Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not hold this operational information. The member may wish to contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service directly, as the Service is responsible for the deployment and operation of its vehicles.

The Scottish Government does not hold this operational information. The member may wish to contact the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service directly, as the Service is responsible for the deployment and operation of its vehicles.

The Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) pay supplement was replaced following a review with a new Government Digital and Data (GDD) pay supplement aligned to the UK Civil Service profession framework. Pay supplements are temporary measures, subject to regular review, and are retained, amended or withdrawn based on evidence of recruitment and retention pressures. The review concluded that pay supplements should continue to be applied where there is evidence of recruitment and retention challenges linked to market conditions. As a result, roles where higher external salaries create difficulties in attracting and retaining suitably skilled staff continue to attract a pay supplement at an appropriate market rate.

I have commissioned a review of the Scottish Government’s Wildfires Strategic Action Plan and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) standard operational assurance processes will capture debriefs from attending crews and officers.

In addition, the SFRS have also commissioned an independently led review at a wider partner and multi-agency level to identify issues arising from the Cairngorms wildfire in order to maximise organisational learning and instil public confidence.

These reviews will provide partners with the opportunities to explore issues and experiences arising during this wildfire, ensuring lessons learned are taken forward and that future arrangements are fully informed by operational experience and the expertise of those at the forefront of wildfire management.

In May 2025, UK Government officials made the Scottish Government aware that the UK Government intended to publish a consultation relating to licensing of the sale of knives. This was subsequently published in December 2025 with the consultation finishing in February 2026. As yet, the Scottish Government is not aware of specific proposals from the UK Government to introduce such a scheme following the consultation and will be happy to discuss with the UK Government as any such proposals are developed in terms of any impact for Scotland. In particular, the need to consider the operation of any licensing scheme in respect of the importation of knives will be required by the UK Government for Scotland as this area of law is likely reserved under the Scotland Act 1998.

There is long-standing knife dealer licensing in Scotland operated by local authorities that applies to all retailers including online retailers who sell weapons covered by the licensing scheme. This is unlike the situation in England and Wales.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on average waiting times for autism assessments at either national or parliamentary region level.

We are, however, aware of challenges and significant waiting times for autism assessments in some areas of Scotland. We continue to work with NHS Boards, COSLA and wider partners to improve access to neurodevelopmental support.

The supply of medicines, and the associated legislation, is a matter reserved to the UK Government.

Since the outset of the supply disruption, the UK Medicines Shortage Response Group (MSRG)'s advice to prescribers has been to switch patients to hydrocortisone sodium succinate 100mg powder for injection, where clinically appropriate. This was communicated to Health Boards and prescribers via a Scottish Government Medicines Supply Alert Notice (MSAN) on 22 January 2025.

Patients who are concerned about the additional preparation steps required when using this powder formulation for emergency injections may wish to discuss with their clinician whether an alternative unlicensed hydrocortisone product would be appropriate for them.

The Scottish Government recognises that alcohol-specific deaths and drug related deaths can share a range of underlying social, behavioural and health-related risk factors. Understanding these interconnected factors is important to informing effective prevention, treatment and support services.

We continue to support and commission research and analysis on the causes and drivers of alcohol and drug-related harms through a range of programmes and partnerships with academic institutions, Public Health Scotland, Scottish Alcohol Research Network, Drug Research Network Scotland and other public sector organisations. This includes research examining severe and multiple disadvantages and the links between substance use, mental health, deprivation, trauma, social isolation, and patterns of help-seeking behaviour among different population groups, including men.

There are currently no specific plans for a standalone research programme focused exclusively on the interlinked sociobehavioural factors associated with male alcohol and drug deaths. We will, however, continue to support and encourage research that improves understanding of the complex and overlapping factors contributing to substance-related deaths and informs actions to reduce harm and save lives.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of understanding the factors that can affect men's health and wellbeing, including depression, separation from family and substance use. These issues can be complex and interconnected, and we continue to support research and evidence-gathering activity through collaboration with Public Health Scotland, academic institutions and other partners to improve understanding of their causes and impacts.

The Scottish Government invests in a range of services that support mental health, recovery from substance use, and people experiencing adverse life circumstances and trauma. This includes working with partners across the public and third sectors to improve outcomes for men.

Through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, we are supporting the Men’s Advice Line, which provides practical advice and emotional support to men experiencing domestic abuse. More broadly, community-based organisations across Scotland provide targeted mental health and wellbeing support for men, including peer-support and suicide-prevention services. This includes funding the Changing Room: Extra Time programme, which uses football as a hook to help men learn about and understand their mental health and wellbeing together with their peers.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has responsibility for the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines through its licensing and pharmacovigilance functions, which are reserved matters.

The MHRA continues to closely monitor the safety of Depo-Provera®, as it does with all licensed medicines, and is examining recent data and seeking advice from experts on the need for any further action. Given this ongoing work, I have no plans to commission a separate evidence review.