Asked by: Greer, Ross (Scottish Green Party - West Scotland)
Question
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.
Answered by Robison, Shona - Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
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.
Asked by: Kerr, Stephen (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much have electricity generators in Scotland been paid in constraint payments in each year since 2021.
Answered by Martin, Gillian - Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy
The responsibility for the balancing of grid lies with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Constraint payments are one component of the total costs the system operator incurs to keep the electricity system in balance. More information including data on balancing costs can be found here: Balancing costs | National Energy System Operator.
Asked by: Fraser, Murdo (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Mid Scotland and Fife)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the adequacy of the current Ethical Standards Framework, in relation to local councillors, to ensure that it protects public confidence in local democracy.
Answered by Robison, Shona - Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
The Ethical Standards Framework sets out the high standards of conduct expected of councillors while acting in that capacity, helping to underpin public confidence in local democratic decision making.
The Standards Commission for Scotland is the independent body responsible for encouraging high ethical standards in public life through the promotion and enforcement of the Codes of Conduct introduced as part of the Framework. The Commission has previously indicated that it considers the current Ethical Standards Framework to be an effective means of promoting ethical behaviour and maintaining public confidence in local democracy.
The Scottish Government keeps the operation of the Framework under review. Any changes to the Ethical Standards Framework would be considered at the request of the Standards Commission, the Ethical Standards Commissioner or local government and would be subject to appropriate consultation.
Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will mandate that every NHS board maintains a palliative buffer stock of high-absorbency continence products to allow district nurses to provide immediate relief to patients without waiting for central supplier delivery.
Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
It is for Health Boards and their planning partners to design, resource and provide services that meet the needs of local people in line with national policies, frameworks and best practice. This includes ensuring that patients have access to the continence products that they require when they need them.
Asked by: Baillie, Jackie (Scottish Labour - Dumbarton)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards received brokerage funding in 2024-25, broken down by the amount.
Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
Details of brokerage received by individual NHS Boards in 2024-25 are contained within each Board’s published 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts, and publicly available Board papers.
Asked by: Carson, Finlay (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Galloway and West Dumfries)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on (a) rural employment and (b) local supply chains of the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots, broken down by (i) local authority area and (ii) and rural area classification type, and what mitigations are planned.
Answered by McKee, Ivan - Minister for Public Finance
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43079 on 29 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-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
Asked by: Carson, Finlay (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Galloway and West Dumfries)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence and policy objectives underpin the proposal to remove small business rates relief from country sport shoots, and whether it will publish all impact assessments and the consultation analysis.
Answered by McKee, Ivan - Minister for Public Finance
During Stage 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill Scottish Ministers committed to explore how non-domestic rates reliefs, particularly Small Business Bonus Scheme relief, can be better targeted.
Following consideration and engagement through the budget process, the draft Budget for 2026-27 set out that shootings and deer forests will be excluded from eligibility for Small Business Bonus Scheme relief and Fresh Start relief, with prescribed exclusions. For example, where shooting rights in shootings or deer forests are exercised solely for the purposes of environmental management, eligibility for Small Business Bonus Scheme will be maintained.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission, which is responsible for forecasting non-domestic rates income, has judged that the removal of some shootings and deer forests from eligibility for the Small Business Bonus Scheme falls below their materiality threshold.
To support deer management we have provided funding via pilot projects over the last few years intended to trial methods of supporting deer management and will continue to consider how we best provide support to deer managers directly.
We are aware of the concerns raised by the rural sector and will ensure these concerns are considered before the regulations are laid, to come into force, on 1 April.
Asked by: Fraser, Murdo (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Mid Scotland and Fife)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether national guidance is required regarding the position of councillors who are subject to criminal proceedings holding ceremonial or civic positions.
Answered by Robison, Shona - Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
The Scottish Government recognises that councillors are elected representatives and that local authorities are independent, statutory bodies with their own powers and responsibilities, separate from the Scottish Government.
In line with the Verity House Agreement, the Scottish Government has committed to respecting local government’s democratic mandate and autonomy. Decisions about whether a councillor should hold or continue to hold ceremonial or civic roles, including in circumstances where they are subject to criminal proceedings, are therefore matters for individual councils to determine.
As stated in answer to S6W-43148 on 29 January 2026 the Scottish Government is considering consulting on amending legislation to mean councillors that are subject to criminal proceedings should be suspended from office or subject to temporary restrictions during the period in which any charges are being investigated or prosecuted. 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-committees/written-questions-and-answers.
Asked by: Whitfield, Martin (Scottish Labour - South Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its reasoning is for commissioning an independent review of the legislative landscape around children in care by Professor Kenneth Norrie, in light of the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise noting in the Chamber on 14 January 2026 that the Scottish Government has already received legal advice from Melanie Barbour KC, which was commissioned by the independent body, The Promise Scotland.
Answered by None
The work by the Promise Scotland an excellent starting point for consideration of how to address challenges in our current legislative landscape. The Independent Review of Scotland’s Legislative Framework for Children’s Care will build upon that work, not replicate, and will engage widely across the Children’s services landscape. It is vital that this engagement takes place in order to produce clearer commendations on how best to make the maximum practical difference, including potential legislative change, to children and families, and those involved in the care and support of children, aligning with the principles of The Promise, UNCRC, and GIRFEC.
The Review will run until January 2027, with findings to be published on conclusion.
Asked by: Hamilton, Rachael (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what provision there is within the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 for dedicated funding to support third sector and charitable perinatal mental health services, including those operating in rural areas such as the Scottish Borders.
Answered by Arthur, Tom - Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43267 on 29 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-committees/written-questions-and-answers.