Parliamentary questions
Alex Cole-Hamilton
2,700 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has given consideration to improving the situation of people who work on zero-hour contracts through enhanced worker benefits, better job stability or a higher minimum wage.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government firmly opposes the inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts and other non-standard types of employment that offer workers minimal job or financial security. We support the overall ambitions of the UK Government’s Employment Righ…
23 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussion it has had with the UK Government regarding the concentration of gambling advertising in areas of deprivation in Scotland.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government has not had any recent discussions with the UK Government regarding the concentration of gambling advertising in areas of deprivation in Scotland.The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) administer advertisement rules which are design…
23 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to meet the goals outlined in the 2018 Climate Change Plan, notably those set for before and in 2030, many of which are reportedly not on track to be met in time.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Our commitment to achieving net zero by 2045 is unwavering, and we are taking bold and decisive action to implement the necessary policies to reduce emissions in line with our new statutory carbon budget targets. On 6 November we published a draft Climate Cha…
23 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support empty home initiatives that can contribute to addressing the challenges of the housing market as well as support the local communities affected.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39185 on 8 August 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questio…
23 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on the mechanisms and data that the rent control system in the Scottish (Housing) Bill will be based on.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 requires local authorities to assess rent conditions in their areas and report their findings and recommendation to Scottish Ministers. The first report is to be provided by 27 May 2027 and on a five yearly basis thereafter. Sc…
23 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to hold to account corporations that reportedly use specific branding to justify a so-called pink tax, which targets women to pay higher prices for basic goods.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government has no powers to hold corporations to account for the use of specific branding to target women to pay higher prices for basic goods. Consumer protection, including provisions to protect consumers from unfair trading practices, is wholl…
17 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many companies have been excluded from participating in tender processes for public services contracts under public procurement regulations, and for what reasons each of those companies has been excluded.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Public procurement legislation provides that bidders may be excluded from a tender exercise in some circumstances.Any decision to exclude a bidder must be evidenced-based and proportionate. It must also consider any evidence which the bidder provides of &ldqu…
7 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are to increase funding for hospices in line with inflation, in light of reports that hospices in Edinburgh are reducing services due to a lack of funding increases.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Through the 2025-26 Scottish Budget the Scottish Government has provided £5 million for independent hospices. This is to help independent hospices achieve pay parity for staff supporting clinical care with NHS levels for 2025-26.However, it is important…
3 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39505 by Fiona Hyslop on 13 August 2025, what plans it has to encourage local authorities to adopt the EV cable channel initiative developed by Transport Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government continues to encourage innovative solutions to support equitable access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Scotland.Cross-pavement charging solutions represent a practical approach to EV users who do not have acces…
2 Oct 2025 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.
1 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister's speech on 27January 2025 regarding improving public services and NHS renewal, what impact the introduction of specialist frailty teams is having on (a) A&E waiting times and (b) outcomes for older people; what progress it made toward delivering such t…
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is investing £200 million to reduce waiting times, improve hospital flow, and minimise delayed discharges. This includes £85 million in 2025–26 to support unscheduled care improvements, such as expanding frailty servi…
1 Oct 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported concerns by some social care organisations that a shortage of care home places might lead to an increase in the risk of suicide.
Answer · Tom Arthur: There is no direct evidence of a link between available care home places and suicide rates or risks, though we are seeking to understand the suicide risks for older adults. Suicide Prevention Scotland is undertaking work to build this understanding and the ef…
29 Sep 2025 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason patients across Scotland will reportedly not be able to fully access the new MyCare NHS app until 2030.
25 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to a review of the number of pupils currently placed on part-time timetables in schools as a result of there being insufficient resources to support them.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Our national action plan on relationships and behaviour in schools includes a commitment to refresh our national guidance on attendance – Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1.Consideration of guidance on part-time timetables has been identified as a ke…
25 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported shortage of pupil support assistants in schools, in light of reported concerns from parents and unions that this is leaving a large number of children unable to attend school full-time.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: We continue to work with our partners to ensure that all children and young people get the support that they need to reach their full potential.Pupil support staff play a vital role in the education of our children and young people. Scottish Ministers have in…
25 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some children with additional support needs in Edinburgh are being "parked" on temporary timetables due to there being insufficient resources to fully support them in mainstream classroom settings.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Part-time learning is a decision which should be taken in agreement with the school and the local authority. It should take into account the circumstances of the individual learner including the existing planning arrangements in place for the child or young p…
24 Sep 2025 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the £4.5 million fund that it announced for NHS boards as part of the budget for 2025-26 will deliver specialist support for long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome and other similar conditions.
