Meeting of the Parliament (Accessible)

General Questions Alex Rowley S6O-05275 1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it has taken to support Forth Valley College’s Alloa campus, in light of the recent reported concerns that it may be closed for financial reasons. Clare Haughey S6O-05276 2. To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates that all eligible recipients will be paid the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this year. Maggie Chapman S6O-05277 3. To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to address the reported legal aid crisis, to ensure that people in the North East Scotland region are able to access support. James Dornan S6O-05278 4. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of the December Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment, including its anticipated impact on carers and how it will ensure that all eligible carers receive their payment promptly. Meghan Gallacher S6O-05279 5. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on increasing the number of overnight beds for parents in neonatal wards. Ruth Maguire S6O-05280 6. To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it gives to the gendered impact of debt in its child poverty and social security policies. Paul Sweeney S6O-05281 7. To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, in light of reports that the NHS board is dealing with a much higher rate of flu patients compared with previous years. Davy Russell S6O-05282 8. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Shelter Scotland statistics stating that there are 109,000 families on waiting lists for social housing. followed by First Minister’s Questions Russell Findlay S6F-04515 1. Question to be taken in Chamber. Anas Sarwar S6F-04516 2. Question to be taken in Chamber. Ross Greer S6F-04517 3. Question to be taken in Chamber. Marie McNair S6F-04525 4. To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the potential implications for its work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland of the UK Government’s child poverty strategy. Miles Briggs S6F-04519 5. To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of, and support it is providing to, childhood dementia awareness. Jackie Baillie S6F-04529 6. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the independent investigation into NHS Scotland by the retired consultant surgeon and former President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Mr Mike McKirdy. followed by Members’ Business: Welcoming the Report by Royal College of Psychiatrists on Support for Neurodevelopmental Conditions Daniel Johnson S6M-19319 That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, Multi-system solutions for meeting the needs of autistic people and people with ADHD in Scotland; notes the reported unprecedented increase in the number of people across Scotland, including in Edinburgh, seeking support for neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs), particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism; understands that, as of March 2025, over 42,000 children and 23,000 adults were waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment, and that this represents an increase of over 500% for children and 2,200% for adults since 2020; further understands that there is currently no standardised national pathway for diagnosis, treatment and support for NDCs, and that in the absence of appropriate services, individuals are being referred into general mental health pathways, not because they have a mental illness, but because there is nowhere else for them to go; believes that this is placing unsustainable pressure on Scotland’s mental health system; further believes that timely diagnosis and intervention for ADHD and autism can significantly improve quality of life, reduce suicide risk and prevent secondary mental illnesses; commends the work of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland in developing a comprehensive, value-based framework to address these challenges, and notes the view that simply expanding existing structures is not a sustainable solution, and that a multi-system and society-wide response is needed. Submitting member has a registered interest. Further details available for S6M-19319