Chamber and committees

In Scotland, the national clinical pathway for sapropterin use in individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) applies the UK best-practice consensus guidelines developed by the British Inherited Metabolic Disease Group (BIMDG). This ensures a consistent approach to dosing and assessment of treatment response across the UK’s metabolic services.

The pathway specifies a starting dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for the period of responsiveness testing.

The decision to prescribe a medicine, and which medicine to prescribe, is entirely for the clinician in charge of a person’s care, having taken into account their clinical condition, safety and any relevant clinical guidance.

In Scotland, onshore wind farms in excess of 50 MW, like the Sanquhar II Wind Farm, require consent from Scottish Ministers. Deemed planning permissions accompanying such consents contain conditions which require pollution prevention plans to be approved by planning authorities and to be adhered to by the developer.

SEPA has received notifications of potential pollution affecting the Scaur Water and is undertaking an active investigation. They continue to monitor the development closely to ensure that all appropriate pollution mitigation measures in place are robust.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-44092 on 11 March 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.

While Royal Mail and postal delivery services are reserved to the UK Government the Scottish Government is committed to the safe delivery of the parliamentary election on 7 May.

I have been concerned to see the recent reports from the BBC and other media outlets stating that Royal Mail are pursuing a policy of prioritising the delivery of parcels while letters remain undelivered for a much longer period of time than should be the case. This is why I have already written to Mr Alistair Cochrane, Interim CEO of the Royal Mail Group requesting a meeting to discuss with him how Royal Mail intend to ensure election materials are delivered within the required timescales. This meeting is scheduled to take place on 19 March 2026.

In addition, representatives of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland will be meeting with Royal Mail on a weekly basis from mid-March through to the election on 7 May. This has been normal practice in the run up to previous elections and provides an opportunity to deal with any issues as they arise.

The Scottish Government provides Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) funding on an annual basis in line with standard public finance arrangements. Any underspends are managed in accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual and local year-end financial processes, which provide an established mechanism for the treatment of funding across financial years.

Under these arrangements there are mechanisms for ADPs to carry forward underspends under specific circumstances where funding has been earmarked or legally committed for activity planned in future financial years.

Decisions on carry-forward rests with Integration Authorities, subject to the agreed governance and financial controls in place locally.

The Government continues to engage regularly with ADPs, Integration Authorities and finance leads to ensure that funding arrangements remain clear and support flexible delivery of Alcohol and Drug Services.

The Scottish Government keeps funding approaches for alcohol and drug services under regular review to ensure they are informed by evidence and local need. Work for the forthcoming Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan has included consideration of the challenges faced by remote, rural and island areas, drawing on engagement with local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and service providers. We will continue to use this learning to support fair and effective distribution of resources across Scotland.

ADP funding is one of several means for investing and delivering services in remote, rural and island communities. National funding for third sector organisations and wider investment linked to the new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan will continue to be available to support the activities being undertaken by local areas.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related location and resourcing policies.

All internal Civil Service vacancies within the Scottish Government are advertised through the internal jobs portal and are open to all eligible staff on a lateral move or promotion basis. While posts may indicate a preferred location, there are no restrictions preventing employees from applying for any internal role, regardless of their current place of work.

Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.

In relation to redeployment, the Scottish Government applies a consistent, centrally managed approach to matching staff to suitable alternative roles. This includes assessing vacancies against employees’ skills, experience and circumstances, ensuring location does not disadvantage those affected by organisational change.

In relation to career development our learning offer is delivered primarily through our digital learning platform and Microsoft Teams, enabling colleagues in rural and island communities to participate fully in training and career development without the need for travel.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.

The Scottish Government’s hybrid working policy was developed following a detailed internal review and engagement with recognised trade unions, staff networks and colleagues across all Directorates. In developing the policy, a broad range of social, economic and equality considerations were taken into account.

The hybrid working policy is an internal operational matter that does not alter staff contractual terms and conditions. We will continue to monitor the policy in practice, including any impacts on colleagues across Scotland.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.

The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Scottish Government’s hybrid working policy drew on a wide range of evidence, including feedback from staff networks and findings from the hybrid working policy review, to ensure the policy remains accessible and inclusive.

As the hybrid working policy is an internal operational matter that does not alter staff contractual terms and conditions, a formal Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) was not required. We will continue to monitor the policy in practice, including any impacts on colleagues in island communities.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related location policy.

Scottish Government recognises the important contribution made by colleagues based across the country and benefit this brings to communities and the Civil Service as a whole. In developing and implementing our hybrid working policy, specific consideration was given to our dispersed workforce, particularly colleagues living in rural and island communities. Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.