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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-43333

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 29 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin the review of council tax arrears for victims of domestic abuse, as required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025.

The Scottish Government recognise that joint and several liability for Council Tax can create very difficult circumstances for those experiencing or who have experienced abuse.

We want to understand this better, which is why we supported the inclusion of provisions during the passage of The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 which require a review of how joint and several liability for Council Tax arrears affects people experiencing domestic abuse.

As set out in Section 76(2) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, Scottish Ministers must complete this review no later than the 6th of November 2026, which is the end of the period of one year beginning with the day of Royal Assent.

This review would aim to help councils navigate these complex cases with greater care and understanding, ensuring that support is available.

Question reference: S6W-42929

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 26 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42426 by Jenny Gilruth on 22 December 2025, and in light of reports that one in four first-time episodes of life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) in the UK occur in schools, for what reason its current guidance on dealing with allergies in schools is focused on supporting children whose allergy has already been diagnosed.

The guidance on supporting children and young people with healthcare needs in schools includes advice on what to do in the event of a possible severe allergic reaction from a pupil who has not been diagnosed with, or experienced, this reaction previously and also advice on what to do for those where an allergy is known.

The guidance states that schools may administer their "spare" adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) device for a pupil at risk of anaphylaxis, where both medical authorisation and written parental consent for use of the spare AAI device has been provided.

Paragraph 25 of the guidance also sets out what schools should do in the event of a possible severe allergic reaction in a pupil who has not been diagnosed or experienced this reaction previously. This paragraph states that in these circumstances the emergency services should be contacted on 999 and advice sought from them as to whether administration of the school’s spare emergency AAI would be appropriate. The Healthcare in Schools Guidance is available from Supporting children and young people with healthcare needs in schools: guidance - gov.scot.

Question reference: S6W-42976

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 January 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Ben Macpherson on 13 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Fair Work is embedded in practice in tertiary education in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to seeing Fair Work embedded in practice across the public sector and beyond in Scotland. Implementation of Fair Work First must be the guiding criteria to promote fairer work practices for staff within tertiary education, and in particular in colleges and universities. The Scottish Government made this clear in its most recent Letter of Guidance to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The SFC monitors compliance of fundable bodies through annual reporting and accounts, and as part of their Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model, and considers any appropriate interventions to support compliance.

Colleges and universities in receipt of government funding through SFC are currently expected to meet two mandatory Fair Work First criteria (payment of at least the real Living Wage; and provision of appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, such as trade union recognition), while being encouraged to meet all other non-mandatory Fair Work First criteria.

I can announce today that, from April 2027, fundable post-16 education bodies in Scotland will be expected to adopt all Fair Work First criteria and that SFC will look to include these as a condition of grant. In acknowledgement of the fact that these bodies will be at different stages of implementing the five currently non-mandatory Fair Work First criteria, the SFC will take forward appropriate transition periods for planning. Therefore, an individual body may be given a longer lead-in time to implement a specific criterion, where they, in partnership with recognised trade unions or work representatives, can make a case to do so. This will be done alongside ongoing work by the SFC to undertake closer monitoring of governance at colleges and universities, and consider enhancements to its current processes, including in relation to Fair Work, through its Outcomes Framework and Assurance Model.

Question reference: S6W-42426

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is to ensure that schools are fully prepared to deal with allergy incidents, including staff training on anaphylaxis and adequate supplies of spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), and whether it will consider making these measures mandatory rather than only guidance.

Schools must arrange specialist anaphylaxis training for staff where a pupil within the school has been diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis. Where this happens, schools should ensure there are a reasonable number of designated members of staff available to provide sufficient coverage, including times when staff are on leave. Furthermore, schools also have the authority to buy and hold spare Adrenaline Auto-injector (AAI) devices without the need for a prescription to use in emergency situations.

The Scottish Government believes there is currently sufficient legislation in place to require schools in Scotland to take appropriate action to safeguard children and young people with allergies. The Schools (Safety and Supervision of Pupils) (Scotland) Regulations 1990 provide that "without prejudice to any duties of education authorities arising under statute or any rule of law, every education authority shall take reasonable care for the safety of pupils when under their charge". This includes protecting pupils at risk of allergy from potential harm, therefore we have no plans to introduce further legislation relating to this matter.

Question reference: S6F-04536

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04517

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04477

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04460

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 November 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-41568

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding whether an exemption from Air Departure Tax for lifeline services would be compatible with the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022, or if amending the Act would have to be a prerequisite to resolving the issue reportedly currently preventing the replacement of Air Passenger Duty with Air Departure Tax.

I exchanged correspondence with Justin Madders MP, the then Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, who advised the Scottish Government that providing a specific carve out from the Subsidy Control Act 2022 for the Highlands and Islands exemption is not possible.

The Scottish Government must ensure that the granting of tax exemptions and reliefs from ADT complies with the Act. We are therefore working with the UK Government to reach a solution for the Highlands and Islands exemption that complies with subsidy control requirements and protects Highlands and Islands aviation connectivity.

Question reference: S6W-41570

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding the introduction of an exemption from Air Departure Tax for lifeline services.

Devolved Administrations are required to refer subsidies to the Competition and Markets Authority's Subsidy Advice Unit where any proposed subsidy has a value over £25million cumulative over three financial years. The Scottish Government does not anticipate that the cost of exempting the carriage of Highlands and Islands passengers from Air Departure Tax (ADT) is likely to exceed this cost threshold. However, policy costings for prospective ADT reliefs and exemptions will be kept under review.

We are working with the UK Government to reach a solution for the Highlands and Islands exemption that complies with subsidy control requirements and protects Highlands and Islands aviation connectivity. I corresponded with Justin Madders MP, the then Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, on subsidy control matters and we will consider future engagement with the CMA accordingly.