Chamber and committees

I am grateful to the Scottish Law Commission for its detailed report and recommendations. The Scottish Government recognises the important of ensuring that tenement buildings are properly maintained, and that owners are supported to plan for and fund repairs.

Policy officials are currently undertaking further scoping work, including reviewing the SLC report, giving sufficient time to explore issues as well as engaging with key stakeholders in order to develop proposals.

As you will be aware, tenement maintenance was a manifesto commitment during the 2026 Parliamentary Election and we have committed to reform the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004.

The Scottish Government has noted the publication of the UK Government’s “Our Place to Give” strategy with interest. We recognise the significant history of philanthropy in Scotland and welcome the opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s Third Sector through meaningful collaboration with philanthropists and charitable foundations.

We are committed to developing a Third Sector Partnership Agreement in collaboration with the sector and other partners, including independent funders. The Partnership is an opportunity to build on the relationship between Scottish Government and the Third Sector, recognise the third sector’s role and reset how Scottish Government, the third sector and partners work together to design and deliver policy and services that meet the needs of the people of Scotland.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cost of Living Crisis resulted in the planned actions from the Tenement Condition: Workplan for 2021 not being completed.

However, we have since progressed recommendations of the Scottish Parliament Working Group on tenement maintenance by instructing the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) to undertake a law reform project on mandatory owners associations for tenement properties.

Officials are now undertaking further scoping work following receipt of the SLC report and recommendations and other relevant information on the current arrangements to common repairs in tenements in Scotland.

The Scottish Government does not receive routine notifications from the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) regarding investigations, compliance issues or enforcement activity relating to licensed establishments operating under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Any oversight, inspection and enforcement functions under the 1986 Act are the responsibility of ASRU, acting on behalf of the UK Government.

Accordingly, the Scottish Government does not hold information on individual investigations, compliance concerns or enforcement actions undertaken by ASRU.

The Scottish Government did not receive any specific Barnett consequential funding because of the UK Government’s introduction of a local news fund. This is being funded from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Spending Review allocation.

The Scottish Government considers that a number of measures within the Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland Sprint 1 Delivery Plan have the potential to support the implementation of the 3Rs framework. These include actions to strengthen Scotland’s research and innovation ecosystem, support the development of new technologies, and foster collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector.

Together, these measures can help create the conditions for the development and uptake of innovative approaches that may reduce reliance on animals in research and testing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-02313 on 24 August 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-02813 on 15 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.

The Scottish Government recognises the role that philanthropy can play in supporting our third sector and communities across Scotland. As part of our policy development with respect to the third sector, Scottish Government engages with independent funders, philanthropic foundations and academics. We recognise the funding pressures that third sector organisations are facing and we will continue to engage and explore opportunities which would support a sustainable and resilient third sector.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S7W-02745 and S7W-02746 on 15 September 2026.

The commercial decision announced in July of a sale of BP’s North Sea assets has caused great uncertainty for their workforce and the wider energy workforce in Scotland.

The Scottish Government closely monitors and considers a range of evidence in relation to the energy transition. The First Minister and I met with energy leaders in the North East in the days after this announcement, and I continue to engage with BP and other relevant partners including the trade unions to understand the potential impacts of the sale.

Regulation of the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas infrastructure is a reserved matter. Any assessment of potential impacts on decommissioning from bp’s sale of assets would be a matter for the UK Government.

The Scottish Government supports decommissioning activity happening in a way that facilitates an orderly, managed and just transition to net-zero and maximises the benefits for Scotland’s businesses and communities.

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.