Meeting of the Parliament (Accessible)

General Questions Gordon MacDonald S6O-04394 1. To ask the Scottish Government how Scotland’s recorded crime rate compares with other areas of the UK. Miles Briggs S6O-04395 2. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential impact on state schools of the UK Government's decision to make independent schools liable for VAT, how it plans to use any Barnett consequential funding resulting from this decision to support state schools. Carol Mochan S6O-04396 3. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported view of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland that proposed changes to legislation on religious observance diverge from the recommendation by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to allow young people to independently opt out of religious observance at school. Clare Adamson 4. [Not Lodged] Emma Harper S6O-04398 5. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support increased levels of sport and physical activity in Dumfries and Galloway. Stuart McMillan S6O-04399 6. To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the future of Greenock police station with Police Scotland. Evelyn Tweed S6O-04400 7. To ask the Scottish Government how it will work with the NHS to ensure that infrastructure is in place to meet demand for adult ADHD and autism assessments, in light of reports that NHS Forth Valley has closed its service. Colin Beattie S6O-04401 8. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Action 20 of the Housing to 2040 strategy to "streamline and accelerate the adaptations system". followed by First Minister's Questions Russell Findlay S6F-03858 1. Question to be taken in Chamber. Anas Sarwar S6F-03859 2. Question to be taken in Chamber. Patrick Harvie S6F-03860 3. Question to be taken in Chamber. Marie McNair S6F-03867 4. To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will mark International Women’s Day, and its theme of "Accelerating Action" to reach gender equality. Annie Wells S6F-03870 5. To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to tackle the reported rising number of cases of drug-driving. Foysol Choudhury S6F-03871 6. To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on how the Scottish Government is working to tackle Islamophobia in Scotland, in light of reports that anti-Muslim hate incidents across the UK reached record levels in 2024. followed by Members' Business — S6M-16536 Marie McNair: Impact of UK Welfare Reforms in Scotland That the Parliament condemns the Labour UK administration for its reported intention to proceed with what it sees as punitive welfare reforms proposed under the previous Conservative administration; notes the calls on the UK Government to immediately reverse its plans, which, it considers, could seriously impact disabled people and increase financial insecurity in vulnerable households; further notes with alarm reports that, by 2029, over 450,000 disabled people and people with long-term conditions across the UK could be impacted as a result of the proposed reforms to Work Capability Assessment, with, it understands, many losing payments currently worth over £400 per month; is deeply concerned by what it sees as the callous language of UK Government ministers when discussing welfare reform, including the reported comment by the UK work and pensions secretary that some benefit claimants are "taking the mickey"; notes what it sees as the contrast between what it considers the demonisation of welfare recipients, under the UK Government, and the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to a devolved social security system based on dignity, fairness and respect; welcomes the reported investment of £1.3 billion above the UK block grant adjustment for social security expenditure in the draft Budget 2025-26, which reflects what it considers to be the social contract between the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland; understands that the Scottish Government is set to invest up to £210 million in measures to mitigate what it sees as UK Government austerity policies such as the so-called bedroom tax, benefit cap and cut to the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025-26, and notes the calls encouraging disadvantaged or low-income households across Scotland, including disabled and long-term ill people in the Clydebank and Milngavie constituency, to check their eligibility for social security payments and to claim the support to which they are entitled.