Parliamentary questions
Alex Cole-Hamilton
2,700 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place to monitor the number of repeated cases of Property Factor Enforcement Orders (PFEO) against a factor, and what its position is on when a factor is deemed not fit and proper to continue as a registered factor under the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Decisions of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (the Tribunal) are published on their website, and these are intimated to Scottish Government officials. In addition, the Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 requires the Tribunal to notify Scottish Ministers…
26 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated age is of each of the CalMac Clyde and Hebrides ferries in operation under Transport Scotland’s public contract; how many are operating beyond their originally planned service life, and what the scheduled commissioning date is for their replacements.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The average lifespan of a passenger ferry is 25-30 years, a number of CalMac Ferries are operating beyond their original planned service.The Island Connectivity Plan (ICP) includes the Vessels and Ports Plan (VPP) and the VPP provides detail of vessels operat…
26 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of taxpayers projected to enter the higher rate income tax band between 2026 and 2030 due to threshold freezes, and what assessment it has undertaken of the potential impact of any such projected fiscal drag.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government relies on the independent analysis provided by the Scottish Fiscal Commission, including its forecasts of the number of taxpayers in each band in future years. These are published as part of its regular economic and fiscal forecasts.Th…
26 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific actions it is currently taking to reverse the reported rise in violent crime, particularly in sex offences and domestic abuse.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: We have invested over £6m to support implementation of the Violence Prevention Framework since its implementation in May 2023. Total recorded crime is down 38% since 2006-07 and half the level of 1991; homicide is at its lowest level since comparable re…
26 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are currently being taken to safeguard prosecutorial independence and prevent political interference in the legal process.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Section 48(5) of the Scotland Act 1998 provides that any decision of the Lord Advocate in their capacity as head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths in Scotland shall continue to be taken independently of any other person. It is…
26 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to help people over 75 who wish to install solar panels but who may be ineligible for energy saving grants due to their age.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government supports households of all ages who are in, or at risk of, fuel poverty to makes their homes warmer and cheaper to heat, through our Warmer Homes Scotland and Area Based Schemes. This can include solar panels where appropriate. These s…
18 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the rolling stock of train carriages throughout the country, and what its response is to reports of leaking roofs and uncomfortable carriages on services between Glasgow and the (a) Oban and (b) Fort William/Mallaig branch of the West Highland Line.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government expects that all train operators providing rail services in Scotland, including publicly owned ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper, as well as cross-border operators, schedule the necessary maintenance work to ensure the rolling stock they…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that any underspend arising from delays in funding for long COVID services is ring-fenced for long COVID care rather than being returned to the Scottish Government or diverted to other areas in order to prevent disruption to patient care and the delivery of e…
Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS boards’ shares of the £4.5 million funding for specialist support for long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and other similar conditions were included in their funding allocation schedules for September 2025.In allocat…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government regarding funding for long COVID services for 2025–26, (a) for what reason it was delayed, (b) when NHS boards were formally informed of the delay, (c) how much time they had to respond, (d) what impact the delay had on service delivery, staffing and patient care and (e) what …
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answers to question S6W-40743 on 25 September 2025 and question S6W-40895 on 21 October 2025.As set out, further to Parliament’s approval of the 2025-26 Scottish Budget on 25 February 2025, the Scottish Government engaged close…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the needs of children and young people with long-term conditions when developing the Long Term Conditions Framework; for what reason children and young people do not appear to be included despite contributions from children’s and young people&rs…
Answer · Jenni Minto: Feedback from clinicians and third sector organisations is clear that children and young people have distinct needs, which require specific focus and consideration. It would not be appropriate to include them in this work.Any future work on focusing on childr…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the publication of the Long Term Conditions Framework, for what reason it was halted less than 24 hours before its planned release on 18 December 2025; what specific stakeholder feedback informed this decision; whether a final draft existed at that point; whether that dra…
Answer · Jenni Minto: I wrote to third sector partners on 17 December 2025 explaining that having given careful consideration to feedback from stakeholders, the Scottish Government would take more time to work with the third sector, clinicians and others to develop a Framework tha…
