Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of the impact of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) on staff and students within university buildings and campuses.

The safety of staff and students is of paramount importance. Responsibility for the management and safety of buildings rests with institutions as estate owners. Institutions are expected to take a risk-based approach to identifying, managing and mitigating any risks associated with RAAC, taking account of relevant professional guidance.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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 has not undertaken a specific assessment of any potential impact on Merchiston Castle arising from the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within buildings on Edinburgh Napier University's Merchiston Campus.

As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector. The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding it’s assessment of sector-wide risks, issues and impacts.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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 that the Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme (SLGPS) funds have a fiduciary duty to ensure that investment decisions are made in the best interests of scheme members and participating employers. This can include environmental, social and governance considerations.

The Scottish Government is working with local authorities and other stakeholders to develop guidance on delivering the objectives in the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026. We already have an open dialogue with the SLGPS funds to explore how increased investment into projects and businesses in Scotland might be unlocked.

On 4 September 2023, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) provided the Scottish Government with details of institutions where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) had been identified. Edinburgh Napier University was reported as having RAAC in one building on its Merchiston Campus, with its removal planned as part of the university’s wider campus redevelopment programme.

Responsibility for the management, maintenance and safety of university buildings rests with the institution as the owner of the estate. As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the SFC engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector.

Our commitment to the university sector is clear. Our overall 2026-27 investment will exceed £1.4bn, which includes a combined increase of over £55m in resource and capital funding for universities via the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) - equivalent to a 5% uplift on last year’s budget. We also continue our collaborative project between Scottish Government and Universities Scotland on the Framework for Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities launched in December 2025. This will explore options that will ensure our universities are sustainable and well positioned to respond to current and future challenges. I am grateful to cross-party colleagues for their engagement in this work, which I hope will continue as we consider these complex long-term issues.

The Scottish Government position on the responsibility for addressing the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has not changed. RAAC is primarily a building maintenance issue and responsibility lies with the owner of the building.

The SFC continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of significant sector-wide developments. Institutions are expected to take a risk-based approach to identifying, managing and mitigating any risks associated with RAAC, taking account of relevant professional guidance. The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding estate-related risks affecting the tertiary education sector and will continue to monitor the position.

The Scottish Government launched the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme within a matter of weeks in response to the spiralling prices caused by the Iran conflict and wider instability undermining energy security across Europe.

As at the end of 26 July 2026, 3,418 households have met the eligibility requirements, with the first payments being made within 24 hours of the Scheme launching on 1 April 2026.

Each award is for £300 and therefore £1,024,500 has been paid out thus far to ensure the most vulnerable households are supported during the cost of living crisis, which includes households on means-tested benefits but also those in financial hardship and at risk of self-rationing fuel who have unavoidable heating needs.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01726 on 30 July 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.

Food insecurity is driven by insufficient and insecure household income and no one should have to compromise on food or other essentials. Helping people with the cost of living is a top priority of this government and we’re investing around £3.5 billion in 2026-27 to support this, including reducing the costs of travel and helping people find and stay in work. This offers the most comprehensive cost of living support package in the UK while strengthening our public services.

Advice services are critical to Scotland’s communities, maximising incomes and helping to reduce poverty, which is why in 2026-27 we have allocated more than £18 million for the provision of free income maximisation support, welfare and debt advice.

Turnout at the most recent Scottish Parliament election in May 2026 was 53.2%, down 10% on 2021. The Scottish Government has sought to remove barriers to voting by improving accessibility, focusing in 2026 on those with sight loss. Through the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 we have created opportunities to pilot improved registration of voters, and to improve democratic engagement with the overall aim of increasing turnout.

Scottish Universities, as with all those with responsibility for building ownership and property management, should follow the advice and guidance on the identification, management and mitigation of risks associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) provided by professional organisations such as the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of sector-wide developments.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 July 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.