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…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors repeat GP attendances for unresolved symptoms, what data it collects on such cases, and how this data informs policy to prevent missed diagnoses.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of early diagnosis of cancer or serious illness and would expect any patient presenting with potential symptoms to be assessed as quickly as possible.The Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRG) for Suspected Cancer…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish information on diagnostic waiting times and outcomes for younger people presenting with potential cancer symptoms.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not hold data for diagnostic waiting times and outcomes for younger people presenting with potential cancer symptoms.Cancer waiting times data is collected by Public Health Scotland (PHS). The most up-to-date data was published in…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance exists for GPs to support early identification of cancer and other serious illnesses in people who present multiple times with unexplained or deteriorating symptoms.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of early diagnosis of cancer or serious illness and would expect any patient presenting with potential symptoms to be assessed as quickly as possible.The Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRG) for Suspected Cancer…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the risks to people of delayed cancer diagnoses, particularly among (a) younger people and (b) people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Answer · Neil Gray: We have assessed the strong evidence that the earlier the stage cancer is diagnosed the better the outcomes are for those affected, irrespective of age, cancer type, race or any other protected characteristic.This has informed our Earlier Cancer Diagnosis vis…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported plans to do so in England, whether it plans to adopt a version of the so-called Jess’s Rule to ensure that people repeatedly presenting with unresolved medical symptoms are referred for further investigation.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not know at this juncture what the rolling out of Jess’s Rule will require in terms of implementation either by GPs or NHS England. We will be in a position to consider the benefits of the rule when we know more.However, the…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a formal "three strikes and rethink" approach for GPs in dealing with people repeatedly presenting with unresolved medical symptoms, and what consultation it has carried out with medical professionals and patient safety organisations.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government does not know at this juncture, what the rolling out of Jess’s Rule will require in terms of implementation either by GPs or NHS England or what the impact will be for patients. We will monitor the implementation by NHS England.
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a minimum data standard to ensure that the General Dental Council captures a mandatory practice field, which will include the practice name, full address and company number, and facilitates the publication of anonymised complaint data linked to individual p…
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40646 on 1 October 0225 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-comm…
23 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding private dental practices, what action it is taking to identify a named lead body for practice-level oversight and to publish an escalation pathway for patients.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answers to questions S6W-40644 and S6W-40645 on 1 October 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/chamb…
18 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to guarantee the construction of affordable new homes.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government cannot guarantee construction but can provide multi-annual policy and funding certainty, increased spend and a planning and regulatory environment which is conducive to investment and delivery. Our Housing Emergency Action Plan seeks t…
17 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding local authority officers instructing external legal counsel to defend decisions in which they are directly involved, and what conflict-of-interest protections are in place.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Local authorities are entirely separate entities from the Scottish Government and their powers are set out in statute. It is up to each local authority to manage its own day to day business. The Scottish Government does not have a role in the operations of co…
17 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review national guidance to ensure that any local authority contract enforcement failures do not undermine public trust or distort competition in public procurement.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Public bodies, including local authorities, are expected to comply with all relevant procurement legislative requirements. Public bodies are responsible for deciding their actions in individual cases.In addition to following organisation-specific guidance, th…
17 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on conducting an independent review of local authority contract enforcement practice to best ensure transparency, fairness and compliance with procurement law.
Answer · Ivan McKee: Local authorities are autonomous corporate bodies, accountable to their electorates, and are responsible for managing their own procurement processes in line with statutory duties and national procurement legislation.The Scottish Government does not independe…
17 Sep 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding the handling of Contract CT2978, which has been referred to Audit Scotland and relates to the provision of services for the Edinburgh Winter F…
Answer · Ivan McKee: Local authorities are autonomous corporate bodies, accountable to their electorates, and they are responsible for managing their own procurement processes in line with statutory duties and national procurement regulations. As such, I am not aware of any such …