Chamber and committees

As announced in Parliament by the Deputy First Minister on 23 June 2026, from 1 April 2027, we will remove non-domestic rates relief from vape shops. We want to ensure vape shops are contributing to the high street, recognising the growth of the sector in recent years and ensuring rates relief aligns with our public health commitments. We will confirm the details of the policy in the Budget, which will be followed by the regulations setting out the scope and definition of the measures, including the definition of a vape shop.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01304 on 6 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’s Client Guide to Construction Projects provides detailed guidance for public bodies on the conduct of all construction projects including design and build. It reinforces the importance of embedding the delivery of quality in construction projects from the very start and recognises the critical role of clients in creating the systems and culture that underpin it. It is supplemented by construction policy notes which include guidance for oversight and site inspection in design and build projects. These are mandated for all projects which fall within the scope of the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM).

The Scottish Government also continue to encourage all public sector bodies to use the Client Guide and the associated Construction Capability Assessment Tool in order to ensure their organisation is prepared for and aligned with all the requirements of their chosen procurement route.

The Scottish Government will continue to review and develop the Client Guide to Construction Projects and strengthen its visibility and impact

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law) is a reserved piece of legislation. It introduces a legal duty on those responsible for publicly accessible premises and events to improve preparedness for terrorist attacks. The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025.

A minimum 24-month implementation period means duties are expected to come into force from 2027, following statutory guidance published in April 2026. As the guidance is for reserved Legislation it is the responsibility of the UK Government to provide relevant guidance. The Home Office have recently published a series of guidance and documents to support the Act and those under its remit.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01304 on 6 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 regularly discusses Counter-Terrorism preparedness with our emergency services through the CONTEST strategy structures in Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges faced by seasonal workers and their employers are complex, and further work is required to develop bespoke national standards. Local authorities are expected to use existing powers to introduce byelaws suited to their geographical area, and in response to the specific circumstances relating to seasonal workers. Officials recently met with key stakeholders to further discuss key aspects of this issue. Officials have been in discussion with local authorities regarding their responsibility to introduce byelaws that maintain accommodation standards for seasonal workers. This work with local authorities will continue as they take up that responsibility.

Local authorities have the autonomy to determine how best to fulfil their duties under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. In exercising this autonomy, the Scottish Government expects local authorities to act lawfully and is committed to supporting local authorities in this.

Although legal proceedings could, in theory, be pursued where statutory duties are not met, the Scottish Government’s strong preference is to work collaboratively with local authorities and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to achieve constructive progress.

Maintaining open dialogue with local authority partners remains a key priority, particularly in supporting them to meet their statutory duties relating to allotments. As part of this approach, the Scottish Government has worked with APSE Scotland (Association for Public Service Excellence) to establish a national partnership forum. This forum aims to facilitate the sharing of expertise and good practice in community growing. APSE Scotland is now engaging directly with local authority members to advance this work.

The purpose of these new powers is to enable social landlords to apply to the court for an order on the new ground to enable certain victim/survivors of domestic abuse to remain in the family home where it is their wish, and where it is safe and appropriate for them to do so. The new powers also encourage social landlords to take a more proactive role in supporting and protecting victim/survivors of domestic abuse.

While there is no specific requirement for social landlords to notify existing tenants individually of the change to the law around their tenancy arising from the commencement of section 22 of the 2021 Act, the guidance on the use of the new measures published in June encourages social landlords to publicise these new provisions to their tenants and reinforce zero tolerance of domestic abuse. This could be done in a range of ways such as on their website, in tenants’ handbooks and via newsletters.

We will continue to work with social housing providers and other stakeholders who provide support to those experiencing domestic abuse to assess how the new measures are operating in practice.

The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 (“the 2026 Act”) includes provisions that will allow local authorities to make by-laws in connection with the prevention of wildfires.

The 2026 Act is being brought into force on a phased basis, with the first provisions commencing in June 2026, and we will set out further details of the timetable for commencing and implementing individual provisions in due course.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders during the commencement and implementation process and will ensure that local authorities, other stakeholders, and members of the public have sufficient time to prepare before any provisions that affect them are brought into force.