Chamber and committees

The first meeting of the Expert Group took place on 25 April 2024 and its lifespan was initially expected to be around one year, although there was scope to extend this, and it’s now likely to continue beyond this time.

The group aims to share an update on its progress, and timeline for potential recommendations, to the Scottish Government for consideration in late April.

The Salmon (Fish Passes and Screens) (Scotland) Regulations 1994 were revoked in 2013. Therefore, there have been no prosecutions for offences under these regulations since 2021.

The Salmon (Fish Passes and Screens) (Scotland) Regulations 1994 were revoked in 2013 and regulation of activities affecting the water environment, including barriers to salmon migration, is now done under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. This framework allows for a broader suite of enforcement options compared with the Salmon (Fish Passes and Screens) (Scotland) Regulations 1994, which only allowed prosecutions.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with the Coastal Communities Network Scotland whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Accessible parking space provision is influenced by many regimes including planning, building standards and roads policy. It is for the local authority to decide on the suitable parking requirements in each locale, taking a place based approach. Planning law does not govern car parking provision, rather, it is for the local authority to manage existing parking in public car parks and on the road network and requirements for new developments (set out in building standards guidance).

Scottish Government funding for electric vehicle charge points now requires operators to take steps to ensure a reasonable proportion of accessible spaces.

We are exploring a new long term conditions strategy to better recognise the fact that many people living with long term conditions need the same types of support and care, regardless of their condition. The strategy will focus on ensuring equitable and sustainable access to the services that all people with long term conditions need, while still allowing for targeted action on condition-specific care and support where appropriate.

We will shortly launch a full public consultation on this strategy. We are therefore not yet in a position to confirm the implications of the consultation and ensuing strategy with regard to condition-specific action plans.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Friends of the Earth Scotland whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Open Seas whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Scottish Environment Link whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.

Implementation of the Heart Disease Action Plan is overseen by the National Heart Disease Task Force, which reviews annual progress reports.

Consideration will be given to an evaluation of the delivery of this plan as it continues into 2026.

The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting Mark Ruskell MSP to progress his Member’s Bill to reconsideration as soon as practical. Given our experience of the reconsideration process with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, we have agreed with Mr Ruskell that the Scottish Government will draft, lodge and speak to the amendment provisions we consider necessary to address the legislative competence issues raised in the UK Supreme Court judgement.

We wish to preserve as much of the Bill as possible however, we are clear that this must be balanced against the need to minimise a second referral to the Supreme Court. Scottish Government lawyers continue to engage with the UK Government regarding the Bill. We will provide an update to Mr Ruskell MSP and Parliament as soon as we are in a position to share any further information.