Chamber and committees

Workforce management and capacity are operational matters for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

In May 2026, the Scottish Government produced the Neurological Conditions: estimated prevalence in Scotland in 2026 - gov.scot. The data involved covers near complete coverage of general practice registered patients, and addresses 25 neurological conditions, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Outputs are presented at a national level.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) can place helicopters on standby when necessary if a wildfire danger alert is issued. This gives commercial suppliers early notice of likely demand, allowing them to maximise availability, including moving assets closer to areas at highest wildfire risk where appropriate.

If a wildfire occurs, SFRS makes a decision whether, where and when to deploy the helicopters. In these circumstances SFRS contacts the provider and confirms the aircraft, crew and rendezvous point to the Incident Commander.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Workforce management and deployments are operational matters for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Police officer modified duties are an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that children, young people and adults across Scotland have access to high-quality, person-centred speech and language therapy services.

Decisions regarding the assessment, treatment and delivery of speech and language therapy services are matters for individual NHS Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships. Clinical interventions are determined by appropriately qualified speech and language therapists based on individual needs, clinical judgement and evidence-based practice.

Speech and language therapists use evidence-based practice, informed by high-quality research, professional guidance and clinical expertise, to ensure they remain responsive to emerging evidence and advances in practice from Scotland and internationally. The principles of evidence-based practice include integrating research evidence, clinical expertise and the preferences and circumstances of the individual receiving care. Guidance from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists supports this approach.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to undertake a national review of speech and language therapy treatment approaches. We continue to work with NHS Boards, Allied Health Profession leaders and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to support effective and evidence-informed services.

We are aware that a range of therapy delivery models are used internationally, including more intensive one-to-one programmes delivered over defined periods of time. The suitability of any intervention depends on the individual's needs, circumstances and clinical goals. Evidence continues to emerge regarding the effectiveness of different approaches, and decisions on their use remain a matter for clinical judgement. Research has demonstrated positive outcomes from intensive speech and language therapy interventions in some clinical groups; however, findings vary according to the condition being treated, the individual concerned and the specific intervention used.

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) and Scottish Government officials have met with representatives from Biogen to understand if the company has any intention to resubmit omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®) to the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). Biogen has provided assurance that it remains open to further commercial discussions, to support routine access to omaveloxolone (Skyclarys®) in the NHS in Scotland. Notably however, the decision on whether to resubmit to the SMC, and the timing of that resubmission, is entirely one for Biogen to make.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, (SFRS) Fireground communications provide short-range firefighter-to-firefighter communications at all incidents and have recently been upgraded to a digital platform. Coverage can be extended through portable repeater units located on Incident Command Units, Special Operations Units and Wildfire Support Units.

All emergency services use the airwave network, which provides an additional resilient communication capability to support fireground operations where required. Fire appliances and officers are also equipped with mobile phones for non-essential communications.

The SFRS has said it is actively engaging with mobile communications suppliers and partners to explore opportunities to further enhance incident ground communications, strengthening operational effectiveness, multi-agency interoperability and firefighter safety.

In addition, SFRS can access support through the Community Asset Register, which allows coordination of pre-planned assistance from third-sector organisations during significant incidents.

No decisions have been taken on the future of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs), and the existing integration statutory arrangements currently remain in place. However, integration arrangements are part of the wider dialogue on health, social care and public service reform. As the Programme for Government set out, we will be undertaking a three-month period of engagement on local governance reform. Any reform of health and social care integration will include engagement with NHS Boards, staff, trade unions, local government, Integration Authorities, social care partners and the public.

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland maintain a commitment to continuous improvement. Relevant guidance and developments from across the UK, including NHS England, are routinely considered to assess whether enhancements to existing guidance, standards, assurance arrangements or supporting controls should be adopted.