Asked by: Kerr, Stephen (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with UK authorities regarding cross border movements linked to differential housing rights.
Answered by Stewart, Kaukab - Minister for Equalities
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice met with the Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 15 December where she raised the pressure that was being placed on certain local authorities in Scotland, especially Glasgow City Council, as a result of increased asylum decision making.
Everyone in Scotland has a right to support when they are experiencing homelessness and temporary accommodation if they need it in the short-term. Those assessed as unintentionally homeless should be offered a permanent home. We welcome efforts by the UK Government to clear the significant asylum backlog, but this must be properly planned and coordinated with adequate support and funding provided to support newly recognised refugees.
Asked by: Sweeney, Paul (Scottish Labour - Glasgow)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake an analysis of the operation of the thrice-weekly rail link between the Port of Liverpool and the Mossend EuroTerminal in North Lanarkshire since it was established in 2018, regarding what effect it has had on displacing container shipping volumes from the Port of Greenock on the River Clyde, which reportedly has the capacity to handle a throughput of 100,000 TEU per year.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Cabinet Secretary for Transport
The Scottish Government does not routinely undertake this type of analysis and has no plans to do so. The Scottish Transport Statistics are published yearly with chapters on freight moved by mode and with data on tonnages and distance.
Asked by: Eagle, Tim (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on CalMac Ferries Ltd allowing ferries to depart ahead of the advertised departure time when certain conditions have been met.
Answered by Hyslop, Fiona - Cabinet Secretary for Transport
CalMac Masters are permitted to depart ahead of the advertised departure time if (a) all the necessary safety checks and procedures are complete, and (b) all passengers (who have checked in within the advertised check-in times) are onboard.
Asked by: Kerr, Stephen (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many formal complaints have been raised by its civil servants regarding hybrid working directives since October 2025, also broken down by how many claims have been (a) upheld and (b) rejected.
Answered by McKee, Ivan - Minister for Public Finance
Since October 2025, there have been no formal complaints raised with HR by staff regarding the hybrid working arrangements.
Asked by: Kerr, Stephen (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cost implications for health, education and social services in Scotland arising from the reported increase in immigrant relocations.
Answered by Stewart, Kaukab - Minister for Equalities
Migration is vital for supporting sustainable communities, economies and public services in Scotland. Refugees are free to move within the UK and may do so for a variety of reasons including for work, study, family or community connections. Scotland is a diverse, multi-cultural society and it is important that all Scotland’s people are able to access the public services they need. Asylum and immigration are reserved to the UK Government, and we will continue to call for adequate resources to be provided to local authorities, particularly where increased asylum decision making places an additional burden on local services.
Asked by: Baillie, Jackie (Scottish Labour - Dumbarton)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42078 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 December 2025, what monitoring of NHS boards is being undertaken to ensure compliance with the law following the Supreme Court judgement.
Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
Application of the law following the Supreme Court ruling remains a matter for Boards, in accordance with their own legal advice. As advised in response to your previous question answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 9 December 2025, we have written to Health Boards to reinforce the importance of ensuring that the law is followed, and the Supreme Court judgment implemented. We will continue to maintain dialogue with the Senior executives in the Boards to understand how they are progressing this work.
Asked by: Ross, Douglas (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Highlands and Islands)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that delays in registering power of attorney applications have on (a) families, (b) legal practitioners and (c) healthcare decision-making.
Answered by Arthur, Tom - Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing
The Scottish Government has acknowledged that, while the current system for Powers of Attorney (PoA) generally functions well, certain elements require improving and updating.
As part of the Adults with Incapacity reform programme, the Expert Working Group and the Minister-led Oversight Group are developing proposals to strengthen and streamline the Power of Attorney framework (Part 2 of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000), including registration processes.
Where there is an urgent medical, financial or welfare need, it is possible to request expedited processing of a power of attorney (PoA) from the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland). The expedited service can register a power of attorney within 5 working days.
Asked by: Kerr, Stephen (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on the Scottish economy, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding what the status is of the memorandum of understanding signed with MingYang in 2021, and whether it remains active.
Answered by Martin, Gillian - Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-42711 on 7 January 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.
Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards offer thumb carpometacarpal joint replacement surgery.
Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
Currently, thumb carpometacarpal joint replacement surgery is offered in: NHS Lothian, NHS Fife, NHS Grampian, NHS Highland & NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Inverclyde).
Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the potential economic impact on patients who may face a prolonged recovery and loss of function due to limited surgical options in NHS Lanarkshire.
Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Scottish Government recognises that prolonged recovery and reduced function can have personal and economic implications for patients.
We expect Health Boards to consider these factors when planning surgical pathways and to prioritise patient outcomes, including functional recovery and impact on daily living.