Annie Wells

Answer · Jenni Minto · 12 Mar 2026

As part of the national response to the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, the Scottish Government has provided funding to support all NHS Health Boards to work towards the Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) standards accreditation and ensure high-quality, safe, and effective patient care. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has recently completed its IQIPS benchmarking as part of this programme of work.The provision and operation of audiology services falls within the direct remit of health boards rather than Scottish Government. However, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed that it has taken actions to reduce pressure in adult audiology services, including additional locum support for post-assessment hearing aid fittings to reduce waits, and the creation of four Band 4 Associate Audiologist posts to increase longer term capacity.

Answer · Graeme Dey · 10 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government’s ninth annual update on support for Scotland’s veterans and armed forces community was presented to Parliament on 9 December 2025. It provides a comprehensive picture of the work undertaken to date but I would like to take this opportunity to draw attention to some specific work that is making a real impact across our armed forces community.The Scottish Government's stakeholder group – the Scottish Armed Forces Education Support Group (SAFESG) – works collaboratively to mitigate and address issues affecting Service children. In this way they help to improve the experience of Service children and their families in Scottish schools.There has been particular engagement with Moray Council, to understand availability of childcare in the rural area around RAF Lossiemouth, including the impact this has on the ability to attract and retain service personnel.Work is also ongoing in relation to housing including updating the housing guide for service leavers on the Scottish Government website and working with the Scottish Veterans Housing Group on the top priorities for the veterans’ homelessness prevention pathway.The Scottish Government is developing an Armed Forces Covenant Framework which translates Covenant principles into practical actions for NHS Boards, ensuring the Duty is embedded in everyday practice. It provides a clear but flexible structure to help Boards support the Armed Forces Community, prevent disadvantage in access to healthcare, and set consistent national expectations. The Framework clarifies Board responsibilities, strengthens local partnerships, and supports quality improvement through better recording, monitoring and evaluation. Its overall aim is to improve outcomes for the Armed Forces Community by ensuring timely, equitable and person centred care across Scotland. In parallel, work is ongoing to develop the Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Pathway across Scotland. Working with veterans, the third sector and statutory services, the core aim of the pathway is to ensure that every veteran living in Scotland can access timely, effective and compassionate mental health and wellbeing support. The pathway is projected to be stood up on a phased basis in financial year 2026-2027. Our aspiration is that, by improving accessibility to mental health and wellbeing services for all veterans, they will receive the most appropriate type of support for their needs.Later this year the Scottish Government will review its 2022 Action Plan with a view to ensuring strong support for the armed forces community in Scotland, taking account of the new UK Veterans’ Strategy and with, at its heart, consistent application of the Armed Forces covenant.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth · 12 Mar 2026

The Scottish Government keeps emerging national and international evidence under review, including work from bodies such as UNESCO and the OECD, to understand how digital tools can support learning, wellbeing and positive educational outcomes. This research highlights both the opportunities offered by well-designed digital approaches and the importance of ensuring device use is purposeful and balanced.It is important to distinguish between school-managed learning devices and personal mobile phones. School-issued devices are used to support learning, giving pupils structured and secure access to digital tools. Decisions on the use of digital devices sit with local authorities, who are best placed to understand learners’ needs at various ages and stages, assess any local impacts, and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place while engaging with parents and carers.In contrast, mobile phones are personal devices where the content accessed is not managed by local authorities. In response to concerns highlighted in the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research and the Programme for International Student Assessment, the Scottish Government introduced refreshed guidance in August 2024 on mobile phone use in schools, making clear that headteachers can take the steps they consider appropriate to respond to the disruption caused by mobile phones, including full restrictions across the school day.The Scottish Government will continue to consider international research and good practice in line with the wider digital vision and strategic approach for school education in Scotland, while recognising that day-to-day decisions on device use remain the responsibility of local authorities.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 9 Mar 2026

While we recognise the positive impact that the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award continues to have, we need to prioritise budget decisions to respond to an increasingly challenging financial environment. However, it is important to recognise that we will continue to support the Award in 2026-27 with £30,000 which will, on the basis of previous years’ experience, enable the Outward Bound Trust to leverage in support from other funders so that it can continue to support young people through the programme. The Scottish Government has funded the Outward Bound Trust to deliver the programme since 2012. Our commitment to the programme has been substantive and has amounted to £1.4 million over that time.

Answer · Ivan McKee · 5 Mar 2026

Scottish Government committed to a Four Day Working Week pilot in the public sector to explore the wellbeing and productivity benefits that a shorter working week could bring. The pilot was delivered in partnership with The Autonomy Institute and identified several examples of more efficient and innovative working practices at Accountant in Bankruptcy and South of Scotland Enterprise. The pilot formally concluded on 03 November 2025 and the evaluation report can be accessed here - Four day working week pilot - Public sector pay - gov.scotWhilst there are no plans for any further trials or a broader move to a 32-hour week across government, the learnings from the pilot will be integrated into the Public Service Reform Programme to inform future productivity improvements. Scottish Government continues to support flexible working arrangements that enhance wellbeing and operational efficiency, including the recent move to a 35-hour working week framework.While the legal powers governing flexible working are currently reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to working with employers to explore ways of promoting and encouraging flexible, agile and inclusive workplaces that benefit all workers and employers. Since 2020/21, we have provided over £1.5m in funding to help promote and support employers and workers across Scotland to adopt flexible workplace practices.

Answer · Neil Gray · 3 Mar 2026

I have not held a meeting with residents in Calton specifically to discuss the impact of the Thistle drug consumption facility. However, Scottish Government officials continue to engage regularly with local partners, including Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, to monitor delivery of the service and any identified community impacts.In addition, an independent evaluation is under way. This evaluation will assess a range of outcomes, including community impact and any unintended consequences, and will inform future decisions regarding the service.

Answer · Neil Gray · 3 Mar 2026

I have not held a meeting with Police Scotland specifically to discuss the impact of the Thistle drug consumption facility. However, Scottish Government officials maintain regular engagement with Police Scotland and local partners to monitor the delivery of the service and any identified community impacts.Operational policing of the facility and surrounding area remains a matter for Police Scotland, which retains operational independence. In addition, an independent evaluation of the pilot is under way and will assess a range of outcomes, including community impact and any unintended consequences, and will inform future decisions regarding the service.