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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-35376

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support parents on lower incomes who are disproportionately affected by infant formula pricing due to reported higher rates of formula feeding, in light of the evidence heard by the Competition and Markets Authority during its infant formula and follow-on formula market study.

The Scottish Government continues to take wide-ranging action to support low income households, including allocating over £3 billion a year to policies which tackle poverty and the cost of living. This investment includes £6.9 billion for benefits expenditure such as the Scottish Child Payment.

Last year we published a Toolkit which seeks to help staff and services in local areas develop an integrated, cross-sector response to ensure babies are fed responsively, whether formula or breastfed or both.

I would encourage anyone in need to contact their local authority or a health professional, such as a health visitor, midwife or family nurse, in order to ensure they are getting the holistic support they need, including financial advice and a referral to cash-first crisis supports.

Question reference: S6W-35292

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make the provision of single-sex toilets a condition for receiving public funds, where an organisation occupies or owns a relevant building.

Question reference: S6W-35289

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 10 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has contacted public sector organisations to clarify health and safety workplace regulations regarding the use of single-sex toilets, and, if not, whether it plans to do so.

The Scottish Government has not contacted public sector organisations to clarify health and safety workplace regulations regarding the use of single-sex toilets and we have no plans to do so. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 make provision on sanitary conveniences in the workplace. These regulations are a reserved matter. The Health and Safety Executive have issued guidance and an approved Code of Practice on the 1992 Regulations: Workplace health, safety and welfare - L24.

Question reference: S6W-34589

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 6 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on delivering each of the recommendations of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, in particular, recommendations 52, 53 and 54.

Valuable work has been undertaken to deliver against the recommendations made by the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland.

In December 2024 work concluded to address all 55 of the recommendations, and each has now been completed or transitioned into ongoing workplans to see the remaining tasks through to completion.

A detailed report will be shared with Parliament in March 2025 outlining the rationale for this, including recommendations 52, 53 and 54, and confirming the timelines for the remaining actions to conclude.

Question reference: S6W-34309

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support alcohol-related brain damage services, in light of Public Heath Scotland data reportedly stating that there were over 1,000 more alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2024, compared with 2023.

The Scottish Government provides local services with support through funding to ensure care is available for alcohol-related brain damage though a range of social care, healthcare community and residential services. The Scottish Government remains committed to doing all it can to reduce harm caused by alcohol through any of these support services.

The UK’s first Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment will be published shortly and will include guidance for services on care for those with alcohol-related brain damage, supporting the wider improvement of alcohol treatment across Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-04396

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported view of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland that proposed changes to legislation on religious observance diverge from the recommendation by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to allow young people to independently opt out of religious observance at school.

Question reference: S6W-34781

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 26 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how the increase in funding for alcohol and drugs policy announced in its 2025-26 Budget revision will help to address the need to “increase focus and funding for tackling alcohol-related harm”, as set out in the Audit Scotland report on alcohol and drug services.

Scottish Government are committed to providing an additional £250 million over the current parliamentary term to reduce drug deaths and improve the lives of people who use drugs and alcohol.

The increase in funding of £2.5 million to the alcohol and drugs budget announced in the budget revision will allow us to go further and build on our National Mission on Drugs. £1 million of this will specifically support work by Aberlour to support women in the peri-natal period. This additional funding will allow more women and infants to receive the support they need during this crucial period. £1.5 million is for broader alcohol and drug services and will allow us to support even more people to achieve their own recovery. Details of how the additional 2025-26 funding will be invested will be communicated in due course.

Question reference: S6W-34385

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of similar measures in Scotland, what its position is on the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 in Ireland.

The Scottish Government draws on the best available international evidence when developing policy, including considering the effects of public health legislation in other countries such as Ireland.

The Scottish Government is a member of the British-Irish Council Drug and Alcohol Work Sector. The Scottish Government engages with officials from Ireland and the UK nations as part of that Work Sector to discuss policy developments including in relation alcohol harm.

Question reference: S6W-34302

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 25 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed staffing levels at Troon railway station with ScotRail, and whether it assessed the staffing required to support passengers who require assistance, such as some older people and disabled people.

Staffing at railway stations is an operational matter for ScotRail. I have been informed that Troon Station ticket office has recently closed on a number of occasions due to staff shortages. The vacancies have now been filled and it is expected that the new staff will take up positions in February and March.

I also spoke with ScotRail management at the official opening of the award-winning refurbished and rebuilt Troon station on 13 November 2024. They confirmed that the new Changing Places facilities at the station would remain open even if the ticket office is closed during operational hours.

Additionally, ScotRail’s passenger assistance service is designed to help those who need support when traveling on the ScotRail network. Our vision is for all older and disabled individuals to travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity, and opportunity as other citizens.

Question reference: S6W-34301

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 25 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of the Troon railway station ticket office and facilities being closed for parts of the day when the ScotRail website states that it is to be open.