Chamber and committees

We recognised in our Strategic Action Plan on Wildfires which was published in March 2026, that clarity was needed over insurance cover for land owners, land-based staff and their equipment when responding to wildfires – including when they ignite and spread on nearby land-holdings rather than their own land-holding or place of work.

In relation to action 14 within the Plan, relating to insurance, the Scottish Government has facilitated discussions between the Association of British Insurers, insurance companies, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, public sector partners and Scottish Land and Estates. The purpose of these discussions was to ensure that the insurance industry has a full understanding of wildfire insurance issues and requirements and that these can be taken into consideration when insurers are developing and updating their policies.

We are also aware of the information gathering process which is being carried out by the Cairngorms National Park Authority with regard to compensation for volunteers and responders.

We are reviewing the Action Plan following this year’s wildfire in Glenmore, and will consider what further steps are required as part of that review.

Scottish Ministers remain fully committed to making data on subsidy payments made to beneficiaries in Scotland under all CAP legacy schemes more accessible to the public.

The first publication was made on the Scottish Government website on the 30th June 2026 for the data relating to all CAP legacy schemes subsidy payments made to beneficiaries in Scotland during the EU financial year from 16 October 2024 to 15 October 2025 and this data will remain available for two years, until June 2028.

This publication included the names of all beneficiaries apart from those who received less than the equivalent of 1,250 in total subsidy during the year that are not shown in the spreadsheet. In these cases, payment amounts are included, but beneficiary names have been removed. For the purposes of this publication , 1,250 has been converted to a sterling equivalent of £1,114.

Similar publications will be made on the Scottish Government website on the 30th June in subsequent years throughout the current parliamentary session.

In terms of the regulations that provided for the above approved by Parliament, these are just temporary bridging measures for our period of transition until such time as the new data scheme publication arrangements are made in terms of the secondary legislation to be introduced later on under the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024.

At that time, Scottish Ministers shall seek to address any opportunities to improve accessibility for the public to this type of data.

The creation of an industry led communication group has been discussed during recent meetings of the Scottish Government’s Bluetongue stakeholder group, which has met frequently since the first detections of bluetongue in Scotland. As soon as the group has been established and membership, chair and terms of reference agreed, information will be provided on the GOV.SCOT bluetongue web page.

It is expected that the first meeting of the group will take place on 26 October, with invitations sent to all members of the Scottish Government’s bluetongue stakeholder group, which includes; Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), , British Veterinary Association (BVA), Cattle Information Service (CIS), Deervet.co.uk, Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland (IAAS), Moredun Institute, National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), National Sheep Association (NSA), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW), Scottish Beef Association (SBA), Scottish Dairy Cattle Association (SDCA), Scottish Rural College (SRUC), Invitation will be extended to other groups as required and agreed. There will also be representation from all three bluetongue serotype 3 vaccine manufacturers; Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceva, and Virbac.

As vaccination is seen as the only long term viable option for the control of Bluetongue, and foreseeing challenges that are likely in communicating that key message consistently to livestock keepers, it is expected the group will remain in place throughout the next high risk season for bluetongue virus between May and September 2027.

Action 18 within our Strategic Action Plan on Wildfires, which was published in March 2026, set out that:

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and partners within the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) will give further consideration to proposals for a mountain rescue-style multi-stakeholder response model, with trained wildfire volunteers, to support local efforts when called upon. There is potential to trial this approach within the Cairngorms National Park.

Discussions had begun between Cairngorms National Park Authority and SFRS around the possibility of trialling a multi-stakeholder response model to tackling wildfires prior to this year’s wildfire in Glenmore. This approach and these discussions will continue.

SFRS continues to strengthen its own wildfire capability. Through its Wildfire Strategy and the wider Service Delivery Review, they continue to develop the skills, equipment, specialist advice and operational arrangements required to respond safely and effectively. This includes strategically located wildfire resources, specialist equipment, tactical advisers and enhanced support for crews operating in rural and remote environments. The SFRS debrief process will consider a wide range of possible improvements. This could include the introduction of multi-disciplinary teams.

We are also reviewing the Action Plan following this year’s wildfire in Glenmore, and will consider what further steps may be required as part of that review.

It is not possible to record the number of individual passengers who have benefited from the £2 bus fare cap since the introduction of the scheme. Passenger journeys are however recorded, which shows that since it was launched in the Highlands and Islands, over 1.7 million journeys have been made using the £2 bus fare cap.

These figures are correct as of 28 September 2026.

Journey data on the £2 fare cap scheme launched on 7 September 2026 in the Strathclyde area is not yet available.

Our Strategic Action Plan on Wildfire, which was published in March 2026, supports proportionate land-management practices, including firebreaks, regulated muirburn and other methods of vegetation management that help mitigate against the risk and spread of wildfire.

Following the Dava fire last year, the Scottish Government took the decision to delay the implementation of the new licence scheme at that time to allow for further and thorough scientific research. The evidence based conclusion was that a licence scheme was still a proportionate and balanced approach, helping to ensure muirburn is carried out safely and responsibly while continuing to support wildfire prevention.

The muirburn licensing scheme came into effect on 15 September, following the launch of the online licensing scheme in July 2026. Licences can be issued for a range of purposes, including preventing, or reducing the risk of, wildfires causing damage to habitats. As of 8 October, no licences applied for this year had been refused.

As the threat from wildfires increases, the Scottish Government will continue to work with land managers, rural communities, NatureScot and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support practical, proportionate approaches that improve wildfire resilience while protecting Scotland’s natural environment.

In addition to this, NatureScot will monitor the operation of the licensing system, including any issues arising from licence applications, licence conditions, compliance activity and stakeholder feedback.

We welcome the publication of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 6 report on the impact of the pandemic on the publicly and privately funded adult social care sector across the four nations of the United Kingdom. A copy of the report is available online at: https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/reports/

During the pandemic, the Scottish Government’s foremost priority was to protect the public from the novel Covid-19 virus. Ministers sought to be open, transparent and accountable in respect of the decisions made. We extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the many thousands who have lost loved ones and who continue to experience the profound impacts of Covid-19.

We recognise the loss, hurt and suffering experienced by people across Scotland and the rest of the UK, particularly among those who relied on, delivered or supported adult social care services during an exceptionally challenging period. We acknowledge the significant impact of the pandemic on people who draw on care and support, their families and loved ones, and the many unpaid carers who provided essential care, often in difficult and isolating circumstances. We would also like to reaffirm our gratitude to the health and social care workforce for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities throughout the pandemic.

The Scottish Government will now take the necessary time to fully and carefully consider the findings and recommendations set out in the Inquiry’s Module 6 report, and will provide a detailed response to the report’s recommendations in due course, in line with the timescales set out by the Inquiry chair.

The welfare of stud dogs is already covered under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (the 2021 Regulations). The licence conditions set out in Schedule 2 (General Conditions) of the 2021 Regulations includes provisions that seek to protect the welfare of all animals kept by or under the care of licence holders, including that of stud dogs. Schedule 6 (Specific Conditions: breeding dogs) sets out specific licence conditions (including welfare provisions) applicable to all dogs kept and used for breeding, as well as a number of conditions specific to breeding bitches and their pups in recognition of the additional risks and needs associated with birthing and puppy care.