12 Feb 2026 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.
12 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39198 by Neil Gray on 22 July 2025, whether the deadline of end of June 2025 for the roll-out of the new theatre scheduling tool was met.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has met the stated commitment confirming all territorial NHS boards and the National Hospital Golden Jubilee were scheduled into the national theatre scheduling tool rollout plan by the end of June 2025, in line with the NHS Scotland O…
10 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42567 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 6 January 2026, whether it will provide an update on any issues with the delivery of the Winter Heating Payment, in light of reports of many Edinburgh Western constituents having yet to receive it.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Social Security Scotland is committed to ensuring that everyone who is eligible for Winter Heating Payment receives their payment automatically.As of 24 January 2026, over 454,500 Winter Heating Payments had been made to eligible clients across Scotland.As no…
9 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to advance the development and accessibility of non-invasive diagnostic tools for endometriosis, and whether it plans to implement diagnostic methods such as the Ziwig Endotest in NHS Scotland.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government welcomes innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes and service sustainability.Commercial companies can submit proposals for innovative products and services for the public sector via the Scotland Innovates service.The Endometri…
9 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for its work to support the digitalisation of NHS Scotland, including the full roll-out of the MyCare.scot app, in order to keep pace with broader digital changes across society and to remain aligned with NHS England.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is progressing the digital transformation of health and care through the Digital Health and Care Strategy, with timelines set out in the Care in the Digital Age delivery plan on gov.scot: https://www.gov.scot/publications/care-digital-…
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Ministers will engage with key local stakeholders, including the Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT), regarding the review of maternity services in Caithness, and what steps are being taken to ensure that such stakeholders are formally involved in the review process.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I visited Caithness General Hospital on 30 July 2025 to meet with a range of stakeholders, including members of the Caithness Health Action Team.The Caithness Health Action Team and other local community representatives play an important role in making sure t…
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance exists for GP practices in relation to making reasonable adjustments under equality legislation to support adults with learning disabilities to attend GP premises, including allowing other NHS services, such as learning disability nursing teams, to use practice facilities w…
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government expects all GP practices to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. It is the responsibility of individual organisations and businesses to ensure they take appropriate advice and put in place any measures necessary to me…
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how GP practices are expected to support routine monitoring, such as blood tests, for adults with Down syndrome, and whether requiring families to request tests individually aligns with the intent of any national guidance.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Any tests or follow up required as a result of the annual health check will be actioned or arranged by the practitioner carrying out the health check. Families are not required to request tests individually as part of the Health Check. Out with the annual hea…
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether routine annual thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) testing is recommended for adults with Down syndrome as part of annual health checks, regardless of whether the individual is currently prescribed thyroid medication.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Practitioners carrying out the annual health check are asked to action any blood tests that are needed and specifically advised to check on Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs) if the person has Down’s Syndrome. The health check also recommends that TFT screen…
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps are taken to ensure consistent implementation of annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities across NHS boards and GP practices.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The National Directions, stipulate that:Annual health checks must be delivered by a registered nurse or medical practitioner;Health Boards must use the Scottish Health Check for Adults with Learning Disabilities paperwork as included in the Directions;Health …
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether home-based annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities are an adjustment of choice, or the default model of delivery, and how equity of access to GP practices is ensured in this regard.
Answer · Tom Arthur: A pre-questionnaire filled in by the person with a learning disability and/or their family or supportive carer provides the opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments required, including any preference for the location of their health check.If the pref…
27 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what national guidance applies to the delivery of annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities, and whether these checks are expected to be offered within GP practices as standard, with home visits provided as a reasonable adjustment where required.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Scottish Government issued National Directions in 2023 for Learning Disability Annual Health Checks which detail the legal duties of Health Boards with regard to annual health checks as well as practical guidance on delivery. Annual health checks for people w…
22 Jan 2026 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.
20 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what updates have been made since 2021 to its (a) AI and (b) Digital Health and Care Strategy.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: a) The Scottish Government will publish its new AI Strategy in March 2026. Building on the 2021 AI Strategy, it will outline the Scottish Government’s approach to harnessing the economic opportunities of AI.As set out in its Programme for Government, th…
20 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date in 2026 it will the publish its renewed AI Strategy, and whether this will include a health-specific plan for AI in public health and the NHS.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government will publish a new AI Strategy in March 2026. Building on the 2021 AI Strategy, it will outline the Scottish Government’s approach to harnessing the economic opportunities of AI.Through the Service Renewal Framework, the Scottish…
12 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce awareness about musculoskeletal conditions and how to prevent them through physical activity in the Scottish curriculum.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people receive a broad, inclusive, and supportive education that meets their individual needs. Within Curriculum for Excellence, health and wellbeing is a key area of learning and a …
12 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provisions currently exist in the Scottish curriculum to teach children about musculoskeletal conditions and how to prevent them through physical activity.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-42968 on 26 January 2026. 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-committe…
6 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-40574 by Gillian Martin on 30 September 2025, whether it will provide an update on its plans to review and revise the guidance regarding the exceptional circumstances in which it is permissible for storm overflows to spill, and when it will issue th…
Answer · Gillian Martin: As per my recent updates to Parliament in the answer to question S6W-40574 on 30 September 2025 and S6W-38373 on 7 June 2025, I will provide an update to Parliament once this work has reached an appropriate stage. This work is complex and officials will work …
18 Dec 2025 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.