Meeting of the Parliament

Portfolio Questions Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic Sharon Dowey S6O-05648 1. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on business confidence and investment of non-domestic rates threshold having limited movement since 2020-21. Paul O'Kane S6O-05649 2. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support high streets and town centres in the West Scotland region, in light of reported issues, including high vacancy rates. Murdo Fraser S6O-05650 3. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to expand the availability of venture capital funding to aid business growth. Stephen Kerr S6O-05651 4. To ask the Scottish Government what further support provisions will be available to Alexander Dennis following the expiration of the current £4 million support package this month. Submitting member has a registered interest. Jamie Halcro Johnston S6O-05652 5. To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to businesses facing higher energy prices and other increased costs resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. Oliver Mundell S6O-05653 6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support Dumfries town centre. Alexander Stewart S6O-05654 7. To ask the Scottish Government for what reason, despite an increase in the number of businesses pledging to pay the real Living Wage, the percentage of people actually being paid the real Living Wage or more has been decreasing for three consecutive years. Humza Yousaf S6O-05655 8. [Not Lodged] Finance and Local Government Gillian Mackay S6O-05656 1. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a licensing system for local authorities to address the growing number of vaping shops. Roz McCall S6O-05657 2. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of its Budget 2026-27 on the ability of local authorities, including Perth and Kinross Council, to meet rising demand for services. Sue Webber S6O-05658 3. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of its local government funding settlement on the condition of roads across the Lothian region, in light of the City of Edinburgh Council, for example, facing an £86 million repair backlog. Maggie Chapman S6O-05659 4. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Audit Scotland’s recent statement that local authorities will face a budget gap of nearly £1 billion by 2027, what action it is taking to provide additional support to third sector organisations that prevent and respond to rent and council tax arrears. Carol Mochan S6O-05660 5. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how its Budget 2026-27 delivers fair funding for health and social care services across the country, including in South Scotland. Michael Matheson S6O-05661 6. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support local authorities, including Falkirk Council, to deliver vital services, including those aimed at reducing child poverty. Katy Clark S6O-05662 7. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that its Budget 2026-27 adequately funds health and social care partnerships to deliver services, including social care. Neil Bibby S6O-05663 8. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to council tax increases approved by local authorities across Scotland for 2026-27 followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill Mark Ruskell S6M-20921 That the Parliament agrees that the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill be passed. Further details available for S6M-20921 followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill Graeme Dey S6M-21139 That the Parliament agrees that, during stage 3 of the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, debate on groups of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limits indicated, those time limits being calculated from when the stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when a meeting of the Parliament is suspended or otherwise not in progress: Groups 1 to 3: 1 hour 30 minutes Groups 4 and 5: 2 hours 20 minutes Groups 6 to 8: 3 hours 30 minutes Groups 9 to 11: 4 hours 30 minutes Groups 12 to 14: 5 hours 15 minutes Groups 15 and 16: 6 hours 20 minutes Groups 17 to 19: 7 hours 40 minutes Groups 20 to 23: 9 hours. Further details available for S6M-21139 Natalie Don-Innes S6M-21102 That the Parliament agrees that the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill be passed. Further details available for S6M-21102 followed by Decision Time