Chamber and committees

While the Scottish Government has no role in the strategic planning or regulation of electricity networks, beyond its statutory consenting functions, it regularly engages with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and the UK Government to discuss the potential impact of data centres.

The Scottish Government has been absolutely clear that the UK Government must consider all available levers to protect consumers from rising costs and also ensure the delivery of a transmission network that enables the abundant renewable energy generated in Scotland to reach homes and businesses across the country.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken an analysis of the additional costs faced by parents of twins and other multiple births and the impact of extending the 1,140 entitlement to these families from the age of two.

Decisions on future childcare delivery options, and costs will be considered through the appropriate parliamentary and budgetary processes.

The recent Programme for Government set out our intention to publish and consult on a blueprint for a transformed childcare offer in 2027, focussing on what matters most to families. I encourage anyone with an interest, including families with twin or multiple births, to participate in the consultation.

Significant progress has been made in implementing the Prison Healthcare Target Operating Model (TOM), which provides the framework for delivering consistent, high-quality prison healthcare services across Scotland. The latest national reporting indicates that 72% of TOM service elements are now fully implemented, with progress recorded across all service areas.

The Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland to support our aim to shift more care into the community and away from hospital settings, as recently set out in the Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework. On 27 August 2026, I wrote to the Health, Care and Sport Committee to provide an update on a meeting I convened with NHS Heads of Service, community audiology providers and other key stakeholders, to discuss a plan for enhancing community audiology services, delivery of which is included in our Programme for Government. This letter sets out the Scottish Government’s immediate priorities for audiology services to enable us to deliver more accessible, consistent and patient-centred care. This work will seek to build on best practice, including the excellent work undertaken by NHS Tayside to build service capacity, reduce waiting times, and expand into community settings, which is supporting efficient and equitable access to audiology care. My letter can be read in full here: 20260827 Minister for Community Care to Convener | Scottish Parliament Website.

The Scottish Government has not been asked to approve any business case or changes for the Chapelcross redevelopment since CX Tech were appointed as the strategic developer.

Public Health Scotland publishes monthly official statistics on Delayed Discharges in NHS Scotland. This publication includes the number of people at each monthly census point, and the number of bed days occupied by delays each month, where the main reason for delay was recorded as Code 9 – Adults with Incapacity Act (AWI). Code 9 AWI reasons apply to delayed discharges from the point a person is identified as lacking capacity to consent to decisions about their care in the absence of a welfare power of attorney, throughout the guardianship application process, including consideration of whether discharge can be progressed using 13zA of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, and until guardianship is appointed or the application is dismissed.

The latest published statistics show that during September 2026, 11,482 bed days across NHS Scotland were occupied by delays where the main reason recorded for delay was Code 9 – Adults with Incapacity, an average of 389 per day. During financial year 2025-26, 151,115 bed days were occupied by delay for Code 9 Adults with Incapacity reasons, an average of 414 per day.

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/delayed-discharges-in-nhs-scotland-monthly/

We would strongly encourage everyone in Scotland to set up a power of attorney. You can do this at any point in your life. It’s important to have this in place while you have capacity. You don’t need to wait until you become unwell or are diagnosed with a specific condition.

We would strongly encourage everyone in Scotland to set up a power of attorney. You can do this at any point in your life. It’s important to have this in place while you have capacity. You don’t need to wait until you become unwell or are diagnosed with a specific condition.

While no formal assessment of potential savings has been made, the Scottish Government recognises the considerable evidence about the impact hearing loss can have on an individual’s wider health, participation in employment, and quality of life. It is within this context that our Programme for Government included a commitment to work with the NHS, Third Sector and other stakeholders to deliver an audiology improvement plan, focused on the creation and implementation of more community based models of care, in recognition that we must do more to support audiology services.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-04187 on 6 November 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 important role that the Caledonian Sleeper plays in connecting Highland communities with the Central Belt and London. Fares on these services are currently managed through a range of ticket types and discounted advance purchase fares, with accommodation dynamically priced according to demand and availability.

The introduction of a Highland resident fare would require careful consideration of affordability, operational impact and value for money, including the cost of providing such a scheme and its impact on the financial sustainability of the sleeper service. Depending on passengers circumstances they may be eligible for one of the railcard options which provides a further discount on certain Caledonian Sleeper ticket types.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce a separate pricing tier for Highland residents, although it remains committed to ensuring that the service continues to meet the needs of the passengers and communities it serves.

Healthcare for people in prison is provided by NHS Boards. Where concerns are identified regarding memory problems, cognitive impairment or suspected dementia, prison healthcare teams can assess individuals and make referrals to appropriate specialist services, including local memory assessment pathways, in line with clinical need and NHS Board arrangements.