Chamber and committees

Productivity remains a key focus for the Scottish Government, and action on improving it is being delivered via a number of programmes under the National Innovation Strategy.

The Thistle does not directly refer any individuals to residential rehabilitation services. Access to residential rehabilitation is arranged through care management in Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services. However, in its first year of operation, the service made 612 referrals, with the most common referral to Housing and Accommodation, Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, and the Blood Borne Virus Team.

The digital transfer of Defence Medical Services records into NHS Scotland is being progressed in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and other UK partners. As delivery is dependent on aspects of the programme being led by the Ministry of Defence, no date has yet been confirmed for full implementation across NHS Scotland.

A total of 263 zero-emission buses and coaches were delivered through Phase 2 of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB2). This exceeds the original commitment to support 252 vehicles. All vehicles supported will be brought into service by operators in line with their own deployment plans.

Through ScotZEB2, the Scottish Government has supported significant investment in zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure, accelerating the decarbonisation of Scotland's bus and coach fleet while helping to improve air quality and deliver cleaner, greener public transport services for communities across the country.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that public health education and prevention programmes are evidence-based and developed to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities across Scotland.

Scotland’s Population Health Framework identifies the importance of prevention and of creating the conditions that support good health, including action to address the drivers of preventable ill health.

The Scottish Government recognises that the commercial interests of industries whose products contribute to preventable ill health may not always align with public health objectives. Public health policy and programmes are informed by the best available evidence and developed in the public interest, with appropriate arrangements in place to identify and manage actual, perceived and potential conflicts of interest.

The Scottish Government seeks to ensure that public health policy, health messaging campaigns and education programmes are developed independently of commercial interests where those interests may conflict with public health objectives. However, once policy has been agreed, engagement with businesses and retailers and other stakeholders may be necessary to support effective implementation, compliance and delivery of policy objectives.

While the law covering the sale of fireworks is mainly reserved, the Scottish Government has taken steps to strengthen the law around access to, and use of, fireworks. The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, introduced measures intended to reduce harmful and antisocial use of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles, while supporting the safe and responsible enjoyment of fireworks. This includes: a proxy purchase and supply offence to under 18s; a statutory aggravation for emergency workers; introduction of pyrotechnic offences and introduction of Firework Control Zones.

At this time, the Scottish Government has no plans to introduce legislation on the sale of fireworks.

The UK Government is running, until 7 October, a consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK. This can be found at: Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK - GOV.UK.

Marine Directorate recognises that this matter has attracted significant interest and that a number of people have been waiting for the outcome of the investigation. It is also acknowledged that the investigation has taken longer than originally anticipated. This was to ensure that all reasonable lines of enquiry were fully considered before a final decision was reached.

Marine Directorate carried out local investigations, including interviewing witnesses and seizing evidence. Witnesses described dead and discoloured prawns and reduced creel catches. One witness reported seeing a large vessel in Loch Hourn, but could not identify it. Marine Directorate undertook aerial surveys, which found no signs of pollution, no visible marine mortality and no costal contamination. AIS, Themis and Telesto vessel tracking analysis was conducted and did not identify any vessels in the area of the suspected pollution incident. A number of vessels were identified operating further away in Loch Hourn and the operators of those vessels were identified. Vessel movement information was provided, operators confirmed that AIS had been active at all times and denied that that any cleaning, disinfection or discharge activity had been undertaken.

In collaboration with SEPA, MRV Sir John Murray visited the location and undertook sampling and camera transect analysis of the seabed at the locations of the affected creel fleets and trawl grounds. The survey found isolated dead sea urchins, but could find no evidence of significant or widespread contamination. Further, there was no evidence of unusual odour, contamination or widespread mortality in the sediment samples.

Having completed those enquiries, the Marine Directorate has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish either that an offence was committed under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, or to identify any person or organisation responsible. As a result, the investigation has been closed with no further enforcement action possible.

We appreciate that this outcome may be disappointing for those who reported concerns or consider that they were affected by the events observed within Loch Hourn. However, decisions on enforcement action must be based on the available evidence, and the evidential threshold required was not met in this case.

The Scottish Government collects health information from children annually via:

The Scottish Health survey. This collects health information including diet, weight, respiratory conditions, sport and physical activity participation, mental health and more on children age 0 to 15 years (from 2003). Those aged 16 and 17 are included in the adult sample and are asked additionally about smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use.

A Scotland sample boost in the ASH Smokefree GB Youth survey. This collects data from 11 to 17 year olds in Scotland on use of vapes, cigarettes and other nicotine products; awareness, main source, and type of products used; and experiences and views of users, including reasons for vaping and perceptions of harm. The survey has included a small number of questions on other substance use and health behaviours see Supporting documents - Vaping and smoking among Scottish adolescents: ASH SmokeFree GB Youth survey 2025 results - gov.scot which reports on alcohol.

The Scottish Government has engaged with local government through a range of meetings and discussions on public service reform and local governance over recent months. The recently published proposals are intended to be a starting point for discussion, and a programme of wider engagement with local authorities and other stakeholders is now underway.

Scotland’s resilience arrangements are designed to be flexible and adaptable to a wide range of emergencies, including wildfires and other climate-related incidents.

Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Category 1 responders are required to assess risks, maintain emergency plans and put in place arrangements to warn, inform and protect the public, including where evacuation may be required. Scotland’s multi-agency resilience arrangements are set out in the Preparing Scotland guidance and associated guidance on the care of people affected by emergencies, which include arrangements for evacuation, shelter and humanitarian assistance. The duties on responders and supporting guidance help ensure that arrangements remain appropriate for a range of potential emergencies.

The Scottish Government does not undertake a single national assessment of emergency evacuation arrangements for specific hazards such as wildfires. Instead, officials work closely with resilience partners through established local, regional and national resilience structures to review, exercise and continually improve emergency preparedness arrangements, including those relating to evacuation and the care of people affected by emergencies.