Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

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 ��˿�� 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-39282

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 July 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a national programme to re-engage the reported increasing number of people diagnosed with HIV who have disengaged with HIV care.

The latest data on people living with HIV in Scotland and not attending for HIV treatment and care can be found in Public Health Scotland’s (PHS) HIV in Scotland surveillance report, which is available at: In their report, PHS noted that changes to service delivery during and since the COVID-19 pandemic mean that the reported proportion of diagnosed individuals receiving treatment may be an underestimate. Work is currently underway, led by PHS, to better understand the cohort of individuals who are no longer engaged with HIV specialist services and, therefore, not in receipt of treatment and care. This exercise will refine and improve the accuracy of this reporting and will inform the next phase of our HIV transmission elimination efforts beyond 2026.

The Scottish Government has committed to rolling out Emergency Department opt-out testing for blood borne viruses in the areas of highest diagnosed prevalence, which will identify undiagnosed patients as well as providing an opportunity to re-engage patients who are not currently in care.

Question reference: S6W-39283

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 July 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of access to peer support services for people with HIV across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking a programme of Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus local area visits to Scottish territorial NHS Boards which provides an opportunity to explore the levels of peer support available for people living with HIV.

The visits have identified excellent examples of peer support for people living with HIV, including use of digital solutions to reach individuals in rural areas where access can be more challenging. We continue to work collaboratively with NHS Boards and actively promote the sharing of best practice to help address any gaps identified through these visits.

Question reference: S6W-39281

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 July 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing a baseline offer for HIV peer support provision.

Question reference: S6W-38890

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it had made of the potential economic impact on the (a) city of Glasgow and (b) wider Scottish economy of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) project, prior to the cancellation of the project.

Question reference: S6W-38888

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported high levels of traffic and frequent congestion on routes leading to and from Glasgow Airport, what assessment it had made of the potential environmental impact of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, prior to the cancellation of the project.

Question reference: S6W-38889

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what alternative projects it has planned to improve direct connectivity between the city of Glasgow and Glasgow Airport, in light of the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) proposal, and what the timelines are for the delivery of any such projects.

The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), which was published by the Scottish Government in December 2022 to inform future transport investment in Scotland, identifies the Clyde Metro as one of its recommendations.

The ongoing stage of development of Clyde Metro, known as the Case for Investment, is being led by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), supported by Glasgow City Council leading various workstreams alongside SPT, with Transport Scotland providing a project assurance role.

This key stage of the development process includes consideration of access improvements to Glasgow Airport and will inform decisions around network selection, phasing and implementation. The Case for Investment stage is well underway and is currently anticipated to be complete by mid-2027.

Further details on the Case for Investment stage can be obtained by contacting SPT directly at [email protected].

Question reference: S6W-38906

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 June 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for how long each of the initiatives for emergency department opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian are expected to run.

The Scottish Government has committed to rolling out Emergency Department opt-out testing for blood borne viruses in the areas of highest diagnosed prevalence and elsewhere as the evidence develops and supports this. As this is a roll out rather than a pilot, we have not set a fixed end-date but, as with all measures, we will continue to monitor and evaluate the programme to ensure that it is effective.

Question reference: S6W-38905

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 June 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed initiatives for emergency department opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian will commence within the current parliamentary session.

The Scottish Government is in discussions with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian to confirm appropriate timescales for commencing emergency department opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses, however it is important that preparatory work is undertaken to ensure that the roll-out is robust and well-supported. This initial preparatory work has begun and we anticipate the commencement of testing within the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S6W-38904

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 June 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what funding has been allocated to support the initiatives for emergency department opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses in NHS (a) Greater Glasgow and Clyde and (b) Lothian.

Question reference: S6W-38742

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 26 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve access to counselling services in rural and island communities, and whether it will consider targeted funding to support local provision.

The Scottish Government recognises the particular challenges that people in rural and island communities can face in accessing mental health support. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has access to high-quality, person-centred mental health services, including counselling and psychological therapies.

While mental health service provision is led locally by NHS Boards, local authorities and third sector partners, based on population needs and clinical judgement, we support this through national funding, guidance and strategy.

Since 2021, we have invested £66 million in the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults, with over 900 awards made to projects supporting people in rural areas. In 2024-25, we are also providing £123.5 million to NHS Boards via the Enhanced Mental Health Outcomes Framework, now baselined to give local areas greater flexibility in how services are delivered.

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2023) sets out a long-term vision focused on reducing geographical inequalities and promoting a person-centred approach. This is supported by the National Specification for Psychological Therapies and Interventions, which sets out clear expectations for consistent, trauma-informed, and accessible care across all areas.

We expect NHS Boards to follow national clinical guidelines in the delivery of counselling services. Recruitment and training of professionals are managed locally, in collaboration with relevant professional bodies. The Scottish Government will continue to consider how targeted support, including funding, can help improve access in underserved areas.

We will continue working with NHS Boards, local authorities, and delivery partners to ensure mental health services are equitable, effective, and meet the needs of all communities across Scotland.