Chamber and committees

Extensive engagement ensured Enhanced Greening requirements are proportionate for farmers, crofters, and small farms.

Officials commissioned academic advice to model the impact of the changes to ensure the transitional change was proportionate and deliverable.

The Scottish Government worked with stakeholder organisations, including the National Farmers Union for Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation. Involved farmers and crofters directly through user research and workshops with advisors across Scotland, including Orkney.

This collaborative approach has led to the introduction of four new Ecological Focus Areas, and updates to existing EFAs, providing greater flexibility to reflect the diversity of farming systems including local practices found in Orkney.

Advisors in Orkney secured funding to analyse academic modelling specific to the islands and organised roadshows to help farmers and crofters prepare for the changes.

The Greening scheme £142 Million budget supports agriculture and the environment, this complements the other significant support packages that Scottish Government continues to provide in stark contrast to policies elsewhere in the UK.

In exploring the potential of permanent grassland greening requirements, Officials worked with stakeholder organisations, including the National Farmers Union for Scotland, Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), Policy Development Group, and the Scottish Crofting Federation. This involved farmers and crofters directly through user research and workshops, with advisors across Scotland reviewing opportunities to recognise the policy contribution that farmers can make through permanent grassland (PGRS) using the existing Greening scheme.

Officials commissioned academic advice to model the impact of the changes to ensure the transitional change was proportionate and deliverable and to supply information to promote conversation and gather feedback

The Agricultural reform Program will continue to review opportunities to recognise efficient farming practice that align to the Scottish Government’s Vision for agriculture and officials will work collaboratively with the industry to ensure conditions are right before any final decision is made

Extensive engagement ensured Enhanced Greening requirements are proportionate for farmers, crofters, and small farms.

Officials commissioned academic advice to model the impact of the changes to ensure the transitional change was proportionate and deliverable.

Officials worked with stakeholder organisations, including the National Farmers Union for Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation. This involved farmers and crofters directly through user research and workshops with advisors across Scotland, including Orkney.

This collaborative approach has led to the introduction of four new Ecological Focus Area options, and updates to existing EFAs, providing greater flexibility to reflect the diversity of farming systems including local practices found in Orkney.

Advisors in Orkney secured funding to analyse academic modelling specific to the islands and organised roadshows to help farmers and crofters prepare for the changes.

The Greening schemes £142 Million budget supports agriculture and the environment and complements the other significant support packages that Scottish Government continues to provide in stark contrast to policies elsewhere in the UK.

12 local authorities have completed their rollout of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads with a further 4 due to complete by September. Officials are working closely with the remaining local authorities to support delivery across Scotland.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

(a) As noted in our 100-day commitment, we will launch a public consultation on a display ban of vapes and nicotine pouches as part of our on-going implementation of the 2026 Tobacco and Vapes Act (the Act). We also continue to work with the 4-nations on policies concerning restrictions on the packaging and device appearance of vapes using powers in the Act. Decisions on further legislative restrictions on displays, packaging and device appearance of vapes will be dependent on the outcome of consultations. As a result of the Act a free distribution and nominal pricing offence comes into force for vaping products on 29 October 2026 and from 1 June 2027 a comprehensive ban on advertising vapes will come into force.

(b) There are currently no plans to introduce regulations regarding the storage of lithium-ion batteries. However, the storage of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in a range of products, should be informed by a fire risk assessment carried out by a competent fire risk assessor. Fire risk assessments are already a legal requirement for duty holders of all relevant (non-domestic) premises.

Work is currently underway to evaluate the long-term effects of removing peak fares for good and the Scottish Government expects to be able to share initial findings later this year, allowing time to take account of seasonal variations in travel patterns and atypical events such as adverse weather events, impact of the fire incident at Glasgow Union Street or major planned events like the Commonwealth Games.

The removal of ScotRail peak fares for good is currently saving money for hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland, who travel by rail. For example, passengers in the Member’s constituency travelling from Baillieston to Glasgow save £2.60 (36%) and from Shettleston to Glasgow save £2.30 (43%) each time they purchase a return ticket to travel during the busiest commuting times, when compared with previous Anytime Day Return prices.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.

There is currently no fully established national clinical pathway for Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) specifically commissioned by NHS Scotland.

The development and implementation of clinical pathways is led by NHS under established clinical governance arrangements and informed by clinical evidence and service needs.

Where proposals are put forward for pathway development, these are considered through established, clinically led processes by NHS and relevant national delivery partners.

Through Scotland’s Rare Disease Action Plan, we are taking forward actions to improve support for people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and related conditions, including hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). This includes work to support earlier diagnosis, increase awareness among healthcare professionals, and improve coordination of care and access to services. The Rare Disease Action Plan Progress Report, published on 27 February 2026, provides an update on progress to date.

While the Scottish Government sets the strategic policy direction for the NHS in Scotland, the delivery of healthcare services is the responsibility of local NHS Health Boards, in line with national guidance and population needs.