Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is committed to meeting its obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty. Responsibility for the accessibility and affordability of outdoor areas is shared across Scottish Government and a range of other public bodies.

Equality and human rights considerations are taken into account throughout Government with an expectation that the impacts of policies on protected groups, including disabled people and minority ethnic communities are assessed. This is supported through impact assessment processes, stakeholder engagement and the use of equality evidence. Closing the gaps in participation in the use of outdoor spaces is challenging, but the Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS), commissioned by Nature Scot, has showed some progress in the last ten years with respect to equalities groups and it remains an important priority for this Government.

Social Security Scotland publishes information on applications to Adult Disability Payment from people in receipt of, or who have previously received, Child Disability Payment as part of its annual Adult Disability Payment June statistical publication.

The number of young people in receipt of Child Disability Payment who were awarded Adult Disability Payment in each of the last five years is set out in the published Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment table A1.

Young people can apply for Adult Disability Payment between the ages of 16 and 18 and remain entitled to Child Disability Payment until a determination is made on their application. However, the published statistics do not provide a breakdown showing how many Child Disability Payment recipients transferred to Adult Disability Payment after turning 16.

While the law covering the sale of fireworks is mainly reserved, the Scottish Government has taken steps wherever possible to strengthen the law around access to, and use of, fireworks. The Scottish Government’s most recent legislation, the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, introduced a package of measures intended to reduce harmful and antisocial use of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles, while supporting the safe and responsible enjoyment of fireworks. Animal welfare matters were considered and the Act introduced new discretionary powers for local authorities to designate firework control zones. In some areas, zones have been used to minimise the impact of fireworks on animals during the Bonfire Night period.

The UK Government has recently launched a consultation on fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK which can be found at: Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK - GOV.UK. Within the consultation animal welfare considerations are referred to and views are sought on a number of issues, including on restricting the availability of noisier fireworks to the general public.

The £340 million funding package to tackle rough sleeping, announced by the UK Prime Minister in July, will be met from within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s existing budget. As the funding does not constitute new departmental spending, it will not generate Barnett consequentials for the Scottish Government.

All households assessed as unintentionally homeless, are considered under the same homelessness legislation and local allocation policies. Access to social housing is determined on the basis of assessed housing need and individual circumstances, and no group receives automatic priority over others. Eligibility for certain housing and homelessness assistance is subject to immigration legislation, which is reserved to the UK Government.

International trade is reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government regularly engages with the UK Government on trade negotiations and has consistently emphasised that agri-food trade agreements should uphold Scotland’s high animal welfare and food standards.

We have also highlighted the importance of trade to Scotland’s food security. The Scottish Government welcomed the outline UK-EU SPS and Veterinary Agreement announced on 19 May 2025 and will continue to press for Scotland’s interests, including high agri-food standards, to be reflected in future trade negotiations.

The process for the development and approval of the SSEP is set out in the Commissioning letter and the SSEP methodology both of which are publicly available. The decision on the initial pathway for the SSEP will be made by the Secretary of State in autumn 2026, following input from Scottish and Welsh Governments. The finalised Pathway Options Report prepared by NESO will be issued to UK, Scottish and Welsh Government at the end of August. It is expected that the chosen pathway will go out for public consultation in early 2027 with the final SSEP agreed in Autumn 2027.

Areas where large number of bathers are expected to use the water are designated as Bathing Waters for the protection of public health. This is typically throughout the summer months. SEPA convenes a Bathing Water Panel each year which makes recommendations on the duration of the bathing season and we would welcome any evidence, such as user surveys, of large numbers of bathers outside of the traditional bathing season (1 June – 15 September) to inform future decisions.

We have not undertaken analysis of the public health benefits of extending the bathing season.

The Scottish Government's Population Strategy focuses on four key building blocks: a family friendly nation; a healthy living society; an attractive and welcoming country; and a more balanced population.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01848 on 7 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

Following the successful introduction of the Bus Fare Cap Pilot across the Highlands and Islands earlier this year, work is ongoing with partners, including operators, to progress a £2 bus fare cap to Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire and Inverclyde within the first 100 days of this government.

We are also committed to bringing forward legislation for a £2 bus fare cap across Scotland by the end of this parliament, building on the evidence from the current pilot.