Asked by: Gosal, Pam (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - West Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses were fined for selling illegal (a) vapes and (b) cigarettes in 2024-25.
Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Any fines issued for criminal offences involving the sale of illegal vapes and cigarettes is a matter for the courts. HMRC have the power to charge civil penalties for failing to comply with the Tobacco Track and Trace system rules.
Asked by: Baillie, Jackie (Scottish Labour - Dumbarton)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the economic impact of migraine on Scotland’s economy and workforce productivity.
Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
The Scottish Government has made no specific estimate of the economic impact of migraine on Scotland’s economy and workforce productivity, however information regarding the impact of migraine on workplaces and the economy has been published by organisations such as the Migraine Trust.
We are working to support people with health conditions, such as migraine, to play an active role within the economy. We are investing up to £90 million in 2025-26 for the delivery of devolved employability services, providing intensive and personalised pre-employment and in-work support for unemployed people with barriers to progressing within work, including disabled people and with those with health conditions.
Asked by: Leonard, Richard (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39984 by Fiona Hyslop on 16 September 2023, in relation to the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services 3 (CHFS3) contract, whether (a) detailed specification of the contract will be published on the Transport Scotland website before 1 October 2025, and (b) it will instruct CalMac to share a copy of the contract with the recognised trades unions as soon as possible.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Cabinet Secretary for Transport
The grant agreement containing the full CHFS3 specification has been published on the Transport Scotland website and we have intimated this by letter to unions amongst other bodies and welcome the positive statements made at publication by union representatives.
Asked by: Golden, Maurice (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - North East Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the 2025 biennial workforce survey by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), which highlights a shortage of staff and resources.
Answered by McKee, Ivan - Minister for Public Finance
The regulation of consumer protection, including trading standards, is reserved to the UK Government and managed by local authorities and COSLA.
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of trading standards and is considering this report in full. We will engage with the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) in due course.
Asked by: Baker, Claire (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the value of all contracts between Serco NorthLink and Clyde Marine Recruitment, and its subsidiaries, for the supply of seafarers on Northern Isles Ferry Services from 1 January 2019 to date.
Answered by Fairlie, Jim - Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
The Scottish Government is unable to disclose this information as it is considered commercially sensitive.
Asked by: Eagle, Tim (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding mechanisms are available to help (a) farmers and (b) crofters improve farm security.
Answered by Fairlie, Jim - Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
There are no funds aimed specifically at improving farm security. Farmers and Crofters can choose how to invest in their business from existing funding mechanisms, for example the Basic Payment Scheme which is worth around £282 million annually. Investment which could include measures for improving farm security.
Asked by: Burgess, Ariane (Scottish Green Party - Highlands and Islands)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much money from the Forestry Grant Scheme has been spent on (a) native woodland primarily for conservation benefits and (b) commercial forestry primarily for timber production, in each year since 2021-22.
Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Well managed productive forestry plantations, along with native woodlands managed for habitat conservation, all provide environmental benefits. The Forestry Grant Scheme has committed £183.8m of support for woodland creation and sustainable forest management since 2021-22. £69.8m of this funding has supported solely native woodland creation and management, with the remaining £114m spent on activities supporting woodland creation and sustainable forest management across both native and productive woodlands. This includes sums on deer management, which takes place across both native and productive woodlands.
FGS Commitment for Native Woodland Creation and Management (£) | FGS Commitments for Woodland Creation and Management (native and non-native, productive and non-productive ) (£) | Total FGS Commitment for Woodland Creation and Management (£) | |
2021 | £14.9m | £29.4m | £44.3m |
2022 | £12.5m | £27.3m | £39.8m |
2023 | £23.4m | £31.3m | £54.7m |
2024 | £19.0m | £26.0m | £45.0m |
Total | £69.8m | £114.0m | £183.8m |
Table 1
Asked by: Sweeney, Paul (Scottish Labour - Glasgow)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the care of patients of private dental practices, what the formal responsibilities are of (a) the Scottish Government’s dentistry and oral health division, (b) Health Improvement Scotland, (c) NHS boards, (d) the General Dental Council’s Dental Complaints Service, (e) the Professional Standards Authority and (f) the Care Inspectorate.
Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
The Scottish Government delivers NHS dental care through the NHS Board system via independent contractors. Wholly private practices are regulated by Health Care Improvement Scotland (HIS) and the General Dental Council (GDC). HIS is part of NHS Scotland and is responsible for service provision, quality improvement and investigate complaints prior to escalation to the GDC. The GDC is the UK-wide regulator for dentists, promoting best practice. The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) oversees the GDC. The Care Inspectorate has a role in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in some dental spaces and provides guidance on preventive practice for all oral health improvement programmes e.g. Childsmile.
Asked by: Sweeney, Paul (Scottish Labour - Glasgow)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what body currently provides practice-level oversight of private dental practices in Scotland, and if no such body exists, whether it has considered creating one.
Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
Private non-NHS practices are registered and regulated by Regulation of independent healthcare – Healthcare Improvement Scotland, which is part of NHS Scotland and is responsible for service provision and quality improvement.
Asked by: Sweeney, Paul (Scottish Labour - Glasgow)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an escalation pathway for patients of private dental practices.
Answered by Minto, Jenni - Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Information regarding making complaints about private dental practices can be accessed online at: Making a complaint about independent healthcare services – Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40644 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/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.