Chamber and committees

The Community Asset Register (CAR) is a Scotland wide database of volunteers willing to help during an emergency. The database plots assets on a map so if an emergency incident occurs, SFRS can identify those who could help. Assets can be people with either skills or equipment. It is currently managed and hosted by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), but other organisations such as Police Scotland and local authorities can access it. The register was launched in 2017, and is built on existing local databases.

Under action 3 within our Strategic Wildfire Action Plan, which was published in March 2026, we committed to review assets registered on the CAR. The Review set out that:

This should include in relation to wildfires but also include a wider review to consider the need for appropriate insurance to be in place so resources are able to respond to incidents, as well as competency to operate/accreditation. This review should include what mechanisms need to be in place to include civilian resource into an emergency response achieving Command, Control and Coordination to reduce the risk of near misses and ensure a safe response for all. Where near misses occur, a process should be in place to properly record and learn from these.

Work on this action continues, however, SFRS has reviewed and consolidated membership of the Community Asset Register across Scotland in order to ensure all registered assets are fully compliant and to improve the process to induct new assets. As part of our review of the Action Plan we will consider what further action may be required.

More information on the CAR can be found here, on the SFRS website: Community Asset Register | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The Programme for Government sets out the Scottish Government's key priorities and actions for the parliamentary term and is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of every commitment, project or investment that the Government supports. The Programme for Government 2026-31 is focused on the Government's overarching priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency and delivering high-quality public services.

The fact that a specific commitment is not referenced in the Programme for Government should not be taken as an indication that the Scottish Government's support for it has changed. The Scottish Government recognises the benefits that a new rail station at Winchburgh could bring to local communities and regional connectivity, and remains committed to working with partners and stakeholders to support its delivery.

The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the care and support for those living with any long term condition. We intend to publish a new Long Term Conditions Strategy for Adults in March 2027.

The Scottish Government expects all rail passengers and staff to be able to travel and work without being subjected to violence, abuse or antisocial behaviour. We continue to engage with partners across the rail industry on passenger and staff safety.

The deployment of police officers and operational policing decisions on Scotland's railways are matters for the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) and the British Transport Police (BTP). I have recently written to the Chair of the BTPA highlighting the importance of maintaining a visible and effective British Transport Police presence across Scotland's rail network to support the safety of passengers and railway staff.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on local authority staffing levels. Assessment of whether staffing levels are adequate is a matter for each individual local authority.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a national bursary scheme for trainee counsellors. However, individuals undertaking counselling qualifications may be eligible for financial support through Scotland’s higher and further education funding arrangements, subject to eligibility.

The refreshed Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan, published on 29 September 2026, sets out our ambition for system reform and sustainable improvements across mental health and wellbeing services.

Where wildfire affects grant-funded woodland, Scottish Forestry will assess the impact on the contractual obligations and determine what action is appropriate. In doing so, account may be taken of the circumstances of the wildfire, the extent of the damage, the steps taken by the beneficiary to meet their obligations and the options available for restoration of the woodland.

Recovery of grant would not be automatic and would be considered alongside any remedial or restoration measures.

The grant contract requires the recipients to keep the property and assets relating to the approved activities insured for their full reinstatement value against fire and other specified risks. Insurance cover would be a relevant consideration in determining how a wildfire loss is addressed and whether further public support is appropriate.

Grant recipients who disagree with a decision relating to compliance, penalties or recovery of grant may make use of the Forestry Grant Scheme review and appeal processes set out within the scheme guidance.

The Scottish Government is extremely grateful for the crucial work that nurses deliver across our health and care services. I am fully committed to delivering on our promise to improve pathways to progression from Band 5 to Band 6 for Nurses within this Parliament. In delivering our approach we will consider the needs of all Band 5 Nurses, including Specialist Roles such as those focusing on inflammatory bowel disease.

We recognise the interest in greater transparency around farmed animal welfare. However, there are no proposals to introduce a requirement to publish farmed-animal welfare indicators or mortality data.

The Community Health and Care Hubs programme is intended to provide modern facilities capable of supporting integrated multidisciplinary care delivered closer to home. Detailed decisions regarding clinical pathways, workforce models and the management of specific conditions, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, will be determined through wider service and workforce planning processes rather than through the infrastructure programme itself.

We will publish our Long Term Conditions Strategy for Adults in March 2027, which will include digestive conditions within its scope.