserved social security payments could be integrated into its updated Benefit Take-Up Strategy due in 2026, alongside devolved payments, to maximise the incomes of older people.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: As set out in the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018, Scottish Ministers have a statutory duty to promote take-up of devolved benefits across the Scottish social security system. Reserved benefits remain the responsibility of the UK Government and the Scotti…