Chamber and committees

The Minister's remarks referred to the need for the consistent application of international law and support for independent international judicial institutions, including the International Criminal Court.

The Scottish Government is deeply concerned by conflict, instability and serious human rights violations wherever they occur. We have consistently supported the rules-based international order, respect for human rights and accountability for breaches of international law.

As you will be aware, responsibility for sanctions, export controls, recognition of states, and wider foreign policy rests with the UK Government although there is an important role for devolved administrations to play in international affairs in the UK and they do elsewhere in the world.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-03425 on 30 September 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

On 3 September, Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) published a report into a community led delivery model for heat networks across Scotland, prepared for the Scottish Government. The report can be accessed at: heat-networks-community-led-delivery-model.

Community led delivery was one of a range of potential approaches that SFT assessed on our behalf, and we are assessing the report's conclusions.

Meanwhile, we continue to welcome applications from all prospective applicant's - including community groups - to Scotland’s Heat Network Fund.

The Scottish Government does not hold data on this.

The indoor tennis centre at Moray Sports Centre was developed with support from the Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund and opened in July 2024. The Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund is a £15 million investment programme and partnership between sportscotland, Tennis Scotland and the Lawn Tennis Association. It is the largest capital investment in tennis in Scotland's history, designed to support innovative projects that address local demand and improve access to indoor tennis facilities in areas where provision is limited.

While the Scottish Government and its delivery partners supported the capital investment in the facility, we do not routinely collect annual court usage data from the centre. Information may be available directly from Moray Sports Centre or the Moray Sports Foundation, who manage the facility.

Local authorities, as food authorities, will be responsible for enforcing the Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025, using powers in the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food (Scotland) Act 2015. The approach was informed with input from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other key partners, and aligns with the enforcement regime for other offences in food law. The Scottish Government is finalising funding to local authorities for 2026-27 to support the implementation of enforcement when the policy commences from 1 October.

In addition, Public Health Scotland is leading a programme of evaluation research supported by an Evaluation Advisory Group which includes economic and analytical advisers across Public Health Scotland, Food Standards Scotland and Scottish Government, with policy officials and additional input from academics.

Public Health Scotland has already implemented a range of studies to assess the baseline situation against which to compare progress and impacts at a later stage.

The Scottish Government recognises the significant impact that preventable ill health and premature mortality have on men across Scotland. Improving population health and reducing health inequalities, including those experienced by men, therefore remains a key priority.

Last year, the Scottish Government and COSLA published the Population Health Framework: a whole-system, cross-sector approach to improving life expectancy and reducing health inequalities – including action in key areas that disproportionately affect men. This Framework complements the strong focus on prevention and early intervention across the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, and specific action being taken forward across Government.

For instance, with men accounting for nearly three quarters of suicides in 2024, the Scottish Government has an increased suicide prevention budget of £3m for 2026-27. There is also continued investment in the SAMH’s Extra Time programme, where football is used as a hook to support men to look after their mental health.

Given the evidence that men are less likely to contact their GP than women, the ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign to detect cancer early uses targeted marketing to ensure it reaches men in places they spend their time, reaching over 2 million men so far.

Furthermore, evaluation of Scottish Government’s alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing policy found the largest estimated reductions in deaths and hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol were among men and those living in the 40% most deprived areas in Scotland.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering concrete actions to improve population health, and the fundamental shift across Government to early intervention and prevention is designed to address these important issues.

The Scottish Government has been very clear about the significant challenges we face as a Government and a country ahead of the next Scottish Budget on 3 December 2026. Our immediate focus at the start of the Parliamentary session has been on setting out its Programme for the next five years. These are the priorities that we need public funding to deliver.

The fiscal update published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) at the end of August provides a detailed assessment of the economic and fiscal outlook facing Scotland. From all of this, Parliament will be well aware that the Scottish Government is entering the 2027-28 Budget process facing a combination of pressures and challenges that will need difficult decisions.

I recognise your interest in ensuring that Parliament has the information it needs for its pre-Budget scrutiny. As noted in my letter to the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 29 September, I will engage on the fiscal challenges and key issues facing the Scottish Budget as part of my appearance at the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 30 September, and a parliamentary debate on the asks of the UK Government Budget on 1 October. Since I wrote to the Convener at the end of June, a new UK Prime Minister and Chancellor have taken office, creating the prospect of changes to UK fiscal policy this autumn. The debate on 1 October will provide an opportunity for Parliament to consider the implications for Scotland and to discuss the priorities we wish to see reflected in the UK Budget. I will continue to keep the Committee and Parliament updated on key developments ahead of Budget.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with a range of stakeholders on matters which impact the Oil and Gas workforce. This includes the introduction by industry of a Safe Weight Limit Policy, which is due to come into force at the start of November.

The Scottish Government would encourage employers to work with their employees to support them through this change.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-03425 on 30 September 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-03425 on 30 September 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.