Chamber and committees

We have committed to implementing new infrastructure-levy regulations under the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 by spring 2026. On 3 June a discussion paper was published setting out the research undertaken previously and seeking views on the various options for a levy. The discussion phase will run until 30 September. After that, and subject to the views received in response to the discussion paper, draft regulations will be prepared which will be subject to a formal consultation in early 2025.

The Scottish Government prepared its draft Transport to Health Plan in 2023, we are continuing to engage with the relevant partners on the commitments contained within the plan. It is expected that the plan will be published by September 2024.

Scottish Government welcomed the transport to health and social care report from the Mobility and Access Committee (MACS) and agreed to develop a transport to health plan in response.

Progress has been made against the recommendations including bringing more focus and prominence in work with the relevant partners including Regional Transport Partnerships and Health Boards to take forward specific actions and commitments towards better joined up care planning and working.

Recognising the importance of the recommendations, Transport Scotland have included Transport to Health as one of seven thematic workstreams in their approach for delivery of the Accessible Travel Framework

The programme of NHS reform will consider the recommendation that transport should be built in as an integral part of the care pathway.

Whilst the Transport (Scotland) Act was implemented in 2019, sections 120 and 121 required secondary legislation to be enacted. This secondary legislation was enacted and came into effect on 1 October 2023.

We expect reports from Health Boards in Winter 2024. Assessments will be made once these reports are received.

The Scottish Government intends to publish costs of the tribunal, which will include payments it has made towards the legal costs of Sheriff Jack Brown in relation to his fitness for judicial office tribunal proceedings. Following a recent Freedom of Information request for this information, the Scottish Government will publish these details on its website, as soon as possible after the Freedom of Information response is issued.

Information on college withdrawals is collected and published by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) in their annual College Performance Indicator publication. College Performance Indicators 2022-23 - Scottish Funding Council (sfc.ac.uk)

The SFC publish the number of students that withdraw from a course, but not broken down by week the student withdrew.

I am interpreting your question as relating to the number of prisoners who may potentially be released early under emergency release powers.

Section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (which came into force on 26 May) provides Ministers with a power to release prisoners in emergency situations. I have now laid draft regulations for emergency release, setting out the eligibility criteria, for Parliament’s consideration and approval.

The number of prisoners that would be released in specific geographical areas would depend on a number of factors, including the composition of the prison population at the relevant time and the application of the Governor’s veto, for example.

The legislation sets out maximum processing times and authorities are working within these to process applications as quickly as possible. Existing hosts can continue to operate while their applications are being processed and licensing authorities are prioritising applications from new hosts during this transitional period. Hosts are encouraged to work with councils to supply missing documentation in a timely manner, as incomplete applications will understandably increase processing times.

Licensing authorities administer local short-term let licensing schemes based on a cost recovery model. When I met with the City of Edinburgh Council recently on this matter, it advised it is resourced to handle the volume of enquiries and applications it has received, this includes a team who will specifically focus on ensuring a quick turnaround of temporary exemption applications for the summer period.

Yes, it is the intention of the Scottish Government that Professor Anna Glasier OBE will remain Women’s Health Champion beyond June 2024.

The Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier OBE, has been central to the delivery of the Women’s Health Plan, and driving forward action to improve women’s health in Scotland.

Community First Responders (CFRs) are trained to operate within a clinically approved Scope of Practice. CFRs can be asked to attend a range of urgent and emergency medical emergencies including cardiac arrests, chest pains, breathing difficulties, strokes, choking and other similar types of call where a local and quick response may be beneficial to complement the emergency response.