Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government plans to launch a public consultation on a cruise ship levy before the end of the year, to formally hear the views of those potentially affected by such a levy.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant and unique challenges faced by our rural communities, and is committed to understanding and tackling those challenges.

For example, the forthcoming Mainland Rural Delivery Plan will set out how all parts of the Scottish Government are delivering for Scotland’s rural communities, and will cover a range of topics, including healthcare, education, social justice and transport. Furthermore, the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, sets out how we will work with regional, local and community partners to ensure that we collectively deliver a sustainable solution to the key challenges in rural communities.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with our international partners to secure a global transition to a net zero and nature positive future in a way that is fair and just for all.

My officials are aware of the review of Galloway Community Hospital as part of NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s long-term sustainability planning and the Right Care, Right Place programme. Officials have engaged Dumfries and Galloway on these proposals over the course of the past year.

We understand that a report on the future of the facility is in development, and this will be considered by Dumfries and Galloway IJB in September. Officials are also anticipating a final recommendation later this year by NHS Dumfries and Galloway board on the proposed changes to maternity services offered in Wigtownshire. This is to be accompanied by a statement from the board on the independent consultation that examined options for proposed maternity service changes presented in February.

As it stands, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the Integration Joint Board have publicly stated that they do not have plans to close Galloway Community Hospital. Scottish Government officials are continuing to engage with Dumfries and Galloway on their review and any proposals that will be made.

No additional funding has been confirmed as part of the Chancellor’s statement, with the consequential position, as per normal practice, confirmed as part of the Supplementary Estimates process in January/February 2025.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the UK Government to seek clarity on changes that have an impact on funding.

Information on future year funding will be outlined as part of the UK Government Spending Review, the first two years of which will be published alongside the Autumn Statement on the 30th of October.

The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy has regular meetings with SEPA which cover a wide range of topics related to SEPA functions. Most recently, Miri McAllan MSP met SEPA Chair, Lisa Tennant and Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive Officer on 13 June 2024.

Where new development proposals come forward, fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), ensures that the impacts of proposals on communities and nature, including cumulative impacts, are important considerations in the decision-making process. All applications are subject to site specific assessments and the cumulative impacts of energy development proposals are also required to be considered through statutory Environmental Impact Assessment processes, where relevant and applicable.

The Scottish Ministers have an expectation that communities are engaged at an early stage and can meaningfully influence development proposals in their area. Where there is a need for co-ordination between applicants proposing development in the same area, all parties are expected to work together to co-ordinate development and minimise any impacts on communities and the environment.

When determining applications under the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish Ministers are required to seek advice from planning authorities to ensure that decision-making is co-ordinated to reflect local circumstances.

Since 2019, NHS Tayside has been focusing on developing and stabilising breast cancer services. They have successfully recruited new Breast Oncologists to their local service, including two Breast Clinical Oncologists who work solely for NHS Tayside alongside a joint Breast Medical Oncologist post with NHS Lothian.

NHS Tayside is replacing a radiotherapy linac machine, which has generated some constraints in physical radiotherapy capacity. To ensure patients can access radiotherapy in a timely manner, NHS Tayside has collaborated with NHS Highland to offer faster access to radiotherapy for a small number of patients with breast cancer. Once the linac is fully replaced, and with the new breast oncologists now in place, NHS Tayside will deliver the full pathway of Breast Cancer Care locally with a continued drive to improve patient experiences and outcomes.

Scottish Government funding has been provided to improve the resilience and sustainability of Hospital at Home services for older people in Scotland. Distribution of funds is decided in collaboration between Scottish Government and Healthcare Improvement Scotland. NHS Fife received £18,100.56 which was the full amount of funding requested.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. It is for Health Boards to ensure best use of available resources whilst prioritising patient safety and care.