Chamber and committees

The provision of allotments is the responsibility of local authorities as set out in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”), Part 9.

Section 111 of the 2015 Act requires local authorities to maintain a waiting list of persons who ask to lease or sublease an allotment. Section 112 then requires local authorities to take steps to manage the number of persons on that list.

In accordance with section 121 of the 2015 Act, local authorities report annually on the provision of allotments in their areas. The legislation clearly defines the mandatory information to be included in the annual allotment reports which includes;

• the location and size of each allotment site,
• the number of allotments on each allotment site,
• the rent payable,
• the number of people on the waiting list and how many have been waiting 5 years or more,
• the number of allotments on each allotment site that are accessible by a disabled person,
• the number of allotments adjusted to meet the needs of a tenant who is a disabled person,
• the income received, and expenditure incurred, by the authority in connection with allotment sites,
• such other information as may be prescribed.

Annual Allotment Reports are available online from the Glasgow City Council website. Those reports are required to include information on the demand for and supply of allotments in Glasgow. The Scottish Government does not collect this information centrally and does not hold historic data on allotment provision.

Global events continue to reinforce the impact of high energy prices such as Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East. However, other factors are at play such as the UK’s disastrous decision to leave the European Union. This has meant an increase in energy bills.

In an energy-rich nation, no one should struggle to pay their bills.

The Scottish Government continues to support vulnerable households, including those in Glasgow, through our winter heating benefits, with a forecast investment of £205 million in 2026-27. Since 2015, our Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme has invested around £440 million and helped over 51,000 households to live in warmer homes which are more affordable to heat.

We continue to invest in free income maximisation support, welfare and debt advice and have maintained investment in the Scottish Welfare Fund, providing vital support to those in crisis.

It is clear that high energy prices must be addressed. The UK Government must take their responsibility for energy pricing seriously by putting in place robust and effective consumer protections for all fuel users and introducing targeted energy bill discounts to reduce the number of households in fuel poverty.

GP practices are funded to provide cervical screening services as part of their contractual arrangements with NHS boards, and are responsible for ensuring that services are accessible to patients, including those with disabilities.

Practitioners working with physically disabled patients should be confident and experienced in taking cervical samples, and should consider reasonable adjustments based on a patient’s needs. This can include providing longer appointments, using accessible examination equipment, or arranging for screening to take place in alternative settings, such as clinics with hoisting facilities.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is responsible for ensuring that GP practices and wider services meet these requirements and that appropriate arrangements are in place to support patients requiring additional assistance.

The M8 Woodside viaducts occupy a prominent position on the trunk road network and carry up to 150,000 vehicles per day.

No formal economic impact assessment was carried out in advance of lane restrictions being imposed, due to the emergency nature of the works. The likely impact on Glasgow and beyond was considered when installing propping rather than closing the viaduct as stakeholders expressed significant concern over the impact of lane closures, let alone full carriageway closures.

In July 2023, an assessment was made of the estimated costs to the economy of closing the viaducts which, at the time, was estimated to be in the region of £100m per year.

The economic impact of the works in their current form with 2 open lanes has not specifically been modelled but is likely to be significantly less that the full closure estimate.

More in depth impact assessments form part of the options appraisal process that is being undertaken to inform development of the permanent works solution.

Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

The Scottish Government does not hold any information on what proportion of the local road network is currently classified as requiring maintenance or repair.

The M8 Woodside Viaducts project is complex, which involves constructing temporary propping in a constrained urban environment to remove traffic loading from the deteriorated half-joints which support the motorway. Transport Scotland and their contractor, Amey, are working to ensure completion of the works as soon as possible. The removal of traffic management from the Eastbound carriageway is scheduled for Autumn 2026 with the Westbound carriageway scheduled for the second half of 2027.

I acknowledge the disruption being experienced by the travelling public and local community and appreciate the patience of road users. However, this work is essential to ensure the safe operation of this section of the M8 for the approximately 150,000 road users who travel on this section of motorway daily.

The Scottish Government recognises the impacts that disruption can have on island communities. The First Minister has announced the implementation of a £10 million Islands Resilience Fund as part of the government’s first 100 days commitments, and work is underway to deliver that pledge.

Further details will be announced in due course.

Amey is ultimately responsible for undertaking the viaduct propping works, acting as both Principal Designer and Contractor, under the Network Maintenance Contract (NMC) with Transport Scotland.

Transport Scotland’s Project Team manage Amey’s performance and scrutinise Amey’s programme at weekly meetings. They undertake joint risk reviews with Amey to ensure adequate allowances are made in the programme for any risks to delivery. As a result of scrutinising the programme and risks, a Quantitative Schedule Risk Analysis (QSRA) is produced by Amey. The QSRA provides probabilities for when the project will be completed, which aids planning and communications to the public.

Transport Scotland also utilise the Performance Audit Group (PAG) who audit, monitor and report on the financial, technical and performance aspects of the operating companies who are contracted to manage and maintain Scotland’s trunk roads. In addition, for this project, Transport Scotland have additional support from Turner and Townsend who provide expert scrutiny of the programme and project risks.

As you are aware, Transport Scotland has established a Project Board to provide additional governance and oversight of the project, who regularly receive copies of the programme, and reporting on reasons for any change at regular intervals.

Finally, independent peer reviews, known as Gateway Reviews, have been undertaken at key stages of the project with the support of stakeholders and advisers. These Reviews provide additional assurance and, where required, recommend actions to ensure the project progresses successfully.

I am, therefore, confident Transport Scotland have robust monitoring in place in relation to the programme, reported delays and the reasons for them.

Scottish Government will continue to work with the industry to ensure conditions are right before any final decisions are made, this will include stakeholder organisations, farmers and crofters directly through user research, workshops and/ or engagement sessions.

It is also expected that additional academic modelling will be required if there is a decision to pursue additional conditionality on permanent grassland.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting a thriving livestock industry. Updating schemes to deliver stronger policy outcomes helps ensure that public expenditure is justified and that Scotland maintains a productive and resilient agricultural sector.

The Agricultural reform Program will continue to review opportunities to recognise efficient farming practice that align to the Scottish Government Vision for agriculture.

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.