Chamber and committees

Licence conditions applying to dog breeding licences granted under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 already make clear that no dog may be kept for breeding if it can reasonably be expected, on the basis of its genotype, conformation or state of health, that breeding from it could have a detrimental effect on its, or it’s offspring’s, health or welfare.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government guidance produced for both local authorities and holders of a dog breeding licence provides clear advice on this specific issue and lists the category 3 breeds of dogs highlighted by the Kennel Club as being of particular concern and that are more susceptible to developing specific health conditions associated with exaggerated conformation, in particular problems that involve the eyes, skin, dentition, movement and respiratory function.

Anyone seeking to breed a category 3 breed must demonstrate that they have robust selection and health screening procedures in place and local authorities should only licence such a breeder if completely satisfied that all relevant safeguards are in place and that the breeder demonstrates a clear understanding of the issues inherent to the breed in question.

The national minimum amounts for School Clothing Grant are £120 for eligible primary pupils and £150 for eligible secondary pupils. These amounts were agreed with local government in 2021. Local authorities are responsible for administering the School Clothing Grant, including setting eligibility criteria, and have the flexibility to pay families more than the national minimum.

The Scottish Government is providing increased funding of £14.6m in 2026-27 financial year to support local authorities to maintain the School Clothing Grant. This includes a £400k inflationary increase on the previous year’s funding and represents an increase of £2.8m since 2021-22. We have committed to uprating funding in line with inflation during this Parliament.

The Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) provides valuable financial support to eligible visitors of inpatients under the age of 18. There are currently no plans to extend the age range.

In addition to support available under the YPFF, young people aged between 18 – 25 years old continue to have access to the Patient Travel Expenses Scheme or the Highlands and Islands Travel Scheme. Under these schemes, patients and authorised escorts can reclaim reasonable costs of travel associated with attending hospital appointments, in line with eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to undertake an evaluation of the Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF). If this position changes, the scope would include relevant stakeholders such as charities and healthcare providers.

Neither the Scottish Government nor its Warmer Homes Scotland managing agent, Warmworks, collects or holds information on whether properties that withdraw from the scheme have looped electricity service connections.

Yes. Ministerial travel arrangements are made as appropriate to the occasion and circumstances, taking account of operational requirements, security considerations, value for money and the need to deliver an intensive programme of ministerial engagements.

The visit involved a demanding schedule across multiple locations connected to Scotland's participation in the FIFA World Cup and a programme of trade, investment, diplomatic and stakeholder engagements.

The trip enabled the First Minister to promote Scotland's economic interests, including investment opportunities in clean energy and advanced technology, support Scotch whisky industry priorities, launch Scotland's first state-by-state US Export Plan and strengthen key political, educational and cultural relationships.

Information on the economic status of those aged 16 to 24 is available from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Population Survey. The latest data on the economic inactivity rates for 16 to 24 year olds was published in the latest Scotland’s Labour Market Insights publication. This shows that an estimated 37.7% of 16 to 24 year olds in Scotland were economically inactive in April 2025 to March 2026. This equates to around 210,800 young people aged 16 to 24.

The ONS Annual Population Survey also indicates that an estimated 74.0% of economically inactive 16 to 24 year olds were classed as students in April 2025 to March 2026.

The latest Scotland’s Labour Market Insights report can be accessed on the Scottish Government website:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-labour-market-insights-july-2026/

The Scottish Government does not have any immediate plans to review the impact of the Welfare of Dogs Act on illegal puppy smuggling.

However Scottish Government officials are part of the Pet Trade Taskforce; a multi-agency group established to tackle a number of animal-related illegal activities, including the unlicensed puppy trade. This group is involved in educating the public about how to buy a puppy safely which is a key aspect of the 2025 Act and the associated guidance produced by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the principles set out in Scotland's Feminist Approach to International Relations (FAIR) position paper are reflected across its international work.

Delivery of the commitments set out in the position paper is being progressed through relevant portfolios and existing delivery mechanisms, with ministers and officials exploring how FAIR principles can further inform policy development, programme delivery and international engagement.

The Scottish Government will continue to consider how best to support and communicate on the implementation of its FAIR as part of the Government’s wider approach to its international relations in this parliamentary session.

Scotland follows the advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), the independent expert body that advises all four UK nations on screening programmes.

The UK NSC currently does not recommend prostate screening for the general population of men over the age of 50. It has found that there is not yet a suitably accurate test for a national screening programme of asymptomatic men, and there is currently insufficient evidence that the benefits of screening outweigh the risks.

The UK NSC is monitoring ongoing studies and emerging evidence closely and will consider whether new evidence supports expanding their recommended eligibility criteria for prostate cancer screening. Should they recommend screening the general male population aged 50 and over, we will work with the NHS to take that forward in Scotland.