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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-44339

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the review of modern apprenticeship contribution rates.

The review of modern apprenticeship contribution rates will be undertaken in two stages. The first stage of the review will begin imminently, in March 2026, and the initial evidence gathering work will be complete by the end of June 2026. The second stage will commence in February 2027 and will involve a more in-depth consideration of contribution rates.

The scope and terms of reference for the MA contribution rates review can be found on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/modern-apprenticeship-contribution-rates-review-scope-and-terms-of-reference

Question reference: S6W-44022

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 02 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on developing a method to capture and measure the activity of veterans’ start-up businesses.

The Scottish Government does not currently gather data specifically relating to the activity of veterans’ start-up businesses, however we know from Scotland’s Census in 2022 that around 10,000 veterans identified as self-employed.

With a new UK wide Veterans’ Strategy published in November 2025 and a Scottish Government commitment to refresh the 2022 Action Plan this year, the range of information gathered in relation to veterans in Scotland will be considered. We will, in formulating our Action Plan, be considering whether we need data to either assess whether there is any disadvantage faced by veterans in establishing businesses or in order to pinpoint success worth celebrating.

Question reference: S6W-43903

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish its long-term location policy and what factors will be considered in its development.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related location policy.

The Scottish Government introduced an updated hybrid working policy on 27 October 2025 and as part of the implementation process has committed to establishing a formal location policy. I understand that development work for this will be informed by consultation with staff networks and trade unions. It is working to finalise the location policy later in 2026.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

Question reference: S6W-44461

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent assessment is of the number of hospitality businesses in South Lanarkshire that will recieve support as a result of the 40% non-domestic rates relief for licensed premises introduced in its Budget 2026-27, and what steps it is taking to ensure that the £110,000 per-business cap does not unfairly disadvantage any local independent groups that operate multiple sites across Lanarkshire’s high streets.

Question reference: S6W-44444

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how its school roll forecasting guidance accounts for the cumulative impact of multiple windfall developments (sites not originally in the Local Development Plan) on a single school catchment area, and what measures are in place to prevent local schools from reaching working capacity before any promised infrastructure improvements are delivered.

Question reference: S6W-44442

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to eliminate the reported "postcode lottery" regarding the start dates for funded early learning and childcare (ELC) hours, and what specific support is available for parents of twins who turn three years old mid-term but are forced to pay for two full-time places for several months until the following term's intake.

Question reference: S6W-44443

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities to ensure that siblings from multiple births can access their funded early learning and childcare (ELC) hours at the same provider and within the same sessions, in light of reports that limited capacity in some areas is forcing parents to split twins between different nurseries or different time slots.

Question reference: S6W-44425

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the current balance between the number of newly qualified teachers entering the profession and the number of permanent posts available across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-44430

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of footage published on 10 March 2026 by Animal Equality UK via The Ferret depicting salmon at a Bakkafrost facility with severe sea-lice infestations resulting in significant facial tissue damage, and reports that the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) carried out an investigation into the incident but did not confirm what regulatory action was subsequently taken, with Bakkafrost stating that the regulator was “satisfied” with the action taken in respect of affected fish, whether it will commit to requiring regulators, including APHA, to proactively publish the findings and outcomes of welfare investigations at aquaculture facilities, in order that the public and the Parliament can assess whether regulatory responses are proportionate to the severity of incidents recorded.

Question reference: S6W-44486

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local planning authorities regarding the proximity of high-risk retail units, such as those storing combustible vaping and smoking materials, to residential properties and major transport hubs, and whether it will review the safety of flats located directly above such retail units, in light of the Union Street building collapse in Glasgow.