Chamber and committees

As of the end of Q1 2026, there was 10.7GW of onshore wind installed capacity with an additional 5.9GW awaiting construction and 2.1GW under construction. This gives a total of 18.7GW consented onshore wind capacity across these categories. These figures are taken from publications released by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

It is vital to note that achieving consent is only one of several factors that determine deliverability. Grid availability and a route to market through Contracts for Difference are key factors outwith the Scottish Government’s control.

Whilst the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, operational matters such as staffing and recruitment, including the recruitment of graduates, are the responsibility of the individual health and social care employers, taking into account national, regional and local priorities.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that repowering will play in delivering on our onshore wind ambitions.

Scotland’s long-standing support for onshore wind, sustained even when deployment elsewhere in Great Britain stalled, means that most initial repowering opportunities will be in Scotland.

We will continue to consider what additional measures might further support onshore wind deployment in Scotland, including repowering, as we work with industry to deliver our shared ambitions.

Scotland is a welcoming nation that rejects racism, hate, and prejudice. The Scottish Government stands in solidarity with Muslim communities across Scotland and unequivocally condemns the heinous attacks that took place in Edinburgh on 19 June. Each individual impacted by these incidents, either directly or indirectly, is able to seek mental health support and we encourage people to do that via their GP in the first instance.

NHS Lothian holds statutory responsibility to assess and meet the mental health needs of its population. In accordance with its duties under the Equality Act, it provides a range of culturally appropriate and accessible mental health supports and services (delivered in collaboration with local statutory and voluntary sector partners), which ensures responsiveness to the trauma experienced by minority ethnic communities. In practice, NHS Lothian’s evidence-based tiered provision of community-based, psychologically informed, trauma services includes: the Minority Ethnic Health Inclusion Service; Health in Mind; Rivers Centre (specialist psychological trauma service); and CAMHS (Meadows) trauma service.

Nationally, with Scottish Government investment of around £1.5 billion annually, we have record numbers of staff, providing more varied mental health support and services to a larger number of people than ever before. We have provided £99 million for grassroots projects through the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults since 2021, with support totalling £194 million since 2020. A further £15 million will be invested in the Communities Fund for Adults in 2027-28 as part of the Fairer Funding Pilot.

Additionally, over the last 5 years the Scottish Government has undertaken extensive work with delivery partners, including NHS Boards, to improve access to quality psychological therapies, which evidence shows are an effective intervention for supporting people affected by trauma. The National Specification for Psychological Therapies and Interventions sets out what high quality psychological care and practice looks like and acts as a service planning and evaluation resource for delivery partners.

Finally, since 2018, the Scottish Government has invested over £12 million in our National Trauma Transformation Programme. This provides training resources and implementation support for all members of the workforce, supporting the Scottish Government and COSLA’s shared ambition for a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive workforce and services across Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01252 on 23 June 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.

We recognise that care-experienced children and young people can be more likely to experience a range of health, wellbeing and developmental challenges and that they may face additional barriers to accessing services and support including neurodevelopmental support.

In 2021 we published the Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopmental Specification, which sets out the principles and standards of care for all children and young people with neurodevelopmental support needs, including those who may be care experienced.

The Specification aims to ensure that children and families receive the support and access to services that meet their needs at the earliest opportunity, based on the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach. For many children and young people, such support is likely to be community based, and should be quickly and easily accessible.

The Specification also makes clear that support should be put in place to meet the child or young person’s requirements when they need it, rather than be dependent on a formal diagnosis.

In 2025, we undertook a review of the Specification implementation found here: Children and young people - National Neurodevelopmental Specification: implementation review report - gov.scot, and we are progressing the recommended next steps with partners including COSLA and the Children and Young People’s Neurodevelopment Taskforce.

There are two walk-in services open in South Scotland, located in Hawick and Stranraer. Sites in East Ayrshire and Lanark are due to open in high street or former retail premises. These locations require longer lead times, as converting retail spaces into clinically compliant facilities must meet strict safety standards. I have committed to expanding the pilot programme and a Call for Proposals has been issued to Health Boards asking them to consider additional sites across Scotland.

The Scottish Government does not have a single definition of collective advocacy, nor is there one set out in Scottish legislation. However, collective (or group) advocacy is commonly understood and described in guidance as a group with shared experience or interests working together to explore shared issues and campaign for their rights.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01172 on 10 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.

All Health Boards were asked to submit proposals in response to the initial Call for Proposals and were asked to ensure proposals did not adversely impact existing service provision. I am however aware of staffing challenges faced by some sites and my officials remain in regular contact with affected sites to work together to find solutions.